Angry Ray Triathlon

Some time ago, after doing lots of MTB rides around Flagstaff, I had this idea that I wanted to get to the top of Mt Humphreys(12.6kft) but not just hike it, but start as low as possible…ie, somewhere about the elevation of Flagstaff (7kft).   However, I’m NOT a hiker…matter of fact, if the trail is something that can be ridden on a MTB, then I’ll be damned if I’m going to walk it.  Seriously, it’s just a matter of efficiency.   Walking is 3mph, and MTB speeds are more like 8-10mph.  So the thought was hatched that I could combine the two!  Ride as far as I could, stash the bike, hike to the top, then return.  However, something about doing the standard approach up the mtn via the Humphreys trail just didn’t appeal to me.  I’d done that hike a few times, and the logistics of stashing a bike with so many people around seemed a little sketchy.

Then the idea hit me…do it via the Inner Basin Trail which is an approach I’d never done yet, and is so much less traveled.  Boom…that was it!  I’d ridden to the wilderness boundary at 10kft in the inner basin several times and there was lots of Aspen trees to stash a bike at…

This year since the monsoon took a big 2 week break in July, I had a window of time to do it without worrying about weather (which can get super nasty up there).   However, the temps were pretty toasty so I wanted to get an early start.  So Saturday 7/16 was it…  Get up early, pack my stuff, and start riding at the bottom of Shultz Creek (the “Y”).

At the start...ready for an adventure!

I had my new trail running shoes packed along with my trekking poles in my camelback and set off around 7AM.  Kind of a grunt up Schultz since I had so much damn weight with gear and water.  Like an idiot, I didn’t gear down enough on the SS, so by the time I got past the green cabins  in the inner basin(when things got steep) I was working too effing hard.

on my way up Waterline Rd.

Finally I arrived at the wilderness boundary in the inner basin, wandered off in the aspen grove, and changed over to hiking mode.  Took the thru axles of the bike and put them in my pack just in case some tweeker found my rig.

Hiking shoes on, biking shoes off...ready for serious hiking....look at those cool new shoes.... they were effing awesome.

Got cranking up the trail which initially begins as a loose, granular climb up a drainage, until finally reaching a left turn at what was signed the “Inner Basin Trail”.  It climbed STEEPLY, initially with some really nice switchbacks and them some fall-line stuff.

Angry Ray with Flavor-Saver attached....wtf, why is it so grey?

It was there when I found this rock….so appropriate!

Finally, after a few minutes, the trail intersected the Weatherford trail which is actually an old road…this thing is a dream to hike/walk…wow…easy grades, spectacular scenery.  

A few miles later, I reached the saddle between Agassiz and Freemont peaks which had a great view to the south.

At this point, it was pretty much all above treeline hiking and it was amazing… The trail zig-zagged up the east face of Agassiz Peak until going over the ridgeline to the west side(Snow Bowl side) to finally intersect with the Humphrey’s trail at the saddle. 

Looking down to the inner basin...

heading up the east side of Agassiz peak

Damn, I hope someday we can ride this on a MTB...such a nice trail!

Glamour shot by my photographer

From this point, there was a $hit-ton of hikers since so many come up the Humpheys trail.  So many of these people seemed to not understand that the temperature drops about 5 degrees F for every 1000 ft of elevation gain and its ALWAYS windy up there.  I passed several people in shorts and tank tops literally shivering.

Finally got to the summit, hunkered down with some other folks who all seemed very surprised that my adventure started on a bike.  

I don't know why I didn't take this pic w/o a mouth full of food.

Chowed down a luna bar then started my trek back down.

This is the part that kills me…I can hike up like a mad-man, but my knees seem to just hate me for the downhill.  So I use the heck out of my trekking poles to save my knees. 

Finally, got back to the wilderness boundary, and thankfully my bike was still there!    Switched out my shoes, put my bike back together, and had a nice little downhill cruise back to where I’d started.

Snow Bowl to the right...

Heading back to the Agassiz - Fremont Saddle...that's Flagstaff down there.

Luckily, my stuff was still there....

Back to biking mode...thru axles installed!

Wow…not the hardest thing I’d done, but what a great little day adventure.  Always love doing something that is a bit different and this was just the ticket.   HIGHLY recommend doing this!   

Good solid day of riding-hiking-riding...the Angry Ray Triathlon!

Middle Fingers, Pussy, and Angriness

Well, it’s been a while since my last blog post so I figured I’ve done enough silliness over the last few months that I’d blog a bit…you know…like if anyone actually cares…

It's the cat that makes me angry...

As of today, the first 3 months of 2016 are over and looking back on them as well as the final few months of 2015, there were a few highlights…and lowlights so to speak.

The AES fall race “season” got off to a great start with Kentucky Camp.  Some stiff competition with Neil Stitzer and Bart Leyko….Bart’s late navigational error gave me just the edge I needed to take 2^nd place in that race.

Following Neil up the first climb...yes, I have my tongue hanging out...

Neil, me, and Bart up the initial climb...turned out to be the same order at the finish.

The 2^nd race of the season was the Picketpost Punisher.  That day was marked by BRUTALLY strong winds and I basically ran out of motivation when I reached Superior…yeah, a DNF. LAME.

Our 3^rd race, on my somewhat local shred was the McDowell Monstercross…This one is a favorite with a cluster fvck of the HAB up Tom’s Thumb, followed by dodging hikers on the descent, followed by many miles of easy Browns Ranch singletrack, followed by some typical rocky McDowell stuff…  managed to come in 3^rd behind Bart and Tim…whoof, that one hurt.

Finally in January, the Antelope Peak Challenge that uses the 27 mile segment of the AZT from Tiger Mine Rd to Freeman Rd, followed by some big wide dirt road, followed by some WTF cow track called Painter Boy.  This race is such a kick in the nuts…if you really want to place well, you HAVE to climb Antelope Peak to get a time bonus…and since the time bonus is more than what it actually takes you to climb it…it’s well worth it…but holy crap.  There ain’t no trail up there…just scramble your way up.   In the end, a late effort to overtake Bob Monahan helped me get 3^rd place…such fun.

Me just leaving the Tiger Mine TH

A rare selfie of me at the top of Antelope Peak

This year, there would be no Gila for me although Bart and I spent the day riding a loop that would have us encounter all the riders...it was a great day.   http://onegear-ray.blogspot.com/2016/02/ripping-ripsey-and-stalking-gila100.html

Last weekend, was one of the funnest races of the AES "season"...the Sedona Big Friggen Loop...no pics unfortunately, but it turned out to be a great day...  Midway through, I had to backtrack and find a bathroom to make some hershey kisses, but in the end, it was fun.  I ended up playing a game of leapfrog with Krista Rust (Enduro pro racer) who would absolutely smoke the downhills and rocky bits, then I'd catch her on the ups...Not my best day on the bike, but non-the-less, any day riding in Sedona is WINNING.

Other than that nonsense, I've had some fun getting the Lynskey back in action with a rigid fork.  It's breathed some new life into it and made me learn some things about line choice and cornering. 

The Lynskey with a rigid fork

Yes, I do actually feel that way quite often..

And sometimes you just run out of talent and the earth punishes you

Cool singletrack

Cool trail in North Scottsdale

Top of Humboldt looking down at Horseshoe Lake

Sean at the top of Humboldt...one of the great climbs north of here and perfect for the repurposed Lynskey

Another great place to ride the Lynskey... Land of the Lost

and finally, me with my angry pussy...gansta style...the anger has returned.

Ripping Ripsey and Stalking the Gila100 Racers

With all the wildflowers starting to pop per the report from John S. and Jeff from two weeks ago, it was time to take a trip out there and see the sights.   I hadn't been on the AZT from Freeman Rd to Kelvin since my AZT300 run last April when so much of it goes by as if in "fast-forward" mode.  It just so happened that 1) Bart had never been out there before and 2) the Gila 100 race was that day.  So, with a nice little lollipop loop cooked up courtesy of John S loaded on the GPS's, we headed out to spend a great day on the AZT.

Whenever you follow a track from John Schilling, there is going to be some WTF moments....I should have known better

The first two racers, Neil Stitzer and Hunter Keating.  Both looking pretty fresh as they start the Boulders Segment

A few minutes back, Courtney Phillips, always in a great mood and having fun.

Gerrit Mack, two thumbs up, tongue out, and enjoying the day.

Max Morris, Jeff Hemperly, and Bob Monahan...a little overheated but survived Ripsey

Tim Leighton and Eugene Gonzalez making their way out of Ripsey Wash up to the Green Gate.

Steve Gibbs, sporting the latest fashion in man-bras.  Out of the deepest part of Ripsey Wash.

Josh and Holly, just starting to head up Ripsey...still in good spirits despite a long day so far.

So, that was all the racers that Bart was able to get a picture of...we did see Carlos Resto HABing up out of Ripsey.  He was all smiles and determined to get it done.

This being Barts first time on Ripsey, we snapped a few glamour shots...

Bart, feeling sleepy standing among the poppies on the Ripsey descent

Me on the top of Ripsey

 So, a great day in the desert was had.... Huge congrats to the Gila100 racers...that course chews people up and spits them out...finishing it is a giant accomplishment!

Thx to Bart for driving us there and taking pics.  If you haven't been out there, do it...The trail is in good shape; typical for AZT but the views are stupendous.