First day of the year. The Beargrease has been itching to get out so we tried out the trail and immediately my butt was introduced to the large patch of ice dominating the entrance. I used some colorful metaphors to describe the scene – me lying under the bike on the ice and considering giving up. However, putting on all this gear to go ride in the cold is a serious time investment that I wasn’t about to squander. The road up the canyon didn’t look to bad so I directed my steed up the dirty, icy highway and away we climbed. About 3/4 of a mile up there is another parking lot that the snowmobilers use. Being a holiday it was packed an the thunder of their beasts echoed off the canyon walls. Just beyond the circus the road turned to snow making climbing significantly more pleasant. I stuck to the road all the way until the bridge marking the place I could return to the trail. Here the trail became rideable with the snow holding on despite global warming turning January into April. All of the top of the trail proved a pleasant experiencing making me long for the Providence of just a few weeks ago.
The ride – Providence Canyon
The bike – Salsa Beargrease