VEGAS BOB'S BIRTHDAY RIDE

Can San Juan Trail be more fun? I doubt it. In the fifteen years or so I have been riding that trtail, it has yet to bore me, or make me get off and walk something. Thank GOD we did it yesterday for Vegas Bob's (formerly Hot-Dog Bob) birthday. It was cool, sunny, and perfect for a shuttle run with teammate Betsy, hubby Tim, Steeps Shawn, and Willey family friend Steve.
After the normal rock-laden start, we dropped in towards Chiquito Falls Cut-Off, and sped out to the fast and rolly stuff. Everyone who had never done this type of riding, was brutally awakened to the reality of having to step up their game..or die trying.
Tim was aboard an '06 Stumpy rental bike....very nice, and very forgiving. Betsy and I had the hardtails, representing old-school style. After passing (again) two fella's on five thousand dollar fully Santa Cruz's, we realized that THIS time one of them had taken a turn for the worst. After smashing into a rock, he flipped over, bashed open his knee, and was proceeding to beat his wheel out on a rock to attempt to straighten it out. Ouch. At this point, our mostly newbie group was all smiles, having dealt with their fear of eating shit about three hundred times, and handling this new found confidence well. They were running that unforeseen gauntlet, and winning!
At the half way point, we had more fast and fun stuff than slow and rocky, so the attitude brightened. We rolled across the meadow, launching off the rollers, and dropped into the upper switchbacks. The rain really worked these turns, and careless riders were taking great pains to DRAG THEIR BRAKES around each corner, gouging out huge, deep ruts through them. After about six or seven near death experiences from loose sand and rut-riding, we hit the last section of turns, and descended to the cool canyon bottom.
We cleaned up, and re-grouped with Vegas' O.C. squeeze at a Brewery. Beer...mmmmmmmm

Happy Birthday, Vegas Bob, and thanks for the great ride!

Cap'n Chris