Tom's Thumb Revisited

Being very stoked with the Tom's Thumb route, I had to take Micki back and give it another try.  I knew she'd enjoy the climb and the descent is technical enough to keep us both on our toes.  I brought the GoPro this time to take some shots of the ups and downs and switches left as well as switches right.

The whole trail is a cornering clinic.

Was a great day overall.  Perfect weather and very little traffic.  I think a few hikers we saw at the top just couldn't figure out how the hell we got up there.  Pretty sure bikes are a rarity in the area at this point.

A few pics.

You can see the trail well below Micki at this point.  I think we'd already completed 10 or so switchbacks from the Windgate turnoff.... maybe more.

The Mach 5 earning it's turns:

The climb itself is relentless.  Even this last pitch which appears to go to the top is actually nowhere near the summit itself.  If you look close, you can see switchbacks edging up the ridgline.  Crazy steep almost the entire way.

M3 killing it as usual:

I was able to make a few of the corners that I missed last time, but screwed up a few I made the first time.  I guess one would have to call it even. I was able to make a series of switchbacks that defeated me last time which I found very satisfying.  They are so tight you literally feel as if your front wheel is climbing the third while your rear is finishing the second.... never mind cleaning the first nasty one just a few feet before all that.

Tom's Thumb in the background:

Almost at the top now:

Self portrait at summit:

Here are two videos. One going up, and the second coming down.  Captured most of the DH switchbacks and a majority of the ones on the way up.  It's hard to tell (as usual) in the vids, but exposure is a factor both up and down.

A great trail overall.  One that should be added to anyone scouring the McDowell's for "the kind" singletrack.

Going Up:

Tom's Thumb Ascent from Elvota on Vimeo.

Going Down:

Tom's thumb Descent from Elvota on Vimeo.

With two summits of Tom's Thumb under my granny gear, I am chomping at the bit to give the "Gnardruple Bypass" a serious try.  That would be to summit Tom's, then Bell, on to Sunrise with a final crossing of Windgate.

I'll be sure to post up some info should I pull that one off.

UPDATE 12.30.09

Gnardruple completed

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