Jetstreaming Through The Snow! Gorgeous day on the trails in Grand Junction, Colorado

[FoldsInHalf]

Yesterday turned out unexpectedly sunny and warm (almost 30F) here in the 'Junkyard, so of course I had to get out and enjoy a little bike ride. From past experience, I knew there was a paved bikepath down there somewhere:


About 4 miles of bikepath and highway brought me to the Tabeguache trailhead, which is the main gateway to the network of world-class mountain biking trails just outside town. I've been enjoying these trails (and others in nearby Fruita) in the dry for the last month, but this would be my first time to tackle the so-called "Lunch Loops" in the snow:


I took the Tabeguache doubletrack to the first singletrack junction, Eagle's Tail, which soon joined with Pet-E-Kes. I was laying down "first tracks" by a bike, although there were plenty of footprints left by hikers who had (hopefully) found the right trail beneath the snow:


Pet-E-Kes is a marvelous, foot-wide ribbon of lightly-technical singletrack bench cut into the red rock, and is a favorite "climbing trail" here. Below, it appears as a thin white strip, climbing up from right to left before switching back to the fine vista spot shown:


In the dry, I climb this trail on the mighty little Dahon Jetstream XP with only a handful of places where I get stuck on some technical outcropping or otherwise flame out. In the snow however, Pet-E-Kes became a serious challenge on 20s, and I walked numerous stretches where I either couldn't find the traction to climb, or just didn't feel like risking a slip and taking a tumble down the mountain. FWIW, I made it maybe 50 feet beyond the photo op below before spinning out and taking a little walk:


The bike's tires looked to me, just like a frosted Christmas tree, as it posed with the Colorado National Monument canyons beyond:


With snow packed in between the knobs, traction was, well, not excessive, and I was doing almost as much walking as riding during the climb so I cut over to the Tabeguache at the midway crossover point and headed down. The descent was definitely more exciting than my top speed of maybe 10 mph would normally correspond to. Keeping it between the rocks and off any side-sloping ruts were the biggest challenges. Had a couple of emergency bailouts when the bike would jump suddenly sideways on me, but I generally just slipped and slid my way back down, sporting a big grin.


So that wrapped up one of the shortest (about 3 miles) but most interesting and scenic trail rides I've had in a while (and I've had some doozies...will try to get caught up and report on those soon!). I retraced the pavement back to the motorhome and treated the bike to a bath in warm water. It's now standing by, ready for our next adventure. Hope y'all enjoyed the recap and are having some fun out there this winter too.

[sean salach]

cool looking trail. i thought maybe you were riding a burro bike when i first openned the thread. if you'll be doing alot of snow riding, and no too much road riding on those tires, might want to consider cutting some of the knobs out.

[Mtn. Biker123]

I have been following your posts. You definitely have passion! Keep it up. I hope to get out to lunch loops next year, but there is enough here in Abq to keep us busy 'til the snow receeds.

[screampint]

Nice job with the mini wheels. I believe I saw you a couple weeks ago as i was heading out to do Rustler's and Horsethief. I pulled into the parking lot and I think you were getting ready to ride as well.

[ScottW]

Looks like your bike suffered some shrinkage from the cold. We all know how that feels.

[HandyMan]

Even though I love that I never have to deal with snow... you manage to make me think it could actually be fun. I just have to keep reminding myself how cold it is

[FoldsInHalf]

Originally Posted by sean salach

cool looking trail. i thought maybe you were riding a burro bike when i first openned the thread. if you'll be doing alot of snow riding, and no too much road riding on those tires, might want to consider cutting some of the knobs out.

Yeah, I've seen those Burros on the internet, but never in person. With those 3" wide tires they strike me as sort-of mini Pugsleys. Would definitely be a hoot in the snow!

Originally Posted by Mtn. Biker123

I have been following your posts. You definitely have passion! Keep it up. I hope to get out to lunch loops next year, but there is enough here in Abq to keep us busy 'til the snow receeds.

We stopped off to sample a bit of ABQ last June on our way from CA to CO. Rode about 16 miles of Cedro Peak and 6 worth of Foothills trails one afternoon on my old bike. The cacti were blooming which was cool, and Cedro struck me as surprisingly similar to Austin, with all the cedar trees and rock ledges. Good stuff. Hope to make it back through there sometime and sample some more.

Originally Posted by screampint

Nice job with the mini wheels. I believe I saw you a couple weeks ago as i was heading out to do Rustler's and Horsethief. I pulled into the parking lot and I think you were getting ready to ride as well.

Yep, it seems highly likely that would be me. I'm pretty sure that was the day I started off with an east to west passage on Moore Fun. I was feeling pretty pleased to have survived Moore Fun relatively unscathed, only to promptly crash at the cattleguard afterwards. I was very lucky to not break my damn leg when my foot went right down through the bars. Important safety tip: NEVER GET LAZY AND TRY TO CROSS A CATTLEGUARD AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. (duh!) After I recovered from the shock and immense stupidity of that, I wiped off the blood and finished out my planned big loop of Moore to Lions to Mack to Steve's to Mary's to Wrangler. Great ride, that one!

Originally Posted by ScottW

Looks like your bike suffered some shrinkage from the cold. We all know how that feels.

Ay, perfecto!

Originally Posted by HandyMan

Even though I love that I never have to deal with snow... you manage to make me think it could actually be fun. I just have to keep reminding myself how cold it is

It is definitely fun in small doses. I sure wouldn't mind being able to go crank out that 42 mile loop at Santos later this week though. We're supposed to get about a foot of the fluffy stuff here tonight, so I guess it's time to break out the skis for a while...

[jake7]

Great post and pics - as always.
I met you briefly on a Green Mtn night ride this fall and love reading your post - filled w/ envy. Thanks for the passion and keep 'em coming.

[jake7]

Originally Posted by ScottW

Looks like your bike suffered some shrinkage from the cold. We all know how that feels.

Well played, sir, well played

[hankthespacecowboy]

Wow - now I feel like a super slacker for not getting out and riding