[ SDF ] I rode in the Soquel Demonstration Forest (SDF) this past Saturday morning with a few buddies. Let me just say, that trail has got to be one of the best loops in Northern CA. We rode about 12 miles in this loop and I think we only had a 1200 foot elevation gain. Once we reached the top of the mountain, Nisene Marks State Park, we dropped into the single track called "Braille trail". Oh my! That was a blast. I must have fallen about 3 times, broke my computer, have black & blue marks all over my thighs and broke blood on just one leg. All good fun! I was only averaging 11 mph down that single track while Anthony and Rich were doing about 20 mph with their Downhill bikes! On one steep hill that I took a fall on, my bike and I started sliding down with my bike about to be pitched over the cliff! Luckily we were under the trees for the better part of the ride. On the fire road back to the truck the heat was really getting to me. I had one GU left and about 3 gulps of water. The truck temp gauge read 99 degrees. Not cool. Next ride: If the temperatures are expected to be up again for the next ride, I think a 8am start time is best. I might bring leg and arm guards too.

[ slacker ] I've been slacking on the updates. Work has been all too crazy as I've been swamped swamped swamped! Throw me a life line!

[ QOS - signature verification ] All too often I hear and see retail store clerks are not verifying the credit cards used for purchases. That being signature verification, ID check or other. Mine says "Please see ID" and is not signed. Everything starts with the individual, so I started taking action instead of standing by and complaining about it without acting on it. I have contacted REI Corp for the Fremont and Saratoga locations. Both offices were notified of the concern. REI Corp informed me that the concern has been forwarded to the individual store managers. Thank you REI for listening and being a concerned business. Next on the list, Up & Down Truck Center.

[ coffee ] This morning I ponder whether to bring instant coffee of real coffee on my next short backpacking trip? Coffee offers so much emotion and feelings with the clear and crisp air of the early morning hours in the mountains. Oh the memories! The smells, the taste, the anticipation! All this comes from "real" coffee, the non-instant type. I think instant coffee offers only one advantage, weight. In my search for a "good" cup of instant coffee I came across a coffee ordering house with some very reasonable prices.