The Blackhawk trail in Payson canyon has always been one of my favorites. In the spring, as the trails in AF canyon are becoming crowded and Dusty, the trails in Payson are still in good shape and the crowds are minimal.
This Saturday we rode the Blackhawk loop, described on Utahmountainbiking.com (minus the dirt road portion) and saw one other biker and two horseman.
The conditions were prime, but it was one of those rides where things just did not fall into place. We all have rides when the trail is perfect, our senses and reflexes seemed heightened and things just flow, but this was not one of those rides. We felt like beginners.
We began riding with a sore throat and Slight stomach flu and while we hoped the illnesses were more the result of poor food and sleep choices the night before, that was not the case. Instead of climbing with a steady rhythm, each push was followed by a long pause punctuated with sounds of a body in revolt. We debated turning back, but it always came back to the fact that we could lay on the couch sick, or bike sick. In the beginning, biking sounded like the better option.
About an hour into the ride, Guthrie's pedal began to wobble a little. We stopped to tighten the pedal, wondering if he had overtightened it. (which for us is a common occurrence after years of construction work). At first, it did tighten a little, after another 2 miles, it would not tighten. At 2 more miles, the pedal just spun in the crank set and at mile 9 it fell out completely, no amount of wire or gorilla tape would hold it in. We tried. Guthrie finished the climb with one leg, and a worsening stomach.
About the time the pedal fell out, I noticed by bike felt more like a Harley than a mountain bike. It seemed I was sitting low, bouncing a lot, and pedaling was much more difficult. At first I chalked it up to being out of shape and feeling lousy. But as i sunk lower and bounced more, it was time to check the rear shock. I started at 240 now it was at 150, Great.
With Broken shock, one pedal and sickness worsening we inched our way to the road. I am never fast on Strava, but these times are embarrassing. Finally reaching the road, I returned to the car via dirt. Guthrie decided riding downhill, on trails, with one pedal was useless and decided on the road.
After finally reaching the car, 30 to 45 minutes longer than it should have taken, the only consolation was; at least we were biking.
Broken Mountain biking is weird that way. Most times, the worst day on the mountain is better than sitting on a couch or even worse, watching sports on TV.
This weekend, bikes are fixed (we hope), bodies seem weaker, but healed, and the mountains are waiting to explore...one trail at a time.
