Friday, July 25, 2008

Skills for the hills

Wow, I really got to say that all you Coalitionites have really jumped on board the progression train. We are only mid way through the summer and it's full steam ahead! Woot woot!

Last Tuesday saw a fairly large troop. Considering the abundant and looming grey clouds, I was happy to witness an optimistic lot. Unfortunately, the weather didn't hold and we spent the majority of the evening immersed in the clouds and bombarded with a light drizzle that brought technical delights around every corner. Yep, that's right... opportunities to direct the skills to the hills and the Coalition didn't disappoint.


As a group with a wide range of riders we always discuss collectively on what trails we ride. Our first lap was on Race of Spades and the drizzle had just started as we were dropping in... conditions were mostly mint but at a point where you had to be reserved and not red line that brapp meter, however tempting it may be. We gotta send kudos to the ROS builders, that trail is so mint right now, no loose rocks anywhere (it must have been raked top to bottom recently), buffer berms than in bermingham, wicked woodwork and (considering the amount of traffic) the sustainability is amazing. Astounding work and here's sending the thanks to "those guys". If other riders could "take ownership" of other trails on Moose and aid in the maintenance we would all be sporting big........................ record breaking flow scales.


Our 2nd lap had 8 SLF virgins on tacky in the tree's dirt, intermingled with very slick roots, wood and rocks. You all killed it! I envisioned people walking sections not high fiving after cleaning the steep and tight goodness. "wet wood Phil" was even sampling a majority of the stunts.


Our final lap was on Tdub and yet again almost 8 virgins in the lot. Tdub is by far the most diverse trail on the mountain and puts the "mountain" in mountain biking more so than any other Moose rip. The rain had dwindled a little, but sketchy was a common term in our vocabulary, as "no over the bars Pete" can contest. The virgins were stoked on this gem of a trail and I was happy to witness the excitement. Somehow, most of the trail damage as a result of the spring floods has at least become rideable. Still rockier than Balboa in the gully but tires will turn.

Next weeks ride is pushed forward to the Wednesday because I will be pounding laps @ silverstar with the Calgary Cycle staff up until the Tuesday. Same deal as before, 1700 @ CC or 1830 hrs @ station Flats. A big thanks to the beautiful Annette for coming out to shuttle the coalition last week! Have a great triop Patti and Gary"earmuffs" Morris!

If it's an option, step away from the computer, go get your bike and head to the hills.












Tis the season so go ride!

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