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#1
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RR: Hall Ranch, first time
Sistahs rides are mellow in temperament, and often in terrain. Last
night, though, we did the one Hall Ranch ride of the season. Most of the beginners disappeared for this one; that left me as the beginner representative. The plan was this: ride for an hour. Wherever you are after an hour, turn back so that you don't end up stuck on unfamiliar terrain at night. Seemed reasonable. Hall Ranch is gorgeous, and it is *way* more difficult than anything I've ever attempted. I managed to scrabble over some stuff I never thought I'd clear; still, there were a number of sections I didn't feel bad for walking. (If one of you can show me how some of these sections are even *possible*, I'd love to see it. I'm sure they're doable -- I just can't imagine how.) I can't imagine getting up enough speed to clear some of the turns, which seem to require a very precise angle to avoid being chomped by the rocks at either side of the path. Anyway ... the ride. I biked what I could and walked what I couldn't. Towards the top, the ride gets more mellow technically, but I was starting to feel the slippery edge of exhaustion. One of the other women and I agreed to make it at least to the loop ... I slowly lost her, though, and eventually I just kind of ... stopped pedalling. I told two guys who passed, "Tell the girl on the shiny yellow bike that I couldn't make it." A couple of gasps later, I realize that they've stopped not fifty feet ahead to chat with said girl, so pride drags my sorry butt onto the bike and I pedal on up to the fork. Some discussion ensues -- we have about 10 minutes till an hour will have passed. I'm promised that the climb is short; the descent sweet. Okay. Off we go. I quickly realize my error. Not only has my bike stopped allowing me to use my two grannymost gears, but my body isn't really all that ready for more climbing. I keep going, gasping and panting like it's the first ride of the year. Slowly, I lose sight of the other two women doing the loop, but that's kind of comforting. I no longer worry about keeping up; instead, I set my own pace, my breathing gets regular, and I just keep trucking. Eventually, I do start to head downhill, and yes, it is sweet, but it's getting long, it's getting dark, and I don't see any other riders about. Finally, I get back to the beginning of the loop, and the girl who had done the loop with me asks if I'm okay. I tell her I'm fine, just tired, and she scoots off. It seems like I start after her right away, but she might as well have vanished in a puff of smoke. I'm alone. Well, okay then. I'm a bit grumpy because there was supposed to have been a sweep rider, but then, I'm out about half an hour past quitting time, so whose fault is that? I resolve not to challenge myself *too* much; sure, it's getting late, but it's better to get to the trailhead after dark than to hurry and break an arm or something. That's my thought, anyway. As I get to the technical sections, I get more and more nervous; I'm afraid to try them without eye protection, but I don't have clear lenses and the shades are making it hard to see. I walked quite a lot of the way down, unwilling to ride what I couldn't make out. Fortunately, even hiking the bike, the way down was a lot faster than the way up. One of the experts coming down from above asked if I was okay; I told him my deal, and he offered to ride down with me. I declined, not wanting to hold him up, but really appreciated the offer. He did tell me that there were still a few riders up top, so at least I knew that, if something did happen, someone would find me before daybreak. So, down I go, mostly walking, sometimes riding. I swear that I can hear snatches of conversation from the women at the trailhead. Eventually, I make it to the easier bit at the bottom and start riding to the trailhead in earnest. The girl on the shiny yellow bike rides up to me; she'd realized I was way behind, so she rode down to get a light and come back for me. As it turns out, I'd made it just about to the trailhead by the time she got started again. Nice of her, though. Everyone's happy to see me in one piece; I guess previous rides at Hall have been more ... bloody. Despite the fact that it's way out of my league, I really liked Hall. I'd like to go back some time when I don't have to worry about night time creeping up and see how I do. -- monique |
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#2
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Hall Ranch, first time
Monique Y. Mudama wrote: Sistahs rides are mellow in temperament, and often in terrain. Last night, though, we did the one Hall Ranch ride of the season. Most of the beginners disappeared for this one; that left me as the beginner representative. Novice, my dear. Beginner is such an insulting word. The others will always be "beginners" if they don't try harder. The plan was this: ride for an hour. Wherever you are after an hour, turn back so that you don't end up stuck on unfamiliar terrain at night. Seemed reasonable. Hall Ranch is gorgeous, and it is *way* more difficult than anything I've ever attempted. I managed to scrabble over some stuff I never thought I'd clear; still, there were a number of sections I didn't feel bad for walking. (If one of you can show me how some of these sections are even *possible*, I'd love to see it. I'm sure they're doable -- I just can't imagine how.) I can't imagine getting up enough speed to clear some of the turns, which seem to require a very precise angle to avoid being chomped by the rocks at either side of the path. I used to think things were impossible to do (still do), but you'll be amazed at what your bike and you can do. It's all about balance. Don't ever feel bad about walking. It's the best way to be able to try the area again some day without crutches or a sling. Anyway ... the ride. I biked what I could and walked what I couldn't. Towards the top, the ride gets more mellow technically, but I was starting to feel the slippery edge of exhaustion. One of the other women and I agreed to make it at least to the loop ... I slowly lost her, though, and eventually I just kind of ... stopped pedalling. I told two guys who passed, "Tell the girl on the shiny yellow bike that I couldn't make it." A couple of gasps later, I realize that they've stopped not fifty feet ahead to chat with said girl, so pride drags my sorry butt onto the bike and I pedal on up to the fork. Confusious say, "It's always faster on the bike". Some discussion ensues -- we have about 10 minutes till an hour will have passed. I'm promised that the climb is short; the descent sweet. Okay. Off we go. I quickly realize my error. Not only has my bike stopped allowing me to use my two grannymost gears, but my body isn't really all that ready for more climbing. I keep going, gasping and panting like it's the first ride of the year. Slowly, I lose sight of the other two women doing the loop, but that's kind of comforting. I no longer worry about keeping up; instead, I set my own pace, my breathing gets regular, and I just keep trucking. Eventually, I do start to head downhill, and yes, it is sweet, but it's getting long, it's getting dark, and I don't see any other riders about. "Pace", the magic word. If you get caught up in what the people are doing ahead of you, expect to lose steam. If this were a race, it's a different story. Finally, I get back to the beginning of the loop, and the girl who had done the loop with me asks if I'm okay. I tell her I'm fine, just tired, and she scoots off. It seems like I start after her right away, but she might as well have vanished in a puff of smoke. I'm alone. Well, okay then. I'm a bit grumpy because there was supposed to have been a sweep rider, but then, I'm out about half an hour past quitting time, so whose fault is that? I resolve not to challenge myself *too* much; sure, it's getting late, but it's better to get to the trailhead after dark than to hurry and break an arm or something. That's my thought, anyway. As I get to the technical sections, I get more and snip Next bike purchase: HID Light -- o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o www.schnauzers.ws |
#3
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Hall Ranch, first time
Ride-a-lot says:
Novice, my dear. Beginner is such an insulting word. I always preferred "acolyte". It has the advantage of being comfortingly mediaeval-monkish, with the implication that this here mountain-biking is just as good as religion as any. My cousin Herb used to walk in the woods on Sundays, because he said that God had done a much better job than Man did in building a place to worship. Never worshipped outloud, either. Nice walks. ;-) Steve "just yer basic agnostic, but I used to enjoy the walk" |
#4
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RR: Hall Ranch, first time
Monique Y. Mudama wrote:
Sistahs rides are mellow in temperament, and often in terrain. Last night, though, we did the one Hall Ranch ride of the season. Most of the beginners disappeared for this one; that left me as the beginner representative. I like Steve B's term "acolyte". We won't make you wear the white robes though. :-) snip nice report Despite the fact that it's way out of my league, I really liked Hall. I'd like to go back some time when I don't have to worry about night time creeping up and see how I do. Its not out of your league after you've done it, just harder than you're used to. And dark doesn't count. Familiar trails can get real exciting in the dark, even with a light. If you'd gotten to the trail head and said "This is out of my league." and gone home, well yeah it would be. There are lots of trails out there where maybe we can ride 90-95%, but we fret about the 5-10% we can't. Work on the 5-10% when you can and that percentage will drop over time. Cheers, Shawn. |
#5
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Hall Ranch, first time
On 2004-06-26, Ride-A-Lot penned:
Monique Y. Mudama wrote: Sistahs rides are mellow in temperament, and often in terrain. Last night, though, we did the one Hall Ranch ride of the season. Most of the beginners disappeared for this one; that left me as the beginner representative. Novice, my dear. Beginner is such an insulting word. The others will always be "beginners" if they don't try harder. I s'pose. How 'bout "future not-sucky person"? *grin* I used to think things were impossible to do (still do), but you'll be amazed at what your bike and you can do. It's all about balance. Don't ever feel bad about walking. It's the best way to be able to try the area again some day without crutches or a sling. I've seen some crazy stuff -- a lot of it in video footage from this very newsgroup. It's inspiring. "Pace", the magic word. If you get caught up in what the people are doing ahead of you, expect to lose steam. If this were a race, it's a different story. *nod* I've learned to regulate my breathing when I find myself scrambling; it usually gets my legs to behave, too. But it's a real struggle when someone's ahead of me -- my natural reaction, without even realizing it, is to catch up. Next bike purchase: HID Light There's a thought. I really didn't expect to be out that late ... but I'm sure that can be true of a lot of rides. -- monique |
#6
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Hall Ranch, first time
On 2004-06-26, Stephen Baker penned:
I always preferred "acolyte". It has the advantage of being comfortingly mediaeval-monkish, with the implication that this here mountain-biking is just as good as religion as any. Or cultish =P My cousin Herb used to walk in the woods on Sundays, because he said that God had done a much better job than Man did in building a place to worship. Never worshipped outloud, either. Nice walks. ;-) Makes sense to me. Steve "just yer basic agnostic, but I used to enjoy the walk" I definitely know what you mean. I'm agnostic, too, but I feel most spiritual when surrounded by things not made by man. -- monique |
#7
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RR: Hall Ranch, first time
On 2004-06-26, Shawn Curry penned:
Its not out of your league after you've done it, just harder than you're used to. And dark doesn't count. Familiar trails can get real exciting in the dark, even with a light. No doubt. If you'd gotten to the trail head and said "This is out of my league." and gone home, well yeah it would be. Fortunately, the trail head is mellow. By the time it gets interesting, my ego is well invested =) There are lots of trails out there where maybe we can ride 90-95%, but we fret about the 5-10% we can't. Work on the 5-10% when you can and that percentage will drop over time. *nod* ... I think in this case it might have been more like 75-80%, but the point remains. And after experiencing Hall, my usual haunts should be much less intimidating. -- monique |
#8
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RR: Hall Ranch, first time
"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote
Despite the fact that it's way out of my league, I really liked Hall. I'd like to go back some time when I don't have to worry about night time creeping up and see how I do. Cool. Hall is a stiff ride, but way fun. I'm in Boulder for the weekend, actually. (The best advice for the citizenry is to remain indoors with the blinds closed until the danger passes.) Have to say, I like to see the trend of everybody riding around town on cool singlespeed cruisers. Nothing like a cute girl in a dress riding a big balloon-tired townie. Aah. CC |
#9
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RR: Hall Ranch, first time
Corvus Corvax wrote:
"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote Despite the fact that it's way out of my league, I really liked Hall. I'd like to go back some time when I don't have to worry about night time creeping up and see how I do. Cool. Hall is a stiff ride, but way fun. I'm in Boulder for the weekend, actually. (The best advice for the citizenry is to remain indoors with the blinds closed until the danger passes.) Have to say, I like to see the trend of everybody riding around town on cool singlespeed cruisers. Nothing like a cute girl in a dress riding a big balloon-tired townie. Aah. CC Come out to the glider side of the airport tomorrow (Sunday) around noon, and I may be able to get you a view of Boulder from a different perspective. Shawn |
#10
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RR: Hall Ranch, first time
"Monique Y. Mudama" wrote: Despite the fact that it's way out of my league, I really liked Hall. I'd like to go back some time when I don't have to worry about night time creeping up and see how I do. It was nice that there were some riders that checked in on you. Some group rides can get pretty lonely for the newest members. Great RR Monique, keep em coming. Have you had enough time on the new ride to post your thoughts on it??? -- - Rog http://www.wpcusrgrp.org/~rogerbuchanan/index.html NOTE: to Reply to this, remove the phrase "NOSPAM" from my "Reply To:" address, or it will be returned. |
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