Ann and I took the tandem up Henry Coe earlier today and got back home in plenty of time for me to head over to Harvey Bear for a mountain bike ride at 5:30 pm. We had a large turn out today. Including a couple of riders were just there at the same and decided to ride with us, we had 9 bikers. The hot and dry conditions, couple with some grading of the road, lead to some different conditions that the last time I was there a few weeks ago.

The climb up on the road had a lot of gravel so it was tricky keeping enough traction while climbing. I was able to make it up okay, but it took a lot of energy and I didn’t have my usual reserve after being on the tandem for the climb today. The other trails were real dusty and with 9 riders there was quite a dust storm. On the tandem ride today I think I swallowed a fly and this evening I know I swallowed a lot of dirt.

When I got home I was covered with dirt, especially my legs where the dust clinged to the sweat. I think we rode about 14 miles and returned just as the sun was going down. Some of the paths were in the deep shadows and with the surface conditions it was tricky. But any day on a mountain bike where I am able to keep both tires on the ground all the time is a good day. It was a real fun ride but I had enough of biking after that.

Categories: Mountain Biking
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