An hour into the drive, less was making sense. The idea was good on paper, yet as the drive went on, precious time was slipping away. It was going to be a long day in the caravan for only a few (albeit significant) miles. I became uneasy and my thoughts went wild with ideas of escape. I had just met the people I was traveling with an hour before. At this point, the awkwardness of asking they stop the car so that I could get on my bike was only a … [Read more...]
Setting limits on Big Dumb Rides
Big dumb rides represent an antithesis to the norm and they are addictive as hell. We had a mild shitfest© on our hands through competent planning... a voluntary embrace of discomfort and exploration beyond any tether. We welcomed it. We were headed for the Verde River again. The tally shown two days of (pre winter) 90 degree temps followed by an exceptional and seemingly elusive pre-dawn rain shower in the highlands of Northern Sonora. The … [Read more...]
Whiskey Off Road, 2014 Reportings
It's known enough that Epic Rides' Whiskey Off-Road is a very faste and hardening event, it being on a legitimate ATB type course and of a middle distance at 50 miles longish. Taking place at the end of April, it makes for a premier early season target - or spring season escape - for all kinds of bike riders from all kinds of places. Toss the $30,000 or so cash prize split for the PRO's, and what started out as a top notch pay-for group ride over … [Read more...]
On When to Walk
My inagural effort was the AZT from the Picketpost south. I know the parts, loosely. It is arguably one of the more premier segments of the AZT; Picketpost, Rypsey, The Boulders and other fine thread. The plan was pretty ideal too, you know, without so much deprivation that I'd resort to crying. I expected one or at most, two nights among the stars before arrival at the 24 Hours in Old Pueblo where I would imbibe and generally not ride with all … [Read more...]