otg 

WNG, I won't quote the whole post, but very nice birthday ride. I drove that road about 10 years ago, beautiful road. A couple of things I remember on the drive:
One was some wrecked cars off the road, way down off of a cliff, the other one was the wild burros in the ghost town. The locals put on a wild west show in the street and there were carrots we could feed the wild burros. I think I remember someone saying the burros were decedents of the ones the original gold miners used back in the day. I hope to get back there someday, beautiful country. Oh yeah, I remember buying a coffee mug in a town called Oatman, still have it!

northbend 

WNG, happy birthday to you. Thank you for sharing your story and photos, beautiful and heartfelt, they strike a chord with me. Solo rides like yours are some of the best moments, the physical and emotional within you rising and falling though out the day in the saddle as you're alone with lots of time for reflection. Great post.

Saguaro

Happy Birthday Will! Great ride report and fantastic photos, thanks for sharing!

Drillium Dude 

Happy Birthday, Will - I'm right behind you

It's been years since I've been out in that neck of the woods, cycling or not - thanks for the pics of Canyon Lake! I had a couple neat experiences out there back when I was a lad, we'll just leave it at that...

But did I miss it? It sounds like this was 50 mile ride, right? I know you were trying for 49 last year but just missed out. Did you get your number this go-around?

With this ride and the off-road one a few days before, it seems you're really getting into the climbs recently. Good deal

DD

Outback Cayucan

Gorgeous! Many thanks for sharing your beautiful B'day ride. Hope you can repeat it w/ friends.

EBH

Great pics WNG.
I'm dreaming of summer again....

Vonruden

Drillium Dude 

Nice pics, VR - there's just something about old, abandoned buildings that gets me every time...

DD

Vonruden

Thanks DD. As a kid I was always facinated by abandoned buildings and houses.

WNG

otg, northbend, Saguaro, Drillium Dude, Outback Cayucan, and EBH,

Thanks guys! Riding can be such a solitary endeavor. It's more fun with friends of course, but to be able to share momentous rides here with you all, is the next best thing.
I'm glad my experience resonated, as only a fellow cyclist can sincerely relate to what I tried to put into words, while out there alone. The occasion turned out as it should have, a Yin to Yang of elation and reflection. Timeless beauty and untimely horror. Seems a bit tacky that I happen to be residing in Phoenix, as I begin rising from my personal ashes. But the successful ride made me feel 50 years young, with new-found freedom to choose the future I want and to not look back at the loss and pain.

Hey Jeff, don't worry, I'll reserve a seat for ya in the 50+ section!
Something tells me those neat experiences has a young lady or two involved. Canyon Lake has a special vibe. One feels good to be there.
And yes, it was a 50 mile round trip to the Lake and back. I put in an extra mile in the end to assure I pass the 50 mark.

Last year, weather and work didn't allow me to ride on my birthday. But I belatedly rode with Craig (Saguaro) later to accomplish my 49 mile ride. We rode out to Sun City, and that was a hell of nice ride. All of it traffic-free! If you recall, we passed through your old neighborhood along the AZ Canal.

Yes, the off-roading outings have been a blast. The tough conditions keeps ya on your toes, and steep rocky climbs are a workout. My legs have improved, but I've got a long way to go to catch you guys! At least I'm down to my weight and waist size when I was a senior in high school.
I'm going out later this afternoon to do the Saguaro Trail again, once I remove the broken toe clips from my pedals.

WNG

+1 I've always enjoyed urban exploration and abandoned locations too.
Some great photos from the Boardwalk, reminds me of Asbury Park.

jimmuller 

Yes, it is. For me anyway, riding is something done alone and introspectively, relying on my own resources, strength, judgment. (This is one difference between riding a solo bike and riding a tandem.) On a solo bike it is just me and the surroundings. It is true that sometimes we (meaning, cyclist in general) ride in groups. But even so, it is about one's own legs and wheels and lungs and eyes.

Your 50 ride report was quite inspiring. It seems to me that you are well on your way to overcoming your troubles.

Vonruden

yes, that is Asbury Park.

billnuke1 

Cape Cod Canal. My great ol' Schwinn Le Tour! I aired up the tires on the Criss Cross, but the front tire was soft by the time I got the bike loaded up! I grabbed the Le Tour and never looked back! (My apologies to the guy on the blue Trek!) 31lbs, rides like 24lbs!

whatwolf

Temperatures rose above forty at last today, so we went and did some snowy trail riding.

gomango

Looks like fun.

Very cool Vicious mtb and I really want a Nature Boy Zona.

spacemanz

Don't sit still, that's how you get cold. I'm finally getting a feel for keeping my toes warm. Air-wick type polyester socks, then wool socks, then Gore-Tex running shoes. It's way better than it sounds, even riding through mud puddles, plus really light & breathable.

WNG

Looks nice. What location did you ride? Kissena? Prospect?

billnuke1 

I wear "Heat Keeper" long underwear that I buy at Kohls, reinforced running socks, bib, turtle neck jersey, a hoodie if needed that day, and a windproof riding jacket. Oh! Yeah! I wear dungarees or cargo shorts. Depending which bike I am riding, I have some running shoes or my Cannondale Shimano clip-less shoes. If it is cold or wet, I will wear newspaper bags over my socks. I ride in all of the weather that we have had on the Cape so far this year! I did buy a face mask for the stupid cold days! I have a cold weather hardhat liner that covers my forehead, ears, and tucks into the turtle neck jersey to keep me really warm! So Far!

whatwolf

Forest Park

seedsbelize 

I was a logger (with horses)/sawyer in one of my past lives. Those a darn nice looking logs!

seedsbelize 

This. I wonder if I looked that young at 50.

Vonruden

gomango

Agreed.

...and a happy belated birthday wish!

I'm using your posts for inspiration. I'm putting a Surly Knard on the front of the El Mariachi and do something I've wanted to do for a long time.

Ride across frozen Minneapolis city lakes just to see what it looks like in mid-winter.

Yes, I am that bored.

gomango

Great pics.

Inspirational.