Sunrise ride

[Heidi]

OK - I'm bored so I'll share.

If you've never ridden at sunrise, make it a goal this spring/summer, because it is awesome.

Last night I got all my gear ready so that when I woke up at 5:30 all I had to do was get dressed, eat quickly, and go. Here's my ride:

I'm at the trailhead at 6:00 sharp, it's still dark but I start the climb. For 6 miles I climb up singletrack. The smell of the milk thistle and oak scrub surround me as the sun starts to slowly show on the horizon. To my right is some lake and I watch as the boats launch one by one. I'm all alone up here, just me and the singletrack. I can see steam coming off my body as it mixes with the cool dawn air.

I've reached the top - it's now time for the DH...6 miles of fun. I'm riding on my new Fox RL80 so I take the time to pick "bad" lines so that I can test it, but it's smooth. I pass three guys just starting up, they seem surprized to see me.

Hah, I got the best part of the morning...sunrise.

Happy Friday!

[indieboy]

Originally posted by Heidi
OK - I'm bored so I'll share.

If you've never ridden at sunrise, make it a goal this spring/summer, because it is awesome.

Last night I got all my gear ready so that when I woke up at 5:30 all I had to do was get dressed, eat quickly, and go. Here's my ride:

I'm at the trailhead at 6:00 sharp, it's still dark but I start the climb. For 6 miles I climb up singletrack. The smell of the milk thistle and oak scrub surround me as the sun starts to slowly show on the horizon. To my right is some lake and I watch as the boats launch one by one. I'm all alone up here, just me and the singletrack. I can see steam coming off my body as it mixes with the cool dawn air.

I've reached the top - it's now time for the DH...6 miles of fun. I'm riding on my new Fox RL80 so I take the time to pick "bad" lines so that I can test it, but it's smooth. I pass three guys just starting up, they seem surprized to see me.

Hah, I got the best part of the morning...sunrise.

Happy Friday!

very nice!! rides like that are always fun. let me know hwo you like the fox fork, we are supposed to be riding those this year!!!

[monkeywench]

:thumb:
Sunrise is an awesome time to ride. There's nothing more beautiful than seeing the sun come up while you're outside on your bike.

[Westy]

Originally posted by indieboy
very nice!! rides like that are always fun. let me know hwo you like the fox fork, we are supposed to be riding those this year!!!

I know you could care less about my opinion but I have been riding an 80RL for a year now. A Very nice fork, super stiff and buttery smooth. It feels like it has more travel than other 80mm forks. Definately worth the extra weight when compared to a SID or MARS. The only problem is the paint is extremely easy to scratch or wear through.

[-BB-]

Originally posted by Heidi
OK - I'm bored so I'll share.

If you've never ridden at sunrise, make it a goal this spring/summer, because it is awesome.

Last night I got all my gear ready so that when I woke up at 5:30 all I had to do was get dressed, eat quickly, and go. Here's my ride:

I'm at the trailhead at 6:00 sharp, it's still dark but I start the climb. For 6 miles I climb up singletrack. The smell of the milk thistle and oak scrub surround me as the sun starts to slowly show on the horizon. To my right is some lake and I watch as the boats launch one by one. I'm all alone up here, just me and the singletrack. I can see steam coming off my body as it mixes with the cool dawn air.

I've reached the top - it's now time for the DH...6 miles of fun. I'm riding on my new Fox RL80 so I take the time to pick "bad" lines so that I can test it, but it's smooth. I pass three guys just starting up, they seem surprized to see me.

Hah, I got the best part of the morning...sunrise.

Happy Friday!

:thumb:
Sweet Heidi!!

I LOVE those early morning rides.
I've got this problem where I can't sleep past 7:00 on weekends, so in the winter, I am often out riding as the sun is just coming up. Best time of the day!!

[Squeak]

Yes!!!! Sunrise rides are awsome!

In Moab a couple years ago, I was waiting in the slickrock parking lot for it to get light enough to ride. Two miles in, I stopped and sat down and watched the sun rise. Awsome.

Bonus feature: No one rides that early so the trails are almost empty.

[Squeak]

Sunset ride last night. :D

[Heidi]

Originally posted by Westy
I know you could care less about my opinion but I have been riding an 80RL for a year now. A Very nice fork, super stiff and buttery smooth. It feels like it has more travel than other 80mm forks. Definately worth the extra weight when compared to a SID or MARS. The only problem is the paint is extremely easy to scratch or wear through.

Mine is a brand new 2003, 3rd ride only and it rocks! I agree, feels like it has more than 80 and it's smooth.

[douglas]

very cool, I wish I knew somewhere near that had a 6 mile climb (me so jealous)

[Squeak]

Hey Heidi, did you take the day off?

[Heidi]

Originally posted by Squeak
Hey Heidi, did you take the day off?

Nope, just rode before work. The ride is a couple miles from my house and only takes about an hour.

[Squeak]

Originally posted by Heidi
Nope, just rode before work. The ride is a couple miles from my house and only takes about an hour.

NICE! :thumb:

[Serial Midget]

Ah... sweet! I am usually always an afternoon or evening rider but I get a similar experience in the Capital forest on a morning ride when you break the fog at about 2000 feet. Below that level is cool, misty and damp - you get a real sense of isolation. When you break through the fog it's instant tree tops and bright sun - fog fills the valleys as far as the eye can see. You feel like you are on top of the world when you reach the peak but it's only 2,600 feet. :)

[Squeak]

Originally posted by Serial Midget
Ah... sweet! I am usually always an afternoon or evening rider but I get a similar experience in the Capital forest on a morning ride when you break the fog at about 2000 feet. Below that level is cool, misty and damp - you get a real sense of isolation. When you break through the fog it's instant tree tops and bright sun - fog fills the valleys as far as the eye can see. You feel like you are on top of the world when you reach the peak but it's only 2,600 feet. :)

That is what I am talking about! Moments like that are just the best.

[spincrazy]

All these rides sound great!

I miss riding home from work over the I-90 bridge in the wee early morning hours just as the sun stated to come up and make its beauty reflected off the water. wish I'd taken a picture...

[Heidi]

Originally posted by spincrazy
All these rides sound great!

I miss riding home from work over the I-90 bridge in the wee early morning hours just as the sun stated to come up and make its beauty reflected off the water. wish I'd taken a picture...

I'll take one for you next week. ;)

[spincrazy]

Originally posted by Heidi
I'll take one for you next week. ;)

You're going to be in Seattle next week? I miss that deep, dark blue sky light they have there.

[splat]

I'm Jelous! ( again! ) You have that way of doing that to us lately !

[Heidi]

Originally posted by spincrazy
You're going to be in Seattle next week? I miss that deep, dark blue sky light they have there.

No, will Mission Bay here in San Diego do for you? I'm just aiming to please you know.

[spincrazy]

Originally posted by Heidi
No, will Mission Bay here in San Diego do for you? I'm just aiming to please you know.

It'll have to do. :)

[Serial Midget]

Originally posted by spincrazy
All these rides sound great!

I miss riding home from work over the I-90 bridge in the wee early morning hours just as the sun stated to come up and make its beauty reflected off the water. wish I'd taken a picture...

You miss the I-90 bridge??? Things must be rough in NY! :p

[spincrazy]

Originally posted by Serial Midget
You miss the I-90 bridge??? Things must be rough in NY! :p

No, I miss riding my bike from Alkai (west seattle waterfront) to Bellevue (a little past Factoria) and back (riding home over the bridge at sunrise). I was working til 4 am and later/earlier at the time.

[indieboy]

Originally posted by Westy
I know you could care less about my opinion but I have been riding an 80RL for a year now. A Very nice fork, super stiff and buttery smooth. It feels like it has more travel than other 80mm forks. Definately worth the extra weight when compared to a SID or MARS. The only problem is the paint is extremely easy to scratch or wear through.


why would i care less about your opinion? :confused:

[Westy]

Originally posted by indieboy
why would i care less about your opinion? :confused:

Just joking around. The truth is I don't care about your opinion.





J/K:D :dancing:

[Serial Midget]

Originally posted by spincrazy
No, I miss riding my bike from Alkai (west seattle waterfront) to Bellevue (a little past Factoria) and back (riding home over the bridge at sunrise). I was working til 4 am and later/earlier at the time.

Haha... you can't Alkai beach anymore; Starbucks has taken over the bicycle lane. :monkey: Bibs misses it bad. :(

[indieboy]

Originally posted by Westy
Just joking around. The truth is I don't care about your opinion.





J/K:D :dancing:

*adding you to the list who don't listen to me*
ok that makes about........um........pretty much this entire site now. mission accomplished :D

[geargrrl]

Here on the dry side, August can get pretty hot and nasty. I"ll hit the Riverside trails at six or so. Wildlife, calm serene... I find it's almost a meditation to be out on the trail so early. It's also amazing how hot it can already be that early in the say when it's going to hit the high 90's later on.

geargrrl

[Drunken_Ninja]

i got in two pretty bike rides on Tuesday. We had a tease of warm weather here. It hit 27 degrees for the day and 21 in the evening. I did a mid morning and a dusk ride.

I tried out my new: mx comp fork, sram 9.o rear derailleur, sidi srs and storm litesystem.

Holy crap I feel like spring just exploded after finding this thread.