Thanksgiving come early.
The in-laws live in the sticks [literally a log cabin] and being the sticks it snowed. We had Thanksgiving dinner there Saturday, which was delightful. These fine folks are heading to Flo-Rida for Thanksgiving week. On the menu was Turkey, cranberry sauce and all the carb-packed deliciousness of the holiday season. I needed to prep somehow. They live very close to a system of snowmobile trails and I had the itch to ride the bikes. After some direction taking and deliberation, re-deliberation, coercion, and bribery, I set out. Temps were hovering above freezing and it was raining.
Overall shitty conditions
Usually I ride by myself, not by choice, no one wants to play with me. (Note: Generally it’s hard to find like minded people who can work within the limitations of my schedule) Here I am in my self-imposed fortress of solitude getting wet ass.
Wondering if I will get to see nature
It’s wet and slushy at the entrance of the trail system. The main trail starts by crossing a bridge, then there's a slight uphill turn which leads to a long flat section that is straight as rails. I’m told the main trail was once a railroad. I see red droplets in the snow, I'm no blood spatter expert but I'm thinking mortally wounded deer, could this be an omen? I look around see no deer but more importantly no hunter.
Graciously a snowmobile has groomed the path. I use the center track as it affords the least amount of slippage. While riding I notice a bunch of impassable off chute trails with fresh snow and decide against forging a new path. Great ride-- borderline work, borderline fun, borderline terror. So I’m riding along, both wheels slipping all over the place, mud holes every so often. Mud holes suck by the way, either your front-wheel gets slowed down to the point where you fall over or the rear-wheel gets stuck and you fall over. I try to bunny hop one of these mud holes and wipe out. Not a bad fall, could be worse, the snow is cold but soft, adrenalin is high. I get back on the bike and continue east. I think about what misfortune I could have been in if I had fallen harder.
A mile down the road I notice a tree-stand 10-yards off the trail, I wonder if it's hunting season, remember the blood spattering from earlier, also remember these people will shoot anything that moves. Do I look like a deer, I sure hope not but I have been doping with deer antler spray. Can people be allowed to hunt near these trails, signs say posted, no hunting, no trapping, I still feel uneasy. I’m 5-miles into the ride when I turn around. I will come back, maybe not this winter, but definitely in the summer. Riding bikes in the snow is fun and I want more. I just need the right tires so I’m looking at a set of Schwable Snow Studs. If I can convince the wifee, this winter will be filled with many cross-country ski trail adventures.
I usually make a turkey for Thanksgiving, so get your 5-gallon bucket and romance that bird.
Head over to Food Network for good eats.
Have a safe holiday.
~Three Bikes
