SGT Bullard surprised me crawling out of his Jeep wearing his fashionably long baggy shorts, no socks, and some high-tech version of a sweatshirt. He had a skullcap, but nothing over his face. The forecast night low was in the upper teens which had sent me from work to home for my balaclava, a 2nd pair of socks, and my lobster gloves, but the young are tough. I'd failed to note that his full fingered gloves were the lightest kind- like I enjoy riding in the mid-40's. At 1800 the sun was still brightly shining as I asked him if he really wanted to go in that get-up. He assured me "yes", so we took off riding the trails that were never muddy- the mud and therefore the trails were firmly frozen. I thought we'd stick to the lower foothills close-by, so when he got cold, we could return early, but all my bicycling friends know my ego doesn't allow me to be the one to say "that's too far or too difficult" though it seems to have no problem with "that's too fast".
When we crossed Sunset Peak Rd, I asked the SGT if he wanted to turn around because of the cold. "No way" was the response. I think to further impress me that we weren't turning around, we turned up Lower Hulls Gulch- a rockier route than I like to descend. Ascending it is OK, but it would be a significant winter's night ride, maybe my longest- but the MiNewt 250 could handle it. Shortly we reached the only turn off, the SGT's better sense kicked in, and we followed it, turning to climb steeply. About 1800 on the dark side of this hill, I turned on my light; the SGT waited a few minutes until he hit a hole before turning his on. We both appreciate the growing daylight!
For all the grumbling about cycles tearing up muddy trails I saw no hint of that. Pedestrians, however, have trampled what felt like sheep or goat hoof prints all over making the steep frozen trials nearly unrideable. If you've ever ridden over trails where horse hoof prints were left in muddy clay trails that then dried, you know what it was like though the pedestrian hoofs don't carry quite so much weight and aren't as deep- meaning they may flatten easier this spring, but for now they're just as rough with their sharp icy edges. Daytime cyclists have smoothed out the every edge- about 3" wide- of the trail on the steep sidehill, but that rideable strip was too narrow for me at night, so I ended up pushing in a couple spots. The cold SGT has more technical skills than I and a full suspension bike, so he rode right up, but this left him momentarily waiting for me at the top where I think he decided he was cold though the tough don't easily admit that.
The descent on The Freeway was smooth and fast. Then there was more smooth down hill on Introduction to Mountain Biking. My sweatpants weren't keeping my legs as warm as I might like. How were the SGT's bare legs? When we stopped back at Sunset Park Rd to discuss route, it was his hands he was complaining about. Do the tough complain? I suggested going up one little hill that might help warm him, but he found the value of that climb questionable. I suspect there's one soldier, though though he be, who will wear more clothes on the next night ride, a night ride that will have noticeably more minutes of light in it!
Happy cycling for fun, fitness, and transportation!
Steve
