hmmm...hike-a-bike

Yes sir, Flag was good. A little chilly (by Phx August standards) when we arrived and humid, it had rained the night before.  Perfect compliment to a stop at Late for the Train.

Some puddles, and really good dirt, no dust. A little dew on the grass, making sparkles across the meadow. It always feels good to start suiting up at the parking area. This morning was no different, pine scented sunshine indeed.

Rode up Elden road, then cut off at Red Onion. That is a fun little section.

Mushrooms and corndogs along the trail ;o)

I have wanted to find Jedi the last couple times we've been there, and Mark was more than amiable (at least at this point in the ride) to attempt the find. After all, it was printed on the map. We made it down the same section of trail we have ridden in the past (Brookbank I think), and then the steep little down into the dry lakes area.

That is where things get a little sketchy. The Dry Lakes area, was nice and open, wildflowers were blooming, birds were chirping, the air was fresh. Oh, that's right we're riding trail here, gotta keep focused.  We went down the first trail (should've kept going) but it just didn't feel right. I asked if Mark thought it didn't feel right either or if it was just a couple psi change in the fork was necessary.  He thought either could cause my discomfort. Ok, well in that case, I didn't think this was the right trail. Besides, there is more trail to explore! Turn around and attempt another...

So we went down the Dry Lakes area a little farther then jumped into Nottingham Forest. The trail went well for awhile, a couple deadfall trees we needed to cross, some mushrooms,

and then, it well, turned uphill and got really lightly used looking. Not bad at first, then kinda like we were in the forest. Well, we had always been in the forest, but on a trail in the forest. Now, we were just IN the forest. This is surprising says me. I thought many people used this trail and it just peter'd out.  Well, our map shows it parallels another trail, and if we just head down a bit....

And that was it, the point in every story where it goes from being just a ho-hum event to an epic. We wandered off plan (ok, I went willing off plan, because really, plans are meant to be basic guidelines, kinda like story boards are to movies.  Well, we had just stepped into artist license within the confines of the Impressionist movement. These are heady days now!)

So we tromped around, kinda up kinda down, that trail intersection must be here somewhere. The forest continued and became denser - eventually we popped out on Schultz Creek Trail. Bummer, all that elevation burnt carrying our bikes.

We crossed the road, and head out onto the AZT - which ended the ride in a fast and flowy descent to the vehicle. Ah, another smile inducing ride.