Scenic lessons

How many views can one take in inside of 36 hours?

It became obvious early in the ride that this wasn't to be a KT double.  A few mechanicals, 2 hours of sleep prior to start, tool escapes...all the same, I did ride roughly 250 miles roaming the KT and parts nearby.  It was an incredible experience.

For one, I've never done a ride quite like this - 11 hours at a fast clip 2 days in a row.  Add the overnight gear and it gets real interesting.  Add the first warm weekend of the year and it gets even more interesting.

The lessons kept coming.  Like, water.  Traveling long distances in desert country when warm, you really have to be on top of your hydration, current water amount on board, and time to the next water hole.  This, more than any other element, dictates pace and planning in this sort of ride.  I felt myself getting in harmony with this triad at some point on day 2 and it was very cool indeed.

And, that shandy hill is a real bitch with 7 hours in the legs.  KTR/GLR is gonna be a hoot!

Bonus points if you can figure out what  you're looking at here.

Published Monday, April 30, 2007 7:38 AM by Dave

Comments

# @ Monday, April 30, 2007 9:33 AM

It's fun wandering around out there isn't it!

Ed

edemtbs

# @ Monday, April 30, 2007 2:41 PM

Is that a frog in the center of the standing water?
Your comment about the shandy climb is going to give me nightmares now. :)

dave byers

# @ Monday, April 30, 2007 2:58 PM

It sure is Ed! Thanks for the note, BTW. Sounds like you & Jen had a great ride too.

Dave - you are close - or should I say half right on your guess? As for the shandy, best to hit that thing before the heat of the day, and with fresh legs. Is that possible? The climb up to N Beaver Mesa was a beauty tho. I love that climb.

Dave

# @ Monday, April 30, 2007 3:20 PM

We actually hit up some very nice singletrack on the return instead of the standard KT route. Race ideas are brewing in my head about that.... :-)

Good eyes Dave B. Horny toad?

Ed

edemtbs

# @ Monday, April 30, 2007 6:46 PM

Looks like a couple toads warming things up a little bit.

geoff

Jill

# @ Tuesday, May 01, 2007 12:00 AM

Good Stuff Dave!

see you on the 19th if not before =)

SlowerThenSnot

# @ Tuesday, May 01, 2007 12:02 AM

Oh I do like the fork mounted bottles!

=)

SlowerThenSnot

# @ Tuesday, May 01, 2007 5:35 AM

We have a winner! Good eyes Geoff. Funny thing about those toads - they were in that position for at least 8 hours. Talk about endurance.

Dave

# @ Tuesday, May 01, 2007 6:08 AM

What's wrong with you?
I lost your email. Looking for lumens soon. Hit me.
D

meatplow

# @ Thursday, May 03, 2007 3:35 PM

Gives a whole new meaning to Horny Toads...

Matt