Quicksilver Spring Classic
May 14, 2005

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Trilby Pederson managed the Quicksilver Spring classic this year and the plan was to ride some new trail in Calero Park. At the last minute they lost their connection between Quicksilver and Calero and the trail had to be re-routed. They didn't even get their permit from the county until 10:00 a.m. Friday morning so it was kind of touch and go for awhile. We ended up having base camp in a cute little meadow behind the Hacienda staging area. Scott Sansom stepped up to the plate and assumed the position of Parking Police. And a fine job he did! He managed to squish us all in with plenty of room to spare. I arrived pretty early and got the spot right next to the vetting area. Talk about convenient!

The last time Tank and I were in this park was two years ago for one of my first LD rides. That particular day was extremely hot and we were overtime in 12th place. Only 9 finished in time that day. I remember it being a tough trail and a tough day. I was hoping we wouldn't be repeating that scene with the weather.

The day turned out to be spectacular. The weather was great, the trail was great and I couldn't have had a better time. Some felt it was a little warm, but we were in the shade way more than half of the day and if you went slow in the shade and fast in the sun, it was no big deal. Of course, I was going my usual SLOW so it was much easier on Tank, I think. Lunch was in camp so we climbed up to the top of the ridge twice, the first time up Woods Rd. and up and down the roller coaster hills to Mockingbird for a number check. Then came the part of the trail I like best ... riding along a flat windy in-and-out road, tucked into the side of the hill under the canopy of trees. You did kind of have to be careful not to run head on into any bicyclists or hikers. The hikers and bicyclists were all very pleasant and talkative. The joggers, however, were pretty grumpy. But of course, they were working pretty hard so we'll leave it at that. We rode out to the end of the park, past Quadalupe Reserver and back to lunch at camp. Then back out the second time to do the loop backwards. We did have to do Cardiac Hill but we went up it in the morning and down in the afternoon. The only problem Tank had was those roller coaster hills only a couple of miles from camp at the finish. He wasn't too crazy about them and we kind of had to have a discussion about the fact that we HAD to go that way to get back to camp. I won.

I arrived back to camp at 6:00 p.m., with a half hour to spare. I had phone service on this ride (except in basecamp) and my husband had driven over to spend the night with me after the ride so I was able to tell him what time I'd be in. I was only five minutes off my estimate. As I was coming down the long windy hill into camp, I could see all the trailers parked and as I got closer, could see the awards meeting held. Darn it! Missed it again! Oh well, I had a great day and it was beautiful weather and everything was pretty and green and really, it couldn't have been better. The Fire Department barbecued everyone tri-tip and chicken for dinner and they left me some wrapped in foil. Boy, was it good!

I even took some time to stop and read some of the park historical signs in front of the mines we passed on the trail. The park is the site of over 135 years of mercury mining activities and former home to more than 1,800 miners and their families. Right down the street from base camp is The Casa Grande which houses the New Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum. It is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday year-round. Too bad I didn't have the Western region part of my guide done before I went to the ride. I would have known that and walked down there Friday and taken a tour. Next year!

Quicksilver is 2.5 hours away from my neck of the woods. I sure wish it were closer. It is an absolutely perfect place to train endurance horses and I envy those that can ride there on a daily basis.

Thanks to Trilby and her cast of volunteers for putting on a great ride!

:) Jackie and Tank (who would prefer to be a flat-lander ...)