On Saturday afternoon I was able to get my bike all the way to the top of the Strawberry 4WD trail. Don't let the icy image scare you off. That shot was taken at one of the worst spots. Although the going was slower than usual, it was a ride, not a hike-a-bike. SB-KW is totally doable right now. If the weather holds, who is down for a run at it next weekend?
Two trucks tried to get to the top that day, but were turned around by ice. The humble bicycle wins again. The Rover pictured belongs to a party of Ukrainians that was just stopped by ice near the top. A good friend of mine, Orest, taught me some Ukrainian drinking songs years ago. After learning of their ethnicity, I got my Cyrillic on and sang them a tune. Boy howdy was that a good move. After complementing me on my total lack of an accent (I think they were being generous) they asked me if I liked "ribs." Next thing I know, I am enjoying delicious marinated lamb chops fresh off their charcoal grill, complete with vegetables and bread and all splashed down by a few swigs of Patron. It would have been great in any setting, but trail-side at 8K it was sublime.
The last two shots above show Nohandle in his happy place, tending fire at his place on Saturday night.
Consider this your weekly call out.
One!
Two trucks tried to get to the top that day, but were turned around by ice. The humble bicycle wins again. The Rover pictured belongs to a party of Ukrainians that was just stopped by ice near the top. A good friend of mine, Orest, taught me some Ukrainian drinking songs years ago. After learning of their ethnicity, I got my Cyrillic on and sang them a tune. Boy howdy was that a good move. After complementing me on my total lack of an accent (I think they were being generous) they asked me if I liked "ribs." Next thing I know, I am enjoying delicious marinated lamb chops fresh off their charcoal grill, complete with vegetables and bread and all splashed down by a few swigs of Patron. It would have been great in any setting, but trail-side at 8K it was sublime.
The last two shots above show Nohandle in his happy place, tending fire at his place on Saturday night.
Consider this your weekly call out.
One!
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ReplyDeleteThere has been some back-channeling today about a possible high-elevation longride this coming holiday weekend.
ReplyDeleteI have a dream ... that one day very soon on the granitic & basaltic hills of California the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners, and even the sons of those completely unassociated with the slave trade will be able to dismount their mountain bikes and sit down together mid-ride at the Kirkwood Inn table of brotherhood to regale each other with tales of high elevation January conquest.
King's actual words without the liberal paraphrasing were fitting for what was arguably the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation. If mine can snag a riding partner or two, that's good enough for me.
"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'"
Here's a link to the rest of the powerful 1963 speech delivered by the American icon of nonviolent propagation of human equality.
http://www.usconstitution.net/dream.html
RG may remember it from the first time around, but I, at least, appreciated the refresher.
Lets mark MLK's struggles with some of our own in hopes that some day we will all be free at last.
The longride may go down any day between Friday and Monday, depending on schedules. Voice your opinion on that if you have one. I think it may take a few extra hours to complete the circuit given the patches of snow and ice. I think we should be riding at, near, or even a little before sunrise in order to (hopefully) complete the ride by dark. I hope to not need a light, but I'll certainly be bringing one or two in case we are benighted.
I am out for the tuesday ride due to work-related extra long day. A road roll up is possible but not likely. Weekend adventure looks promising for me . Cant do sunday and am willing to push for sat or M.L.K. Day depending on what others like best.
ReplyDeleteTwo!
ReplyDeleteDid the AR Double X traverse up the dirt part of Mosquito? I spotted some skinny tire tracks up there during my moto session Sunday. I figured it must be the hardcore FT3 crew.
No holiday for the corporate grind on MLK Day, a shame on several levels. I'm thinking more and more about bike shop opportunities everyday, with no illusions of light work hours and big monetary dividends.
Three.
ReplyDeleteHas the BC communication trumped the blog.
Why has RG removed his original comment.
Does anyone else put in extra long work days
Who will win in N.H. today.
Fruit Pies vs. Slim Jim+Pop Tarts
Slim Jims AND Pop Tarts together are a synergistic powerhouse; hard to beat that. The delectable Fruit Pie that Hostess brings us packs more horsepower-hours per dollar, however. Pop Tarts are more durable in a pack though, and Slim Jims would be the only thing left for the Cockroaches to eat if button fingers get itchy in Islamabad, Pyongyang, or possibly even Tehran or Damascus.
ReplyDeleteBambi is in - 4! Nice to see Rock back at it this week. You should totally ride road up for tacos, Cap. FT3LRP has some agenda items to cover.
very quiet out there......
ReplyDeleteNoCar, where did you go?
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ReplyDeleteI'm ready to go, except I have two more hours of 'strategic planning' meetings to attend, s*&t! OK, we all have to pay the bills, it's just big corporate disfunction has me near a go-postal mental state.
ReplyDeleteNeed some Pollywood trail time to clear mind and gain perspective.
As our fearless leader once said, "We do more than riding on Tuesday nights."
ReplyDeleteJust got back to the office. I've been down in Big Bear (where they have snow). I'm slammed this week. And, my mom will be visiting this weekend so I can't make the long ride, either. Damn, I even picked up some new knee warmers this past weekend.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the big moon.
Xterra and Keds make 5 and 6! We will see you in Pollywood with two bikes and no running shoes. Mmmm. yum. running.
ReplyDeleteDid you just call yourself Xterra?
ReplyDeleteYou must be feeling cute tonight.
Wow, next thing you know Bambi will start running and Xterra will be using the blog. Oh wait already happenend. Will Keds get a login too.
ReplyDeleteNoCar, I feel your pain, at least you have a full set of knee warmers, I only have a left leg one....Until my shipment arrives.
ReplyDeleteThe one from Louisville, CO or Bogotá?
ReplyDeleteCouncilman, what say ye? Last chance for an American-style ride for a while.
ReplyDeleteBring a Bianchi
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed the shenanigans. I did ride a mellow cx with my wife at lunch. DTI is restored, and we shouldn't have any unseemly behavior on the 15+ hours of flight time. Yeah, right.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoo, I will make it my mission to introduce tacos to the Italians. The raw ingredients are generally available, I just need a big fry daddy and some tortillas.
Fare thee well, brethren! I will see you all in a few months.
Good ride gents. I actually feel I'm able to deal with corporate BS in a constructive manner today; nothing like two wheeled therapy.
ReplyDelete