May 3, 2009 – Mill Valley, CA - I’ve been meaning to write this everyday for the last two weeks. And what a difference two weeks make. The weekend before last, I was in Monterey, CA for the Sea Otter Classic and it was hot, really hot, and dry. Now, at the center of the universe in Mill Valley, CA, I’m watching the rain come down in sheets, no end in sight. Susan and I came out here for the Ales and Trails fund raiser that took place yesterday at the nearby China Camp trail system. Ergon is a huge supporter of trail advocacy and supporting IMBA California here was a no brainer. So many trails, so many trail users, so many mountain bikers and so many issues. Trail advocacy in the Golden State is about as complex as it gets.
Even with less than ideal weather conditions - it was wet and if it wasn’t a steady rain it was a consistent mist – a hearty contingent of slicker clad mountain bikers turned out for some wet but top-shelf riding, a fantastic catered lunch, cold ones from an array of local breweries and lots of great camaraderie on the trail as well as around the venue area while loads of kids tried their skills on safe but challenging stunts set up by organizers. A Shimano Kids Race right through the lunch area was a huge hit, as well. While the turnout was dampened somewhat by the soggy conditions, the event was still a success and the trails at China Camp ride fine in the wet conditions and were no more worse for wear at day’s end.
After Ales and Trails, Susan and I headed for Fairfax, a legendary place in the history of mountain biking and the place she called home for a few years in the early 90s’. Classic road riding, trail riding at Tamrancho and primarily fireroad riding on Mt. Tam were all staples of winter training missions when I would spend some time out here way back when. We parked downtown and climbed up past the San Geronimo golf course on the Fairfax/Bolinas Road. This is a lonely, classic ribbon of pavement that connects Fairfax with the sleepy, seaside community of Bolinas on Highway 1. We ride in the chilly rain to the intersection with Ridgecrest and then turned out rigs back toward Fairfax and Siam Lotus #4, one of our all-time favorite Thai restaurants. It did not disappoint.
My training for the past week has been inconsistent and lacking for quality but I’m heading out into the rain here in the next hour or two to try to pad my hours somewhat on this, for many, the day of rest, but for others of us, just another day of getting after it.
