I got to ride the crest.  Dustin and Wade have been riding it all summer but doe to schedule conflicts and different obligations, I haven't.  Its life, but at least i got to finally ride it with...yup...Wade and Dustin.  Last Saturday I had planned to ride, but a improperly installed brake line (not my work) meant that when I took the bike off the rack it popped off and all my fluid went with it.  Anyway.

We got tot he parking lot around 600 and summited puke hill around 650, the temps were nice, someplace around high 70's low 80s.  Not bad considering it was 104 in the valley.  It recently rain...alot...twice.  But that was almost a week ago, still I was hoping that the long dry days of June would have been washed away in the torrents of July....

...twas not the case sadly.  The heat wave that melts people in the valley also chalks out any exposed terrain at high elevations, creating a light coat of moon dust and exposing rocks.

At least it wasn't as bad as it would have been in June, and the wildflowers are just starting to make their first late appearance.


The ride was pretty smooth and nonchalant for the most part with no speed or time agendas.  It was a great pace and no one felt left behind or slowed up.  The only trouble arose when we realized that:

A. Tubeless doesn't mean no flats
B. None of us were in compliance with the 2 tube rule



The two tube rule says that for the crest every rider carry two tubes, we had one between the 3 of us. 
Wade had a flat when a rock tore into the tire carcass and ripped an aspirin sized hole in it.  We also learned how important it is to add new Stans every year, since it dries up pretty quickly.

Another great lesson we learned is that Mt. Bikers are a good bunch.  We ran into another group on the trail (the only other people we saw) and fearful of flatting again in the upcoming rock gardens I asked if we could buy a spare tube (assuming they had enough to spare a spare) and the guy just donated one.  Granted it was a tube he or his group couldn't use (as a 29'er group) I was still very grateful for it.  Good Karma to you my good man!



Speaking of the rock gardens, they were delayed by the arrival of a moose, walking lazily on the trail.  Past moose experiences, we "enjoyed" (I'm sure Dustin did anyway) the extra rocky rock gardens that were exposed from the aforementioned abundance of sun. then we met up with a coworked of Dustin's, Lee.  Good man, We were glad to have met him and rode with, bummer about the tubeless blowout (exact same situation as wade...you guys need new tires!).  Fortunatly, there was a spare on hand.   

it was starting to get late (815) and we hadn't even started to descend into the canyons yet, so we got a move on and headed down the connector to robs.  The top section was FAST and smooth, it was a real treat after the rock garden.  The decent was univentfult aside to say that Dustin is VERY fast, I didn't see him the whole time, AND how fun it is to ride with people in my same skill set.  Not that I don't like riding with any skill level, but it was fun to just charge and not have to worry.

Around the bottom of the shady robs trail, it was getting decidedly dark (i.e. Night riding.) As you can see (or can't see) here, it wasn't really good vis in the darkest parts.  Granted the HERO 1 sucks at low light so it wasn't as bad as this (we could still see), still I gives you an Idea.


All In all, it was a great time.  Im glad it worked out.



Check the map here.

Tomorrow is a Saturday, an Even day and a hot day.  I don't any part of that sentence that doesn't make me want to do the crest into milcreek.

My plan is to meet in the dans parking lot at 915 and shuttle.  I can take 4 additional passengers not including myself or Anna (5 if Amelia is not coming)  and 7-8 bikes in my car and Anna has graciously offered to drive shuttle.  For those who don't think they can make it...Ill let Mr. Sparkle take it from here...(starts at 0:54)



Let me know if you want to go. Either in the Community comments or email.