Awesome bike ride!

On Friday afternoon, I took advantage of a slower day and having arrived at 8 am, and left work at four. I planned ahead and had my bike and all of my gear in Strawberry, so I could leave right from work.

I headed out towards Meyers and Corral Trail yet again, but this time I was determined to ride the top part of Corral (I'd previously done Sidewinder from the trail head until it met up with Corral about halfway down).

While the 1100 feet of elevation gain in 2 miles is never what I would call fun, I had my most successful ride up it so far. The other times I'd ridden my Sanction (as opposed to my much lighter hardtail, I'd had to get off and push for awhile on three steep sections. This time I only had to push twice! Woo hoo! Baby steps. I also made it up in about a half an hour, a speed record on this bike.

High on my successful uphill push, I headed down the Corral branch of the trail for the first time. Corral Trail was rated a "black" for difficulty, which is harder than I usually do.

But I pushed through, and I rode my first rock garden! In fact, I rode 4 of them! I was so excited that I had to take a picture of one of them.

I definitely had to walk some sections further down on the trail, but between successfully tackling those rock gardens, most of a more difficult trail, and the climb up, this is how I felt about the ride.

Scenes from this weekend

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Mine consisted of a lot of sun, Sweet Tea Vodka, biking, beer, too many tourists, and swimming in Lake Taco.

I finally took my new full suspension bike onto Corral/Sidewinder trail. It's definitely noticeably heavier for the 2 mile ride up to the trail head.

Halfway up!

I'm excited to finally be at the top. I had to get off and push uphill twice with my heavier bike.

The view towards the end of Corral Trail

The very end of the trail, before it intersects with a gravel road that dumps you back at the parking area.

Enjoying beers in the sun at the new outdoor bar at MacDuff's.

My sweet 4th of July outfit

Katie's awesome outfit.

We are so serious about our patriotism.

Katie works in a building with a private beach and balcony overlooking the lake, (My office looks at a trailer park and a dumpster. I am so jealous.) so we headed there for 4th of July festivities. I spent a lot of time on a floatie in Lake Taco, drinking my beer, only coming to shore to eat more Smart Food. Eventually, more of Katie's coworkers and friends showed up, and we had a nice little beach party going on. Eventually, we moved inside and watched one of "the top 5 fireworks shows in the US" from their office balcony. I don't know who votes on the top fireworks shows in the nation, but the Lake Tahoe one was pretty impressive.

Then I walked home and laughed at all the cars stuck in the horrible traffic along Hwy 50.

Corral Trail - This Time With Pictures

On Friday afternoon, I headed up to Corral Trail again. This time I remembered my camera. Since I'm nervous about trying to pedal my full suspension bike up the hill, I took my trusty hard tail out again.

I pedaled up and up and up. It actually didn't feel as bad as it did on Wednesday, I think because I knew what to expect. I definitely took fewer breaks this time.

It definitely feels steeper than these pictures look!

Luckily, the view is gorgeous, and nicely shaded. I'm such a wimp when it comes to doing anything in hot weather.

I finally made it to the top! This is not my best angle.

I started down Corral to Sidewinder again, and noticed a snow flower off to the side, poking through the brown of the pine needles.

Sidewinder Trail, in all its swoopy glory:

I'm pretty sure that is Desolation Wilderness back there.

One of the few features on the trail that I didn't feel confident enough to tackle. Most of the few features I walked, I feel like I could handle with a full suspension bike and a full face helmet. This was not one of them.

Taking a breather most of the way down the trail. I love my Osprey hydration pack. Thanks, Drew at Second Ascent for selling it to me! I got the special "I'm performing your wedding ceremony" discount on it.

Towards the end of the trail, you cross a creek. Trout Creek, I think? Like all bodies of water in Tahoe right now, it's pretty full.

This is such a fun ride, and I can't wait to do it again!

Corral Trail

I've only lifted weights once in the last week and a half. It's just so hard to go inside at my gym when the weather is finally nice out.

Yesterday after work, I again ignored my noodle arms and did not go to the gym. But I did do something more fun instead. I rode Corral Loop Trail for the first time. I forgot to bring my camera, though, oops!

The trail starts with a two mile climb up and up and up. Luckily the road is paved, but I definitely was jealous of the people passing me in trucks (the trail is shuttle-able), but it definitely made me feel like more of a bad-ass when I made it to the top.

Corral splits branches off almost right away, with Corral being more technical and the offshoot, Sidewinder being more loopy, with twists and turns on (mostly) nice dirt. Since I was on my hardtail and didn't have my full face helmet with me, I decided to tackle the Sidewinder offshoot. There are a few slightly rocky sections- one of which caught me by surprise (and sitting down) and flung me directly into a bush. Ouch.

After a little over a mile, sidewinder reconnects with Corral, goes through some beautiful woods, and eventually dumps out on a road that leads back to the parking lot where I'd left my car.

Corral Loop was a really fun ride, and I can't wait to do it again. Since this was a text-y post with no pictures, here's a picture of me with a pinata shaped like Sully from Monsters Inc.

You're welcome.