Trail Update!

It is amazing weather today. I got to get out and check out the local singletrack. It did not disappoint. I could tell one of the local clubs had done some trail work. Debris and deadfall had been cleared and some paths had been blocked or re-routed to control erosion. I cant take any credit for this work. I've helped out before though. It is fun and rewarding to actually contribute to trail maintenance. Anyway, I loaded up the bike after a good chain waxing.



...and made my way to the trail. It was an gorgeous day, the photos dont even do justice. Fortunately, these trails drain well and there was no evidence of the rain earlier in the week.





This is my favorite part of the trail. The tabletop is shaped just right and impossible to hit wrong. Just sail on over!



The trail was also full of dernt-der-dernt-ers. I try not to pay them too much mind even if they are in the way. It is nice that they are able to get out and enjoy the outdoors too. I give a friendly greeting and pass on by and they look like they think I'm crazy for going the speed I do. I figure if I'm friendly, maybe they might actually take up the sport instead of just the trail.

Speaking of the trail, referring back to the rules, remember both bikes and horses yield to hikers? Why? On a horse or a bike, you certainly aren't in danger of being passed by a hiker, so why do you have to yield? It is because hikers are the most clueless and the least aware of their surroundings. Seriously. If people decide to walk on a trail, they seem to universally check their brain at the trailhead. So I roll up on a couple and slow down behind them so I don't startle them. If the prawls on my White Ind. freehub aren't grating enough to announce my presence, I give the polite "Coming up on your left!" ...no response... ** cough ** "Coming up on your left!" So between the "rrrrrrrrrrrrrr" of my freewheel, the "squeek, creak, squeek" of my bottom bracket, and my polite announcement (twice), they finally notice me and jump out of their shorts in surprise like someone blew an airhorn in their ears. Really?? Wow. Oh, and they both jumped to their left after I said that was the side I was going to pass them on. Sigh....