This trail is not new to me. On the contrary it is a old friend. I needed to get in some single track skills and this is what came to mind first. After the usual “behind the neighborhoods” trail prolog I spun my way quietly up a icy road. Suddenly a plow truck, a private one, came thundering by me almost putting me into a snow bank. They were plowing that private drive where the rich and famous live. I was on the road leading up to their actual road but the attitude and complete disregard for me as a road user gave me a moment of anger. I felt like that old moose a couple weeks ago looking back as if to say, “What the hell do you think you are doing on my piece of solitude”?
But my moments of anger passed with every revolution of the crank. I slowly made my way up to the top of the trail we call “mandatory single-track” and pulled my Mukluk over to grab a drink.
Soon I was bombing down some sweeping turns clinching hard to the wide handlebars of my snow bike. My mission was to ride the trail without any brakes. Sort of work on my skills. The season will be here soon and with it comes the increased summer speeds of racing. I needed to get used to trees whizzing just inches past my ears.
It all turned out well and I came ripping into the trailhead parking lot after my run. A couple cross country skiers looked up and scowled but it was too late; no chances I could get annoyed now. I just had a morning wake up ride screaming wildly through the trees and nothing could change that.
I finished up the ride back to where I started dreaming of the big snow bike race this weekend. Why Big?
It is a new sport to me and one that requires patience and anti-power. Power will kill a snow biker. To snow bike effectively you must just gently progress and just let the pedals drop. Any effort wasted would mean a certain bonk later on.
It is also big because to me everything is big, I enter a race and it becomes big. What the hell is the Tour de France? Can’t be as big as the Togwotee Winter Classic … right?
And it is the end of my winter maintenance training. I am peeking and ready to go into training for the 2012 season. What flavor is yet to be determined. I hope I make up my mind soon.
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, A DELIGHTFUL JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARCHIVES:
2012: Fallen – Observing the melancholy beauty of trees on Pipestone Pass, where one fallen tree seems to evoke despair in its companion.
2010: Morning Trail – Capturing a quintessential Missoula moment for any mountain biker, “Morning Trail” highlights the beauty of South Sentinel as dawn breaks.
2009: Dirt Coalition – Sharing aspirations to join the GT Dirt Coalition, and catching up on the internet during a rest break from a decent block of training.
2008: Hard Miles – A recount of a challenging 60-mile ride up route 200 in the rain, bringing about a sense of unexpected energy and strength.
2007: Lolo Pass Ride – An ambitious 66.1-mile journey to Lolo Pass, featuring around 5,000 feet of climbing and a cramp that led to late-night blogging.
2007: I Just Keep Ending up Here! – A cozy moment at the Break Espresso, savoring a Carmel roll and a cup of Joe, a simple pleasure amidst biking adventures.
2006: Turah Turah Ride Tonight – Reflecting on a great training ride to Turah and back, feeling good all the way home compared to a previous exhausting experience.
2006: New Pictures Uploaded – The challenge of organizing and uploading pictures likened to herding caffeinated cats, all while chilling at Break Espresso.
2003: What I really Want – A moment of technological simplification, desiring only the essentials like a new camera and a powerbook for summer adventures.
2002: Emotional Alchemy – Sharing the anticipation for a book called “Emotional Alchemy,” following an outstanding mountain bike ride and a need for rest.
This curated list of blog posts offers a glimpse into my biking adventures, poetic reflections, and life’s simple moments, painting a vivid picture of the journey through years.
Boneshakerbike 
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