Getting Things Done

A last minute ride today, I decided to push to the top of the Oak Ridge Trail once again. My motivation (besides the obvious fun ride down, and ok, the exercise)? To get those damn switchbacks done, and get them done cleanly.

With less snow to trudge through this time around, I made good time to the top. Getting used to hiking with my bike also sped up the journey. I met a hiker on the trail, and she thought I was crazy for 'riding' my bike up this trial. I assured her that there would be more time spent on foot than in the saddle. This is, after all, a steep bugger of a trail.

With every ride, I always try to go longer or push it harder than I did the last time on the trail. Or I try to learn or do something new or better each time. I've come to think of the Oak Ridge Trial as my training trail, so I definitely need to keep track of my progress. Today I went about a half mile longer, waiting to crest the top of Surveryor's, but sadly, never made it to the trail junction, although I must have been really close. Next time.

I also starting keeping score of the switchbacks. The first 6 went well, but the first really steep, loose, rocky one got me. 

I hate having to get off my bike on the trail, especially when coming down the hill. Which is why switchbacks can be frustrating. When it's exposed or in tight trees, even worse because it becomes a mind game. I gave it my all today though, and in the end, rode more of the tight turns than I did on my last jaunt on Oak Ridge. I was happy for that, and very happy that I didn't make only 7 of them. Next time I'll ride even more.

Date:  march 4, 2008

Riders: Val, Tucker, Lassie, and Stinky

Trail: Oak Ridge

Area: Surveyor's

Miles: 4

Highlights: Kickin some switchback ass.

What I Wouldn't Do for Some DH

There are a few things I wouldn't do for some downhill, but mostly, I would do just about anything.

Like push my bike more than a half mile through 2 feet of snow, then slog through the streams of mud running down the trail, switchback after switchback, up 1,500 feet of vertical gain, through rocky and dry west facing slopes, exposed and full of ticks. Only to find myself back in the trees, knee deep in snow, wondering if I should keep going all the way to Surveyor's Ridge. Just to see what the ridgetop trail would be like. 

Legs tired, sweat pouring off my head--once again, I was way overdressed--I ran through the snowdrift at the top of the clearing, plowing my bike through, knowing that with each pass, the snow would melt just a little faster where my tire had been. I noticed that someone, maybe a snowshoer from weeks past, had built a small snow man at the crest of the hill, complete with twig arms and even a little moss for hair. He had the misfortune of sunny days and mild weather slowly taking their toll on his decomposing body.  Soon, I feared, he would be nothing more than a tired heap of twigs and debris.

But despite the twinge of sadness I felt for Frosty, I looked forward to the day that Oak Ridge would be clear again, especially the days of perfect trail conditions, before the weather gets really hot and dry, turning the trail into a Dust Bowl.

Was it worth the push up the hill, through the mud and snow? Heck yes it was. 27 switchbacks of unadulterated bliss.

Date: February 29, 2008. Leap Year: extra day, extra DH.

Riders: Val, Tucker, Lassie, and Stinky.

Trail: Oak Ridge

Area: Surveyor's Ridge

Miles: 3.5

Highlights: Hike-a-bike, sun. Switchback Practice.