I never know quite how these sorts of blind date type rides are going to go. I love showing off the Dells trail system, but the system really appeals to a certain sort of rider who thrives/craves technical terrain, and who also has the strength, fitness and judgement to ride within their bounds and keep their equipment (and bodies) safe.
Some of these rides ended early with a mechanical. Some ended with an injury. Mostly, folks just burn up the matches in their legs and are ready to quit in an hour or so.
I knew Brian could ride from some photos I have seen. I was not disappointed in the least because I found him to be an excellent rider, especially gifted at technical climbs. Besides this he is a heck of a nice guy and easy to hang out with. He got a blazing tour of the entire Dells system I have never had a rider complete this big a ride before without crumping or breaking something in the process, so Bravo Brian.
Pics:
Started in Willow Dells:
Brian on the girl line.
He just rolled up to this move and nailed it....and promptly pinch flatted.
I suck with camera thingies:)
We moved over to the Willow Dam trails to increase the pucker factor.
I couldn't believe he on sight cleaned this climb first try. It would not be the last time Brian O surprised me this way.
Willow Dam went well. He still had legs, so we headed across the highway to the Lakeshore trail. We bypassed the Watson Dam and Over the Hill trails, and I thought we would do Lakeshore one way and call it a day.
He did it again on this climb!
We ended up doing Lakeshore both directions. Brian was getting a little tired, he was out of water, but he needed to see the Over the Hill-Watson Dam trail. We would be racing the sun, but I thought we could squeeze it in.
This is an old pic, but I love this sign at the beginning of Over the Hill:)
Made it. Sundown, time to roll back to the car.
One of the best rides I have done in a long long time.
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