A serious ride

It has been a while since I have went on a ride other than Cathedral Hills.  Today I ended up riding solo on probably what is one of my favorite rides.  I headed up Findley Road, wondering how much strength I have lost since my last charge up this hill.  It turned out that it wasn't too bad.  I worked pretty hard to get to the top of the ridge in 34 minutes.  If I would have headed back home at that point my legs would have been in pretty good shape.  I kept heading up to the top of the Eastern Findley Peak.  I started feeling it the last 1/2 mile or so.  It was easy to notice that I had lost some of the strength in my legs- I was getting fatigued.  Before I climbed over the tank trap I ate a Gu hoping for a charge to get me up the rest of the way.  There was still some snow at the top.

 This is looking back down the peak.  There was actually pretty good traction heading up.

There is a view up here but it is hard to see out with all the trees.  This area hasn't been logged for a while like the western peak.

This is looking down the trail, pretty fun section to follow.

On the way down to the Layton Ditch trail I took a picture of the beautiful day and the beautiful view.  Once I hit the Layton Ditch Mine trail, it was fairly easy to the point where it connects with Panther Gulch.

This is the sign at the trail head on the Panther Gulch Side.  Rather than heading down panther gulch road, you continue across the road and follow the ditch trail.  There is a sharp cutback down the hill that is a great downhill trail.  A very old road that has grown over.  There are a few sections you have to get off the bike and jump over logs.
I realized today that for some reason I hesitate to take pictures.  I guess I think that I am wimping out by taking a "break".  I really enjoy pushing myself to going as fast as I can up the hills.  Today I most definitely did that since I haven't been out on tough ride for a while.  I have had to dial back my speed on the downhills after I saw Dan's horrific crash.  It was just under 15 miles and just under 2 hours.  About 2000 vertical feet.  A great ride!