June 21 Weekend Rides

[Norse]

A few weeks ago on the MS-150 ride I was chilled to the bone on day 2 riding in the cold, drenching rain. Now? Suddenly it's hot and humid with one violent storm after another. We've been without power since Friday. I got out yesterday for a total of about 27 miles, but my intended route was thwarted due to too many downed trees and limbs. This photo is typical of how things look around here:

[Irulan]

Two rides. I went out on a shop ride Friday night hoping to meet some new gals. Me and 8 guys sigh. The shop guys made sure it was a no drop and everyone was friendly enough. We rode some trails out at the state park that I hadn't been on in a long time. I turned down the invite for pizza and beer afterwards - just not comfortable with that even tho I know three of the guys from elsewhere.
Sunday I went out on the technical XC trails with a girlfriend. I made a point of going back to redo anything I coudn't ride clean - didn't clean all of it but I did work on it. One thing I'm giving myself this year is making myself go back and try things if I'm not making them the first time. I'm rebuilding my confidence and if that is what it takes, that's what it takes. A couple of minutes more on a ride isn't going to be a big deal. My friend cut the ride short as she had to be back but that's OK. I did have some weekend successes. Jumped off a little rock and landed it correctly and rolled a bunch of slick rock drops that I've been eyeing. I also rerode some thing that required technical "up" moves, Yay.

[rebeccaC]

Good rides in an area I've come to really like. Posted some photos in the summer adventures thread. A road going through winery country, cattle and horse ranches and some crop fields was a nice beginning. One ranch had a lot of deer in it's fields (probably 40+) which seemed strange especially since it didn't look like they were even fenced in. Some long climbs on another road but gradual rather than out of the saddle desperate, some great views from the top and a good descent. A mistake was riding a state hwy that had a few sections with no shoulder. I've ridden in the area a few times now and plan on doing a double century in the fall in parts of it. I stayed the night in Santa Maria and the power to the entire city went out around 9 PM. Don't know what that was about but it made for a good nights sleep for the ride back to Los Olivos the next day. Sides Hardware and Shoes Restaurant in Los Olivos for a great Burrata and Scarlet Quinoa for dinner when I got back.....and cinnamon and golden raisin Beignets that started my ride!!!