Back in the saddle...

With the recent warmer weather we have had the opportunity to get back out for some rides. This winter has also cooperated, unlike the last, as we have gotten very little snow giving us prime conditions.
Last week Katie and I rode picture rock and wild turkey trails of the Heil ranch trail system. I think this combination is one of my favorites for 'easy' trails in the area, and if you are planning on a longer riding day, this is a great warm up before tackling Hall ranch.
True to name, we did actually see some wild turkeys. And despite having not ridden in about a year besides for errands around town, I didn't really feel bad at all. The only part of me that really hurt were my sit bones, which definitely took a pounding.
On Sunday Katie rode her bike to work so I was able to use the car and got out to Heil ranch again. At this time of the year I just want to get some easier miles under my belt.
Again had a good ride, felt pretty good and a little stronger even. This time I also did ponderosa trail, which adds 2+ miles on, giving me around 17 for the day. I did it in the pretty reasonable time of about 2.5 hours, or around 7 miles per hour average speed. Not bad considering my high is around ten I think.
Yesterday we both had off again. We had talked about riding Marshall Mesa, a trail system south of Boulder which hosts a network of very easy trails. But since I didn't sleep well I ended up sleeping in pretty late. We talked and after some discussion ended up deciding to go to Hall ranch and just take our time there.
Hall ranch is my favorite and in my opinion the best trail in the area. Why? It has a little of everything. Very technical riding up through rock gardens, steep uphills in different soils, fun flowing swoopy downhills as well as some more technical downhill riding back through the rock gardens. It is also extremely difficult both technically and aerobically. Basically you have to be in good shape and a pretty good technical rider as well.
Well, it was a fun ride, and reminded me why I love this trail so much. I am not yet in good enough shape to ride it well, but it seems like my technical abilities are still there as I was able to clean most of the rock gardens and obstacles, including some that I have usually found difficult.
And talk about fun... Once you get to the top, the long fast downhill makes all the suffering worthwhile.
Our time was around 1:35 which again isn't bad, but is well off my best of 1:15 or so. But it'll come back as I ride more.