I had a hankering to get out on two wheels and with rain in the forecast I knew this would be the last chance for a bit to hit the trails.  I’m sure glad I did. I started with the Area 36 trails.  As I noted last week on my ride, I haven’t ridden much lately so I wasn’t planning to do anything crazy or super hard.  I felt like I was in a good groove and only needed to dismount once or twice which is an improvement!

After the Area 36 trails I headed to the Back 40.  As I tried to enter them I was stopped by this deer. She was in the middle of the trail trapped by me and the fence on two sides.  As I stood there waiting for her to move, the Buck came walking out further up the trail (can you spot them both?) It was a pretty cool break in the ride.  They both moved along and so did I.

Nothing else exciting happened in this section, I just kept cruising along enjoying the solitude of the morning ride and the brisk fall weather (upper 30’s). Everything is still pretty right now with all the colors on the ground and some still in the trees.  As the leaves have fallen we get some cool views now too. After finishing this loop I headed on South and did the skinny section north of 55. I struggled in my usual spots, but kept on going. I didn’t see another rider until I started climbing into the Glenwood section (between Glenwood and 55). I felt the climbs and tried to enjoy the flowy downhill.  I still struggle with relaxing into it and letting go.  I continued my southward journey and did the Bog trails.  There are some tough climbs and easy downhills in this one.  I did okay except the one major downhill.  I tried harder to relax into the rest of the flows and did pretty well.  I started home and back climbed up the Glenwood section.  I was able to manage the flow sections back out of here fine!  They aren’t as steep and fast.  About halfway into the skinny section I ran into the turkeys (see main image).  They didn’t want to move so I had to help them a little bit. I almost made it through the uphill + turn rock garden here! And then I just hit the paved trails all the way home.

It was 10.45 miles in 1:26.  Not too shabby. But wait…

I had 26 achievements and 10 of them were segment PR’s.  Pretty sweet for a no-frills ride!! Can’t wait to get out there again.