Copper basin-Sierra Prieta-West Spruce and down

I just had the nicest ride. Seems too seldom lately. Good news is that I am not as out of shape as I feared. Lots of climbing, felt fine. Nicely overcast day, no rain, tacky trails.

Hosking set me up with a nice route. Park at the pavement's end on Copper Basin, up to 393, ride it back down to near the gate of Pearlstein camp, take a left onto the technical rocky 2 track that follows the drainage up to the Sierra Prieta overlook. Takes an hour of climbing mostly.

From Sierra Prieta, I bombed over to 264 (W Spruce), and rode up and down it about 1/2 hour, turning around before west spruce when it became apparent that a lot of hike-a-bike was in store on the return if I didn't stop. Back up to the overlook, then the Whiskey race course down to the 4-way intersection with 51, go straight across to little used 391, and take this back to the car. Nice 2 hour lollipop if you are fast, 2:30 for me.

Map here of most of the ride.

The Curtlo is simply an amazing climber. I've said it many times before, but it continues to blow me away. Let's be clear that I am talking about slow, relentlessly technical climbing, if you want to go fast up a fire road look elsewhere. Especially with the ground moist and tacky, the bike will not give up, and will go as far as its pilot can push it in technical terrain. Steep, rocky, loose, ledgy, matters it doesn't. I do not see how the Lunch box can be any better. The Box will do other things better, but I hope it still climbs the technical stuff well. That is probably my one above average skill mountain biking, and I want to keep it!

Still, the Tractor performs like a tool. A very capable tool for climbing impossible things and descending safely. Unfortunately, it also feels like a tool. No passion, no fun, very deliberate. I'm certain the long wheelbase is a the cause of this. I'm dreaming the Box (with its 1 inch shorter stays, and 2.5" shorter wheelbase) will bring all that capability, and a Boxful of fun in addition.

I should note that I think my prior F135 fork was not indicative of how awesome this thing is. The repaired fork is way better than before. Plush, keeps the front where you want it, and takes a beating. This is the first time I have ever enjoyed the loose rock descent down the Whiskey race course from Prieta. I pretty much had no need for braking although I did out of fear from prior runs. Hope it lasts because it is superb.