Steve, Kurt, Mike and I headed up the Green Canyon trail in the warmth of the afternoon. It was steep and it was hard and I was worn out but feeling pretty happy at my effort.
“C’mon, that was just the first hill, Huffyman!”
I knew I was in trouble.
It was a beautiful day and a wonderful trail. We enjoyed the sunny sweeping meadows and the curvy turns beneath the shade of towering Oaks. It’s great to be on the trail, most ANY trail, because everyone you meet is happy and the canyon air practically sings the song of enlightenment and joy! (was that a little much?)
At a particularly treacherous stream crossing, we stood debating the intelligence of other riders who hopped across the water a little ways up stream to avoid riding through the deep water channel before us. I decided that intelligence isn’t all it’s cracked up to and headed into the stream with my trusty steed, Hoo Koo E Koo, leading the way. I hit the gravel at the base of the stream just right, at the perfect speed, and was exultant at the skill I was displaying to my surely amazed fellow riders. But at that moment, the temperature rose to over 150 degrees and I felt a strong desire to cool down, so, afraid I would ride out of the stream too quickly, I threw myself into the water. It felt wonderful!! Properly hydrated, I got up and out of the way quickly so the next rider could enjoy the sweet water as well. Only Mike decided to partake, but he inexplicitly completely blew it and rode through without enjoying the fluid joy which lay so close below… With a little practice, maybe he will do better the next time…
The trail was fun and fast but Steve and Mike had trouble staying on it sometimes… Twice, they crashed into and over piles of rocks at the side of the trail. Lucky they weren’t killed! At one of the piles, they kept trying over and over to stay on the trail but kept missing and climbing up and over those rocks. I was embarrassed for them, but told them they did a good job anyway.
The only mishap of the ride was a snakebit tire on Mike’s bike about 250 yards from the end of the trail. I know there are rattlers in the canyon, but this one was fast!! In a blur of flying tools and tubes and trail mix, the tire was fixed and the bike was back on the trail in no time. Kurt and Steve had not even noticed anything in their dust but we were done so fast with the repair that as soon as their dust settled, there we were! Ok, the dust was in the air for a long time…
It was an awesome afternoon and thanks to Kurt, Mike and Steve for the fun! Til the next ride…
Huffyman
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