Making do.

Today was going to be good day.  Yesterday's ride went out the window with a last minute help session for one of my students (Hopefully now he will pass the tenth grade) So today's ride was going to be a good one, whether it wanted to or not.  I had plenty of time, the weather wasn't pissing rain, and I had my inspiration.  I suited up and headed out, and rode down this snowmachine trail I have been eyeing for a while.  I ran part of it this winter, but it had gotten a bit wetter since then. 

I figured it I could make it.  Big wheels, single speed, and all afternoon.  Sounds like a good idea. And, besides, it can't get much worse, right? 

(I don't know what is worse, me trying to convince myself it is good, or providing photographic proof of my rationalization)  

So, I ford the stream, and find some double track ATV trails that run all over what used to be a sand pit ( I think) and head down trail after trail, getting lost and finding myself many times.  So, given all the rain we have had recently, I should have known it would get worse.  

Fortunately, this was one of the last huge puddles/pondlets that I had to ride through.  I was already wet anyway, so it wasn't a huge deal.  Besides, the trails after this were fun.  I cruised through some pump track like atv trails, down fire roads, some trails that even slightly resembled single track.  

Okay, maybe not.  But, it has been a long winter, and I was really happy just to be in the woods and not on the road.  I rode in the sand pit for about and hour, and then I heard the sound of snapping twigs and splashing up ahead.  I came over a short rise just in time to see a moose heading into the woods in front of me.  It is somewhat scary to see one from 50 feet away, especially when you are wearing spandex and a styrofoam hat.  I was glad he was running away, and the footprints he left prove he was big enough to squash me. 

I decided then that it was time to head out of the woods.  I explored some dirt roads, then some paved roads, and then ended up on some dirt roads I had ridden before.  I was able to head down a severely washed out class VI road to make a loop onto some more snowmachine trails before heading home.  It was, interesting, to say the least. 

It was getting cold, so I started to head back.  I hopped onto some more snowmachine trails that I thought I knew pretty well.  After half an hour of getting lost, I realized I didn't know them that well.  But, it was still fun.  I made it back just in time for dinner, and hope to get a good ride in tomorrow.