Rattlesnake Roundup!

I went up to Wilder today. As I rode up wilder ridge trail a pair of women passed me. When I got to the top they were off to one side of the trail, "Want to see a rattle snake one asked?" Sure enough. Not one, but several. Babies. In what looked like a gopher hole in the trail. We stood, watching the snakes and chatting for a bit, and then I continued on. I went up and came down the Eucalyptus loop. Tot he top it was about 4 miles and about 850' of elevation gain. It was hot to. Coming down I road some single track that I had not ridden since the beginning of summer. I remember walking most of it last time, not from steepness, but from technical difficulty. This time I rode 99% of it (Two root FILLED short climbs, less than 20 feet each, I needed to get off and push up). I'm tired tonight. I should sleep quite well.

Neglect Part 2

I've been riding a lot.

To work at least once a week on my road bike (10 miles each way)
Wilder Ranch
Up to Sand Point once more
To the Loma Prieta Trail head
De Laveaga park (Lots of nifty single track. Good place to practice)
And yesterday my local loop

The ride on my loop was interesting. I had not ridden it in a long time. The initial climb, which used to leave me winded, gasping, and stopped at the top, wasn't bad. Several sections that used to freak me out because of roots and rocks, I didn't even notice. Sections I used to walk through I picked and danced the bike through. It was a nice feeling. I explored parts of the trail network that I had never seen before and generally had a good time. Today I intend to get out on the pavement with a friend and see what a longer road ride feels like.