Its a little late, but here's the report on the November 12 BIG FALL RIDE.

Ten of us started out.  A mix of Crucens, Pasoans and Motorin' Mike M from Q city.

We all went up and around the Yellow line to the Cathedral and crossed over the saddle.  Then it was on the Green line to  the cliffs and then over 2-track and gravel washes to the trails of the north.

A bit past 1/2 on the Green line, we stopped and reprovisioned, then kept going.

At the Green/Blue/Purple junction, the Smokin' crew kept going north with 7 riders.  2 of those 7 quickly (and wisely) came back to the juction.  At this point there was a group of 5 going "all the way" and another group of 5 (of which I was 1) choosing the shorter option.

The short group followed the Purple.  There was a desire to hit the Roller Coaster, which meant a gruelling climb where the Purple line goes east back *UP* to the cliffs.  Then is was down the Coaster, to the shortcut and back to start.

The long group did the light Blue out, around and back then followed along the Purple.  They choose not to make the climb to the cliffs and took the orange route instead to the shortcut and back to start.

Us short riders did 6+ hours and 28 miles.  Pretty much a steady (sometimes downright pokey) but fun pace.  I expect the longriders got close to 40 miles and and additional couple of hours ride time.  Lots of climbing for all.

The individual trail systems are great.  It is the connections that wear you out.  The Green line especially puts the tired in the legs.

(The Red lines are from other rides out and about.)

Much fun.  Can't wait for the next long ride.


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