Every year before this one, I've hung up the bike at Thanksgiving, and dug
out the skis. Something's wacky in our weather... can you say "global
warming"? We had some snow and cold but the snow line is up to 8000' and
that's not good for a family of ski patrollers....And there is no way I'm
taking my B2's out until there's coverage...
So, I just had to ride today. I've been missing my weekday play hooky rides
just being swamped this time of year with work. ( we won't talk about
spinning at the gym) It's been warmer, and so foggy that the airports from
Boise to Spokane are shut down. I committed my self this morning, thinking
that the park will be kind of cool in deep thick fog. I headed out midday,
and the fog lifted into a low overcast. It's grey, and damp out.
It's been a **month** since I've been out of the trail. There's a odd
quality to the moment... it feels more like early spring than the week
before xmas. There's a lot a green to go along with the grey. I have some
moments of puzzlement just trying figure out which way to go....the bike
leads me towards the trial that parallels the river. It's damp, and a little
tacky but it feels soooo goood. I feel strong. I see lots of tire tracks,
but for now I have the trail to myself. The river is high... mid winter high
water is flowing fast and churning through the rapids. Down by the toenail
rapid, there's a long rocky section, and today I just had it in my head to
clean it. I usually do about 3/4 of it walk the last little bit and get
back on after the broken rocks. The last part of the grade isn't steep but
it's big nasty chunks of fractured basalt. Last time I was out here
Tuffgrrl cleaned it, so naturally I have to do it now. Woo-eee... one little
dab and I'm through the whole thing. I stop to share the moment with myself,
breath in some ozone from the rapids, and take a picture.
Then onwards... but my attention is now caught by not one but two bald
eagles ( a nesting pair?) circling right above the river next to me. One has
a big fish in it's talons. They are flying together, and I have to stop and
watch as one looks like it's ready to go fishing. What a great distraction.
the rest of the ride is just pedaling along...threading through puddles on
the old jeep roads, picking up the peices of singletrack that act as
connectors. There are so many choices!! But slowly I wend my way back in a
nice long loop that satisfies the soul
On the way home, I stop at a girlfriend's house to pick up a cookie recipe.
She's gone but I start yakking with her hubby, who is saving up for his
first mtb. He's been going out with some buddies on a borrowed steed. He
had no idea I am a mountain biker, and asked to see the Svelte Hawaiian. We
get out there, and I just about have a heart attack. It can't be. No, not
gone..... it's Wonder Nipples!
She's gone! Somehow I've lost Wonder Nipples! How could a zip tie possible
undo it's self? The thing is, she could be anywhere... I don't know for a
fact that I lost her today, I just noticed today. Maybe she was stolen. Oh
well.... someone will find her somewhere, and she can be their mojo....
she's been great for me.
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/penny/biking/images/rsdecember.jpg