Usery Mountain Park

Today we rode the Pass Mountain Loop. It was my first time on the trail and Mike's second. We had a slow start due to some mechanical problems. Mike had tweaked his rear disc on his last ride but apparently was not aware of the extent of the damage until after we started this morning's ride. We stopped at a spot overlooking Fountain Hills and Mike went to work on the disc with a crescent wrench. He managed to bend it back into a somewhat flat shape. It was sufficient to reduce the drag and we were able to continue riding.

I found myself feeling a bit out of sorts on the trail. Due to my bike spending some time receiving critical care at Swiss American Bikes and myself traveling over the holidays it was my first ride in three weeks. I was out of shape and out of practice. Add to that the fact that it was my first time riding in the Usery Mountains and I looked like a rookie. I chickened out on a few rough sections and ate some rock on a couple other sections that I should of chickened out on. But other than a couple of skinned up elbows and a bruised left butt cheek I'm doing alright tonight...after all, I got to ride again today.

We didn't see any other cyclist on the trail but there were lots of hikers. A group of older ladies met us right after coming down a steep rock section just south of the top of the trail. Right at the bottom of that slab of rock is a sharp switch back and then a section of trail approximately 30 yards long that is littered with rocks from baby heads to basketballs. Our group of gals stepped aside to let us ride through. I invited them to hike on by but they insisted that they wanted to "see how it was done." I assured them that they would more likely see how it was not done and invited them to get out their cameras to capture yet another trip over the handlebars. I opted to walk the first 10 yards, which was the most treacherous, and then hopped on the bike show them that the trail really was ridable. I'm sure I could have handled the first 10 yards as well, but I was already feeling a bit off balance due to my two prior tumbles and I wasn't in the mood to go down in front of an audience of old women.

After leaving our fans behind we got to the section of the trail where you can pick up a little speed. You also give your arms a work out from the constant rattle of your front tire bouncing over the rocks.

The next time we ride the trail I hope to be a little more focused. Mike and I also spent a lot of time talking on the trail, which means slow riding. Not that I mind the slow rides as they always come with good conversation. But they are not as vigorous.