March 19
Moving time 2 hr 35 min
The Hubby and I head to Lewis Morris.
I really wanted to head someplace we have never been to, and have an epic adventure eliciting a fabulous recap, but every place I suggested he went “eh, Lewis Morris.”
That was actually OK with me though. Based on how I performed with
@fidodie yesterday it was probably better we went someplace I was already familiar with.
I really like Lewis Morris. Some of my regular riding buddies don’t care for it very much and I cant figure out why. It’s a lot of fun. We used to only do the “yellow” trail and leave. That was enough for us, but the last 2 times I have been there I got back to the lot thinking, “I want a little more.” And today was the same way. I actually talked The Hubby into “just a little more.” We went on a trail we never tried before, and the next time I am hoping to explore everything there I have ever missed. Got the map and already have it planned in my head. When I showed The Hubby he looked nervous. Maybe he will hike with my son that day :/
So today started with going up a trail we never tried before. It was horrendous. My knees were KILLING me. My mind was willing, but the body was weak. We get to the top of that trail and see this sign:
Hmmmm, trail closed? There wasn’t one at the bottom of the trail, and this one was pushed over and hard to see if you were riding by. There were lots of tire marks on that trail, so the sign is being ignored. Just a heads up to those that do TM at LM. And to those that do, THANKS! Good job out there.
Like this bridge:
Love the bridge, and those types of rock gardens
It seems most people do the yellow trail going clockwise. And we always did too. But I hated feeling like I was climbing FOREVER to get to the “good stuff.” And the “roller coaster” at the end was a nice finish to the ride. But one day many moons ago I decided to mix it up and go counter clockwise. Ooooooh much better! The climbs are more do-able (for me), and I felt the downs flowed nicer. And then there is that LOOOONG climb that now became an unending downhill. “Its still going!” So now The Hubby and I like to do the yellow trail counter clockwise. With our increased endurance (cough) we even take a shortcut trail back around and get to do the “roller coaster” the fun way at the end too.
The only problem going backwards is that from having gone CW so long, that now when I go CCW sometimes I forget which way I am supposed to turn. At the top of one climb I am waiting for The Hubby and wondering which way I am supposed to go and I look down and see this “Direction Stone” pointing the way. “Hey! Thanks!”
Passed a few polite fellas. Thanks for being nice, you know who you are.
But of course passed a few…well…you know
Saw a couple hikers with a nice doggie. They called it a flat haired retriever. Nice looking dog. There was one guy there I was watching him come down the hill, he was very smooth and just seemed to flow. Nice riding. He was polite too
Doesn’t he look like he is having fun?
The Hubby looked quite miserable so I slid over next to him and gave him a quick smooch. He smiled, so he got a few more. He smiled a lot.
We can have some fun now that he has some endorphins going through his head. Then it was a down section and I admit I felt like I had more energy at that point. Endorphins are a wonderful thing. I felt like my knees didn’t hurt so bad and maybe I could actually pedal up all the hills from this point (I did too!).
Most of you probably know I don’t care for logs much. But this one log I stopped right in front of it and said “You know, we got this.” so I went back up the trail, turned around, and went over that stupid log. After that I popped over every one I came to, but ya know, it just doesn’t give me that feeling of accomplishment that makes it “fun.” Not like when I clean a downhill section or jump and know my form was good or my landing was just so “right.” Those types of trail features make me feel like “wow did you see that!” Logs? Nah.
Speaking of logs, saw this one and thought the fungus growing on it was pretty.
Found some treasure on the trail. Broken hanger?
As we were ending our ride, a couple of guys were near the lot and working on their wheels. As I went by, one asked about my bike. You all know I love it when my bike gets compliments. So of course I stopped. I asked if they needed help (I was going to anyway, even if they hadn’t complimented my bike). Seems they had some spoke/rim tape issues. I told them all I had was some electrical tape and that may help for a bit and get them on the way, so I gave them some. They were appreciative.
It was a very good ride.
Later that day I felt I wanted to just some gentle road riding so went out for just an hour. As I am approaching a red light. Not in anyone’s way. Not interfering with traffic in any way. Some bonehead in a black jeep pulls up next to me. He doesn’t say anything till the light turns green and as he starts to pull away he yells to me “Get a car bitch!” What a pansy.
Then another guy backs out of his driveway like hes on his way to a fire, never looked. Thankfully I had seen him get in his car from quite a ways back and had slowed and was prepared for stupidity. When he was next to me I waved and he jumped with that “where the hell did you come from?” look. Don’t people look when they back up anymore? Who teaches these people to drive anyway? As for the jeep guy, would like to smack him. Hey jerk I own 2 CARS and 5 BIKES!
Well, made it home safe and burned off the popcorn I ate, hopefully.