A PR at Luton?

 This weekend I had intentions of riding the Dragon trail at Hardy Dam. Everything went according to plan....and then Mother Nature changed them. But, let me go back to Saturday first!

I was invited to a party in Cedar Springs on Saturday afternoon. I decided to head up a bit early and to get some riding in before I headed over. I started north and was trying to decide where to ride. Yankee....Luton...Merrill...Cannonsburg...these were my choices. 

My next race is actually Lord of the Springs and is a mix of gravel and Yankee single track. I will need to get some rides in out there to get my head around that damn trail again....but this wasn't going to be the day. I passed the exit to Hastings and proceeded north to 10 mile road. I pondered which direction Merrill was running and just ended up heading to Luton. 

When I got there the lot had a few cars around. It was pretty humid and I was already feeling it in my breathing, so I took a hit off the inhaler. I geared up and headed down the trail. If you have never ridden at Luton then you might not know that the first part is like a freaking highway. It is pretty quick with a few roots. But it is WIDE. It is funny how much traffic this trail sees and you can tell. Hard pack highway for the first half mile. 

Then it breaks out into a gravel connector to Yellow. The fun beings. Some rooty drops and some interesting turns and you dump back onto the center blue loop. I crested a hill and saw a dude running. He was wearing sweat pants and a sweat shirt. Not a small dude either. Big and strong. Nuts for running in that heat dressed like that...but I am sure he had his reasons. I crested the hill before the orange loop and could see the memorial for Neil Scharphorn Sr. on the bench. Such an awesome gesture for a cool guy.

I continuted onto orange and it was going by pretty quick. I was feeling comfortable and riding my pace was decent. I pressed on and made the turn onto the black loop. This section just has cool flow to it. Then you fly into the signature pine section and it is by far my favorite part. This is where the trail actually crosses. I was watching and there was a guy coming down the hill...so I started to slow. He saw me and panicked...almost losing it before stopping and letting me pass. I was sure to keep an eye on the trail when I reached the intersection...and it was fine. 

Next up is red loop. You get welcomed with a climb right out of the gate. Gotta pay the price for the fun ahead I suppose. I made the climb and settled back into my pace for all the whoops and fun sections. I was actually standing and pedaling up the hills and feeling some power for a change. I bombed thru the red and eventually spit back out onto blue for taking the last section of green. This section isn't usually very much fun for me because I am wiped out by then. But this ride I held some pace and then crushed the last little climb before the trail widens back out indicating the last section of trail.

I finished and rode back to the car. Refilled water bottle and headed out again. Second lap was pretty uneventful. Just a comfortable lap again. Overall, pretty amazing day to be on the bike and the trail was in great shape. Such a fun trail and I was happy I did two laps. I finished up and headed to the party for some food and relaxation.

Upon checking my Strava I was shocked to see that I set a PR on the Luton All loops. I knew I felt pretty good, but at my current mass I just don't picture setting a PR on a trail that I have ridden a lot. But, I will gladly take it. I was feeling good and I rode a solid pace. I am noticing that my average heart rate is climbing the healthier I get. I am able to push it higher and keep it higher longer...so my cardio is doing good!

I was going to ride the Dragon today...but huge thunderstorms with massive rainfall kept me up all night. And then I saw a post on their page asking people to stay off the trail. Not too surprised, however disappointed I didn't get to ride there. I will get there soon enough. 

Trails at Andrews University

 Seemingly in the middle of nowhere is a small school by the name of Andrews University. Just off US31 in Berrien Springs is what I will refer to as my nemesis. I used to look at Yankee Springs this way, but since I have started working closer to the border this little gem has become my main course.

That being said....I have only ridden there twice since I started my new job. The last time I rode here was about 5 years ago and my buddy Kevin took a hard digger...breaking his collar bone and nine ribs. I did head there a few weeks ago...and it was actually worse than I remember....and that is what prompted this post.

I went there last night and skipped the group ride. The main reason I skipped the group is because I know I am super slow out there. I left work and made the short trip over. There was only 2 cars in the parking lot. I geared up and headed out.

Within the first 50 yards you know this trail is different. It twists uphill a bit with a bundle of roots. Then there is a short right hander with a very big root and a drop. I feel like you get thrown right to the wolves. And the warm up is pretty much zero. My heart rate was already sky high...and I was less than half a mile in. 

This trail...in a nutshell....is a power climber course. You have to be a climber. But you have to be a good technical climber with lots of power too. These are not hard climbs...not steep....not crazy long. But they offer a combination of tough climbs made tougher by the relentless amount of roots. There are multiple lines to choose from but none are super easy. They all offer their own interesting options.

On this ride, I had to get off and walk. I had already planned on it. But instead of feeling defeated by my lack of climbing prowess....I took the time to investigate the lines. Trying to make notes for my next rides. My ride was not a victory lap. It was a learning curve. I know after riding here that this trail will only make me a stronger rider. It is not a beginner trail at all. It throws hard punches. Then a few jabs...then some more punches. But it is always right in your face.....showing you who the boss is. 

I will be back. I will be a little faster. I will make a few more climbs. I will learn the trail. I will be a stronger rider...