Spiritual Retreats

So, if you don't know by now, one of the best times of the year around these parts be fall.  Consider yourself "in the know".

The Intense likes these days.  Resting on Wolverton Spring.

"Fall" officially starts the third week or so of September, but around here it really starts when the overnight low temps start dipping into the 30s.  Could be as early as September 1, but typically lasts into the first week of October, at which time the aspens have mostly lost their leaves, and we're left with the dull gray of leafless trees, combined with the darkening forest green of the pines.

But during this "fall" period, it's absolutely heavenly.  Golden grasses, full yellow-to-red spectrum of the scrub brush, and hi-liter yellow aspens.  One of my favorite mountain bike experiences is to head out on the Pipeline/Wolverton Spring loop - about 24 miles of singletrack and two hours at an easy pace - during fall and enjoy the colors.  Especially during the back half of the fall period, when there are plenty of leaves still on the trees, but there's also a thick layer of fallen leaves covering the trail.

Crisp, cool air in the late afternoon (especially when the sun ducks behind Hardscrabble Mountain...bring a jacket), runnin' full-squish on the rear of the Intense Spider 29.  Maybe even have a little dampness hiding out under the leaves, creating a tacky trail...

Surreal.  Nay, Spiritual.

These rides invoke an inner feeling, an juxtaposed emotion.  A simultaneous state of bliss and awe.  A feeling of utter happiness overtaking the looming sadness of another season gone by...winter soon.

They're perfect.

Words can't describe, pictures can't show.

You have to be there.

You have to experience for yourself.

By yourself.

Everyone has their own reaction, their own spiritual moment...and the only way you can truly understand what it means to you is to immerse yourself in it.  These rides, these moments, are meant for you, and you alone.

I urge you to travel this path alone; I plead with you to disallow interjections.  Pick your riding companions carefully during this time of year; ensure they are of the same mind, and are also searching for this sanctuary, lest they destroy your moment, never to be found again this particular time.

Where I'm going...

...and where I've been.  Near the top of Wolverton Spring climb.

A smooth leaf-bedded singletrack:  Wolverton Spring.

Into the yellow and white: near the bottom of Wolverton Spring.

The pipe:  Pipeline singletrack.

More pipe, this time heading up:  Pipeline singletrack.

Others may ride the trail, enjoy the surroundings, even find their zen or nirvana or utopia or whatever.  But at the end of the day, you are the steward of your own spiritual moments.  These places are meant for you, under your own lock-and-key, for you to access when the time is right.

KEEP THE GATE CLOSED.