Been off the bike for five weeks. I haven't been doing much at all for the past few weeks and felt I
really needed to get out. I can't ride quite yet - the shoulder's improving but not ready for
mountain biking. It's damn cold, -10 F when I got up and a balmy 20 when we get out at 1:30. We
drove to the trail, something I usually try not to do but with the baby at my bro's place time is
valuable. The Mrs. and I set out McCabe's lane - A dirt road winding toward the wild area West of
Hartman Rocks. After a quick warm up on the flats the road climbs steeply. It's a little loose with
golfball to baby head rocks every so often. I make it without stopping, my legs and lungs burning
from the crisp air. At the top of the climb we cut toward Hartman's and hit Gateway. A classic, and
one of the last evening-ride trails I'd ridden out here last fall. We admire some nice trail/rock
work that's been done as we crested the ridge. Someone has built a very nice wall for a good 30'
along a set of curves that gets blown pretty regularly. The rocks aren't just piled but carefully
fitted together as a mason would build a wall. Nice. My legs are burning and the trail seems longer
than usual. My fitness seems to have remained somewhat intact. I couldn't get myself maxed out on
cardio before my legs wouldn't go any farther. It's a pretty day. Cold and sunny and there's enough
snow on the rocks to make some great contrast between the granite and snow. The Mrs. and I enjoy
each other's company, just chatting as we hit the turnaround and started cruising back on a jeep
trail. We spotted a pair of enormous golden eagles circling up from the ground against the biting
wind. It was a lot closer that I usually see them and as they lazily flapped and circled in front of
us we could really get a feeling for their enormous size. A nearby magpie looked like something the
size of a bug in comparison. My legs getting heavier and heavier as we rounded the final turn and
spot the car again. Not a moment too soon as I had gone far enough for someone coming off several
weeks on the couch. I notice a wonderful buzz as we pull out of the lot and head for home. That was
a good ride, even if it was bikeless.
--
Matt
"Gravity. It's not just a good idea, it's the law!"