Big Bike, Little Girl

In my last tale from the trail, I wrote about our girls Porcupine Rim ride. What I neglected to mention is that the bike I rode was a hard-tail with a front shock offered less than an 1/8” of travel. Fortunately I didn’t know any better at the time. Walker is always helping to make my mountain biking experience better, so this weekend he announced that he picked up a new bike for me to demo: an Ironhorse MKIII, full suspension bike with 5” of travel in the front and back. Not only is this a lot of bike for a little girl, but it’s a dramatic, 180 degree change from what I have been riding. And it’s bright green. Not a soft misty sage green, nor a dark forest green, but a bright, extremely vivid Kermit the Frog green. Maybe this was because he knew I’d be riding solo and wanted to be able to easily ask people what happened to me….

Since Walker was headed for his epic White Rim ride, I decided to have an adventure of my own. I drove into Moab early morning and strategically parked the truck right in front of that infamous smoothie shop. Since I had to complete the loop solo, I was anticipating the reward. From there, I geared up and headed for the trail. This is a 10-mile climb along paved, then dirt, road and I wanted to get this over with first. Half way up the hill, the shuttles filled with anxious bikers started to pass me. At first, hearing them approach from behind, I’d pedal a little faster and look like I was pulling the hill attack. That didn’t last long. I was soon wondering “how much are those shuttles anyway?” and making a mental note that I should maybe invest in some shorter bike shorts and stick my thumb out. However, an hour an a half after I left the truck, I was at the trailhead, trying to be modest as the guys from the shuttle said how impressed they were.

I envisioned this solo ride to be quiet and reflective, testing my resolve among the sage, juniper and rock. What I didn’t expect was a family that had a striking resemblance to the Brady Bunch, all of varying ages in matching biking gear, preparing to head out at the same time. I waited for a few minutes, thinking I’d just let them get ahead, but soon realized that wasn’t going to happen. I started out, but was humbled fast by the fact that Marsha and Greg were actually better than I am. I had to get away from this, but my legs were already tired from the initial climb. Soon the Brady’s asked my name and I resigned myself to the fact that I would be their adopted child for the next few miles. When we reached the overlook, the offered me a sandwich, but I saw this as my out. As they stopped to picnic, I broke away, sometimes meeting up with others, but still feeling that I was out there making it happen on my own.

Having this enormous front fork gives you courage and confidence you never know you had. A foot and a half drop feels like a mere bump in the road. Half way though the ride though, I had to will myself along. I was hot and tired and running low on water. Every time I wanted to stop, I came across someone offering just the right amount of encouragement. Plus I had to at least appear to be rockin it, since the bike was so burly. Soon, the trail opened up and there was that glorious river! Coming down that last descent, a smile came to my lips, knowing I did it…by myself, and with only minor bruises and scrapes. It was mere mellow stretch of road until that comfort of the refreshing smoothie. As if out of nowhere, a camera guy pulled up and snapped that moment - one I will always be proud of and never forget….