finally put it all together.   Up the 98th St. wash, into the Preserve, Gateway Loop to Paradise to Natural Wash to Taliesen to Westworld, no-name paths along the canal to the Res to Camelback Walk to coyote roads to Westworld, a diversion up to Taliesen, to the unnamed trails along Bell, up to 104th and done.   33 miles, a surprising 2700 vf, 3.25 hrs.

I rode the the first half with my roadie neighbor, and was stoked to find we are very compatible on that type of terrain. Good guy, with a 2 yr old girl who hopefully will hit it off with Alana soon, and wife who is a runner\rider that we’re eager to meet once she rebounds from preggers.

just before crossing the canal

interesting landscaping in a yard near the equestrian park

The path along the res was full of small jumps and skinnies, which kept it fun for flat straight and sandy.   The route had quite a few urban challenges if you kept your eyes open, including a 50 yard wall ride where you first enter the Preserve near DC Ranch.

i hit this big with lots of speed, after eyeing it impotently for months on the cx bike

a more interesting way to get from 92nd to 96th Street, which avoided trespassing. Two baby coyotes jumped in front of me just when i jumped into the wash.   A sign of successful navigation.   The no-name path eastward to Taliesen West had lots of berms, wash drops and long low tunnels to roll through hunched over the handlebars.

i showed my appreciation for fine architecture by soaking my headband in Mr. Wright’s fountain, then wadding up exiting a 3ft wall ride near His front gate. Howard Roark would have shunned my lack of commitment.