Two Yeti, One Ride

Sunday October 27, Chris was able to free up a couple hours and new bike fever had bit me so I was itching for a ride. Weather was calling for a flash flood watch, but there was no active rain at the moment. We decided to chance a quickie and go to Maunawili Ditch. Late morning and it was just Chris and I at Waimanalo. Skies were looking grim, but we unloaded and headed onto double track climb. A gentle rain had started and we decided not to go into the Ditch Trail, we knew how mucky it gets when wet. As we passed the Ditch Trail entrance we passed two riders coming out. The rain was gradually increasing. The two riders passed us as we took a break near Jackson Chameleon hill. By the time we reached the open junction area the rain was going at a good pace, this didn’t look like a passing shower. We’d come this far, we were already wet, we decided to continue onto the Demonstration Trail. As we headed up the single track, we came across a pretty dogged looking dog. After that climb I can say I probably didn’t feel much better. Looked like someone’s hunting dog. As we got going, he ambled along the trail in the same direction. We didn’t want to get stuck behind him, but eventually he ducked off when he found a buddy. OK, he probably wasn’t lost, or at least had company so we didn’t feel bad about leaving him behind. The rain got serious as we reached the lauhala area and we paused when we reached the Government road junction. The trail condition was actually quite rideable, we decided to continue. But I kept in mind that we probably didn’t want to get past too many of the inside turn mini runoff valley like areas. By the time we went past two of these turns and came to the following outside turn, it was now a serious downpour. Decided it was time to turn around.

The shoes were totally flooded and sloshing, we were totally soaked. It was raining so hard that we actually stayed pretty clean, the water was washing the mud off us and the trail was high cinder content and not sticking. It actually was pretty fun, but I’m sure hell on the bikes.

Back at the Government road junction, there was a good flow of mud run-off coming down the side of the trail. It really was time to get out of the area. We high-tailed it back to the double track and headed back downhill. Thank goodness for disc brakes! We still had time and riding down the doubletrack amid it’s froth of animal matter runoff didn’t seem like fun, so we duck into the sideloop. The roots were pretty much impossible to ride, but the rest of the trail was good. In short time we were back onto the double track and a short run back to the cars. The rain had actually petered out to an occasional drizzle.

Chris had to head back, but it was good to be out on a ride. It was harsh on the bike though. The wheel on next ride developed a squeak and pulling it apart today I discovered that one of the bearings on my brand new DT hubs is going bad.

More Pics here.