After a long hiatus, since November, I got to ride the Tussey Mountain Ridge trail and the extension this week. I forgot how much I love those trails. I’ve been riding the Cyclops trainer and road bike a lot since the first of the year, but had yet to get a chance to break out my Gunnar. I heard from others the ridge trail was dry and in good shape, so I decided to go Wednesday.

The camp road, Galbraith Gap road, was still covered in snow and ice in places. There was no way to keep dry, I was glad I had warm clothing on. I worried the trail from the end of the road up to the gas line would be in a similar state and promised to turn back if it was so. Thankfully it was in very nice shape. The trail was dry and the only noticeable differences were a few more downed trees. When I got to the main ridge trail I found it in the same state. On Wednesday I got to ride it just once before the sun began to disappear. Leaving work early on Thursday provided me with ample time to ride down to Kettle and back to the gas line. I am not sure if it was the un-familiarity, the enthusiasm at being there again or the changes I’ve made to the bike this winter (new rings, chain, cassette, cables, stem, pedals, tires, tire pressure and fork pressure) but it seemed much easier for me to keep up speed and control. I did get to scare myself a few times, regardless I loved it going faster and clearing more obstacles than I ever remember doing before.

After making it back to the gas line on Thursday, I decided to ride the extension. Often I fear riding the extension by myself. It seems too isolated and at points tough enough that in my paranoid mind I envision falling, breaking my leg or the like and being out there all night until Pepper comes along and wakes me up by chewing on my frozen fingers. I do not follow this thinking consistently, often riding trails almost no one rides or hikes, like Box Springs or Deaf Run without any worries. It was very much worth ignoring my fears.

A few more trees are down over the trail on the top section but just one over the lower section. The Tussey Trail extension is the best trail out there for me when I am in decent condition. When I am weak tired and/or sick I find it too much. I roared through it all, feeling very confident until the last rock garden proved I had become a bit too cocky. I went into the last garden with lots of speed, messed up my path bad, real bad, and took a nice fall onto the rocks. I received a few bruises on my arms and butt and took a little paint of the Gunnar but am no worse off.

I wish I could have had the chance to fall out there again today.