Big Sycamore Ride on Sunday

So last Sunday I decided to do a big 3.5 ride into Sycamore.  After blasting over the Dos Vientos hills, I dropped in down the Black Bitch and rolled over to Hell Hill.

For those of you that don't know, Hell Hill is a direct route to the top of where Backbone and Overlook meet.  It is steep , grueling and now recently plowed.  Back in my prime, I could climb this hill without stopping.  Now, not so much.  It took me two stops - it's the heat and I'm sticking to that excuse!

At least after torturing your legs on this climb, you are rewarded with one of the best single track descents I have ever been on.  I also was extra fortunate to not run into any climbers, which seems like it would be equally challenging but insane to me considering how fast some people come down that hill.  When you throw in how many inexperienced riders I encounter out there, that makes for a crazy combo!

And speaking of other riders, what has happened to friendliness?  What the hell is wrong with saying hi when you pass a fellow rider, hiker or jogger?  It seems more common than not now I meet some uptight individuals on the trails who for the life of them can't mutter two letters.

Regardless, try a nod or small wave... we are all sharing the trail, enjoying nature and getting exercise - let's remain friendly because lord knows hikers and horseback riders would love nothing more than extra ammo to kick us off the dirt!