Darcy, Tim, and Gordon: Jun 8, 2010 on Coyote Ridge Trail

There are several differences in how the three of us ride a trail.  Tim is strong, fit and very technically able.  He rides it all, uphill and down.  Darcy is strong, and fit, but not as technically able; she rides it all...downhill.  She tries very hard to ride it all uphill, but for reasons that I cannot fathom, she can't ride it all uphill.  She is strong and extremely fit, but can't get over some of the uphill bumps.  Perhaps it is upper body strength.  Myself, some days I am in the middle of them...I can ride some stuff uphill that Darcy can't, and there are several places that she can ride downhill that I can't...or won't.

The following shot is Darcy riding a narrow series of steps.  These steps are not steep, and each of the steps are really quite small.  But, these steps are inside my head, and I chicken out riding them every damn time.

The picture doesn't really show it, but this portion of the trail is poised on a very steep hillside; in fact, to the right of Darcy it is an absolutely vertical drop of about 7 feet, down to a very steep hillside which is covered in rock and cactus.  The vertical drop is in my head, and I can't remove the image of a mental mistake which would send me over the edge onto my head.  So, I stop and walk it.  Clucking like the chicken I am!  Look carefully at Darcy's face and that smile.  She loves singletrack and has a supreme confidence in herself.

On the other hand, I got here several minutes ahead of Darcy.  She sometimes has a bit of trouble with the climb up to this narrow spot, and I was able to find a place off of the trail to shoot her as she came over it.  Of course, Tim came by here 15 minutes ahead of both of us, and is long gone on down the trail.

The next series of shots is another tough uphill rock garden, which is about a half mile further along the trail.  Tim can do it easily, and Darcy and I can do it...if we rest at the bottom.  It is very rigorous, and anaerobic.  The rider must look ahead carefully; both just in front of the wheel and farther up the hill planning a (hopefully) successful line.  It is an intense little bit, and a reason for high fives at the top when we all make it.

First, Tim.  Notice the relaxed eyes and mouth.

Next, Darcy.  Fierce concentration...she is very competitive.  Tim is also very competitive, but not so much around us.

I like this one.  Really shows her intensity.  By the way, she cleaned it today.  These shots also show off Darcy's nice bike.  Titanium hardtail, with pretty much top of the line components.   Tim spec'ed it out for her.  I picked it up and it almost took off like a helium balloon...that really isn't fair!

Here I am now, with a couple of shots by Darcy.

Can't see my face too well, which is just as well.  Grimacing, struggling, fighting for air, balance and leg drive; not pretty!  But...I cleaned it too!