I'll skip the gory details of what ensued, save to say that oatmeal eaten with spicy corn chips is... well, good enough to eat anyway. I succeeded in getting down some calories so I go in search of trail head. And find it I did. I saw a few RVs near the 24HITOP start/finish, but few other signs of life. I powered up the laptop to take one last look at the map and didn't really have a clear idea where things went. I knew I could find a cutoff near Willow Spring Tank that would let me shorten the ride to the time I had available. Given my recent history trying to navigate with memorized maps, I was a little hesitant to set out solo. But then I remembered that if I had common sense, I wouldn't find myself in these positions in the first place.
Fact is, I've ridden solo a lot. I can't always have the sense to tell someone where I am going, or -- for cripes sake -- drag them along with me as insurance against breaking a leg (or worse) in some inconvenient location. Nah, riding solo is part of the deal. Not knowing where one is going: slightly more concerning. Not having a helmet: forget it - I ain't discussing it. I mean, I would wear one if I had the good sense to pack it. But having failed to plan, I just can plan to fail (to not go ahead with the plan, that is). Let's just let that one go. Besides, if I don't wreck, I won't need the helmet, right?
So here's my summary of the 24HITOP course, about a month or so before the official 2011 event takes place or at least the part of it that I rode: beautiful. Smooth as a babies butt. Ok, that's pushing it, but hell and damn! All there is to land on around here if one does take a spill are soft sand and cactus! My training ground is rife with "don't land here" places where the rock speaks louder than the cactus. By comparison, what I rode today is like a Kansas prairie. Please don't think I have any misconception about what it will be like during an actual 24-hour event. It would be a completely different story if I were there then.
In fact, don't tell me I have no idea, and this is why: Because I have no idea what a 24 hour race is like. But I will... and in the meantime, my imagination is good enough that anyone who gets any number of laps in has my respect. As I said: it is a beautiful course and I rode about two thirds of it, once, and in under the pleasantest of conditions. I look forward to reading about people's experiences once it happens. Good luck if you're one of the ones going. It should be a fun one.
Ok, now back to the story of today. The ride was great, the view beautiful, and although I saw plenty of cars at the main parking area by Willow Springs Arch, I didn't run into a single rider on the trail. I guess I was not only going the right direction, but keeping a pretty steady pace.
The last little addendum to this day was a trip into Tucson and riding with friends at a place called Fantasy Island. Thankfully they had a helmet to lend, because there was zero chance I've come out of that ok without one. I didn't take a spill, but had I been *worried* about taking a spill, I would have. Without a doubt.
I can't say enough good things about that place either. The number of options is insane and the trails just double-back on themselves so much that a few square miles becomes and endless playground. Glad for my guide, we did the Lone Cactus Loop, Burro Pit Loop and then Bo's Loop. Opportunities for more than a little bit of air-time exist as well. Wish I had whatever sense it would have taken to know when to go all out and when there was a cliff with a 90 degree turn just out of sight. Oh well, I won't spoil it for you -- just go. Find someone fast and follow them. What could go wrong, right?
Overall, 22-something miles of mountain biking in a day, topped with some truly excellent pizza (Tuscon's best, I'm assured) it was an excellent day. With training like this, I forget that it's work...
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