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.
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