061609 Cacti Ride

From Jester Trails

061609 West Jester Trails

Yesterday I rode the trails west of Jester again and I did get a good map of the section I rode. Really fun ride this time, since I knew what was coming around the corners. I did not continue to ride beyond the fallen tree, so it was an out and back. I rode up the NW most section of the trail. Beyond the fallen tree the trail turns back south and east. There is probably about 2 more miles of trail, in the beginning its a bunch of hike-a-bike sections since this trail isn't seeing any riding. The last mile of the trail is fun though, downhill switches. I think riding the trail in reverse would be cool too, maybe soon.

I haven't had a "major" tumble in a while, though Nixon stopping abruptly on the trail the other day did make me crash. Well had an bit of an endo on the trail on this ride. It was on one of the ravine dips. Came down pretty fast and hit a hidden embedded rock just at the time that I need to shift my weight forward for the ascent out of the ravine. Scraped my left knee up pretty good and hit my noggin right on a rock (helmet is fine). Knee had to be cleaned right away, lots of crap in it. I carry first aid with alcohol swaps, triple antibiotic and band aids so I was good. I've had plenty of close calls on this trail though, it's pretty technical and on the descents the speed through the corners is pretty insane.

Ran into the same lizard on the same tree as I did on my first ride here. It's just chance that the tree he hangs out at is at a section of trail after a few climbs. It's a good resting place, so I have seen him twice.

Distance: 3.64 miles Time: 1 hour, 23 minutes, 3 seconds

Avg Speed: 2.6 mph Est. Max Speed: 18.1 mph
Avg Pace: 22min 49s / mile Est. Max Pace: 3min 19s / mile

Time 1:23
Cals 1306
Peak HR 192
Ave HR 136

From Jester Trails

I will try either hike or ride out in the next few weeks to do some rebuilding on the ladder bridge above. It's in pretty bad shape. I'll need to take my bow saw, hatchet and maybe drill and galvanized screws. On my current bike I'm not going to try this crossing with the bridge in this shape. Ladder bridges are just plain cool anyway. I'd like to build a few ladder bridges as there are some ravine crossing that are just too difficult to traverse (that and I don't want to break my frame by bashing through them). The fallen tree at the top of the trail needs a log pile on either side or I have to have some mad trials skills to cross it. Or I could pile up rocks to cross it, but I think logs will be easier.

From Jester Trails

VACATION!!! Today was my first day of this 8 day vacation. I'm off Wed 6/17 through Fri 6/26, back at work for 3 days on the 29th before the 4th holiday. Today I just hung out with the boys, went to the pool. I mowed, washed my bike and the garage doors, not much else. I'll be cutting back on some riding because I'll be home with my boys. We'll do some hiking and biking, swimming, etc.

Tomorrow Heather doesn't have to be in until 11:30, so I will go for a ride early tomorrow. I'll try to hit the by 8. If I can get there before 8 I might try doing the east AND west trails at Jester!