The Edge - The loop, not the guitarist

This morning I decided to ride the Edge Loop, a 30-35 mile loop around the boockcliffs with 3800 feet of climbing (according to IMBA). Like all good decisions it was made on the spur of the moment after drinking a little too much coffee before class. I packed a full pack with food and water and semi-tolerable energy goo and was off.

Excuse #1 My legs were really tired. I made the mistake of going to the gym yesterday, always dumb, and Time says it makes you fat too, and my legs were a bit tired. No Problem! Ill just spin it out and be fine.

Excuse #2 I looked at my trail map after I was about 30 minutes into the ride and saw the little note that says "2100 feet of climbing or descending from here". I was climbing that way.

So Im going the wrong way, as usual, but no worries. I was slightly prepared and had read up on the trail and knew there was a dried up 30 foot waterfall you had to portage. No problem though, there are ropes and its probably pretty easy anyway.

Excuse #3 The waterfall is, in fact, steep and its really hard to get a foothold on slickrock in mountain bike shoes. And if you didnt read before, I was going the wrong way so I was going up the waterfall and not down. Gravity you are a cruel mistress!!!!!!!

Check out that sweet rope, safety first......sometimes.

After lugging myself up the first little pitch, and then dragging the Spooky up with a rope with one hand while holding on for dear life with the other, I was almost there. JK! I left my alpine climbing skillz at home today and after finally making it to the top, I realized there was no way the bike was going to make it up with me. Since walking the next 25 miles didnt seem to appealing, I decided to head back from whence I came and skidded and flopped my way back down to the bike. Then I repeated the process of getting the bike up, just in reverse. Turns out this is harder than it should be.

Hearing the sound of your bike smacking into rocks is rather unpleasant it turns out. it was even worse for my Singletrack Solution bar-end, may it rest in peace (probably not good for the carbon handlebar the bar end was on either...). At least the ride back home was mostly downhill, and even more importantly, no one saw my 15 minutes of shame and ineptitude. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you a 30 foot vertical portage of rock in bike shoes, make for the car. Life lesson right there.