It's coming!

My 2011 race season is on the brink of starting. I am excited for what this season holds, but as always nervous at the same time. Every race brings this mix of emotions for me. This year brings a new race series and a couple of new events in which I plan to participate. My hope is that this season goes better than last. While I would not call last season unsuccessful, I did not feel as good overall I would have hoped. In fact Solitude and the Mt. Ogden 100K were the two highlights of my season. I truly felt good at these races. 
Besides the race experience, I am anxious to see friends again after a long winter break. I love MTB and MTB people.

We found pothole arch...finally!

 We finally got to ride Amasa Back again. We have not ridden it for-ev-er. That last time we attempted this trail, we were turned away due to a man hunt.
There is a shoot off of Amasa Back called Pothole Arch. We have ridden this numerous times. At the end or turn around we always look for the infamous "Pothole Arch" but have never seen it. This weekend I turned around and was right there. Chris could not believe that we have missed it this whole time. I think it just happened, and whoever built the trail simply new it would appear. That makes much more sense.

Pothole Arch

It is just a little arch

 If there was a highlight reel to our ride on Amasa Back it would have featured me falling over time and again. Had there been any on lookers, they would have thought I was a beginner. I would get to a point where I would need to unclip, but not be able to do so. I would end up clipped in and on my side or falling down a rock. Chris suggested that I check my cleats and possibly clean them. They did not look that bad, but I scraped some dried mud out and that fixed it. I was able to easily pull my foot out of my pedal before falling over. That made trying obstacles much easier.

Moab was much cooler than we anticipated. In fact, I think it was warmer in SL county than in Grand county. The trails were in a weird condition. For the most part they were either sandy and loose or wet or muddy--but not usually too muddy. It was a delightful weekend in SE UT.

Frozen river down town

A little ice out by Amasa Back

Some ice on Cane Creek Rd

Sharing treats atop Potash Rd.

 

Chris out in a rock field (Sovereign)

We have never really noticed the landscape before this.

The MTB Three Bears

Bonneville was a bit more soupy today than it has been. It was not bad, but just a bit wet. This did not sit well with our drive trains. About half way through the ride, Phast Dan was stuck in his big chain ring due to chain suck. I was stuck in my small chain ring for the same reason. But Chris' drive train was "just right".
In anticipation to the muck, I put quite a bit of lube on my chain, but apparently it was not enough. It was still enjoyable getting out.

Chris and Dan

A mud spotted KC

Camp Lynda

 It was Camp Lynda 4.0, but my first time attending. I have missed for a variety of reasons--intimidation, travel (for work), weather, etc. I was pretty excited to be down in St. G and participating last weekend and it did not disappoint. We rode some favorites, found some new access points, and even new trails. The weather was delightful which matched the trail conditions.
It was also great to spend time with MTB friends that I have not seen for a while and meeting new people.

 Noah, Alex, Matt, Chris Day 2

 Day 1

 Day 2: Matt, KC, Chris, Karl

 Day 2: KC, Chris, Erica

The End: KC, Erica, Adam

Photos courtesy of Facebook Friends