June 28, 2009

  • Rist Canyon Clockwise

    I wake in the A.M and I am not sure what I want to ride.  I am thinking MTB, but there were some mechanical issues that I didn't feel like dealing with, so I opted to join Gale's Crew for  Rist.  Now Gale was out of town so I think Ron and Ed were hosting this one on here behalf.

    I arrive at JJ's and folks begin to roll in.   Ed, Peter, Diana, Dean, Rick, Kate, Kevin, JZ, Bruce, Sledge, Dustin and Ron were among those who showed up.   The early pace was pretty civil with folks regrouping at many points!   At Horsetooth park, folks got their last water stop and then we were off an running.    We were mixed in with the MS-150 crowd as we shared part of the route with them.

    After Masonville we were out of the crowds.  The pace was extremely gentle and the group was just chatting etc.  Dustin decided to see what he could do and went off the front.   After a bit  I decided to give chases, shortly followed by Ron, Peter and Kevin.    We brought him back but he Dustin went again.    Out of nowhere Chris comes blowing by and I think was able to catch Dustin.   Peter was a bit back of the leaders followed by Ron and myself further back.

    OK,  I have had enough fun for the day so I wait up for some others.     Ed and Rick come by and I join them.   Bruce come by too, but I don't want to go that hard.

    Everyone pretty much waited at Stove Prairie to regroup.  Diana and Dean were a bit back to do some physical stuff.  JZ and and I went back for her.  She said not to wait up so after escorting her back to Stove prairie we just kept going up Rist while she waited up for Dean.

    Another regrouping at the  summit of Rist and then a rocket ride down.  I was a bit back chasing  but it was fun.   I stopped on the way down to see if this woman needed some help since she was shouldering her bike.   Bent hanger, trashed derailleur and there was nothing I could do, but she has a ride coming.  Turns out that I had met her a few years ago at Tennessee Pass on a ride Dave Newman organized to do the Copper Triangle.   I didn't recognize her but she recognized me... funny how that seems to be the case a lot...

    We regrouped again in Bellevue at this little firehouse or something where we got more water.   We then took  the hard way back up Centennial all the way to Harmony and JJ's.

    A good time was had by all.  I didn't take any pictures, sorry.