Snowy Strawberry RR 12-9-07

[ApexMan]

Sunday came quick for me, I "accidently" tied one on the night before at a friend's house. I had given up hope of doing this ride and backed out with a text message to my buddy and crashed on my friend's couch. I awoke hours later to take a leak and felt good enough to drive home, when I walked to my truck it had just finished raining and I could see stars. I knew the trail would be SICK so I sent another text saying, "I'm back in!"

I got to the Pasadena Cyclery lot on time with my Tommy sausage and egg burger/sandwich, others showed up the next 20 minutes, we loaded up and headed up. We were hit by much wind on the drive, there were some shaking in their boots thinking they didn't bring anough layers. We could see the hilltops of Strawberry and it was dusted with snow, ooooooh boy!

We got out halfway down the Switzers road and found that it wasn't that bad, little gusts now and then but not witches tit in an iron bra kinda cold.

Up to the junction of highways and met with the rest of our group, Pasdena Mountain Bike Club, or something like that. We set out ahead on the more exposed to wind fire road, there was some snow crust on the way up but clear riding.

We regrouped just below the single track junction because the wind was steady, and it was cold! Uber clear though, could see a fly on the ear of a buffalo on Catalina Island I say!

The single track was uneventful, except the giddy feeling we had to feel a couple inches of powerder under our tires as we railed the twisy trail, I was sucking wind but clearing all things at least. At least I didn't have a headache!!

Up we climbed to the lunch saddle to begin the traverse, here we ran across Scott and Dean with others in tow! YAY, STR folks!! Knuckle punches were exchanged as we passed and on we went.

Assembled at Red box and I got to empty rocks from my shoes, the group has caught up and good to go. We had some first time Red Box riders and they were itching to go, I said go on ahead as I had not finished, I'll catch you in a bit! Well, that's all my "racer" buddy needed and off he went.

I passed a couple of riders but in doing so the cramps began in my quads, I'm not going to have any power as my previous night escapades has cost me the championship. Oh well, it's all good. The ground was SO tacky, the portions that I relied more on coasting and staying off the brakes were exhilerating!

Well, the ride over, and back up to the truck. I Almost didn't make it as one hamstring began to cramp too! Everyone had smiles as it was adventure type day, we had no flats and no mechanicals. A few of did have margs after though!!

[foofighter]

that's soo cool snow and dirt

[dstepper]

Good seing ya on the trail, had a good day a work today still thinking about that ride. Ya it was cold, but it keep the snow dry and the ground frozen = excellent traction. Next weekend weekend to move higher up the mountain to find snow. It looks like it dumped hard near Waterman.

[SheDevil]

Awesome RR Robert.... fun stuff