The first real climb up Regional Trail was a little difficult. My legs were feeling a little tired, but they quickly warmed up. We went all the way up Regional to Old Payoff. Then it was up to South Ridge. Following that we next took Fun Trail. We then took a meandering route along the lower trails, then headed back toward the truck.

A couple hours later, and a lot of sweat and the ride was complete.

The ride was great for a number of reasons. We treated it as a training ride, so we rarely stopped, but if we did, it was just long enough to catch our breath, or stretch out the aching muscles. I climbed almost everything I tried, and made all the descents feel super smooth, even on the hardtail. The trail conditions were absolutely stellar, although some of the roots and rock faces were a tich slippery due to the rain earlier today.

I can tell already that I am going to need to get a big ring back on this bike. It won’t be long until I am spinning out my highest. I feel like my training for the 24 Hours of Whistler is going pretty well so far, and there is still lots of time before the race.

On the way home I called home to see what Sue was up to. Turned out dinner was almost ready. Good timing. Mmm, Sweet N Sour Cashew Chicken. That hit the spot. Follow that up with the post ride shower, and I am feeling rather awesome right now.

Went on another wicked ride today with Mike from work. It was a bit of a training ride, so we tried not to take any breaks. We met up at Tim Hortons, and after getting some coffee and food out of the way, we headed up to the dump. Next we had to sort out a few mechanicals but then we were off to the races.

We started off on Shock Treatment which was very, very overgrown. It rained earlier in the day, so I got rather wet from brushing against the grass and bushes. Heading back to the parking lot we turned up Regional Trail.

Climbing Regional I was feeling pretty good. I had dropped down to the granny ring at one point, so while we were waiting for the third person in our group, I zipped down the first hill, geared up to the middle ring, and hammered up the last climb a second time. I love attacking hills like that. Very fun.

We turned up Old Buck, then took the first right onto North Ridge. We followed that then took off onto Sidewinder. So far I was having a great ride. I was climbing everything without a problem, and was still feeling pretty fresh. On Sidewinder there is one really technical siwtchback where you need to swing the back end around to be able to ride through the turn. I made it. Always a good feeling. Specially since I had to swing the back end to the left, which I find more difficult.

After Sidewinder we decided to check out Mind Bender. The sign on the tree said that it was best to ride it top to bottom. We were at the bottom and wanted to check it out anyway, so we headed up. It was pretty difficult riding it, but it was a good challenge. Halfway through I started getting tired, and really, really hungry. My stomach start making some pretty loud grumbly noises. I started walking more sections since I was starting to feeling more and more tired. It was very slippery on the trail due to the wet cedar roots and I really didn’t want to hurt myself so I didn’t feel too bad for walking.

At the top of Mind Bender we took the road back to Who’s Yer Daddy. I know I rode it yesterday, but today I was on a different bike. Different trail on a hardtail. I didn’t take the big rock face like I did yesterday, but I still had lots of fun flowing the trail. Log drops, rock faces, twists and turns. Still fun.

We took the road back down to Skull. At the end of Skull I said goodbye to the guys, the headed back to my truck. Mike and Mark were going to head back up for another climb to kill their legs. Crazy.

I felt hungry but good after the ride. Definitely a great ride. I kicked the climbs, and zipped down the descents.

Sean and I headed out for a rip at the dump today. He brought Bosley with him, but I was Yoshi-less. Yosh needed a timeout. He overdid it a couple days ago, and was still a little sore.

The ride was fantastic though. The weekend was supposed to be rainy and gross all weekend, but the weather held out for the ride. Actually, the weather was quite nice all day. Blue sky, fluffy clouds every now and then, but muggy.

We headed up skull, up to C-Section, then up the switchbacks. So far I was feeling pretty good. My quadricep was a little sore, but I took it easy until I was really warmed up. The climb up the switchbacks was tough, bu tI made a few more corners than I normally do.

I set a new personal record on the log ride at the top of the switchbacks. I rode it completely 4 times in a row, including one time in the reverse direction. Very cool.

Taming twister we headed up towards phase 2, but cut off for Jelly Roll and Lumpy Pants. I had been on Lumpy Pants before, but this was my first time on Jelly Roll. Both trails have some great features. Each has a couple jumps that can be quite big if you get enough speed. Slow it down enough, and the drop is only 3 – 4 feet. The Jelly Roll drop is definitely the bigger drop on the two trails.

After eyeing up the jump, I decided that I was definitely going to do it. I got my feet set on the pedals, and started the roll in. As I neared the lip I was about to tap the brakes and chicken out. Mentally I told myself NO, and moved those fingers away from the brakes, and planted them on the bars. The takeoff was quite smooth. As the landing rushed towards me I extended my legs to get the rear wheel down first.

The impact wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. Quite the contrary actually. It was pretty smooth. My back end did buck up a little, but a jab on the brakes, and everything was under control. Woot. It was fun, and I wanted to do it again. I refrained, and chose not to push my luck.

I must need to change my rear shock setup. That landing really caused a bad bucking action. Later on Lumpy Pants, on a similar drop, the same thing happened. On landing the rear shock rebounded very quickly, and control was limited. This time I turned into the slide, and regained control. I came very close to running into some logs laying on the fall line, but it was all good in the end.

After Lumpy Pants we followed the road back up to the top of Who’s Yer Daddy. I don’t this trail very often, and I always forget how much fun it is. After the first rock face that ends at the fenceline, the trail descends, and picks up the flow. You just let the brakes go, and weave throught the trees. Drop off a few logs, jump a few rocks. Fun, fun, fun.

At the end of tha trail, it was just down the fireroad, and a quick burn down Skull.

Lovely little ride today. I am feeling pretty fit these days, and am really enjoying riding. I just want to get out there and ride some more.

Sunday Sue and I went mountain biking. She hadn’t been offroad in quite a while, so this was just an easy ride to try and get her back into it. I didn’t want to kill herself on her first time back 😉

We started off with Shock Treatment which is a nice rolly trail with the odd challenge to keep you honest. After that it was an old school loop that went far over to the firehall side of the dump. Sue kept up to me very well. It definitely wasn’t her fitness that kept her back.

Of course Yoshi was there too. He had lots of fun as always.

On one section, Sue went back to try it over. Yoshi started to follow, then stopped right in the middle of us looking between Sue and I. You could see in his mind he was trying to figure out who he should stay with. It was quite funny.

I am so proud of Sue though. On the last trail of the day, Skull Trail, there was one particular corner that I wanted Sue to give a try to. While I spotted her, she tried it several times before getting it. I can remember how tough it can be to go back and try a drop after just crashing on it, or not making it. Sue kept on it until she made it. Way to go Sue!

I had a good ride too. It was good to get out and sweat a little. Riding is always so much fun.