So there we are, just the cozy, intimate ten of us - GI Jane, Joe Dirt, Buda,
TT, Rookie, Rookette, S+B, Lawn Boy, Big Steve, Rick Shaw and WM? If I have
it wrong please straighten me out. So after much discussion about the MIA PM
we are off at 6:15, late as usual. Note that S+B is on the borrowed FSR.

Up ludicrous singletrack climb from road, S+B comig to terms with Grip Shift
forces him off early. The rest of us have no excuse and try to make the
climb. Joe Dirt and the Rookie are at the front. The Rookie comes up short
with Joe Dirt almost getting it. Air Jane and TT make it clean while seeing
double. Assume the rest of the group clusters into each other and push up.

On up from the first climb the trail rolls and climbs. Air Jane pointing out
good launch rocks for the DH back to the car. TT just laughing at him. Over
large diameter log across trail with all giving it ago I think. Various
sounds of success and failure fill the air. Continue on up the trail towards
Newgate overlook pushing the pace to high pain level that everyone enjoys.
Reach the buena vista and regroup. Everyone seems pleased with vertical
start of the ride. TT on flat pedals is unreal on the way up. Much respect.

Now riding along the ridge edge. Going too far left means you are on the big
wheelie drop of life. Three good techie spots. GI Jane shows the way to go
to all who care to see but most think he is crazy. The Rookie is now in the
heart of what are the "good spots" but the painful pace has perhaps taken a
toll. The trail seems to continue on forever. Climbing short steep climbs
followed by rolling descents punctuated by rocky outcrops. We go down into
the hole and push/ride/curse our way up the hike a bike from hell. All calf
muscles scream in protest. Back on the bikes to more semi techy exposed fun.
Nice 3' drop in trail with Joe Dirt styling off of it, Buda gives it a try,
says he makes it but not quite the way he had planned. Continue on the
rolling technical tail to the next buena vista. Regroup and asess options.
Jane suggests finish the trail to the paved road in Suffield and take road
back to cars. Most on ride think he is an idiot and we all "deciede" to turn
around and ride the trail back the way we came.

Now we come to the Hike a bike as a DH. Man it is steep and long, finishing
in a pointy rock garden at the bottom. All through safely. Trail rolls on
somemore but now takes a noticable turn upward. Not horrible but long and
technical just when you can't see straight anymore. All give it hell and
continue on. Buda almost makes a tough one but gets bike stuck against
upended dead tree. Gets off but tree has a good grip on bike. After some
thought bike is free. Some more uphill suffering and it starts to get fun
again. Logs and rocks make for a fun time. Some good exposed slick rock on
the way back.

More discussion leads to the revelation that Buda's fork has never had air
pressure checked and is way low. Buda riding on bottom out bumper. If we
get some air in there Buda could be dangerous on the bike. Buda says he will
get some air(pressure).

Almost to the Newgate overlook. Regroup and take altenate way around to skip
hike abike down - can be ridden but it is getting late, and numerous other
excuses. Take alternate - red dots? back to Blue trail. Now it is all down
hill to the car. And kinda dark - oh well. GI Jane takes the point and
tries to show all the way to go. Much jockeying for posistion goes on
behind. The Rookie takes up P2. Jane keeps pace high so Rookie can't get
too close and steal his mojo. Re-group and TT has a flat/fast leak. Opts to
pump it up with worlds smallest mini pump. This gives Joe Dirt time to
session the drop rock from the way up. TT is ready so we are off. More
rocks, big logs, some sweet turns and sharp rock gardens and we are at the
top of the ludicrous climb from the start of the ride. But now it is a DH
full of options. Everyone picks their happy line and all make it safely to
the car. Hooray!!

Rating?? This Old Skool trail dishes out the pain and fun with no appologies
to anyone. Much suffering has gone down on this section of the Comet and
last night was no exception. When it hurts or looks too tough to ride think
back to the early days when it was ridden on rigid bikes while hikers spit on
you. For all you "free riders" there are no built stunts, log rides and
teeter totters. What there are is natural obstacles just as they are. No
ramps to help you up or off. The trail proper has more challenging sections
than you can count. And if you fail there are nice sharp pointy rocks
waiting to catch you.

PM has some crazy rating system I still can't figure out, thankfully. That
dude is whacked out. Here is what I do know. Ten people went up that trail
boys and 1 girl. They all came back men, even the Rookette.