Giving thanks

remember this mid-April ride?
we'll miss you Jessica!

Thanks for another great year.

When a week is turning upside-down
A Wednesday ride brings me back to earth
To dirt
To wooded trails
To wonderful friends.

I sometimes remind myself that when I least feel like going for a ride, that's when I need it most. But it's more than just the biking. It's each one of you Divas who make every ride unique, inspiring and validating.

So, thanks. By joining a ride you are giving to your sisters-in-dirt. And I hope you are also receiving the wonderful, positive vibe that you've provided me.

Happy Thanksgiving!

posted by Rose

Snowy trails ...

A happy bike is one that's not sitting in the garage ...
A happy Diva is one who's not stuck in the house!

If the temperatures stay cold and the snow continues to hold off, the trails at Hillside and Campbell Tract are fine for riding without studs or snowcat tires. The narrow trails, like Rover's Run and Lynx, are especially nicely packed. The wider trails, like Viewpoint, have more loose snow because skiers, walkers, and riders have more trail width to choose from.

If you're feeling adventurous, try one of the new singletrack loops or Birch Meadow along Campbell Creek.

The riding is still good!

The riding at Hillside is still good with just a little snow on the trails. Where/when the temperature gets above freezing, some places can be a little muddy. Ride early to avoid the mud.

Rover's Run is officially open again, but up to 3 dozen trees fell across it in the windstorm last week. The upper half only has half a dozen or so, but we heard the lower half takes some time to navigate. The ski club has been active clearing the trails that it grooms, so most trails are very open.

We did see some bear tracks out on Old Rondy so don't forget your bells, bear spray, and/or friend.

Eklutna fall colors

At the start of the trip.

Friday afternoon five divas pedaled to the Serenity Hut at Eklutna Lake. Gloria, Jo-Ann, Corinne, Bev and I took in the sunshine and views of the fall leaves and glacier-fed lake. Corinne's husband, Paul, joined us for the day trip. He graciously took group photos with at least three cameras - here's one of them:We took our time... and took lots of photos, marveling at our good fortune after a summer enduring countless rain showers during group rides.

Gloria

Jo-Ann, on her Trice recumbent, who is responsible for rescheduling this trip. Thanks!

This is me pulling my BOB - I'm pretty darn happy!

We shared the cabin with a couple bemused hunters that night. They kept their distance, being outnumbered as they were...

Next day we went for a day hike up the valley to get closer to the glacier.

Corinne, Bev, Gloria, Jo-Ann

Alas, the trail disappeared into steep, loose rock before we could see the moving mass of ice. After a snack and a bit of hiking upward to get some better views, we headed back to the cabin where we met the newly-arrived Saturday gang: Karen, Ann, Terrie and Katherine. Lori and Stacey and friends joined as day-trippers.

One view of the Serenity Hut.

We shared snacks and hot beverages in the sun on the back deck of the cabin before waving so-long to our guests and settling in for another evening. Dinner, a hike. Star-gazing. We hit the forbidden subjects: politics, religion, puberty and shoes.

Sunday morning made three in a row with more sun and cool temperatures. Coffee. Pancakes with blueberries. Clean-up, then the ride out. I don't know if anyone really wanted to leave.

Thanks everyone for organizing and pitching in to make this a fantastic weekend. Special shout-out to Mother Nature: "Thanks, sister; it was great!"

posted & updated by rose

A Diva-licious weekend at Eklutna

If you were in southcentral Alaska this weekend, you know it was the best one of the 'summer.' More reports of the Diva weekend at Serenity Falls Cabin will be coming. Here's a glimpse of the weekend -- Bev pedaling along the shore of Eklutna Lake, pulling a Bob trailer filled with good things to eat and drink.

Last Scheduled Ride ... who told the moose?

We were treated to a beautiful fall evening in Kincaid for our last scheduled ride of the fall.

Several moose turned out to wish us a happy winter (even though some of them will still be turning us around on trails while we're skiing). This mama and calf even had their own gate to prevent us from descending to their grazing spot.

This bull eventually wandered into the woods so we could continue on. We'd already changed course twice.

the end

Racing sunset and the rain

Divas gather at the top of a hill

Sometimes it's hard to believe that any place on earth is more beautiful than our little corner of Alaska. That's what I kept thinking last night as we biked through the spectacular fall colors of the Campbell Tract and Bicentennial Park -- extensive red carpets of dogwood, brilliant yellow aspen leaves, deep golds of the birch trees, and the constant verdant green of our spruce.

The rain did not dampen my appreciation of this place and it didn't seem to dampen anybody else's enthusiasm to hit the 10 mile mark.

And we did that. We started pedalling up Viewpoint and up up Homestead to the Hillside Loops. Then we looped around the Abbott Multi-Use, Besh, Lighted, and Service Loops back to Homestead. Back on the Campbell Tract, we gave up hills for the windy narrow paths of Lynx, Moose Track, and Salmon Run. We returned to the parking lot right at sunset (8:16 pm).

Thanks, Divas, for a great ride!

Photos by Rose:snow creeping lower

for gloria