Devils Backbone, Blue Sky, Coyote Ridge - REPORT

So yesterday afternoon I got the chance to get in some much needed MTB training for next months Sea Otter. I was hoping that my local trails, Devils Backbone, Blue Sky and Coyote Ridge would be in good enough condition to do my favorite loop. A simple 18 mile section that requires just pedaling and no car!

So I suited up, got the rig rolling and was excited to try out a new pair of Schwalbe Racing Ralphs my office sent to me last week.

The trail leading out of Devils was in pretty fair condition. Some small patches of snow and a little muddy but all ridable. When I reached the top where the Blue Sky loop begins is where the fun started.

A few 3 foot deep snow drifts, most of the rock drops where wet and or icey but the Ralphs where sticking like glue over those rocks. I was clearing sections I have never been able to clear before.

Once at the hightest portion of the route, the top looking down on the valley leading in to Coyote Ridge, is where the not so fun part of this ride began.

I dropped into the early switchbacks with railroad ties for water bars and started to hit the deeper drifts, some as deep as 3 foot. Then once to the base of the valley an on to the road was where the mud began to get gluey. No sloppy but like fricken glue. The Ralphs loaded up pretty quickly but I am not sure there is a tire on the planet that would not have loaded up. About .5 into the valley it where I had to get off the bike and carry.

I had a few spots where I could ride but it was for not more then a few 100 meters. Once I got to the top of the other ridge looking down on the valley toward the Coyote Ridge parking area was I able to mount up and ride the rest of the way back.

3 hours in toll with the snow and mud has normally taken me 2. Needless to say I cannot recommend anyone go out and ride this section of trail for another few days until the sun has a chance to bake this mud and melt the snow.

Until next session,

bd