We rode yesterday despite the fact that it had rained the previous two days. Stump Hollow was our trail of choice because it flows along the side of the valley instead of sitting in the bottom of the drainage like so many other trails up here. With that said, it was still muddy. Being from the great desert of southern Utah, I’ve never had to suffer from a tire’s inability to shed mud. Yesterday, I suffered. My tires packed up within the first 100 meters of the trail and never cleared back out. Stump Hollow is an out and back trail, the out being entirely uphill. My Niner felt like it weighed an extra ten pounds, at least.

Other than the extra baggage I collected on this ride, it was a good one. In attendance were Seth, Ryan, I-dog (first ride after his accident), Kevin and of course, the biggest Knuckler of all, yours truly. The temperature was perfect. I busted out the knickers for the first time since I moved up to this god forsaken place. They covered my knees and kept me just warm enough to feel cozy, too bad they have a satanic “S” on them. After climbing for close to an hour for the B group (Kevin and myself) I was very happy to have the vest for the descent. The A group beat us to the top by about 15 minutes, yes these bastards are too fast for their own good. At least I can hold my own on the descent.

There is one fun little drop at the bottom of the trail. There is a built up berm that launches you off a downed tree for a two foot drop. Seth and I both did it and then Kevin came barreling down the trail. We yelled warnings but he thought it was just a jump. He came in way too slow and basically rode a nose wheelie off the log. We were all quite amazed that he didn’t eat shit. I think he was content that he pulled out of it as well.

Our Lotoja tour is upon us. We will be leaving Saturday just behind the last racers. I have to admit I am questioning my decision to ride this thing on the fixie. The TCR sitting next to my bed that never gets ridden is calling my name with its smooth carbon frame and gears, stupid gears. Plus Mr. Keller has been feeding me full of bull shit that I will be pedaling at too high of a cadence the entire time, but I don’t dare go with a smaller gear.

This tour will mark the anniversary of the first time I rode into the sunset. Last year, the day of Lotoja I began my trip to Chile that ended in Mexico. Some day….. Thinking about this ride and preparing has brought back a lot of things that I had hidden deep down where no one gets to go but me, but that’s a whole different story and I’m not willing to share.

Peace. Love. And Revolution.