Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wednesday 4:15 bike in pictures

4:16 with 7300 feet of gain. I had my first solid crash which I'm pleased to get safely under my belt. My skills have improved exponentially so it was about time. Meaning that I had the confidence to let off the brakes on a few technical downs in White Ranch. Ass over elbows and I heard a loud and sharp 'CRACK' when I hit. I took a second to assess my wrists since my wife just broke hers going over the handlebars this past Summer and I had landed on both of mine (thank God I have the bone density of a caveman). Everything was in order including my bike so I'm not sure what it was. On the way home I jumped a gate (it was red) in Golden Gate Park and rode up Mountain Base Road which is closed in the Winter. A few of the switch backs go over 20% with great views. I'm a bit knackered and tomorrow is a long ride with Tim DeBoom which should be the icing on the ass kick flavored cake. Here's a few pics...

Historic homestead in Golden Gate Park.

Awesome cave.

 I love switchbacks.

 The Divide.





Steep switchback on Mtn Base Rd.



15 comments:

David said...

Wow! I am debating whether I can live in the high-country during the winter (assuming I'm working in Boulder/Denver in a few years, which seems like an okay bet unless the law professors see through the incognito excrement I have submitted/will submit during finals). That is just so beautiful--especially the Divide. Perhaps I can rent the cabin to athletes (like Geoff!) with a provision that I am allowed to crash on the couch on Friday/Saturday :)

Lucho said...

Just get a Subaru 4wd and you'll be fine. My wife is only 20:00 from Arvada and we're maybe 25:00 from Boulder. It's awesome up here as you very well know.

Lucho said...

And shouldn't you be studying instead of reading blogs young man!?

David said...

True story: I was in the library (better computers with which to read said blog) and went to the bathroom. A dude was in the stall crying. INTENSITY.

On my end, things are great! Perhaps there is some deep-seated personal inadequacy lurking just beneath the surface. I think I will go to the bathroom to hash that thought out...

Lucho said...

Wow... he has issues! I just used to cry openly in class during the final.

Dave said...

"ass kick flavored cake"-awesome, so stealing that one:)

Always a good thing to get a crash out of the way. I always feel that when I haven't crashed in a bit I'm either not trying hard enough, or on the verge of having a really nasty one. I've crashed hard where I felt a CRACK like you described once a couple months ago. I was fine too (nothing broken) and just chalked it up as a 'free' adjustment:).
Awesome pics!!!

Kevin said...

Awsome pictures, thanks for sharing.

Lucho said...

Dave- Ya, I started with 'the icing' and that fell out of my brain.
I think part of why I want to take so many pictures is to keep myself reminded of how awesome it is up here. I was never more than ~8 miles from my house as the crow flies. And some the single track I was on today was some of the best I've ever seen and I didn't see a single person.
All these past weeks, today's crash has been on my mind. I knew it was coming and I am reminded that it isn't that bad. At first I was more worried about my bike... you know that feeling.

Thanks Kevin!

Brett said...

Hey maybe Duke is very easy and that guy just had a really big crap he couldn't get out.

GZ said...

ASS FLAVORED CAKE.

Now I have a band name.

Lucho said...

Brett- Yep, I have heard Duke Law is pretty much child's play. Yikes!

GZ- About as good as a poopy flavored lollipop.

David said...

Brett, I respect Elvis impersonations, but this is just a step too far.

Glenn said...

I saw a bar end on your mtn bike in one of those photos! That is so awesome. Not only did you get in a lot of climbing you also traveled back in time (say "hi" to 1990 for me next time)

Lucho said...

I'm also using 7 speed and a Rock Shock Mag 20.

FatDad said...

ass kick = worst cake flavour ever. And yes, I'm aware that I've 'misspelled' flavour, Blogger.