UFO Hunting

My buddy Jim and I made it down to New Mexico yesterday for a spin on Alien Run. The conditions were pretty ideal and we had a nice, relaxing ride. A few pix:

I'm baaaack.....in the saddle again!

Oh brother does it feel good to pedal on dirt......well at least sand and slickrock. Nathan Bay, my partner in crime during the GDR, came down from Montana with his buddy Josh and we rode each other's legs off. I didn't take too many pictures, but here's a smattering:

Nathan sporting his new redneck face warmer...



Humping up Gold Bar:



Enjoying the views and sun...

Walking the 400 foot drop off sections of Portal Trail...

Back Behind the Rocks...

Nathan and Katri race a little for fun...

It was really great to see Nathan and meet Josh. I hadn't seen Nathan since New Mexico during the GDR.

I predict the SS record falls this year.

Molting

I forgot the time changed today. Katri is in Moab this weekend, otherwise she would have reminded me. I'm just sorta catching up on life and getting my bikes in riding shape. Anyway, there were a large gaggle of birds in the backyard - the first of the season. It's pretty amazing; one day nothing, the next day they're there. Nice to hear their tunes.

It finally occurred to me the time had changed, so along with the birds, I celebrated with my own change of pace.

Before:



After:



Hard to believe those are 1 hour apart. Spring is here!!!

Yeehaw!!

Picked up the trailer for the new business today at Ol' West Trailers in Cortez. Ol' Chuck, the owner, threw in this sweet ball cap.

One last big winter rally

In what might be my last winter rally before I straddle the MTB for the upcoming season, we journeyed into the Pass Creek Yurt this past weekend. After going on a hand full of "hut trips" you start to figure out what you like and dislike about each. They are generally:

- distance and elevation gain to reach the hut
- size and layout of the hut
- amenities and cleanliness of the hut
- warmth of the hut
- skiable terrain nearby

Frankly I'm always pretty happy with any hut/yurt trip because I simply like being out there in the first place. That said, you do notice the subtle differences and inconveniences. Which leads me to the Pass Creek Yurt. It's awesome. It's a short ski in - 3 miles. Not much elevation gain in or out. The yurt itself is laid out really well and they include all sorts of little amenities like house Crocs so you don't have to haul in down booties or whatever. Finally, the terrain is damn good. Lots of open glades with enugh trees to make for some exciting descents, but without turning into a bushwhack. This yurt is so cool....well, the shitter did wreak like hell, but you can't win 'em all. Here's a few pix and a few vids from the weekend.

Atop the ridge getting ready to descend:



A few videos of my buddy Greg smoothin' it on his telies:

Video Uno
Video Dos

Inside the yurt itself:

Yanked this off their website. The yurt from the outside. This year we were going down a flight of snowstairs to reach the door:

Great way to end (probably) the season. I see warm slickrock in my near future.