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It seems like all of my free time is being eaten up by renovating that long neglected shed in the backyard. It has been an adventure, but one I didn't want to memorialized in writing until it was finished. So stay tuned, and (assuming I survive to witness the completion) I'll regale you with that tantalizing tale at some future date. This past weekend (29-31 Oct 2010) Dave Elliott visited. Dave just purchased an electric bicycle (circa $1600) with an extra battery (circa $830), plus various taxes etc. His rational (which seems perfectly reasonable to me) was that it would allow him to do the things on a bike he used to be able do 15 years ago. He wants me to do the same, and then accompany him on a coast to coast bicycle adventure. That sounds very alluring, but for reason that I can't quite to articulate, it just doesn't seem "right." |
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The bicycle Dave acquired is really a lot of fun. It has the latest and greatest in electromotive technology, and the fully charged battery is reported to be able to assist a rider travel about 50 miles on a single charge. Two batteries would give a range of 100 miles, and that's not too bad for a fat, old man. It is exhilarating to be able to alleviate the huffing and puffing associated with slowly ascending a long, steep hill by simply turning the wrist. A person could easily become spoiled by a machine like that. In fact, the term, "addicted" comes to mind... The fragmentary literature and abbreviated website devoted to this machine suggested that Dave's bicycle was supposed to have a weight of 52 lbs. Our scale suggested it was closer to 60, but then bathroom scales are notorious for being less than accurate. The extra battery came in at about 12 lbs. Carrying that much weight is almost equivalent to riding two bicycles... |
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This machine has only one chain ring in front connected to the crank and pedals, while the freewheel (that I used to call the "cluster gear") in the rear has 6 gears. Six is an unusual number for a geared bicycle but (if the truth be known) I rarely use more than that. The problem is that the largest ratio is not as large as I would like it, and is the smallest ratio is not as small as I would like. Not that I'm hard to please or anything...(ask Barbara). |
| Saturday morning, Dave and I bicycled to San Manuel via the back road. On the return trip, the familiar topic of another, longer, bicycle ride generated some interest. This bicycle ride has been topic of numerous discussions that dates back several years. The Oracle Ridge Trail originates near the top of Mt. Lemon, and continues on down the back side. This wasn't the first time we had discussed such a venture and, on the spur of the moment, to give it a try. Because Dave was reluctant to drive the Geo, I took his electric bike and dashed home. Whizzing up those hills while pedaling at top speed was a unique experience. Just as I turned onto Quarter Street, the motor shut-off due to a Low battery. This battery had not been re-charged since it's original charge at the factory, so this wasn't really a fair test of its' capacity. It is well documented, however, that batteries and cyclists are similar, in that they both find long steep hills to be very taxing. I would have liked to have spent a few more hours playing with Dave's machine, so I could discuss maximum speed, range, etc. Maybe...I should just slip over to LA and purchase one... |
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At any rate, Dave and I decided make an attempt at bicycling down Mt. Lemon. We were fortunate to be able to enlist Barbara's aid, and she drove the car home from the Oracle Ridge trail head. Note from Barbara: Now is the time to go up the mountains. The leaves are changing colors and are quite beautiful. |
| There were a couple of ward members who had overheard discussions of this outing on an earlier occasion, and had indicated an interest in accompanying me, but due to the short lead time, I decided not to publicize the attempt. (That worked until one of them asked me [the next day at church] when we were going to take that trip). |
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At one time, my mind had some small proficiency for accumulating and storing information. I am aware that that facility has decreased with age, but I was pretty sure some vestigial, rudimentary ability still remained... But, apparently not... For some inexplicable reason, I just can't seem to grasp the concept that I am no longer 18. This a the view of the trailhead. Even the casual observer should immediately note two things: |
| None-the-less, we decided to make the try. Barbara drove away, and we began... |
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 We started just after 1:00 p.m.. Darkness begins it's rule pretty close to 6:00 p.m., giving us 5 hours of daylight. The total distance along the trail to my house is 12.5 miles. If we had averaged 2.5 mph or more (hard not to do on a bicycle), we would easily be home before sundown. At it turns out, the key phrase in that argument is, "...on a bicycle..." Steep uphill grade with over grown trail that obscured big rocks, medium rocks, sharp rocks, loose rocks, rock outcroppings, and rocks set in the ground to divert water flow all precluded implementation of this key phrase. Further, steep downhill grades (some greater than 25%) strewn with big rocks, medium rocks, sharp rocks, loose rocks, rock outcroppings, loose sand, loose gravel, washboard surfaces and rocks set in the ground to divert water flow again precluded implementation of this key phrase. |
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| We made it to Dan Saddle at about 3:30 p.m. and, although the map does not show it, there is an old mining road that leads down from there to the Mt. Lemon Highway. I considered taking that, but because we lacked a map, (I neglected to hunt one down in our haste to leave) and I could not find (on my camera) the photos Barbara took of the information posted at the trailhead, we continued on. On this profile, Dan Saddle lies in the valley at the 2.5 miles mark. To this point, the trail has descended about 1100 feet. It then proceeds to climb back up 600 or 700 feet. |
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I already looked kind of rough here, and this was at Dan Saddle. Egads... |
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The Oracle Ridge Trail is composed mostly of trail, but also incorporates some road. We reached the road portion just as the last of twilight faded into darkness--and that was not a moment too soon. The road surface varied from usable, to ridiculous, with much of it being very steep. Dave forgot his hat, and Barbara lent him one. At one time, he was a Green Beret, and I still think he looks the part. |
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We both had headlights, but mine was not adequate for identifying and dodging rocks while traveling at any reasonable speed. The bike always seemed to be verging on loss of control. Frequently I would miss a large rock with my front tire, only to impact it with my rear. This often moved the back of the bike sideways 4 to 6 inches, and necessitated heroic measures to stay upright. We rode what we could of this section, but after 3 falls, my caution level rose to that of an old woman (I suspect Dave wasn't too happy with that, but he refrained from commenting). Further, I began experiencing cramps in the muscles of my upper left leg. Spasms are always temporary and their duration is short (when measured using a geological time scale), but at the time they seem like an approximation of eternity. I trudged along wishing I had brought the Ca/Mg/Zn pills, and KCl that I keep in my red backpack... Then I realized I had it on my back and was using it to carry water. After that epiphany, cramps were less of a problem. |
| When we reached the point where the road and trail diverge, we had a "conversation" about the best way to proceed. I knew that the trail continued north, following the ridge, while the road turned east, dropped into a canyon, and eventually intersected the Mt. Lemon Highway. I just wasn't sure where. Dave consulted his GPS, and learned that we were at the top of Peppersauce Wash, but I still could not decide if that meant we would come out at Peppersauce Cave or Campground. Further, leaving the ridge would probably mean loss of cell phone reception. We had kept Barbara apprised of our situation, and planned to have her come and rescue us--just as soon at we could tell her where that meeting would occur... |
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We decided to drop down into the canyon, and after another eternity of roads too steep to ride, we reached the bottom and crossed the creek (which, fortunately, was dry). From there we were able to ride, and covered the remaining distance making relatively good time. Barbara rescued us at the Peppersauce Campground at about 9:30 p.m. Looking at the map, we traveled 7 miles to reach the top of Peppersauces Wash. If we had stayed on the trail, it would have required traversing another 5.5 miles to reach home, most of which would not have been "bicycle friendly." Further, we would have had to descend another 1600 or 1700 feet. I'm comfortable we made the right choice. |
| There are those who think this ride was intrinsically too dangerous, but I disagree. Starting late in the day was not the wisest thing to do, but even at the top of the mountain the temperature was not below freezing. Given that fact, we always had the alternative of simply building a fire and sitting out what would have been an admittedly uncomfortable night, pondering the foolishness old age. In retrospect, I'm amazed that we pulled this off, and derive enjoyment from savoring the memory. Still, I doubt this adventure will merit a repeat (at least until I forget how difficult it was and how much it hurt...). |
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