Rolling in Prescott

Sticki headed up north again today despite the cooler local temps that Scottsdale is finally starting to provide it's summer weary inhabitants. After meeting some new-found friends at Raven Cafe to discuss avenues to pursue that could expand our collective love of cycling... we connected with Brooke, Andy and Danielle. Meeting place was to be Thumb Butte parking lot and little dog Jessi was brought along for good measure.

It's nice to see many of the trees starting to change colors. Air always smells a bit sweeter this time of year in places that actually have seasons. Was a bit windy and the temperature was just about perfect. The route was to be the road to White Rock (now Green Rock), down to 332 past the old corral and across the boulder field by the rail road grade. From there we'd wind around IMBA (or Boulder trail) and eventually connect to "The Luge". After that we were to be shown the newly completed 317 which would take us all back to the cars.

Up the road we went and on to White Rock. Lacking any film evidence, I happened to complete the most gratifyingly slicing turn between the two largish boulders just past the flume. I wouldn't even mention it except for the fact of how well the maneuver actually worked out in a physical sense. I am sure we have all seen an obstacle approaching rapidly and envisioned the perfect way to handle it. To flow through it effortlessly with not even a touch of pedal or scrub of knobby. Seldom have I had the experience of such an exacting connection between the mental visualization and the reality of the physical movement itself. Bicycle and man were of perfect symbios and the dirt was my canvas.

Today my firends, I was Michaelangelo incarnate!

A bit much? I suppose it might be. All I know is the chances of me flying through that section again with such precision are slim to none... but sure was great to hit it at least one time exactly as I had imagined.

I then decided to take some pics of the girls in as close to the same place on the trail as possible. Basically, all of them exiting White Rock and maneuvering through a sweeping left hander. Was just curious to see how each ones position might differ slightly from the next. Plus as we have already learned, Micki and Brooke do enjoy their time in front of the lens.

Micki carving:

Brooke as well:

Danielle follows suit:

And all together now:

After this, we all headed down to the corral. Someone had cut through my favorite fallen log towards the bottom so the lobe of my brain dedicated to technique was disappointed... but my speed lobe was not. Snapped a few shots at the corral.

Micki and the tall pines:

Little Brooke and the seemingly even taller pines:

Andy and Jessi the floating head:

Up past the chimney to the boulder fields. Rumors had been spread that stunts existed in the area, so a preliminary exploration party consisting of the three girls was sent up the hill. I found a small plank to a bowl shaped boulder next to the trail,  but heard some commotion above and headed up to investigate for myself. A "truish" North Shore stunt had actually been found, although it was pretty neglected and weather worn. After some pine needle clearing, it was determined that I was give it a go first. Micki had her new I-Pod Nano with video capability, so it was a good opportunity to film either my success... or perhaps just my bloody failure. Andy knocked down some of the exposed nails and Jessi ran point which helped me set the pace for the first attempt up the bridge.

Beat rocking achievement:


Prescott North Shore from Elvota on Vimeo.

We then all worked our way over to "The Luge" after Andy performed an impressive one handed descent back down to the railroad grade. Why one hand you ask? Well, the other had to hold the camera to film all the DH action of course. Will be interesting to see the footage when they post up.

Eventually we made it back to Trail 317 which was really well constructed and planned. Flowed very nicely with not to much pitch and enough rocks intermixed with curves to keep one interested. I am sure trying it the other way would be truly rewarding to the gravity assist set... which I generally include myself among.

The temperature began to drop rapidly at this point and after saying goodbyes we headed back down to the Valley. A quick stop at Sunflower for a soup bowl and salad left tummies full and nothing left to really achieve besides instructing traffic as cordially as possible from the left lane into the right lane all the way back into town.