Rode sunset solo today, arrived to find only two cars parked identifiable as MTBers. Weird, where is everyone on a beautiful sunday? Trails were primo, Jungle the driest and nicest I’ve seen in a while.
I recalled Chucky on our last ride commenting we should pitch in more on trail maintanance, he grabbed a rake and cleaned part of trail as Chris dealt with his snapped derailleur hanger. So as i rode up Needles trail, i stopped at the first rake i saw and cleared about 40 yards of trail. Its not much, but i figure if every riderat least once per ride did the same, it would add up. Figure good for some trail karma.
Saw 5 riders the entire day, all people i didn’t recognize. I mixed up the route a little too. Decided on my final run to go all the way to boyscout gate. Instead of slogging all the way used the road, decided to take the Banyan Alley to Elbo trail. Just past the banyan i spotted remnants of an old trail, it looked promising in that it might bypass all the backtracking that Elbo makes you do. Walked on a little in, will need more investigation when there with others.
Finally made it to boyscout and rested at the bench. Picked up some bits of GU packet tabs and corner of some wrapper. Cmon people! As i sat there, a midaged caucasian guy rolled up on an old Specialized short travel. Chatted for a bit. He headed back down the jeep road to check on his ridding buddy. I could see them looking at a bike on ground. I was in no rush so i went down to see if they needed help. Kid on a lower mid range dually had snapped derraileur hanger. Oops! I helped them remove chain and derraileur. Bummers, their ride was over and they had just started. At least they had a nice downhill to roll.
Made a mental note that i really need to find my spare hanger and carry it. I figured i increased my positive trail karma even more and headed back to head down Barbed Wire. Totally dry. Front washed out exact same corner as last week and i was flailing around heading to the same spot i gashed my leg on too, crap! Fortunately came to a stop andregained composure. Continued on, bypassing Party Line. No Party today, im tired! Hitting rooty section i hear the chain complain. WTF, i even remembered to turn my clutch. The chain had come off outside again, but this time jammed between gear and outer arm. Damn! Had to stop and loosen chanring bolts to unjam.
So i cant tell if my trail karma was working. Its possible without the positive karma balance, my little incidents might have been worse. Oh well, i was out having had a good say, and Bruddah rolled past as i was cleaning up at the car.
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