RR: Aliso Woods 12/13 ride

[northshore]

(Sorry no pics, always forget my camera ) this is my usual ride on Thursday evenings after work. Typically when I arrive at around 4:20ish Canyon Vistas is fairly empty. I could not believe the number of cars, riders and folks hanging out at MILF!! Wow! Folks getting off work to do some holiday shopping? Maybe on vacation early?

I slapped on all my gear and I ran into a single frustrating problem on my front Avid3 brakes. The calipers must of compressed when I accidently grabbed for the brake handle and I had problems getting the front wheel back on. I finally got the front wheel on after losening the two mounting bolts on the main body of the caliper and wiggled the disc in. Granted, there was still a bit of friction when I attempted to spin the wheel but screw it, I rode anyhow.

You ever have one of those days when you just know your body isn't in for it? I found this out early in the Cholla hill climb game. When I first started riding I think I stopped at every corner now I stop maybe two times. This time, maybe 5-6 times. No idea what is wrong with me. Maybe disc brake friction? Who knows.

I crossed over on upper West Ridge towards the water tower. I doubled back through the extra credit single track and back down Lynx. This was my first time back down Lynx on the new Horse and man what a difference! Lovely suspension travel, brakes when I need it, and I found myself going much faster than before. My only problem, I keep following the right line through the rock garden!!! I have problems adjusting my visual and mental thoughts about that left line thinking I'm going to eat it. Sure enough, two riders came down taking that left line and it looks so much easier. I followed them down to the lower ridge to talk bike and promoted STR like I always do! One is not much for surfing the web about bike stuff. The other likes geoladders and some K2 site I have never heard of. (Worth a google I suppose) The guys departed in the opposite direction towards Meadows and I headed back to MILF with another set of guys running lights since it was getting dark quick. They were headed for lap two of Cholla and Lynx before heading out.

I rode back to my car and noticed the Rangers for the first time after many rides checking out the packing scene. Three other guys were nice enough to help me look for my glasses after it flew off the top of my car when I left (Again, I just was not into it that night) and I did eventually find them about 40-50 feet from my original parking location. Thanks guys for the help if you are reading this!

Conclusion?? Disc brakes are super easy to adjust over rim brakes. This is the first time I have ridden by myself at Aliso so it was a time to reflect about '07 and the future of '08. It's also the first time I've really enjoyed the Christmas lights on the multiple homes going up Cholla and riding out of lower ridge. Sort of a tour in itself!

[foofighter]

i feel ya on that some days your dead on and other days your body is not cooperating

[station]

Man I'm sorry I missed this ride. I'm off of work starting Wednesday next week so if you guys want to ride let me know!