Training Log Archive: kgeisen

Slightly more direct route out of the campground, then took (slightly scary) Makanda Road hill rather than HAB the one section of R2R I "rode" (AKA HAB) on the way in. Started pouring at the top of the hill and rained on and off for the first couple hours of the day.

C • xcaliber 6

Spent a little time waiting out the worst of the rain because the road I was on had traffic and I was afraid drivers wouldn't see me. Started to put on my rain jacket and realized my clothes were still so wet from the previous day's sweat that I literally couldn't get any wetter. Rain was actually a huge break from the previous day's heat (also probably didn't help that I'd started at noon). Another little break later on waiting out some close lightning under a porch.

Thought about making the turn to follow the trail route I'd planned but wasn't sure about trail conditions, plus if I was going to have to cross private property. In actuality I guess I'd have come out on the actual trail instead of where the map put it, but I'm also not too sad about skipping it.

Last leg, Alto Pass to Grand Tower. Stopped in Alto Pass for coffee. About halfway through came across a car blocked by a big tree limb that had recently fallen (at least, it wasn't there when I came through the previous day). They couldn't get it moved. Rolling my bike under it and moving on made me pretty happy to not be in a car.

Solo bikepack. Rode from Grand Tower to Alto Pass with loaded bike. Felt way harder than it should have, but I've barely been on the bike and my one change to bike setup to reflect a road ride was to add air to the tires.

Had to detour around a trail section when it looked like it went through private property. Looking at the R2R website after I got home it looks like the trail is slightly off on the map and I missed my turn. Probably not a bad thing as wet as it's been and as much as I struggled in the heat.

I'm sure my moving time was more than double this. Between heat and hills I was dying. One short trail section of treacherous slippery rocks and creepy dilapidated camper/open shed/scene of every forest rape/murder movie ever. Had planned to go to Ferne Clyffe but ended 20 miles earlier at Giant City.

With Jacob, haircut and Jurassic World Alive.

Tried getting out between rains, but got caught about 4 miles from home. Probably my favorite part of the ride, though. :)