RAINBOWS & STICKS OF DEATH

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

Aaaah. Another beautiful night for a ride. Temps in the 70's, partly cloudy, chance of rain but that's ok..we won't melt! 6 riders joined this past weeks "Chicky" ride. We had the 4 regulars ....Angelia, Jennifer, Moe, and myself & two "newbies" who joined us halfway into the ride: Jannie (who rode w/ us last week, too. sorry if I mis spelled your name) and Meggan. (who was sporting a very chic skort made by Terry www.terrybicycles.com ) Skippy & Aaron from the Thursday night ride also came but they were doing their own ride. Skippy's Rig was sporting a new magenta/purple color chain. It was actually a BMX chain but he was trying it out on the single speed. I wanted one..it was really cool.

Angelia, Jennifer, Moe and myself ventured out. We started out the beginner loop. I pushed the pace a little harder than normal just to see where everyone was on their skill/confidence levels. As we made it to the first clearing, everyone was together. No spills, tumbles, maybe one mechanical, but other that we were in good shape. We proceded on to the end of the beginner loop. As we completed the loop, I wanted to make it a little more challenging. I suggested riding the first part of the intermediate loop again. It's all downhill for the first part until the wooden bridge..then we start climbing. I wanted to do it early in the ride while everyone was fresh..plus, everyone is getting faster each week so I felt it was time to kick it up a notch and offer a bit more of a challenge.

Down we went, through the right hand turn..down to the tight, left hand switchback. As I went through I noticed Moe heading straight. Where ya going???? Moe said as she came up on the turn she decicded to take the scenic route instead. It was a little too hairy to negotiate. No worries though. We continued down , over the two small bridges & on to the longer bridge. We crossed the bridge & started up the hill. negotiating the roots as we went. I rode up to the first left hand switchback after the bridge & took a break. Everyone did great getting up that first hill. I decided..ok..far enough..let's go back & see if anyone else is in the parking lot. We turned back around & headed back up the hill....ugh. As we got back to the road...I mentioned to a couple of the girls..."I'm not trying to kill you...I just want you to get better & I think you are ready for it based on your skills"
I figured the only way we are going to improve is to try more things.

After a quick check of the parking area, we rode the beginner loop backwards....just for a change of pace. It's much different going that direction. As we came through I noticed I kept getting too close to some of the trees. At one point, I clipped my handlebar on a tree but was able to stay upright. About the same place I clipped the tree, Jennifer mentioned there was a "stick of death" on that part of the trail! It almost took her down as well...Yikes!

We met up with Jannie & Meggan & started back up the beginner loop. Both ladies were still getting used to their clipless pedals . Meggan was a little scared but she would do just fine. I stayed towards the middle of the pack as we rode just to be sure everyone was ok. Everyone sailed through. We decided to go backwards again on our return to the parking lot. Before we got started, Jennifer rode ahead to eradicate the "stick of death". We started back down. the eradication must have worked b/c this time through, I did not come close to clipping that tree near the area of the dreaded stick.

As we completed the lap, it started raining. the brief shower felt good. The temps seemed a little warm as we rode throughout the evening. When we got to the parking lot we noticed a beautiful rainbow. then it turned into a double rainbow. (man I wish I had brought that camera) What a great way to cap off a great ride. Thanks ladies..As usual you all rocked!!! Off to ride w/ the boyz at the Cove on Thursday.