Sunday's Ride

Another great, great ride with Dan.

Started at the bottom of Smith Ravine at 0500, and climbed up to the Spruce look out. Came within 100 feet of cleaning Smith (walking over downed trees excepted.) Again, cleared the hard stuff and screwed up on open trail.

Descended the 5 mile way down 307. Climbed back up the 3 mile way. The down Spruce road to Smith and down to the cars.



Dan had said to bring gears and suspension, and I brought plenty of both. The Box really paid off on the ride, both on the climbs, but especially on the descents. I came away from the ride again, totally impressed with this bikes abilities. I had been thinking it was too much bike for me. Not true. Just too much for the terrain I usually ride. It needs to be going fast over rough stuff to really come into its own. With Dan on a hardtail, we were almost evenly matched on the descents. He could leave me in the tighter corners, but if it opened up and was rough (think 307), I would pull ahead slightly. The Box was more confidence inspiring on 307 than the MM for sure.

Anyway, I am never selling this bike. Even if I ride it only occasionally.

The conditions were suberb. Super tacky soil, but very slippery roots/trees and rocks. Cool, but very humid. The forest looks like something out of the pacific northwest, not Arizona.



"Steaming" stump as the sun hit it and released the moisture.

We had lots of time to talk and laugh on the climbs trying to clean everything. Lots of fun on the descents. We(I) were so slow on the climb up Spruce a hiker almost caught us.

I would guess we climbed and descended 5-6000 feet in about 17 miles which puts this as one of the steeper rides in these parts. I felt great with my SS legs. Way better than I should have felt on a ride this strenuous.

At the end I felt like we had been riding for 2.5 hours and was shocked to realize it was actually 3:40. Time flies....

23 This is what the LORD says:
"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,

24 but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,"
declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9