Ryan and I headed up to ride the White Pine Lake to Bunch Grass trail, the trail I-dog just about killed himself on. This was the first time I had gone up there since the accident. You may also recall that this is a shuttled ride, but Ian and I tried to do it as a loop the first time we rode it. Ryan and I thought it would be a good idea to try the loop again, seeing it is ridiculous to drive two cars that far for two people to ride a trail, we decided to try and ride it.

The forecast has had torrential downpour in it for the last few days. Today the clouds were looming, dark and heavy. We both planned for rain, but hoped it would be light and not last long. We parked at the bottom of the seven mile paved road climb, put on a long sleeve jersey and started the grind. We made really good time, but once we hit the steeper section we stopped for a brake. Ryan took off his jacket and we rested for a minute before continuing. Our resting place was just before a bend in the road. Once we turned the corner the wind hit us and it started to drizzle, not a problem. The wind was cold and we stopped again so Ryan could put his jacket back on. It continued to rain, and rain, and rain, and…

We got cold. As we got closer and closer to the top the clouds got heavier and the wind got colder. Ryan asked about how the trail was going to look seeing the amount of rain that was coming down. I remained hopeful. We discussed turning around. I wanted to ride this trail, badly, but it only took another minute at the most for me to change my mind. Then things got really bad.

I put my rain jacket on and we began the descent back to the car. We hadn’t gotten too cold on the way up because we were working, but as soon as we headed down we both froze. My face stung from the rain and wind hitting it. My hands and shins (I was wearing knickers) went numb about half way down and then my toes began to hurt. I swear it took us longer to get down than it did to go up. The rain just kept coming down.

When the Alliance first started a few years ago, I wrote an article for Cycling Utah to inform the community about us and to explain what we were about. I defined a Mooseknuckler as someone who rides their bike and enjoys it regardless of the situation. This includes riding in torrential downpour, hurricane force winds and anything else nature chooses to throw at us. Today that definition held true.

It wasn’t quite the ride I had hoped for but I am glad that we actually got out and rode something. I am also excited to get back down to SG and ride my favorite trails, ones that can challenge me in ways that don’t make me want to throw up.

Peace.