As mentioned last week in the group, I have begun the comeback to riding.
After having a blast on Saturday at one of my favorite trails I (again)
realized how much fun riding is.
Link to the trails I rode, along with a map and link to MTBR review.
http://www.ridgeriders.net/trails.html
Conditions were good. Low 80's, dry with just a little breeze. Just the
way I like it. I had originally planned to ride with a buddy who lives near
me, but he busted something on his drivetrain the night before and couldn't
go. I was determined to ride regardless and the little lady was game. Off
we went to Carter Road.
There was a festival going on at one of the other trails so I figured that
C.R. wouldn't be busy. I was right, there were only 4 or 5 other cars at
the trailhead.
They've added some new 1track, but we found out that a tree had fallen
across the beginning of the trail and was blocking passage.
We took the old route up sprinkler hill and the fun began. Trail conditions
were good with the exception of good sized patches of sand (hey it's Florida
after all...)
This was the first time I had ridden the new bike on the 1track and I must
say that the Titus is a nice machine.
Pic of the lady with the Cwhale and Titus (my bike).
http://www.vmdesigns.net/images/mtb/cr1.jpg
We proceeded to hit the ridges and the real fun begins. This is a unique
trail in the fact that it's an old phosphate dig and the ridges were formed
from the mining process. The pits has since filled up with water and formed
large, swampy ponds that are home to fish, snakes, and of course gators.
Therefore, you stay outta the swamps unless you have the desire to become
gatorbait. Part of the fun of riding the ridges is the realization that if
you get outta control, you could very well be falling 20-30 feet directly in
to the swamp. (See above gatorbait)
The ridges are technical, rutty, rocky in parts and absolutely a blast to
ride.
Pic of looking down from 1track to 1track below. Notice the green algae
covered swamp in the right, upper section of the pic.
http://www.vmdesigns.net/images/mtb/cr2.jpg
Pic of the lady walking up the trail to catch up.
http://www.vmdesigns.net/images/mtb/cr3.jpg
Pic of another rider "on your left"
http://www.vmdesigns.net/images/mtb/cr4.jpg
As we made our way towards the end of the trails, I came upon my favorite
part, THE BEAST.
Pic of the initial downhill that leads you into the "belly" of the beast.
http://www.vmdesigns.net/images/mtb/cr5.jpg
I used to be able to clean the beast with ease, but lack of riding and
conditioning forced me out of the pedals twice... All good though, no
broken bikes or bones.
Life in Florida...(moss in the middle ring)
http://www.vmdesigns.net/images/mtb/cr6.jpg
I noitced that my shifting was experience a bit of difficulty and realized
why when I mounted up to leave the park.
http://www.vmdesigns.net/images/mtb/cr7.jpg
Disclaimer: No whipsnakes were harmed/injured/molested in the making of
this RR.
--
C "Back in the Saddle" P