Glory

I am off to two handful of what I call magical days, this one being another one of them. With downpours all night and pools of water everywhere here in the valley I was thinking of riding but realized it would require even more ambition that I didn't really have. All geared up my wife mentioned helping here with schoolwork after I dropped my son off at school. Somewhat relieved since it was cold and wet and terrible outside I helped her for a few hours while in my mind I thought on and off about tackling a ride after she went to school. A part of me was content with no ride, however by 10:30am there I was a free man headed for Hawes. Still unsure of my decision I pedaled in and headed up the nieghborhood to buy some time off the dirt. At the top of the descent there were clouds whipping over the mountain, I could see snow just 200-300 ft above me, below me was incresingly clearing clouds, no blue sky but the rain stopped, I was comfortable and ready to ride! A good descent had me on the same loop as the day before. The weather just kept getting more dramatic and distracting me as even parts of the valley were almost getting sun. The scene was incredible, I even felt the warmth of the sun on the end of the ride and it was glorious! The conditions were even better than the day before, that place drains amazing.

Weather Window

Anxiously monitoring the forecast hours before the ride I was thinking I would be riding no matter what given I am a desperate bafoon. I headed for the trail in the morning, it was raining lightly on the drive and then as I got my gear on at the trailhead my ambition was fading, I forced myself to pedal and into Hawes I went. Cold and not feeling it I made it a mile and listened to my heart this time and turned around as the conditions were crappy enough to warrant cutting the ride off. I went and accomplished a few errands and noticed the skies begin to change, the weather was taking some sort of brake, I kinda started to convince myself maybe it was worth trying again. I ran home and packed away my groceries and loaded up and off I went. I bega my pedal in a mist up the neighborhood pavement to ease my boredom. Then onto dirt and things were looking pretty good. I was shooting for an hour or more and after a great descent I was back climbing a surprisingly fresh track, some other silly person was out there too. At the top of secret we met, not somewhere I ever see anyone let alone a day like this. I gave him kudos and off I went. Comfortable and willing to pedal I finished the loop feeling very very good I went back to have at it. It really was a break in the weather as it let loose not long after the ride. Ambition paid off for me I am thankful.

Usery Plunge

Headed up Usery Pass and then the normal fun twisty plunge down the moutain, I definitely almost bailed on my plan multiple times of taking to 20 mile loop around the Mountain. After 3-4 battle in my head I headed for the 20 miler, as I was pedaling on the road section and into Hawes I still felt my heart was not where I wanted it. With a book on my headphones I was being educated while riding so onwards I went trying to be distracted on a very cold morning where I just coudln't get warm. Some wild weather was in store for Thursday and Friday so I was making the best of my Wdnesday still. By the time I was 1/2 way I was feeling better, relieved to just have Wild Horse to deal with and to the car now. Glad I did the loop still but dude what was going on?

Double Dip

With fuel for the fire I went back out to enjoy the freedom of just being able to, it was a nice run up to Gidro and a pleasant run down, ove this combo of easy street uphill, to hike a bike to technical descent to fast descent to easy pedal out.

Profoundly Beautiful

WOW! These winter rides just keep on giving, it's hard to describe how pretty the desert is out there, cold starts but wamred quickly by warm sun. I did some trails I like on the back side of Usery as I do every week, I find that High Horse is my favorite of the bunch, also put tires down on the finished half of Stinger trail. Great day out there with the place to myself, well except for tons of wild horses but we don't mind :)

Mission Complete

Monday was Presidents day so my kiddo was home from school but wife was due at school. So I headed off into the morning with lights and while I was focused on getting in a ride my heart was not completely into it for some reason. I can't remember much from the ride but it was acomplished so mission complete!

Hawes Descender

Went back to Hawes for my favorite DH session, Gidro Pass I thin the sign reads, anyway I am amazed how well my legs are handling the abuse, the skies were still moody but it was humid and warm, found myself sweating quite a bit on the hike a bike section, didn't bother me, so happy to be out, what a great week on the bike, hope summer never comes!

Hawes Photoshoot

Wow, absolutely stunning out there, tickled all the sense for sure, at one point fog rolled up from the river and up the mountain, really was a magical ride!

Hawes Drizzle

Second serving came with some rain from the sky, traction was a plenty and legs were willing

Loop of horse poops

Another great session on the backside of Usery, looming rain in the distance this morning I was not scared, it was overcast and warm, went for something a little different, a loop I have only done once before, a very nice change of scenery I loved it!

Full Horsey

Wednseday I was ambitious, I wanted something a little different and get 20 miles worth, I did this loop a few weeks ago and liked it. The Horse tail trail is a little rough on one gear but its a change of pace. I came across another rigid SS on a technical quiet trail known as twisted sister. I said hi and debated asking if he wanted to ride together, something I never ever think to ask someone. We said Hi and i joked saying rigid SS aren't allowed up here. I went ahead of him and went about my business. The rest of the ride was fantastic, really great stuff, feeling strong and quick.

Seasonal Variety

Well get it while you can mentality, another mid morning serving of warm fuzzy trails, spring is certainly in the air!

Freezing Tuesday Morning

Cold weather has come in but that didn't stop me, having the sun on those 33F starts makes it sooooo much better, things are still very green out there, the desert is quite happy with flower and grass everywhere! Enjoy this loop, good all around loops.

Monday Second

I could not help myself, so I went out for a second serving of warm sunny AZ winter ride session, it was great! I love being back on the the Superfly, I truly will never rid of this bike, NEVER!

Feel Goodz Monday

This ride was named feel goodz because thats how I was feeling, mind and body at its normal and great to be out on the trail thrashing about.

Floral Tour

With my missions complete I went out on a double dipper, it was absolutely great out, clear and warm and all the smells and flowers of spring. I kept it easy since I had a heavy week of rides and was so lucky!!!!!!!!!

BUUUUURRRRRR

Some 32F out this morning, I debated riding later but of course anxious got the best of me and off to Usery Pass for a session. I went up Pass Mountaind for a hiker free descent, it was fricken awesome, and when I hit the sun it was even more awesome! I closed out the Pass mountain side and then it as onto the Hawes side. I was unsure how to use the remaining time but a run down Scorpion and Stinger and Wild Horse back was absolutely perfect!

Heating up

Went out for anothr double serving, it just sooooo nice out and better than being home, legs were happy to do the work and so was I! The warmth felt great too! Love love love that trail way up there :)

ALL of stinger trail

Saw a fellow starva followers route the other day and saw a new trail, had to go out and check it out Thursday so thats what I did. It turns out it's the remainder of the stinger trail, it had good flow and is in need of being broken in obviously but it is yet another great new piece of trail back there, I fell really lucky and happy to be getting new trails, that doesn't happen too often around here.

Clean clear and cool

The storm rolled out and wednesday began with clear and cool weather, I was anxious for the suns warmth I am not going to lie, still it's hard to call it cold out but for AZ native I have become I call it that I guess. Happy to be out on the bike for a standard Hawes session.

Gold Canyon Beauty

It rained a bit over nigth and I was a bit too early to head for Gold Canyon on this particular morning. Things were soft in spots and as enough to slow my tires down in spots, the cows made a huge mess of things but there was plenty of riding to do none the less. I rode the fast way out and was anxious to get the ride over most the time just cause I was not in a good head space, the scenery however was incredible! I love AZ winter

Storm rolling in

Well ambition got the best of me as I went out for a second serving of incredible ride, the weather was just begging me and made me do it. So off I went for an paved climb and some hike a bike and a absolute delight of sky scenery and dirt. So glad I went back out since to be honest this morning I was not in a good zone.