I tried Ride Reports, but it is too stuffy.

I rode the Crater Rim Trail: Trailforks, Bend Trails

Relive ‘Newberry Caldera Loop’

I am a bit stiff tonight, a day after the ride.

When you link sections together, and anticipate hills, the trail becomes so much more than the section you are on, it is hard to explain to me what others already get, that “flow” is so much smoother, a greater experience, more fun and worth working at. And it requires work.

I found in the attack position I always lead with the same foot and so I am beginning to practice with the other foot. Should be a hoot while this takes place.

I think rides that are “FIRSTS” should be celebrated but this part I simply don’t know how to do. So I will sit on my back porch and recount trail sections to myself. Would make a great trip report, but then, I probably have spent too long on this in any event. The silly trail mistake, followed by the monstrous ego shortcut, and the steep drop to start just makes it a ride. The gravel scree, downhills, uphills, the flow, switchbacks and endless obstacles and “features” manmade, bike made, nature made, or simply boom were pretty cool. The bike turns on a dime and climbs anything, goes down easily and it and I do struggle in really loose dusty soil with slippage, could be air pressure but I am too new to know.

What I do know. The bike on my car is not for show anymore, it is getting out there, and getting it done! Every bit of an adventure. I know there are more coming, but this one, all alone, was pretty damn cool. So it is appropriate that it is celebrated all alone, or at least OK.

Oh, that last three miles was pounding hard! Glad I went the route direction. I had no idea one could jump so many times.

Proud of myself for going and completing this ride!