First off, Pictures: http://gallery.unicyclist.com/BlackHillsMW
Second, Thanks David for organizing this thing. Overall it was a good trip with a reasonable ammount of riding. And the weather was perfect for riding all weekend.
Third: I apologize in advance if I spell your name wrong. If I did, especially in the gallery, please correct me either here or by PM.
Friday morning Gilby picked me up about 7:45, we were on the road by 8. After 10 hours of driving, a couple rest stops, a time zone change, and several stops for gas we arrived in Spearfish, SD. We ended up getting to the trailhead about 5:10. We waited til about 6:15 before anyone else arrived. Apparently everyone else met at andy’s house, near the end of the trail.
The intail ride on friday was about 20 people, and about an hour. At the end (andy’s house again), Mike (from rapid city), Gilby, and myself decided we could use more. Besides, I still needed my fix of difficult riding. We took mostly the same trail as the first loop, but took a different turn that followed the edge of the ridge a bit closer, with some more difficult sections. Just what I was looking for. It was great, and ended up being about an hour again.
Saturday morning, I awoke with my whole right arm totally numb. A bit unusual and rather annoying, but we arrived at the trailhead (a different one this time) for Old Baldy, a trail that has alot of climbing, some good, fast downhills, and a hike to the summit. Sure, we could have ridden up to the top, but by that time most of us were too tired to bother. Towards the begining, on the second downhill I hit a rather large rock, and flatted. Fortunately for me, I had just gotten myself and extra tube and a hand pump for on the trail problems. At the time of the flat, I was first in line. By the end, I was 10-15 minutes behind. I Figured I’d try to catch up. After 15 minutes of pumping (small hand pumps suck sometimes) I was back on the trail, at full speed. I definately noticed something, trails that would be relatively easy at cruising speed become a bit more challenging when you’re going top speed and trying to avoid getting another flat.
The fast group (in order: (I think…) Gilby, steve, myself, lief, and forest) finished about 1:30. fifteen or so minutes later, Dean and another duluth rider (both were riding 19" Mod wheels. They did really well to beat so many people while still being on mod’s)came rolling in. The rest of the group trickled in, and Finally everyone was back, packed and started heading out by about 3. A mad dash to the showers insued.
After dinner (I had hamburgers, graciously cooked by steve, Thanks for the grilling. and the onions.) Steve, Gilby, and myself went out for another ride. This time we had a car at the top, a car at the bottom, and an hour of riding in between. Actually, we took a wrong turn and ended up riding more logging roads, and more single track, than we had initial planned on. Fortunately, we found the trail. And we ended up going the wrong way, then turned around and got to the place we wanted. Towards the end of the trail we hit a decently steep, really loose section that ended up being a bit of a challenge. Then there was a more rocky, loosey section that was pretty tough, probably about the toughest section I rode all weekend.
Sunday morning The ride started about 10 again, and was a great trail. The only problem I had with it, some of the connecting trail didnt really seem like it was set up for mountain bikes. It was still a good challenge, and most of it still rolled pretty fast. After one play section (a logged tree which hadnt been cut up or moved yet) Steve, Gilby, Mike and myself were pretty far ahead. We decided to stop at a site where loggers had stacked several piles of logs. Good fun all around.
From there the trail was all downhill. Towards the bottom it got pretty technical, with loose rocks and rocks inbedded in the trail being a constant reminder to slow down and pay attention. Right at the bottom, the last rocky section, I got a another flat. It kinda sucked. I was able to clear the whole trail though. Not on the first try for everything, but most of it. The conversation went like this:
Me: “Wow, I thought I was going to get a flat on that last section”
Mike: “Did you get a flat?”
Me: “I dont think so”
insert two second wait
Hisss…
Me: “Damn…”
We were on the road home by 1 local time. Got home at 11:30 central time (an hour ahead).
Also, thanks for the bunk David.