Permathaw Ramble

We have sunshine for the first time on record today.

Hyperbole perhaps, sunshine and mid-30s we did have. I wanted to see if the trails were still in working order, as much to avoid another cold road ride. After a warm-up across Casselberry I dove down the first bit of Cherokee trail, this one downhill with some nice partially frozen portions. Towards the bottom I notice some softness and in the exit I notice *lots* of trail softness and some soup to boot. Maybe the trails had thawed faster than expected.

The next portion up towards Hogans Fountain, a section I usually do coming down hill, presented me with instantaneous goop, although I was able to hold a line. I don't like to ride and tear up the trails in this situation, so I thought I finishing this leg and going road after that. I didn't make it. Coming up the dip I didn't quite clear the uphill and stopped. No biggie. When I changed my footing, though, I slipped downhill with the bike taking a tumble too. Once down, "I've fallen, and I can't get up" with viscous mud keeping me from standing. It would've made for a fun Youtube video.  I decided to cut through the trees to the road and ride the mountains of mud off my tires. I rode across the scenic loop and headed for the Beargrass trail knowing that I wouldn't revisit the trails anytime the rest of the day. Up Payne I visited OYLC to shoot the shit. Afterwards, since I was in mtbike mode I rambled around hitting up the various brick alleys in the Highlands, giving it some gusto for a few hills and generally roaming.

It was at least1hr+ of riding, which was in addition to the 5m walk this morning. I even sprinted some hills on my walk!  I'm feeling the need to work the holiday calories off.