Is it true it’s always happy hour here? and if it is, I’d like to stay awhile
— “Mekong”, The Refreshments

The WOR was a wakeup. about what, I am not sure.   Lack of routine, lack of motivation, lack of planning, lack of actually deciding to get out and enjoy my bikes and be challenged by the fitness required.   Adrift on 2 wheels;   it had to end. I scheduled a Hairball ride with Alex, to be followed 2 days later by Tom’s Thumb->Bell.   Both of us hosting the signature rides in our new houses.

Alex has been riding Hairball every week since he moved from Mesa, but with Doug and Jeff Schneider along to challenge him and show him some new things, and me along to push his pace and ride his wheel through the gnar, the vibe was like the spring wind gusting in from the west – soft, turbulent, soothing, buffeting, refreshing and disconcerting.   I chased Doug and Jeff up VOAZ, then we decided to hike up Upper Cheesegrater and go instantly from 0 to double black.   I watched the other guys trip up on some of the ridiculous grabby chunks, then surprised myself by getting it all on the first try.   The stoke i felt was enough to take the edge off of the humbling going up Irregular Link and down Hairball. The Hairball is slowing down, and someday I’ll get most of it, but not today.   As sloppy as I was, it was still a good ride with no blood and nothing broken, far better than Doug and Jeff who both snapped off their deraileur hangers within a few hundred yards of each other.

Saturday was Tom’s Thumb -> Bell Double Bypass again.   Alex, Ray, Tim, Dave and my bud Aaron who I had not seen in 2 yrs since Moab.

discovered a little issue at midnight cleaning my bike, but strapping tape saved the day

It was a good social pace. I got more and attacked far more than the last ride.   Hard to quantify, but each climb lately seems to get stronger.   A double bypass every week or 2 will surely pay off. I had a nice crash going up a switchback deep into the climb, the price of commitment.   Like Hairball, Tom’s Thumb started to slow down on the 3rd attempt. and the backside is just plain fun once you know whats coming and are not afraid of it.   We rocked up and down Bell, then Paradise->Quartz->Westworld-home->beers.   Great group of buds! I’m so happy they let me show them my new backyard.

Tom’s Thumb

Bell

Ray finishing the climb

Tim

Alex

Tim’s son had grown out of his 16″ bike, which made a great hand-me-down for G. Thanks Tim!!!

she’s got a harem of her own

Beckie went for a ride after we got back.   She was going to putter around on Gateway Loop, then returned 2 hrs later having knocked out her own Dbl Bypass of Windgate\Bell. She never did either of em before, her only beta (cuz I’m pretty sure she does not ready my blog) that it took about an hour to crest Windgate…ballsy to deal with the headgames of a long climb and steep descent by yourself, first time, having not ridden the mtb in like 2 months.  

while waiting for mommy, we played dress-up…Halloween is year-round

then we set off on a G-based-bike-adventure.   She rode great!   The bike was big, but we taught her how to drop it & jump free.   She knocked out 2 laps around the neighborhood, and was ready for a roll down the street.   There is some practice yet to be had, but a great day for G!

bike vids are meaningless without crashes

despite living in a microminiMcMansion, the Chollaballs still hang out under the overpass

I haven’t seen another soul in the open spaces beyond Bell road, which offer plenty of adventure for a little girl and her dog