Egg McChuckins this morning and decamp for the last time. An out and back ride on the cards with a challenge thrown in for me. We had just 3 hours to ride out and back- go as far as you want but the furthest is Timp point 9 miles away. Well I wasn't going to leave any inch of the Rainbow Rim Trail unridden so today I can't wait for anyone – and everyone understood that.
I raced out at full speed and never looked back- determined to reach Timp point. The singletrack was amazing, so fast and narrow mainly rolling through woods and occasionally touching the rim and throwing those views that you must not look at for fear of going over the edge “watch the trail Claire”. I stopped briefly at North Timp point (6 mile point in 40 mins) for a photo then sprinted on.
I stopped again to take a photo of the North Kaibab Squirrel I saw, with it's white bushy tail and very long pointed ears (apparently evolved differently from the Albert squirrel on the south rim due to their separation by a Grand Canyon event a long time ago).
Back on the pedals and soon I was at Timp point- yeehaa I'd made it and only 1 hr and 5 mins- wow! I took in the view and waited for Andy and Julian. Eventually I bumped into Andy but Julian could not be found although he'd arrived before Andy- so we shouted and searched but decided we had to have an A-team photo without our eldest member as he must have headed back and so should we.
At North Timp point we met Chuck checking us all back but he head not seen Julian either. We carried on and Chuck went out to find him. As we sprinted to try and catch Team B we found Don forlornly sitting on a log with a locust bush puncture and no pump. So we quickly patched his tube and pumped him up then sprinted off again.
The last rocky climb was a killer and I had to walk a section- my lungs and legs burning. Finally Andy and I sprinted round a corner full pelt into team B standing on the trail. We just stopped in time and we all rode back into camp together.
Challenges achieved, a great workout and some sweet sweet singletrack riding. Ahhhh!
Now the horrid 3hr truck ride back to St.George, stiffening our legs and sorrowing us that it's all over!
T-shirts distributed, emails swapped, hugs goodbye and an Edward Abbey poem recited by Chuck that I really must get- great sentiments indeed.
In a motel for the night I had the worst night sleep I've had yet- perhaps I miss my tent, but I did manage to do all my laundry, repack bags and recharge batteries. Plus I had the first shower I've had for 5 days! Wow that bath tub looked grubby after I left! Here's what I look like clean- I'm sure none of the guests would recognise me without a cap or helmet covering greasy hair!
1 comment:
Claire: Your blog is a fantastic account of our North Rim ride. I'll have much more vivid and longer-lasting memories than in its absence.
It was such fun to tail along with you and Andy.
After reading your other posts, I'm doubtful that I'll be up to some of the other rides you take, but if you are ever looking for another cruisy few days with less exposure than some of your other rides, just let me know.
Thanks!
Julien
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