Diary of Scott Morris

It was just Chad and I against the rocks and tricks of the techy taco ride. I was running late, and forgot to bring a number of things, including lights and composure.

Had it not been the first opportunity to ride with Chad on his new bike (a Behemoth much like mine), I might have bagged on the ride altogether.

As ever, the taco ride is always worth it, once you get out there.

The views, the eastward piercing evening light, the jokes, the rocks and the moves.

photo by Chad Brown

Starting late and with no lights, it was good it was just the two of us, as we were able to skip past moves we’ve ridden but failed on this day.

New ground, new moves!

Fortunately Chad brought his lights, so I stayed close as we pedaled back down Oracle Road, en route for Rubio’s & $1.25 fish tacos. Yet another instance of Chad bailing me out.

We also took the “dueling Behemoths” for a loop on the upper fifty, where the Behemoth is really at home. Here’s a video of some of the (too much) fun:

This week’s taco ride is coming right up! Can’t wait.

November 15th, 2011 | Category: Mountain Biking | Comments (2)

The open road heals.

Few roads are as open as 89a in northern AZ. Thoughts rally in an open mind.

The trail, and especially this one (the AZT), has even greater healing potential.

Had I any semblance of health, I would have packed up the bikepacking bags and set out for an mind altering epic. But my back was still trashed, my sinuses full of devil bugs, my heart full of holes, and my mind deeply injured.

So I drove. And I walked, through the forest and next to tiny accumulations of snow. With each inhale of crisp air I could feel the toxicity of Tucson and of a failed relationship being exhaled. It’s time to move on, it’s time to heal.

family ride

One downside in being a fairly self reliant person is that you don’t often need to lean on others, and that gives fewer opportunities to be close to them. I’m lucky to have an awesome family, as I have written here many times before, and that fact has only proven itself again over the last weeks. I used to think myself self reliant, but a breakup and ensuing “details” were far more than I could handle alone — enter many good friends and my family.

My brother came to St. George with his newborn son, who I got to meet. New life and new possibilities, so evident in his eyes.

Though I was still weak as a kitten, daily rides and hikes were part of the prescription plan. OK, some antibiotics, too.

photo by Ken Morris

The world is a big and beautiful place, so much bigger than us and our little problems. Sometimes it’s just about taking time to remind ourselves of that, to be inspired by that, and to share it with people we love.

My parents are so cute in their desert paradise. It’s been good for them, and so good for me, especially in this case.

It was the perfect respite, free from Tucson’s negative influences (pollen being one of them), and surrounded by supportive loved ones.

My older brother also brought his family to St. George, the next weekend, so it was a double bonus for me.

I got to hang out and play with my twin niece and nephew:

It’s probably cliche, but the innocence of being a kid is a powerful thing.

It can be a great reminder that simple things like finding holes to climb in, exploring the world, and loving people openly are more important than so many of the silly things we find ourselves caught up in and worrying about, and more likely to bring happiness.

But it was still difficult to shut my mind down and sleep at night.

Thanks Clara and Owen, for blowing up cat tails, hiking and playing with me.

All too soon, I was on the mend, and it was time to head back to Tucson to pick up the pieces and move forward.

I stopped by a 25 hour race (Frog Hollow) to see some of my friends, doing their thing, doing one of the things I love so much to do. I knew I was in no kind of shape to be out there with them, but seeing that they were, and seeing the life so obviously coursing through them, was inspiring and reaffirming for future adventures.

Once again, the open road heals. This time snow covered a fair portion of the route (Jacob Lake and Flagstaff). There’s a stillness to the white snow, loathe it though I may, and a general feeling that “things” (e.g. people, atoms, grains of pollen) have settled down a little. I loved crunching my feet on the AZT, and driving through winter, even toying with the ‘heater’ in the Corsica, which does actually work.

Another successful trip for the legendary Corsica. I loved that car, but like so many other things in my life right now, it’s time to move on. I said this before, but I hope this is the last trip in that car for me! I came pretty close to pulling the trigger on a new one in St. George.

Once back in Tucson, the weather and air were so clear and so full of hope. I took the backroad to crash at Chad’s place (thanks Chad), and we set out for a ride or two, while I got started on building the future, one that looks bright from where I stand. It’s the place to be.

November 15th, 2011 | Category: Mountain Biking | Comments (1)

I met Chad at the university, where we rolled out to the Tucson Mountains to find a challenging trail or two. Energy was low, but will still strong.

Climb the John Krein trail.

Plug a tire.

Try and try, even though success is unlikely for either of us.

Hit the top.

photo by Chad Brown

Pause a while, eat a gummy bear.

Drop down on semi-trail.

How do I roll off this one?

Oh yeah!

Are there any rocks on the trails down in Tucson?

TMP’s closest thing to A52. Head over to Chaddy baby’s blog for his photos (which are quite good).

Riding has been more a survival exercise than anything else of late. Luckily I have some good friends to share the rides with. Next ride of photo-worthiness was the taco ride.

Several takers this week… the warmup is on overgrown singletrack and drainage ditches.

“Evil” Patrick showed up for his first taste of the tacos. And he pretty much killed it — cleaning many hard moves on the first try. Best first run on these trails I’ve seen.

No grimace required this week.

Hey, that’s not your bike! But soon, Chad’s black Behemoth will be a reality. I have seen it!

photo by Jonathan Buchanan

I rode / faked it well, despite my dribbling nose and psyche.

Into the desert we go.

Such a beautiful place to spend an evening:

I

II

J-bake (Jonathan) is making progress every time out, dude’s got tenacity. Check his photos here: rocks n clocks blog.

III

Oops, time to make trail for tacos. The time for sessioning has past.

Down Alamo in a blur. It may be a 2mph blur, since that is the top speed on that descent, but it’s still feels fast. Until you stop and realize the sun is long down, but you’re still hot. Last night was quite possibly the last hot ride of the year, and while enjoyable in a way, I’m ready for the change. I’m embracing it.

October 26th, 2011 | Category: Mountain Biking | Leave a comment

Change is in the air.

Here, up there, seemingly everywhere.

Temperatures are falling, leaves changing. People are dusting off their bikes and realizing *it’s time to ride*, it’s time to get out.

Fall comes a little later in Arizona, even on the mountain.

Some things don’t change. Time on the bike being needed as much as ever.

I was up late, moving slow, making decisions. I made a good one, to join the crew on the lower Lemmon trails.

Warming up my back (finally getting better), I first did a little spectating from the highway.

Then joined the party on Bugs. Chad nailed this one, on the second try.

photo by Chad Brown

I may have eeked it out, but it wasn’t pretty. Had to go back down and get it smooth.

Ty’s McMuffin

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a sausage McMuffin pulled out in the middle of a ride — especially a hot ride.

“I mean, they’re only 99 cents!”

Chadly tearing it up on the way back.

Jonathan was pretty dazed by the time I saw him. Dazed, but still cruising along.

Milagrosa anyone?

These trails are pretty hot on a 95 degree day, with morning aspect sun. Who’s idea was this?

It was Chad’s, and a brilliant one at that. Summer or no, this was a great ride.

You had to know it wouldn’t be long before we partook of techy tacos, once again.

It’s the face that gives him the power to ride up just about anything. Master that face and maybe you too can ride a techy taco.

Jonathan still has a bit of work to do on his taco grimace.

There we go.

Uh oh, Max. Turn that big ring into a bash guard with a few solid blows!

Cactus out of rock. We think it has grown a new layer over the summer.

Push up,

roll down. Jonathan flashed down this “b-line.”

And yes, we do eat actual tacos, in addition to figurative ones. The tacos, like the ride, were better than ever.

Tucson is a completely different place once the change takes place and it cools down. Soon, soon.

October 20th, 2011 | Category: Mountain Biking | Comments (4)