Chain failed on the first climb of Sunday, and I never got to complete my full loops!

2700 calories – 0 OTB – 10 miles
full track here

Ride tonight to make up for the lost milage on Sunday!

1200 calories – 0 otb – 6.5 miles

Full Track Here

Another version of the South Park full loop,  my favorite one yet because it includes two paths through The Gauntlet dips, and I was able to incorporate the Panic House loop into this ride.  It was actually quite easy, the panic house is actually only a lefthand turn off of a route I normally take, so it was no issue at all.

This ride was super slick from the rain the previous day.  All the roots and logs were like trying to ride on ice.  Over the bars once on the back side of the buffalo pen when I came in offline a little bit and slid into a root pocket.  Redded up my knee real nice.

Also, thank you to whoever is cutting the fallen tree next to Catfish Run Creek.  That tree has cut off basically what is one of the funnest little sections of trails in the park to bike.  I’m sure the horse crowd will appreciate it as well, as I’m sure the horses can’t get through either.

2425 Calories — 11 miles — 1 Glorious OTB

Click to download the GPS track

Rub Dirt in it.

Follow the trail to fun

A big THANK YOU to whoever did this.  This tree has been a pain in the ass all year.

Thank you!

Not too often I’ll come across interesting beasts in the woods.  A hawk, some squirrels, a fat couple humping (it’s true)…  Thankfully all it was this time was a semi-disinterested deer.  I rolled to a stop about 5 feet away from him.  He’s a big 8 point, with antlers still velvet. He had stalked another 2 feet away before I was able to get the camera out, then he showed me his butt.  Thanks a million.

1930 Calories — 8.5 miles — 0 OTB

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Download the full track here.

I'm just here to read the meter!

Here is my butt.

Second time attempting this loop and this time I added in the super technical section at the end instead of avoiding it this time.  Every time I ride this section, something on the bike breaks, and this wasn’t any exception.

Last time I attempted this loop, about 7 miles in I hit a wall so hard I had to curl into the fetal position for about 20 minutes.  This time, I did the whole loop strong, only taking a single break at about the mid-point.

Last time I road the Rockhopper,  I managed to shear the rear derailleur and hanger off the back of the bike using a trail the runs along the top of a wall.  When you slip into a spillway, well bad things are bound to happen.  I haven’t used that trail since, but I’ve been missing out because it’s a ridiculously fun little ride.  Some pictures of it are below.

This loop has about 1000′ of climbing.

10.5 miles — 2730 calories — 1 OTB

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Click to see full track

This trail will swallow your soul.

Looks harmless, right?