Slim Shady to HT finishing on Little Horse to the overlook, a gigantic expanse of slick rock. The crazy trail White Line is visible from there and is a popular stop for the Jeep tours. Both photos are from that spot. Back on Little Horse, HT, Templeton, Hermit and down Slim Shady.

I met Luke part way up Slim Shady. He’s been in the area for 4 years and I decided to follow him rather than continue on the MTB Project route I’d planned. Glad I had a full camel bak let me tell you and the mid ride snack was exquisite. Many hikers, bikers and rocky goodness. Big time slick rock sections – basically what the internet says riding here is all about and as fun too.

View from the turnaround spot.

Luke saved me and/or my bike from serious maladies by suggesting a shifting issue might be from a loose rear axle. Thank goodness and I’ll be sure to check more frequently. I can see why that uber beefy down hill bike I rented had bolts to hold the axels in place.

More beauty

Upon hearing where I was from, Luke asked about gentrification, a hot topic in the Bay Area. I asked for clarification on whether his definition pertained to race or income. We discussed how, like most everything, there are cycles of improvement and decay and how even SF and NY have experienced these waves. Also, what about when more affluent non whites move in? In my opinion, systematic discrimination and lack of affordable and quality education are better to focus upon than someone’s ethnic group.

I cruised back to the coffee shop to reunite with Mme Awesome who had to tend to work matters. We walked some trails, looked at a bazaar and enjoyed some Açaí.

The best açaí was in Brasil with Sergio and a friend who was one of the Couchsurfing founders. Plenty of honey and served in buckets: wow good.

At camp we showered, ate the rest of the delicious stew and collapsed.