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Really enjoyed the early morning views here.
Here's that notorious drop, at least the landing is soft sand.
Next stop was Lost Valley. It was deliciously cool in the valley. There were 2 cars when I started, one with bikes and the other a lone lady runner. Must have been others at the other trailheads, probably saw half a dozen riders and one dog. It had been 5 or 6 years since I hit this trail so couldn't remember much about it. I had my doubts with two miles or so of double track gravel, but it did give me a chance to see what the ARC would do in the big ring. It really flies. Soon enough I hit that glorious single track and that was a ton of fun. I rode it clockwise, encountered 3 riders going the other way so I'm wondering about that direction. Seems like I got a lot of fast downhills so I was satisfied. At Klondike, I felt my tires slipping on the loose stuff, but here they hung on like glue. Really put the wheels to the test.
Here's a pic of me and Joan of ARC on one of the hairpin turns.
I was really tempted to take another run at Lost Valley in the other direction but thought I might try to complete the Trifecta. I headed back to the LV lot in the big ring and loaded up for the ride to Matson. Climbing that hill on the Matson Hill Road, I wondered what I was getting myself into. Never rode this one but I've heard all about the climbs! Decision time, decided to go counterclockwise and I think that was a good choice. The downhill here is exciting to say the least. It's so well designed you don't ever do any straight downhill which is why this trail is in such good shape, hats off to the trail designers! Loved every foot down but kept thinking I was going to have to buy all that downhill back at the end — never trust a trail that starts downhill. I did the Oxen Mill trail, saw another one leading off that but saved it for another day as I could feel the water in the Camelback getting low. I think this is my new favorite trail, the fast swoopy sections were designed with my hard tail in mind and I had no trouble with the rocks. Climb out wasn't that bad, seemed like a lot less hill going the way I did.
Rocky section on Matson:
Would like to see this when water is flowing, but this is not a trail to ride when wet.
It started getting hot near the end of this ride, but I was fortunate to find this door. I rolled the window down and cooled off, LOL
BTW, here's the wheels. They are a super deal at Competitive Cyclist, $1,400 normally, now $374. Available in race or trail flavors, I got trail.
After the ride I headed over to Marthasville to eat at Philly's Pizza. Good stuff, though I had to wait half an hour for them to open at 11 am. No beer though.
Good times! Thanks GORC!!
Edited by Big Jim Mac, 06 July 2012 - 05:30 PM.
