Steve's Mountain Bike Page
Turlock, California

Auburn, California
April 12, 2008

Today I joined a large group for Big Boulder's Auburn Spring Thing. The A group did something over 30 miles, the B group did 25 miles (up Clementine, out the Connector, around Forest Hill Divide Loop, back via the Connector, and down the Culvert and Confluence) and the C group did about 10 miles I believe. Nobody ever believes me when I say I'm slow, but the B group finally got the message and left Dick and I on the Connector. Despite feeling really frisky on his new carbon S-Works Stumpjumper, Dick stuck with me for the B- ride, B ride but slower. But he could have easily hung with the fastest riders today. With unseasonably warm temperatures in the mid 80's, quite early in the season, it felt quite warm, particularly in the open areas.

Most of the three groups happened to meet at the same time on the far side of FHDL. I thought my riding has been progressing fairly well, but I was disappointed to see everybody pass me like I was standing still. Everybody stopped at Driver's Flat for refreshments, but Dick and I headed out after a fairly brief stop. From what I saw the ride went fairly well, with no major mechanicals nor injuries. One fellow had some pretty severe cramps on the return and I think he went back down Clementine. Also, at the end of the Connector one rider appeared to be missing and his buddy went back looking for him. 

On the bright side, after a few months and several hundred dollars wasted, I have finally found some comfortable knee pads (RockGardn Shorty Knee Guards) that provide excellent protection, that I am not allergic to, nor cut my knees to shreds. You can see a bit of them in this photo of me taken by Dick.

Click on an image to enlarge it

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