| Re: BCTLPL with the SC Crew
GeeDubb wrote:
> First let me say that the SC stands for Southern California, no SoCal as I
> don't have the right to refer to it as such nor will I ever, nor do I want
> to!
>
> BCTLPL=Black Canyon Trail Little Pan Loop
>
> The gents from SC arrived mid afternoon after just a little mix up with
> Google Maps....second time that's happened with somebody trying to find my
> house with a web map service (I won't mention any name RAL).
>
> I got several calls as they approached so I gladly guided them in, seems the
> orienteer was asleep in the back seat for the first miscue. I had just
> finished roasting the third of three batches of coffee for the trio as they
> pulled into the driveway. BO......nice initials Bill....asks "are you
> roasting coffee?" yep I reply....seems the odor drifted over much of the
> neighborhood, somewhat like the odor testing in NY but with a much happier
> olfactory sensation.
>
> A tour of the coffee room and of course brews (coffee that is, black gold,
> Arizona tea,... double americanos of Yemen for all but MTBBILL who
> inadvertently got a triple, oops) all around for the somewhat road tired
> friends brought a little jazz to the eyelids. We sat, talked, drank our
> coffees, toured the woodshop and decided to opt for the BCTLPL instead of
> T-100 since the BCTLPL got them some 40 miles closer to Sedona.
>
> We hit the TH a little after 4 pm which was going to push the available
> daylight but 1.5 hours for the loop is pretty sufficient barring any major
> mechanical problems. I threw on the HID just in case we got caught out past
> dark There was the typical shooting all around us (I don't see the
> fascination of shooting at a piece of paper or a road sign....) but soon
> diminished as we started riding. I was put in the lead position since I had
> ridden the trail once.
>
> To lead this group is a privileged since my bike handling skills are about
> half of any one of these riders. JD and MTBBILL were sporting 6" travel
> bikes while BillO was on a shorter travel bike as was I. Having the
> shorter travel appeared to give me some advantage in the climbs....and
> thankfully, there is some climbing on this loop. Through the first half of
> the ride I led the way but relinquished on the back side return as this
> section has some great downhill cuts, some slightly technical short climbs
> out of washes and of course, cholla which got only in my tires, the back
> tire of course.
>
> There are a few tight switchbacks to ride (or walk like I do) that were fun
> to watch these guys ride. One in particular as you approach the river
> bottom is a sharp, steep, loose left with a huge saguaro cactus on the
> inside. Really intimidated me since if you fall most likely it's into the
> damn saguaro.
>
> We finished the ride at 6 pm with little to no light left (especially if one
> is still wearing prescription sun glasses....) cracked open some beer,
> played with lights and cameras creating some fun effects in the dark and
> then heading further North to the Rock Springs Cafe for dinner and pie.
>
> We parted with the SC crew heading North to a waiting keg o beer in Sedona
> and me heading South to a warm loving family and some new Stone brew in the
> fridge.
>
> Life just doesn't get much better than this (it could if I could ride just a
> little bit better....)
>
> I left a lot of detail out but the crew from SC was fairly impressed with
> the new trail. Hopefully one or more of them will post some pictures since
> I didn't take my camera.
>
> Go Ride now
>
> Gary
Thanks for the tour, G. The rest of the trip seemed like a whirlwind,
but was fun just the same. Day to day without a detailed plan can be
fun...
JD
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