Some Whiskey Prep

Micki and I decided to head up to Prescott and find out what condition the Whiskey 25 course was in.  We had heard of snow up to the knees on certain sections of the Aspen Creek trail and weren't sure exactly how far we'd get. Unfortunately with a late start leaving town and other delays, we were forced to cut the route short and basically pre-rode the Whiskey 15 course instead.  This did allow some time to play around on the newer section of the Dells trail just off Peevine in the afternoon however... so all was not lost.

New socks with Penta-Powers:

We started at Safeway just at the Copper Basin traffic signal and pedaled up the asphalt. Was a bit windy and the last pitch just before dirt doesn't mess around.  Will be an interesting section come race day after combining starting nerves and adrenaline.  Hopefully I will remain composed enough to not overestimate my strength and blowup right at the beginning.

The sun was out and the day was shaping up to be perfect weather wise.  At the Camp Perlstein turnoff a massive pile of snow remained.  That was our first real glimpse of the white stuff, but their was evidence the temps had been getting warmer with run off flowing here and there and a wet section of road still needing to be negotiated.

First stream crossing just before singletrack:

Start of the single:

Micki getting wet:

The trail was in great condition and less steep than memory had been telling me to prepare for.  I was riding my XXIX SS and was trying to get a feel for what I'd be in for on the 50mile loop I had decided to race. It only took a few more corners before we crossed a small section of the rapidly melting white stuff.

Snow-be-gone:

The trail climbs progressively for a while but felt far more maintained overall.  Less rocky... more flow.  At the saddle we cruised down to Copper Basin and made a decision on which route to take next.  Being that Micki was feeling less than prime on this day due to allergies, we chose to head up Copper Basin road to the Sierra Prieta overlook... the same place where Micki and Brooke originally met Nathan from Overland Journal. 

Up and up and up we went winding through the trees on either side.  Was nice to smell the pines again and see the different shades of green Prescott has to offer.  We actually saw about 5 mountain bikers rolling down the other direction before we made the summit.  Very strange to see anyone on knobby tires around Thumb Butte... especially on a weekday.  The area is usually very empty.  The Whiskey seems to be getting a stronger following every year.

Poser at the top:

I took a quick roll up the singletrack that leaves the overlook just to test out my gear ratio.  While not a problem on this day, my best guess is that I'd have close to 35 miles under my wheels next time and the degree of difficulty would rise with the degradation of my legs.  We then rolled down the dirt road until the Alien Hand turnoff which leads to Trail 51 as well as other options.

We got back to trail "3 something something" (the one with all the switchbacks) and made our way back down towards Thumb Butte parking area.  Met another fellow 29'r rigid SS'r making his way up and it was like we'd known each other for years.  I am not really sure what came over my usually quiet and reserved self, but even Micki assumed we were brothers separated at birth by the time we rolled on.  

Weird... sure hope this 29'r doesn't make me too friendly. I have a reputation to uphold after all.

Splish splashing at the bottom:

The trail next to the road has suffered some abuse from heavy runoff and most of the stream crossings are jumbled and rough.  Even difficult at times making out where the trail picks up again on the other side.  Will be interesting to see if the Whiskey organizers opt for road or trail for this portion of the race course. Once our rubber met asphalt again, we just let gravity take over back to town.  Saw another heard of cyclists heading up before we made a right at Park to reconnect with Copper Basin road.  After a somewhat quick meal, we met up with Andooke for ride two of the day... the Peevine Dells trail.

We parked just across from the Human Society and unloaded our second set of bikes.  Micki was going to rock her Pivot Firebird and I got back on my AM hardtail.  Was a very strange transition from the rigid 29'r to this beast.  The usually confident feeling I get from this bike was replaced by a foreign sloppy quickness that was going to take me a while to adapt to.

Once on the trail, the tech starts almost right away with upturned sections of granite and singletrack winding between or over it all.  Switchbacks and ledges abound as each pedal stroke becomes critical to success.  Timing and flow starts to blend as each obstacle grants you glorious success or a biting defeat. Andy was the first to have his ass hit the ground with a upturned reversion caused by awkward boulders.  Not a good sign, and I was pretty sure I wouldn't be lucky enough to get off this trail on this day unscathed either.

Power to the pedal:

Micki crushing it:

After that was this little gnarly turn giving more than enough challenge.  I just couldn't get around it, but Micki snapped some interesting pics none the less. The next two photos were snapped on two separate runs, yet my body position, pedal stroke and angle of turn are almost identical.  The only problem is that both attempts are not be be mimicked in anyway... as they both ended in failure.

Switchback attempt number one:

Switchback attempt number two:

Then Andy came along and cleaned it on his second try.  

Whatever bro:

The trail continues on it's abrupt up and down way.  Some sections flow really well, others are jagged and unbalanced.  All giving a different level of challenge and leaving enough to be perfected upon one's return visit. It's a well built trail with rocks stacked around corners and logs used to fill in the most abrupt granite ravines.  The white dots marking the way are very similar to the ones that can be found in Moab and Gooseberry Mesa.

Brooke crossing the final bridge:

Micki crossing back:

The opposite direction has slightly more down than up overall.  Hardest part is to not overshoot the corners, as some are not obvious and speeds are higher.  I decided to scout around a bit with one of the obstacles and see if another option might exist to clean it.  I found an obscure line off to the far right.  Consisting almost entirely of granite, I knew traction wouldn't be the problem.  My only real concern was the exposure to my right when I'd have to be negotiating a fair sized step up.

Brooke evaluates my line:

I gave it a shot maybe 3 or 4 times with one attempt getting fairly close to success.  The on try number 5 I got aggressive and sloppy... which is always a dreadful combination. At the crux of the step my pedal stroke was off and no power was to be found.  The stall resulted in a loss of balance which of course had me leaning to the right.  Seeing there was no place but down, I ended up in the bushes looking quite undignified.

Softish landing:

Little video of my best attempt:

Peevine Dells from Elvota on Vimeo.

I received no damage besides a few scrapes and cuts on my legs.  I had forgotten the "turtle technique" evidently perfected by Andy (according to Brooke) and I guess it was just sheer dumb luck that prevented me from receiving more serious damage.  It's good to fall over every once in a while I suppose. I still had several more attempts in me after the "incident", but never made it all the way. We did get to witness the innovative "Straight 5" developed by Brooke and Andy however, but I am doubtful it will catch on between strangers without severe repercussions.

From here the ride was fairly uneventful.  Things were rolling smoothly as the sun got closer and closer to tucking in behind the horizon.  Shadows got a little longer and the holes started to look just a tad deeper.  The final major obstacle is a serious climb with some ledges and a severe switchback.  Andy made a great attempt with one of the most acrobatic saves ever caught on film.

Looking good:

Still going:

Artful disaster avoidance:

Micki being less dramatic:

Was a quick roll back from there.  The trail exits back on to the mellow grade of the Peevine and despite the wind it took minimal effort to reach the vehicles.  Bikes loaded, Brooke's tummy spoke up with a loud and salty voice requesting Mexican food ASAP. She can really throw it down like a sailor when her hunger pangs set in. Rather amusing to hear words with more weight than she has come pouring out of her mouth.  We had a good meal with lots of laughter.  Another great end to a day of riding in Prescott.

To get a better idea of what Dells riding is all about... check out the ride profiles below.  The first Thumb Butte ride has progressive slopes throughout, while the Dells just looks like a series of impossible steps. 

Hopefully Micki's singlespeed will be built next week so we can head back up for a more thorough pre-ride of the course.   

The Stats:

Ride Number One

Riders: Micki and Elvota

Distance: 18 miles

Elevation: 1940 feet climbing

Ride time: around 2.5 hours

Ride Number Two

Riders: Micki, Brooke, Andy and Elvota

Distance: 6.5 miles

Elevation: 150 feet climbing

Ride time: around 2.5 hours