Summer 11

It's been so long since I've posted that I had forgot my password and had to do a password recovery. It may appear that I was living under a rock this summer, but it was actually very active. Summer is hard won around here, but the payoff is long dry days with lots of sunshine and light until 9 or 10 pm. No one wants to be inside and there is a manic urgency to be outside and wear flip flops.

A great night of BBQing and riding ill-equipped at the BMX track. I can't say it's the first time for an Xtracycle to take on the track, but likely the first race between an Xtracycle, a Surley Long Haul Trucker, a bike pulling a dog in a trailer, and a tandem. I love it when things are used for unintended purposes.



It was also the summer of experimenting with the capacity of both bike and car. This couch took two tries and some serious shoving to go through my front door, but it went effortlessly into the Element. The Element sat lonely for days at a time though upon the arrival of the Ute. If it wasn't for weekend road trips, one could go completely carless in this town with a bike like this. I actually catch myself saying things like "cars are stupid" and feeling extremely self-righteous. Expect the massive sideburns and Cars-R-Coffins t-shirt any day now. I already bought a pair of black tall-socks.



The other end of Bangtail Divide. This is one of the greatest rides anywhere. Lots of climbing at the edge of redline through loamy forests with the reward of ridge top single track and views of the Bridgers and Crazies. This one is a gem.


Hardscrabble Peak with Dr. Dave. This is about a half hour out of Bozetowne up in the Bridgers, but it feels like the top of the world. It's neighbor, Sacajawea gets a lot of attention and draws a bit of a crowd- but we didn't see a soul after taking a right turn at the saddle between the two.



Another great hike with Dave up a drainage on the back side of the Madisons, under Fan Peak and Lone Peak