Zen Trail, St. George, UT
On March 17, Darren and I did the "True Grit" mountain bike race. I did the 23 mile course, he the 51. The picture above shows a piece of the Zen Trail. Which is totally UNzen if you ask me. The picture doesn't show the technical stuff.....I guess the downhill on Zen is totally Zen, but the race bypassed that part - a blooming poppy something or other that needed protecting...
It was one of the most technical trails I have ever biked, or walked my bike, on. I could see it becoming fun if I had a few times to ride it and know what was coming. The other part of the race was a GREAT trail. TONS of climbing.
Darren did amazingly well. 17th out of 70 in his category. I was thrilled with my time. I didn't know what to expect for my time. If I ride Smitty's (20 miles) I consider it a LONG and tough trail, in 3 hr. and some change- I feel great.
So when I exited the trail with only 1.7 miles of pavement left in 2:50ish I was thrilled! It was head wind all the way back and I have to admit I swore out loud at the wind! I wanted under 3 hrs. so badly! I tried to ride as aero as I could and cranked a hard gear! I'm sure the people in the cars passing me thought I was a crazed lunatic surely escaping from a facility - 2:59. I heard it called out, and saw it on my watch!
My time on the website says 3:01. bullcrap.
Perfect weather, besides wind, challenging (to say the least) course. Not sure I will do it again, though:)
