Teenie and I had a hard 3-4 hour ride scheduled yesterday but I never got going. The wind was out of the north and biting. No doubt, at ride time, the wind chill factor was in the low 30's. All I had in me was 'QUIT'.........when I ask Teenie to abort, she was not surprised. She said I am on 999x so she would let me off once..........somebody needs to check her math!
When I woke up this AM, I pushed the Miele for '2 Randall's' and then hit the iPhone for the WEATHER. NOW it was 18 and 'feels like' 11........oh my!
A hike was a fall back but I was really concerned about my attitude and I wanted an adjustment. At 1 PM, the Stumpjumper and I rolled out headed north into the wind. At one point, going slightly up hill along a smooth walking path, I might have been going 3mph? Just no guts in my pedal stroke. I kept wanting to turn around but some extraterrestial force kept the bike headed toward the desert. Fifty minutes into the ride, I reach the rugged dirt road that leads into the desert valley east of the Tortolita Mountains and west of the Catalinas. To give you and idea, I usually get to this point in less than 40 minutes.
Five to ten minutes later, I was on single track. The cold went away! I am not sure if it warmed up, I was working harder, going slower or the desert bush was giving me some cover. Without thinking, I was riding much more aggressively.
I was getting my mojo back and not even realizing it. After a long time(not sure how long?), I found a new trail in this pic. It was not only new to me, but newly cut. Stoked, I took off in the opposite direction of home. After a couple of miles, shadows began to grow and I realized the day was getting away. To my left, I spotted a road and after a quick bite, decided to leave the rest of the discovery for another day.......how far did this trail go?? Maybe to Utah??
Back on the road, I felt like I had wings........at least until it turned right in a deep sandy area and my bike flew out from under me. I catapulted into a huge bush(the only one in the entire region without thorns!).
As I reached civilization, my phone rang. It had to be Teenie as I had been gone for 3+ hours and I was 45 minutes from home still. No search party needed.
The weather looks good for the upcoming days and most importantly, I feel more motivated. I realize you guys face these type issues in SC....even more so. How are YOU keeping it going?
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