Keep your head up!

It's been a while since I have been on my bike in the woods; 2 weeks in fact. I had spent the last week with my 1 year old daughter in the hospital. She was there 9 nights, 8 days with IV antibiotics, surgery at BC Children's Hospital and lots and lots of blood tests. She is MUCH better now and has the sparkle in her eye that daddy always looks for. So today I took today off work to spend some time with my 2 kids and to got out for a quick build and ride.

I arrived early at The Woodlot with not a soul in sight. The climb is getting easier and easier every time I go up. Stovetop was the route and as usual it did not let me down. I really didn't know where I was going to ride today. I did not have a lot of time on my hands so rather than spend it on a long climb, I spent it building.

The climb took me to Tsuga and then down to Snakes and Ladders. I rode all the way to the bottom and decided to go have a look at S.O.S. as it had been a while since I saw what Johnny had built there. What I saw did not disappoint. That is a truly BIG HIT section that looks wicked.

So after my lookyloo I made my way back to Snakes and Ladders and pushed back up the trail all the way to the building section. Upon my arrival I saw that Tim had been up during the week and totally buffed the section I roughed in last week. He also removed the HUGE rock that we in middle of the line. GOOD WORK TIMMY!! I parked my bike, took a few before pictures of what I was going to be working on and got to work.

The area I concentrated on was a corner that was completely surrounded by red rot and duff. Upon a close examination of a certain tree and a good look at where the line would flow best, I determined that a particular dead standing tree needed to be 'removed' so I cut the roots around it with an axe and pushed that puppy down by hand.

If you are going to be pushing trees in the forest, remember to keep your head up.



After the tree was out of the way and the surrounding duff and red rot out of the line, it was clear this was what was needed. This corner that had been haunting me was now going to be perfect.

I was out of time by now so I packed the tools up, got on my bike and rode out the rest of the trail. The last 2 turns of the extension are really taking shape well and if railed right set you up perfectly for the baby hit at the end.

Shotgun was a good ride. With the recent rains the trail had little puddles here and there but like all the trails at The Woodlot it will be looked after in due time.

At the bottom there were 2 cars in addition to mine with riders itching to get up the hill to get their fix.

Good day of productive building and a nice little ride. The saying keep your head up applies to many things in life.