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RR: Luck of the Irish
St. Patrick's Day looked pretty nice, a little cooler then the past week or so, mid 50's but it was a tad windy. The weather folks had been predicting high winds and gusts up in the 50 mph range, but that never happened. I left Camelsback Park and headed over to Chickadee Ridge and then preceded to head up the Connector to the Freeway. I was nice and toasty until I got up on the exposed ridge. The wind brought the temperature right down, so instead of being over dressed like I thought, I was comfy even on the climbs. The wind had lot's of fun blowing me around on ridge, but it was a cross wind so I did not need to expend too much energy. I exited the Freeway and made my way up Sidewinder. As I have stated in past posts, the name really fits as the wind along the side of the hills gaining a good bit of altitude. The trail provides a good view of the surrounding hills, valley and trail systems. Once I reach the top, it is time to bomb down trail #4 back to the Freeway. Steep and fast with a bunch of bumps to get some good air and I am lucky to make it down without eating dirt. Man what a rush! Once back on the Freeway and I take a right and head up to the Hulls Gulch intersection then continue on up to the Motor cycle parking lot. The first section of this climb is fairly well sheltered from the wind, but as you near the top you are exposed to a head/cross wind. I cross 8th street and jump on trail #1, just a repeat of Tuesday ride but I plan to take Bob's trail today. In my opinion, Bob's trial is the most technical trail in the foothills. Narrow single track and lot's of rock gardens to through you off if you aren't paying attention. I have left my share of skin and blood on this trail in the past, however today I have no real problems heading down. When I reach the end of the trail I decide to turn around and ride back up since in all the years that I have been riding, I have never ridden "up" this trail. Everything is going fine until I get back to the earthen dam that was built a few years ago to slow any mud slides or flash flooding. This is a steep section so I am plodding away in my granny gear when without any warning my chain breaks. I proceed to do the old Arty Johnson Laugh-In crash, slow speed, clipped in bam! No harm done so I just lay there laughing and then try to get unclipped before anyone comes by. I push the bike to the top of the climb and try to find my chain tool, but what do you know, I must have left it at home or in the truck. Well it is not to far to push my bike up to 8th street and once there I know I can coast a long way if there are no obstructions. So I get to the road and start my descent making myself as small as possible to cheat the wind. I find myself pedaling a couple times just out of habit and once I almost tried to shift into a higher gear. As I near the Hulls Gulch trailhead parking lot my bike feels kind of squirrelly and I think that it is loose sand on the hardpack. Just after passing the parking lot I come around a corner and see the road blocked by cars and trucks. Some poor soul either was run off the road or they were speeding and lost control. Anyway this cars front end is hanging over the edge of the road and the back is blocking a lane of traffic. There are probably 8-9 vehicles watching or waiting so I need to get off the bike and weave my way through. While doing this I notice that my back tire is flat and since I am close to the end I just jog the half mile or so back to the truck. No one offered assistance while I am jogging, but I did hear someone tell me that I should have worn green and I think that I am going to take their advice next year All in all it was a good day to be out. Mike |
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#2
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Now that's a funny story. Glad you're ok. Broken chain, flat tire. When I broke the chain on my ss a couple weeks back, I was near the top of sidewinder, I fell over, and almost tumbled down to town but my camelback hung up on the brush. I like Bob's up. Safer. Here's a story of when JD n me went up Bob's, and he on his SS, several years back: http://tinyurl.com/6n97q Thurs was a great night, but I couldn't get out to ride. btw, I was on Ch 6 news at 10pm St. Patty's Day. Didn't see me? O well, there go my 30 seconds of fame..... CDB |
#3
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Super report, you can really write some good stuff.
Mike "Paladin" wrote in message oups.com... Now that's a funny story. Glad you're ok. Broken chain, flat tire. When I broke the chain on my ss a couple weeks back, I was near the top of sidewinder, I fell over, and almost tumbled down to town but my camelback hung up on the brush. I like Bob's up. Safer. Here's a story of when JD n me went up Bob's, and he on his SS, several years back: http://tinyurl.com/6n97q Thurs was a great night, but I couldn't get out to ride. btw, I was on Ch 6 news at 10pm St. Patty's Day. Didn't see me? O well, there go my 30 seconds of fame..... CDB |
#4
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Paladin wrote: Now that's a funny story. Glad you're ok. Broken chain, flat tire. When I broke the chain on my ss a couple weeks back, I was near the top of sidewinder, I fell over, and almost tumbled down to town but my camelback hung up on the brush. I like Bob's up. Safer. I almost broke my neck the last time I had a chain snap. TJ was witness to that debacle. Here's a story of when JD n me went up Bob's, and he on his SS, several years back: http://tinyurl.com/6n97q That was the first time we rode together. What a great ride too. Thurs was a great night, but I couldn't get out to ride. btw, I was on Ch 6 news at 10pm St. Patty's Day. Didn't see me? O well, there go my 30 seconds of fame..... Camera hound. I rode early in the day and then went out on a date. JD |
#5
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On 19 Mar 2005 20:11:56 -0800, Paladin wrote:
Here's a story of when JD n me went up Bob's, and he on his SS, several years back: http://tinyurl.com/6n97q Man that's a killer RR CDB. U know, that's _exactly_ the same time I migrated to Boise. I'm glad I didn't hook up with you guys then, you woulda beat me up! I would have been scared off for good. Best to build up some skill b4 riding with you animals...uh...I'm still working on those skills, they'll be along any time now. =) G |
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