Fun to try and 'race' thanks to the modern magic of Strava (french for 'pointless virtual competition) and Garmin. One thing about these devices is that they do not lie. We are posting some competetive times. Funny to go out and suffer hard for less than 40 minutes when 'normal' rides are 4-5 hours. Felt good to hurt. I may still have a few years in me - or as Patty said "You've still got it, Dave." Indeed.
Ironic that the year I finally commit to a Phat tire ride for the winter - we get basically no snow (so far). It has been a savior. Like today - hoping for some quiet corduroy burning, opening up a carving board to speeds that are not safe amongst the detritus of the weekend crowds. Ripping across Corona and there is gravel, dirt and debris speckled in the snow like corn kernels in poop and it is groomed terribly with chunks and divots and scary craters (many like the one I dislocated my thumb in way back - ouch). I am an Eldora LOVER - not a HATER. But folks - when there is a 30 inch base - the dirt does not groom up into the face. For reals. Be a little bit more honest and please - I know it is the MARKETING snow report (DAVE) - please don't exaggerate to the degree you have been. It's just plain uncool. Went north after a sando at the shed of tin and rode Sourdough - all by my lonesome (where were you jason? I said meet by the frozen dog turds @ 1). Still a little unconsolidated from this last snow - but really a good grade and a tough 1,000 foot climb on the She-Beast - but a lovely, ripping and free descent. The best turns I have had this year. Long live Mondays.
Well, felt good to have a 4x day. Solid shredding at the hill with Q; a nice - non-snowy ride - that 4th pic - OMG - of it looks like this now can you imagine what August will look like? Solid skate after chipping the ice out of the Morning Wood Bowl and finally - a hike with the kids to go build a fort .When life gets squirrelly, it's good to be scared and alive and remember what we are capable of. That very thing - of why we are here. Gonna probe high on the Snow-Beast tomorrow. When in doubt - Go (get) higher.
February 2. Basically, perfect snow-bike conditions. 35 degrees. Sunny. Windy. The mountain was calling 18", that reliable sources said was more like 11" over the last three days. Humans being sent into bony and scary places that should not be open. Rather - we rode. All the way to Three Rangers, the reliable 1,000 foot climb frm here that is a staple of the riding life. The Phat bikes were bouncy and fun, and it was lovely and sunny and warm.
The view yesterday afternoon from the Crab Deck in Half Moon Bay was nice. As was the view of the pumping, clean surf. This view however, means I am here. I am riding on January, 31. I am still alive and kicking. To say the least.
2 hours this morning, starting with a 22 degree high humidity climb. Despite the binge of the last few days - the legs felt pretty good. Took the 'skinny' tire bike - and it just isn't as viable up in the high country with the current conditions. It is clear enough to make you want real snow, or no snow. Down below - however - it is just dry and fast and I even sort of feel like I can ride my bike again. Just in time to get on a plane. San Francisco is never a chore. I get to hang with the mushroom dudes at Back to The Roots (http://www.backtotheroots.com/). I would walk to SF just to be exposed to their energy and verve. So, back onto the germ tube and out into the 'real' world.
That we would have not ONE - but TWO - three-legged dogs on our hike today with Miss KIm. That The Shed of Tin exists - here in our space and time. That the Q-Dog and Shenna and I would find each other through time and space. That I would make it both to the 4th of July trailhead yesterday - OR - the top of the FP on the FB - following the Renny-man today. That I would sign in at the throne in good health on a two-wheeled vehicle on this - the 26th of January. Against all odds. I like those odds. I will kepp playing them.
Climbed west and UP and looked across at the ski area - or I think what we will refer to in the future as 'the place that we sometimes ski - when there is snow and it isn't 46 degrees at 10,000 feet in late January. Made it all the way to the 4th of July trailhed. There are years when that road is closed until mid-july. The snow is packed down like a road...and it's pretty glorious to crawl upwards on the fat tires and see NO people and listen to the silence and watch the peaks materialize from the western horizon as each turn gets consecutively higher. Silence, and the woods. Ever rejuvenating.
Solid effort today from all of camp Kingsbury. Really, just a phenomenal day with barriers broken (and crashes taken) on the bike; new music learned; sunset watched...falling into bed exhausted, stinky, covered with earth and fire smoke and scabs and smiles.
Climbing in the near dark. Legs felt KILLER today. There is a ton of GREEN GRASS in the woods. Very scary. Repeat - terrifying. Crazy fast paced work day...which is great. Work hard and play hard and try to do good things out there in the world.
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