I was delighted to sneak out of the office a little earlier last night. I decided to have a pedal around La Costa; a trail system I've largely ignored the last year or so, with only a smattering of rides here and there.

I have nothing too exciting to report. There were no man-killing serpents (a relief). I did not spot any life and death battles between tarantula hawks and tarantulas. I did spot a covey a quails though.

I also spotted local mtb folk hero R. Julian at the top. We enjoyed the view and had a pleasant conversation about trails, bikes and the upcoming Arch ride. I appreciate the man's dedication to improving our local trails (fighting the good fights) and his refreshing no B.S. outlook and attitude.

Shortly after, I pointed the front wheel down the new'ish Copper Canyon trail. Mashing the pedals and releasing the brakes as much as my abilities would allow gave me a more thrilling experience on that trail than I'd yet had. Damn that was fun.

From there, I mosied over the creek bridges and up the service road to the water tank, with nothing but the sound of gravel shifting under my tires and the squeaky-mattress noise of some suspension component or another, helping to set a gentle cadence for the climb up.

At the top, I took a moment to take a ubiquitous 'bike propped against a post' shot;



Then I took the single-track down to it's end at the service road, pondering the high number of off-camber corners on this section, which made it difficult to open 'er up. No matter though. Down is down and fun is fun.

Back along Copper Creek;



And then up one of the few remaining grunts of a climb, toward the truck and the end of my ride.

As I said, nothing too exciting to report. Just some reflections on a satisfying spin around La Costa, and another tick in the 'great quality of life' column.

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"it can go full porno alley"

- Kimba - One love, many bikes - 2020

Sounds like a "Soul Ride" to me.

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Thus, if we are to understand the world, we should live somewhere between judgement and amazement — Alfredo Lopez Austin

Always loved that loop.
Thanks to Rich!

Of course, everyone knows where I've ridden when I come back displaying a smitten of powderized red dirt strewn all over my whip!

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"My favorite part of riding a bike is when I get off the bike." - Jim Gaffigan