days like these

Feelin' the love, legs having rebounded nicely. Time now for a bit of Tuscarora exploration, a 'one of those days' rides that kept getting put off. Now I know why. Original plan, altered; big goal for the day, aborted after spending 45 minutes to go 3 miles downhill with a bit too much gnarly ankle busting scree hike a bike. Time of day vs potential for more trail suckage = tail between legs. Had a very solid and enjoyable 5 hours preceding that point though.

The now familiar view from Elk Hill Rd.A bit of history along the way.yummmmm.Sheriff Trail is like a super Flat Trail, intense creekside love. Middle Ridge petered out on me before reaching Ant Hill, sort of a frustrating bushwack at times. But some nice scenery along the way.

A quick look near the Turkey Pens gate revealed freshy enduro trail. Nice session of riding the dusted over singletrack moto trail, working soft berms of pulverized loam. Tempo'd out the road to Fowlers Hollow, top off the water, look over the map, confirm the route and head out the back of the park. Eventually bump into Twig Trail and find an incredible climb and berry bushes up out of the hollow to Hemlock Rd.

Another shitty view.Looking at the clock, decide to bail on the BigSpring portion of the planned loop and head direct to the Tuscarora.

The first 1/2mile or so was pretty nice, typical techy trail, then it turned right and pitched straight up the fall line on laid in natural rock steps. Over the ridge and it plunged down through beyond ridable gnarl. Hiking was tough and pure sketch in spots, nothing like steep scree scrambles in Sidis w/ a 29er on your shoulder. Finally back down into the hollow, breaktime at the shelter and decide to bail, 5:45 elapsed. Figure that a 1.5 hour slog on fireroad is most direct route home. So, back out the hollow, down thru the park, pull on the gameface and pick up Laurel Run Rd at it's northern terminus then TT that sucker back to the car and the single warm beer I have waiting. Finish up with 7:20 elapsed, smidge under 6 riding, fifty couple on the odo, lots of fireroad hammering, maybe a bit too much shwackin' and juuuuust enough quality trail to keep me smiling and thinking of coming back, count it.

Slept in and watched the thoroughbreds go toe to toe in le Tour today. Damn, that's one hell of a race this year. Inspired, I climbed back onto the Dos, rolling out the door at a bright and early 11:30ish.

Head for the hills.

Spun her sweetly out to MarshRun, then up the Adams County side for a ripping trip across Ridgetop and down to Coach Duffy's. Follow the tarmac to Cold Spring for a lap up around Vista.

Loving the view.

Wrap it up by rolling across Flat Trail then slum home on pavement with a soak in the cool healing waters of the Letort. Takes strength to get stronger, this wknd was a step in the right direction for sure. Hope yours went well also.

peace.