RR: San Juan with Viejo Tie Extra Credit

[sdyeti]

A small group of us met up at San Juan today to do a ride up and down, including the Viejo Tie loop. We pulled into the parking lot around 8 and saw J_Sim's car at the bottom...lord knows he was already up there a-ways (or heading back down already).

The Yeti is still getting fixed so it was the Niner for me. The last 2 times I've ridden San Juan was on the Yeti, and I climbed really well despite the weight.

Artsy shadowy shot


Yesterday, Dan and I went to the beach and spent about 45 minutes body boarding. Haven't done that in a while and swimming with the fins had me pretty beat. I was exhausted last night and fell asleep in the car on the way up to SJ...could barely stay awake. I had a bad feeling that the ride was going to be a rough one.

I took up the caboose on the way up, taking a few pictures. I started sweating profusely within a few minutes and the rest of the pack (Justin, Luke, Allison & Dan) started pulling away, despite my best efforts. My legs felt dead, like I couldn't turn the cranks fast enough. Before I knew it, I was in my small ring

Setting off


We ran into Jefe, who was on the way back down, and he grabbed some air as he had flatted out further up. I was grateful for the break.

Ah-ah-ah!! Hey Jefe!


We kept climbing, and I kept struggling. Dabbing on easy sections, messing up switchbacks I've gotten before, and putzing along at a really slow pace. The trail is very loose and sandy in some spots, and my tires kept slipping. There were some other riders going up and down...I particularly remember the guy on the orange AIR9...whoever you are: you were really polite and really stinkin' fast!

Dan nails the switchie


I never get tired of the view


Cleared most of the techie as we approached Cocktail...Dan waited up for me while Allison, Justin & Luke were nowhere in sight. I had already been developing a raging headache on the way up, but after a little snack, it didn't seem to be bothering me.

A little crowded at Cocktail


Justin and Dan lead us out


We sent Luke on up ahead to go to Blue Jay so he could refill his water and we proceeded on to Old San Juan. The descent was gnarly. I was all over the trail, feeling very stiff and uncomfortable. We didn't have to wait long for Luke, and then headed off toward Viejo Tie. My head was pounding.

Viejo Tie was a virgin trail for me. Hard to get a flow. It was okay, overall. Luke took a dive off a smooth, but tricky, rock as he tried to climb it. Turns out he lost a screw from his cleat and couldn't clip out. Put some holes in his jersey and shorts and had some bumps and scrapes.

Luke's battle scars


So much for those shorts, huh Luke?


Allison on Viejo Tie


Allison hits the drops on Viejo Tie


Dan clears the log (me too)


Trial? or Trail? You tell me...today, it felt like a trial for me


We completed the loop, and I finally took some Vitamin I. I was feeling pretty sick at this point, and literally rode as slow as I could for about 10 minutes. Pretty soon, it was time for all the rocky technical...I cleaned some, but walked others. My knee began to hurt any time I pushed hard on the pedal or twisted it in any way. Still hurts like when I messed it up right before VQ. Ice and rest for the next couple days.

A few flowers still remain


Dan on Old San Juan


Allison rolling along


Where's Waldo?


She makes it look easy


Descending San Juan was a blast, as always. It's always fun when you spend a great day with your friends!

[mouse jockey]

Bummer about being sick/out of sorts. The ride back up after the Viejo Tie detour is tiring enough when you're feelin' it.

Take Care.

[sdyeti]

I was well on the way to a migraine by the time I took the meds...lesson learned!

Originally Posted by mouse jockey

Bummer about being sick/out of sorts. The ride back up after the Viejo Tie detour is tiring enough when you're feelin' it.

Take Care.

[Pho'dUp]

Nice RR Steph. Btw what was worse the biting flies or the biting branches?

[schleppp]

Hhhmmm! I guess I am either not fast enough or cool enough to ride with you guys anymore!! Probably a little of both!!

Sounds like you had a rough day with the migraine Steph, as a fellow sufferer I know how tough that can be, I hope it does not stay with you long.

[dstepper]

Steph I feel that way almost every-time I ride, getting old is no fun.

Dean

[autoduel]

Nice pictures! I wish I was able to ride. Sounds like you caught a real bad case of the 29'er on that ride. Hope you recover soon.

[sdyeti]

Oh, the branches win out on that one, for sure! Ouch!

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Nice RR Steph. Btw what was worse the biting flies or the biting branches?

[JoeTruth]

Nice RR. At least the weather was relatively mild this past weekend so you all weren't burning in the hot sun.

I wonder if you were becoming dehydrated and hence, why you started developing a migraine?! Hope you're feeling better today.

I agree with Dean. I feel that crappy on every ride.

[sdyeti]

I was drinking a lot of water along the way...had it filled up to 100 oz and drank about 70.

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Nice RR. At least the weather was relatively mild this past weekend so you all weren't burning in the hot sun.

I wonder if you were becoming dehydrated and hence, why you started developing a migraine?! Hope you're feeling better today.

I agree with Dean. I feel that crappy on every ride.

[allison]

Injury tally: sore left thumb; sore left shoulder muscles; messed up right knee; sore right glute; right knee scrape/bruise.

Seriously, what happened to me? I can barely walk today.

We finally got my Dos working again



Up and over



Old SJT loop



Way cropped Where's Waldo(s)



Final descent







One last switchback...before all the others

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by sdyeti

Oh, the branches win out on that one, for sure! Ouch!

I hear ya. Last week, dropping down into the Oak Tree area on that rutted rooty section a branch managed to get under my pack strap and put a 1" hole in my jersey behind my shoulder?

I guess it didn't help I was pinballin' my way down that trail.

[JoeTruth]

Between all the aches and pains between you two, are you both 100% certain your nutty hubbies didn't slip you something the night before and take advantage while you were passed out? Sounds more like it to me!

[lukewiens]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Between all the aches and pains between you two, are you both 100% certain your nutty hubbies didn't slip you something the night before and take advantage while you were passed out? Sounds more like it to me!

so that's why i feel like crap today!

[mouse jockey]

Originally Posted by JoeTruth

Between all the aches and pains between you two, are you both 100% certain your nutty hubbies didn't slip you something the night before and take advantage while you were passed out? Sounds more like it to me!

My wife just says "Slip me a 'roofie' with my wine when I'm not in the mood, that way we both are happy."

[OMR]

Sometimes the rhythm gods are not with us when we ride ... SJT is hard enough when you're feeling well. Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and not give in... I hope you are feeling better today... for the next trail awaits.