The Quick and The Silver

The Stats

The Place - Quicksilver, long loop, New Almaden entrance
Total Mileage - Unknown
Total Time - about 1 hour, 15 minutes
Time to the top - about 35 minutes
Average Speed - Very good.

Going up the first climb to the picnic table feels good. I am strong, and I keep a good pace. So far, no horses, but a few pedestrians. On the second climb I pass an older gentleman on a fully rigid bike. I had heard of such contraptions, and until now thought them to be a myth, but I can attest that there is at least one in existence. I hope I am still riding when I am his age. At the second intersection I turn left, up the steeper route. Still no horses by the time I reach the top picnic table, and the fork is still holding air. So far, so good.

While I catch a few breaths at the top, the above-mentioned gentleman rides by. I am confident I will pass him on the descent toward the reservoir, and I am correct. The new riser bar feels excellent. It really allows me to put my weight back over the rear wheel. I am at one with the bike. Fork still holding air. Excellent

After the right turn onto the shady side of the mountain I pass a tall guy on a short climb. After a few ups and downs I look back and see no one. Excellent. A few more ups and downs, and I see him lurking in the distance. Must go faster. Suddenly, after a long descent, there he is, off my left, cutting inside a turn. No warning, no shout-out, nothing. Thanks for the warning, man! Well, I'm not going to let that go unanswered, so I dig down deep and set off in pursuit. A group of three horses, stopped for water. They move out of the way and are friendly. No problem. Fork still holding, well, actually no, it's not holding air. It has collapsed again. D'oh! Must keep going. Must pass the tall guy. I will admit that he is faster than me downhill (If I have a weakness, it's my downhill skills), however, I am stronger on the uphills. Unfortunately, it is easier to gain distance on the former than it is on the latter, and I do not actually pass him again, although I am within about 20 yards when I reach the picnic table again. On a longer hill I would have taken him - no question. He turns right and heads uphill; I go down to the parking lot.

I didn't pass that tall guy, but he did motivate me to push harder than I would have had I been alone.

Except for fork failure, a good ride.
bIsh