Snail Ride - Ontario Pathways

So we returned to Central NY for our annual Memorial Day Weekend pilgrimage.  The past few years we've included the Waterloo 5K.  Waterloo, my hometown, is the birthplace of Memorial Day.  This year we decided we'd bring the mountain bikes and try to get  ride in before a family cookout on Saturday.

We had considered the path that is along the canal between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, but it's still a work in progress.  We had also considered cruising around Sampson State Park, but it was out of the way.  With just a little bit of research, we found the Ontario Pathways trail, an old railroad bed repurposed to a 23 mile rail trail.  It seemed just about perfect.  It started right in Phelps, just a couple of miles from my Uncle Steve's house, where the barbecue would be later that day.

I did note that the trail looked like it was out where it hit a pretty major road because a truck had hit the bridge that took the trail over the road.  That was 12 miles from our starting point.  I didn't think Harry would last that long anyhow.

As we were driving up Friday night we hit some major rain.  The next morning as we got ready to head over, we were a little concerned about the conditions.  We found the trailhead right off Route 96 in Phelps with no trouble at all.  There were a couple of other cars in the parking lot.  Both were walkers.

The three of us got ready.  Cori and Harry were dressed in casual shorts and tee shirts, but since I was clipped in, I went all the way with spandex and a bike jersey.

 

We started riding in and the vegetation was wet, but the trail was in really good shape.  Mostly hardpack.  A little gravel laid down here and there.  The pathway followed along beside a stream that was pretty wide and fast flowing for the entire distance that we followed it.  It might be Flint Creek or a tributary thereof.

We crossed a couple of bridges.  The first had a beautiful gate that was made for the Pathway, but which was in need of a little TLC.

The next bridge, an old railroad bridge, was where some super-evangalist graffiti artist chose to get their message across.  It kind of cracks me up to see Jesus Is Lord and Revelations Is Real scrawled out across the bridge.  I'm not sure what to make of that vandal.

 

  
Anyhow, we stopped a couple of times as we followed the path top check out some waterfalls and other cool areas.

By about a mile and a half in, Harry was groaning and rolling his eyes.  I could see he was almost done.  He was lollygagging along, seemingly intentionally going just slow enough to infuriate his parents.  We tried to keep him going, but by the time we came to a place where we were going to have to follow the road for 0.9 miles, we decided to turn back.  It was about 2.5 miles in.

On the way back we discovered our first snail. Or I should say I saw my first snail.  It was right after we'd taken another trip down to the river.  As I pointed it out, Harry exclaimed that he'd seen a few others.  We realized that we were surrounded by them.  Grabbed a few quick photos and started back.  Harry and I started to count snails.  All of a sudden, everything was better.  We counted 58 snails clinging to trees as we rode past.
 

The rest of the ride went great and we made good time getting back to the lot.  In the end, we made just about 5 miles at a snail's pace 5.8 average.

On your left...and...On your toes

A friend invited the Paton family to a ride along the East Bay Bike Path this past weekend.  Rob and Harry were definitely in.  Another family of four was in.  Another 4-5 single riders were also in.  It was looking like a huge group.  And then the plague hit the Paton household.  Harry came down with a nasty cough, a sore throat and lots of congestion.  Rob came down with the same cold, a fever of 102 and a bout of tonsillitis to top if all off.  The other family also had the kids and spouse drop out.  Life happens...things change.


So it ended up being me and 6 friends who went on down to East Providence to try out the bike path.  After a full week of rain, we were willing to ride out the 20% chance of showers.  It ended up being a gorgeous day.  The sun would poke out now and then but there was a nice breeze.  Perfect bike riding weather.

The bike path starts in East Providence and winds its way along the water.  On this side, it is gorgeous.  There is a lighthouse, old stone bridges, old railroad trestles...lots of stuff to look at in addition to the water.  On the other side of the water, it is all industrial with power plants, mountains of coal, smokestacks, etc.  Best to keep your head down and look nearby.

We were only 2 or 3 miles in when the path started to get really crowded with walkers.  How many times do you have to shout "on your left" before people will actually move over?  Depends on how many people in the group...if it's just one or two people, they move right over.  But if there are 5-6, you have to follow up your "on your left" with a "coming up behind you, on your left" and sometimes even a third attempt of "please move over, coming on your left."  If the three attempts don't work, you have to jam on your brakes and unclip pretty quickly.  It was pretty annoying.  We got through a ridiculous amount of people and figured out there was some walk-a-thon type event going on.  We thought we were in the clear until we got to the next intersection where all the walkers were congregating.  Turns out some X Games athlete was doing a whole expo at the Carousel.  Seems like it had the makings of a cool event but we went on our way along the path.

Michelle challenged me to ride the path in nothing but the big ring.  We all know I need to work on my power, so I accepted the challenge and switched right into the big ring.  Really, this path is so flat you need to be in the big ring.  It was silly of me to be in middle ring.  I just hadn't thought about it.  So Michelle worked her magic and got most of us into the big ring.  She was riding the front of the pack, got into aero position and yelled "go."  We had no warning.  Did not know she was going to throw down like that.  She just took off.  Game on.  Pedal, pedal, pedal.  Fast as you can.  For miles and miles.  It was super fun.


Around mile 12, we took a much needed break at the Audubon Society boardwalk.  It takes you out off the path, across the marsh and cattails to get you a beautiful ocean view.  It was quite a production to lock up seven bikes using only two locks, but we got it done.  We walked out, had some snacks, took some pictures and then headed back to end of the trail.  Passed through Colt State Park and made it to the end.

My trip back was much more leisurely then my ride out.  I stopped to take pictures of things I had noticed on the way out.  Around mile 20, we stopped for lunch.  We found a little deli in Riverside and got subs to eat outside.  I was famished and that turkey sub really hit the spot.  Made it back to the car in no time.  Three superstars from our group went back for a second loop.  It was those three who got a well deserved ice cream/fruit smoothie break.  The other four, myself included, headed home after one loop.  Still long enough to count as my longest ride of the year.

All in all, I'd recommend the East Bay Bike Path to anyone looking for a leisurely ride with friends or family.  Gorgeous views.  Ice cream stands right along the path.  Plenty of parking lots so that you can make the ride as short or long as you'd like.  My only caution would be that it gets crowded.  Plan to go early in the day unless you want to contend with a lot of people walking, running, rollerblading, skateboarding, fishing and biking.

Have you ever ridden this path?  I'd love to hear your impressions!


----
Stats:
27.27 miles
12.9 MPH average
23.5 MPH max (I told you it's flat!)
----

~Cori 

Glocester Grind Race Review

So the Glocester Grind took place yesterday. I did this race last year for the first time. I recall technical and muddy, although I don't recall what the weather situation was. This year I harbored a fair amount of trepidation leading up to the race.

The first and foremost reason for this hesitancy was the weather. I was watching the weather firm up as the week progressed. By the time Friday rolled around, it no longer seemed a question of whether it would rain, but more a question of when and how much.

That said, as you may recall, I had a mediocre showing at the Massasoit Lung Opener which I chalked mostly up to less than favorable conditions. Now my scheduled second race of the year and again crummy weather. Ugh.

On top of that, my race was scheduled to go off at 11 am and I had to be at a wedding an hour from home at 4 pm. The schedule was tight and left no room for error, mechanical malfunction or delayed start (a la Massasoit).

So I decided not to pre-reg, instead leaving myself the option to bail if I wanted. I cleaned up the bike Saturday night while happily listening to Beckett knock the Yanks around. Had it squeaky clean. In fact, I offered to let Cori have a little something to eat off from it, although she politely refused.

I also switched out the practically bald stock tires with identical replacements donated by the beneficent Jess Bly. I noticed after getting them on, however, that my wheel seemed to be rolling in an ellipse rather than a circle. I was pretty bummed as the wheel was a brand new Rhythm that was upgraded from the stock wheel on a warranty. I saw a small ding and wondered if I had knocked it out of true somehow already. I have also been having some shifting issues in back. Apparently my cable's all gunked up inside the housing and needs to be replaced. All said, however, I was ready to try the race the next day if the weather cooperated.

Physically, I felt pretty good. I had a couple of strong training rides Tuesday and Wednesday at 14.6 miles and 17.3 miles, respectively. I woke up Sunday morning when Harry climbed into bed. Then Harry and Cori got up and went about their business. I rolled back over and next thing I knew, it was 8:15 and Cori was just arriving home from the grocery market. I lumbered out of bed and to the computer to check the radar. Looked like something was coming, but might just clip Glocester. That's it. I was racing.

I showed up just after 10:00 am and parked across from Brian Spring (BMA). Knowing he knew something about bikes, I showed him the trouble I was having with my rear wheel. He took a look at it and informed me it was just that the tire wasn't seated properly. Rim was fine. What a relief. I blew it up to about 50 psi to get it to seat and then let it back down to 30 again.

Went over and registered. $34. Maybe a buck or two more than it would have been to pre-reg, but worth it to have the option. Ran into Pete Dunn and talked to him for a bit. He was on a beautiful red and white Specialized two-niner. The kind of shiny red and white that you dream about as a kid. He, Brian and I were all racing Sport class in Vet II (40 - 49).

Cori showed up as my official photographer a little before the race. She drove separate as she had to split early to get back and prep for the wedding. She was a trooper and did some hiking to get some footage through the woods.

I pulled into the queuing area with everyone else. Had a few words with Chris Beriau and Brandon O'Neal. Also ran into Jonathan Modig, who had just finished up the Novice Junior (12 - 18). He won his race, 1st place. He also came in second out of the entire beginner field. Way to go Modig!

As they were calling up the racers, I was having a lot of trouble hearing. Someone had rented a cherry picker and it was taking people up to watch the race as they were calling us. In the end, I heard myself get called and lined up. I let a little more air out of the tires as I was expecting some mud. Still no rain yet. Thinking hopeful thoughts.

Vet II had 18 starters. A couple of DNS. I lined up front row heard the go command and watched everyone take off like rockets, leaving me in the dust (okay, leaving me in the wet grass). I was solidly in the latter half of the pack when I hit the woods. I knew it was the woods because of the giant, slippery exposed roots jutting from the mud. The mud wasn't awful though. Yet.

While I went in a little late, I almost immediately started picking people off. It's a little tough at first because everyone is riding a tight single file and you feel like an ass going around someone when you're wondering if they want to get around the person in front of them. In the end though, I decided that if I was willing to make the move, I must have wanted it more. With the heats going off at one minute intervals, I wasn't sure how many of the folks I was passing were Vet II vs. Vet I vs. Senior and eventually Junior.

There are a few notable obstacles on the course. Early on there is a wooden bridge comprising two beefy 2 x 6 boards that drop you soundly into a mud bog. When you the mud off the other side the first time, you think maybe it's not too bad. Five seconds later, you realize it is too bad. And worse. I hoofed it all three times through.

Shortly after that, there is a rock with a pretty good pitch that has a couple of roots growing laterally across it. I hit that the first two times hot on someone's tail and when they slipped, I too was done. Third time I botched it on my own.



There are a million super technical rock gardens. Okay, maybe not a million, but enough that I didn't know how many there were. Big rocks. Bad lines. Sometimes just hoping for balance and luck to get you through.over. Other times having to unclip and run. Tricky business running through giant, closely placed rocks while trying to push a bike.

In the second half of the course there is a on bridge that also leads to a 8" drop into mud that was several inches deep. I got through that all three laps with successful wheelie drops. Then there is the stream crossing that comes immediately after a HUGE, messy, deep mud pit. I made that the first two laps, but got caught up behind someone third lap and had to run through.

The other bridge comes in the second half as well. It's a rocky ramp up and slippery as all get out. I came into it the first time and recalled the words I'd heard from Steve Segenchuk earlier in the week - just ride through the stream on the right. By the time I realized where I was though, it was too late. I was committed to the left line over the bridge following one of those Geekhouse guys. He hit the bridge and immediately slipped. Then he got his feet down on the bridge and slipped again. I lost a spot to someone cutting through the stream. I heard Pete Dunn, who I'd just managed to pass calling out behind me to take the stream next time. Lesson learned. Next two times I did just that. Little deeper than I expected, but rideable as promised.



About 2/3 the way into the first lap I caught up with the Expert women. Easy to know who they are. Much prettier than the Vet I guys.

I finished the first lap and felt pretty good. It starting raining lightly. Then it started pouring. Not pouring like steady, heavy rain. Downpour. Deluge. Biblical. But short lived. Just enough to TRASH the course. Everything changed.

Trying to grab your saddle with you thighs was like wrestling a greased pig (or so I hear). I literally thought I had it and slipped right off the back. Fortunately not falling down onto the rear wheel.

It was so muddy that I thought I was running two flats. You know, biflateral. Super squirrelly. Plus now when you ran through the mud, you didn't know what you were setting your foot into. Sometimes just three inches. Sometimes ten inches. Sometimes a rock or root underneath. Sometimes not. Sprained ankle waiting to happen.

During my third lap I started getting lapped by the Elite men. Generally kind enough to call out "Elite on your left." Might sound a little cocky, but I know he doesn't want to be behind me. I know I don't want him there either. Find a spot and move over. Might have been passed by four of them by the end.

I was definitely fading on the last lap. Second half I lost a spot to the guy I had most recently passed. He still looked strong and took off. Didn't lose any more places to anyone other than elites though.

Finished the race in 1:52:14. Good enough for 4th place in my class. 2:15 from the third place guy and 0:11 ahead of the fifth place finisher.

My laps were pretty tight.

• Lap 1: 35:00
• Lap 2: 38:09
• Lap 3: 39:05

Laps are stated to be 6 miles each, but measure short. I finished with 14.54 miles total at 7.9 mph average. All in all it was great race. Great vibe. Lots of fun. Just had to give yourself over to the conditions and start having fun.

In the end, maybe it's not that I'm not a mudder. Maybe the bald tires I was running weren't mudders. Thanks Jess. I owe you one.


Placing of other folks that I knew:

• Jon Modig. 1st/6 starters place novice junior. Next closest was just about 12 minutes behind.
• Brandon O'Neal. 1st/13 starters place Vet I. Next closest was about nine minutes back.
• Paul Simoes. 8th/19 elites.
• Chris Beriau. 3rd place expert women Vet.
• Matt Chandler. 9th/16 starters, expert men Vet.
• Steve Segenchuck. 5th/22 expert men Vet II.
• Pete Dunn. 7th/18 starters sport men Vet II.
• Brian Spring. 10th/18 starters sport men Vet II.

And after all that, I screwed out of there and made it to the wedding with 20 minutes to spare.

Great race!

































And finally...

...my laundry today (Thanks Cori!!!)

Castle Ride

Thursday I did a ride that I look forward to every year.  It is hosted by my friend Joan and goes from her house in Southbridge, MA across the state line into Woodstock, CT.

The first year that I did it, I rode Rob's road bike.  The bike was too big for me.  I had to use platform pedals.  I couldn't figure out how to shift.  And worst of all, I could barely get up those rolling hills.  It was so bad, I had to stop at the top of each hill to catch my breath and get a drink. 

The next two years, I had my own road bike and I was able to huff and puff up each hill without the need to stop for anything.  Cut to this year, when I was able to rock the hills while holding pleasant conversation with Joan and take pictures on the fly.  Both of us were commenting how easy this route seems now compared to when we started riding it together.  Awesome.

So why is it called the Castle Ride?  Because it goes by a castle, of course.  Duh.  Now we all know that there are all sorts of historic buildings and old money to be found all over New England.  But this is not old or historic.  This is some guy with too much money who decided to build a castle.  It's still under construction. It's impressive.  And creepy.  Read about it here.

There are exotic animals roaming the castle grounds.  We looked for but did not see any zebras.  We did see some peacocks, which yelled at us as we rode by.  We also saw some super friendly goats, which tried to come through the fence at us.  We split before they were free!  We did not see any exotic women, in case you are wondering.

----
Stats:
12.11 miles
12.1 average MPH
29.7 max speed
---

Patons are planning some major pedalling this week...stay tuned!

~Cori

Goat Hill Time Trials

So we finished up the Goat Hill time trials in Uxbridge this past Tuesday. All I can say if HOLY FRIGGIN' AWESOME. After three weeks of wet, cold, dreary trials at Grafton, Uxbridge was a welcome change. Course conditions were phenomenal all three weeks.

The course was a little different than last time I ran it this past fall. Not changing was the third of a mile climb to the starting line. By the time you get there, you're ready to turn around and go home.

Once you get to the start there's a quick fun section that's pretty flat and has a couple of nice air rocks. A quick right and a left and you're climbing again. 114' in a quarter mile.

After that there's a fun, rolling section that goes roughly forever. Some really fun drops that look huge on the approach, but have been engineered to roll beautifully. While the course rolls through this section, it's mostly downhill.

There's some new trail that was integrated and which was pretty soft the first week. Definitely firmed up very well by week three after getting all those tires on it. One of the really, um, different things about that new section was the back to back to back pits. These things are smack dab in the middle of the trail. The first you are able to roll into pretty well. Maybe it was 2' or 3' deep, 5' wide and 6' long. The second pit has a much steeper (think over the handlebars) entrance. It's bottom is covered by logs laid next to one another and the exit is pretty sharp as well. The third pit has a way around to the right (which I gladly took).

After you come out of the new stuff it's time to... CLIMB. 191' in 0.87 miles. You know it's coming when you see the evil faces laughing at you nailed to the trees. Once you get to the top of the climb you are rewarded with a good time. Just gotta turn left to catch some super sweet switchbacks traversing down the hill for the last mile of the course.

So the first week, not sure of exactly where I was going, I did the entire course as a pre-ride. Probably a mistake in retrospect. Even though the course was only about 4.75 miles, it is peppered with some serious climbing. The get your arse off your saddle and dig deep kind. I took it easy and finished the pre-ride in 39 minutes and change, but still felt like I burnt up a little too much. After a brief respite, I went back out and did my timed lap. Didn't feel as strong as I would have liked, but finished in 34:12. Good enough for 7th out of 18 finishers.

I came back for week two and felt great going out. Apparently everyone did. Vast improvements across the board. I went out with only warming up by climbing the hill to the start. I shaved 2:33 off coming it at 31:39. A couple of riders shaved over five minutes off. I took 5th out of 17, although Beaupre actually took first his first lap and third his second lap, so maybe that moves me up one slot. The one thing I know is that it makes me feel like Beaupre bugs me a little. Second time around he beat my first (fresh) lap by 2:39. Bastard.

The finale week, this past Tuesday, was again awesome conditions. And promise of a post-trial barbecue. Skipped the warm up again and went out and nailed a 31 flat. A couple of faster guys were back in the mix that weren't around week two though,so I only grabbed 7th of 21. Five riders sub-30 and Rick Nelson one second ahead of me.

After I finished the time trial I decided to go put some miles on before the barbecue began in preparation for the Glocester Grind this weekend. I did the entire ribbon candy trail and the stuff across 122. Saw Potter on my way out to do all this. She had just ridden her mountain bike on the road 50 minutes to the TT from Shrewsbury to Uxbridge. She went up and took 4th with 29:57, first time on the course. Then rode home. Potter's awesome (not a bastard like Beaupre).

I finished my night's riding with 14.6 miles. Super happy with that. The post-ride was loads of fun. Think I left the lot at 9 pm with a belly full of burgers, beans and franks, taco salad and cookies. Maybe a beer or two as well.

Next week off to Mendon Road for three weeks. Can't wait!

Helmets to Hats

I am trading in this:

for this.

 

And this:

for this.

 This could only mean one thing.  Derby Day!!  We are giving up our bikes this weekend for the fastest two minutes in sports.  Back to our regularly scheduled pedaling next week. 



-----
Cinco de Mayo Stats: 
8.96 miles
13.5 MPH average
31.2 max speed.

Long Haul/Short Ride

So today was Harry's second track meet.  It was rescheduled from last Thursday due to rain and thunder.  He was running in three events and I didn't want to miss them.  But Monday is also my day to exercise.  I usually either ride or run with my triathlon training group.  I came to the conclusion that the only way to get in my exercise would be to ride to the meet.  It's not far.  If I took the most direct route, it'd probably be about 3 or 4 miles.  But there are a lot of side roads that I can take to make it pretty much any distance I want.  I decided that I'd shoot for 10 miles, watch the meet and then catch a ride home with Rob.

So I left home at about 3:15 and turned off onto a familiar side street.  I ride this road all the time.  It has some rolling hills, some open fields and some twisty turns.  I got to the end and saw I was making good time.  I went up by Roseland Park.  Noted that there was very little litter on the section of the road that the Jog with Judy was on this weekend.  Stopped to take a picture of a waterfall.  And then started the climb that would take me to the track.

It was a nice easy ride.  Perfect for the amount of time I had available.  I racked up my bike and then walked around to find Harry to let him know I had arrived.  That was when I saw it.  You know, the look.  The "mom, you are embarrassing me" look.  The "please just go away while my friends are around me" look.  I recognized it instantly.  And who could blame him.  I arrived in padded spandex bike pants, a bright red bike shirt that had pockets bulging with essentials (camera, cell phone, license, house keys), a helmet, and those silly bike shoes.  Plus, I was a little sweaty.  So who could blame him, really.

So while waiting for his races, I thought about how many times I must've given that look to my own mother.  Not that my mother ever showed up for anything dressed like that, because she didn't.  She was (is) always impeccably put together.  No.  I gave her looks at the store or at an office when she would fight over something.  I don't remember now what it was for...maybe being overcharged for something, maybe for bad customer service...who knows.  But I remember being mortified when she would ask to speak with a manager and would argue and argue until some point of resolution.

But as it turns out, that is what I most admire in her now.  She stands her ground.  Fights her own battles.  She is not meek.  She is bold and confident.  Has a great sense of right and wrong.  And demands that people be accountable for their actions and admit when they are wrong.  And she is willing to admit when she is wrong, too.  I never saw any of that when I was 10.  But I see it now. 

What does this have to do with biking?  Not much.  But I hope that these eye rolls and pleading looks to not embarrass him will one day translate into him remembering my strengths.  Because I want him to remember that his mother worked hard at fitness.  And found ways to fit in exercise and still be there to support him in his activities.  I hope he remembers that he ran a 5K side by side with me at the age of 8 and he's still crossing the finish line with me when I'm 80.  Because I'm in it for the long haul.  Both motherhood and physical fitness.  And I hope one day he'll admire me for it.

---
Stats:
Distance:  6.48 (short of my goal, I know)
Average speed: 12.7
Max speed:  26.3

Shenipset State Forest Ride

I met up with Norm Tremblay, Norm Jr., Dave Violette, Scott Weiting and Ben from Bicycle Concepts today to ride Shenipset in the Somers/Stafford Springs area of CT. The parking lot is on Gulf Road, I think technically in Somers.

This past week I tried to sell the ride to other folks in my regular Wednesday ride, but the best I could do was get a maybe out of Bryan Quach. I was pretty sure based upon our meeting time there was no chance in hell that we'd see him. I was right. Ron Erickson pretty emphatically told me Shenipset sucks. I think Ron sucks for saying that. If you read this Ron, I'd like to tell you that you suck.

We met for 8 am. No sign of Quach. No sign of Buddha, Jesus, Allah, Zeus or Thor either. I guess he was right. It was an ungodly hour.

Bright sunshine. And CHILLY. Probably low 40s at best. I carpooled with Dave and he alleges he thinks he saw a little ice around the edges of West Thompson Lake on the way over, although I find this allegation suspect. I decided to go short bibs and a short sleeve jersey hoping it would warm up in pretty short order.

We headed into the trails down a rooty, rocky path at a pretty hot pace. By the time we hit the first stop, Dave had started having mechanical issues. His chain had gone over the big cog in the back and became lodged between his cassette and spokes. Apparently serious enough that the only remedy was pulling the rear wheel off to get it out.


We kept on and at maybe mile two hit the first real mud pit. There were remnants of a wooden bridge across it that looked like had started waving the white flag about four years ago. I think you would have been safer traveling across the backs of disappearing turtles.

I followed Norm Sr and Ben through a line that ran between puddles, but we became clogged up and I ended up dabbing. My left foot landed squarely in muddy, muddy puddle and sat there for about five seconds while I let the other behind me pass by. Fortunately by this point it had started to warm up. I have to say that this might be the first ride this year where I've gotten a soaker and not had cold feet the rest of the ride.

About a half mile further up the trail we hit a really tough, albeit short climb. Pretty washed out, but I dropped into granny and pushed up it. Five of the six of us were waiting at the top for Dave to crest, but after about five minutes I went back down after him. He had his his chain stuck in his spokes again. We got it out, but on closer inspection he realized the casing his limit screw goes into was cracked. Dave made the rest of the ride, but always very cognizant of where his gearing was. On the bright side, I was able to make it up that super steep washed out climb a second time.

We came to a point when we finally crossed a dirt road where we started to hit some pretty sweet hucking terrain. Lots of side paths that only went off to hit a rock ridge and meet right back up with the main trail. The beautiful thing is that Norm and Scott knew exactly where and what every one of them was. Seems like they even made a couple of them.

We had a couple of tricky climbs, one with a hairpin turn leading to a super narrow ledge of trail that kept going up. Once we made the top we came down and then hit a flat, really rocky section, reminiscent of Douglas (my kind of trail). I was following Norm with Ben behind me when Scott flew by on the side. I heard Ben yell at me to reel him in and took off with Ben hot on my tail. We bombed a beautiful section that seemed to go on forever in very tight fashion. It was friggin' awesome!

It wasn't long after that when all of a sudden I saw car in front of us. Our cars! I looked down and saw 7.37 on the cyclometer. I wasn't ready to be done. I asked Norm if we were heading across to the other side of Gulf Road and it sounded like he didn't plan on it. It didn't take much convincing though. We went across and did three more miles with some serious climbs before ending with just over 10 miles. All in all a great ride.




Shenipset does not suck. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

.