dreadedmonkeygod . net

Headed out to Wildwood again yesterday for a spin on my mountain bike. I took my camera just in case something caught my eye, but the usual trails looked, well, usual. So I concentrated on riding smooth and going fast, and had a great time.

I spun up the Lower Butte trail, then east on the Santa Rosa trail to the huge cross above CLU. That stretch of trail is a gnarly technical climb, and my legs just weren't up to powering the effort. So I walked the hardest sections (twenty yards of coral reef, and a very short, super-steep climb), and continued on to the turnaround at the cross.

I've still never ridden the whole Santa Rosa trail from CLU to the Mesa Trail, but last night I put together a couple of major chunks: I rode from the cross to the intersection with the Lower Butte trail (including the steep drop and the coral reef), and I finally had the confidence to ride a short section just above the switchbacks that I usually walk. So I've now ridden everything from the cross to the switchbacks. The next step is to put it all together.

Once I have that, the last remaining hurdle will be the switchbacks themselves. No small challenge.

The frequent riding has really improved my speed and technique, and I'm feeling strong and smooth. My legs are coming around, and with a little rest, they'll be ready for a long ride on Saturday morning. Gotta scope out some short loops over at Sycamore Canyon!

(map to be posted later)