After my somewhat abbreviated attempts at mountain biking, I thought I’d complete my personal trifecta of stupidity and ascend the railroad bed of the old V&T Railroad in northwest Carson City.

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Following the advice of mountain bicyclist Jeff Moser, I tried the Jackrabbit Trail* (it’s the red line in this picture) and again the hills in the Eagle Valley reminded me that I’ve a ways to go towards average physical fitness. On the upside, I learned a trick about catching your breathe: take pictures.

This pole is about 5000 feet above sea level per my GPS and it’s out in the middle of nowhere. It probably had a sign about no motor vehicles or abandon hope if you plan to proceed or watch out for rabid ferrets.

This picture is from the top of the trail. I was turning around to go down the hill when some idjit in his big white pick-up drove up and said, “Are you allowed up here?” OK, maybe the missing sign on the pole said “no trespassing” but I only mentally flipped him off as I headed downhill (passive aggressiveness, ftw sort of).

I’ve a couple of days of annual now and will probably stick to roads for now. In fact, it’s time to go now. Later, gators.

Edit: Looking at the map, I did not go up the Jackrabbit Trail but one that’s further south. I’ll try again someday.

I went for two rides yesterday and according to Mapmyrun, I burned off about 800 calories between the morning and afternoon rides. The calories consumed during snackage yesterday equaled 740 calories:

Pancake: 150 calories
Two Granola Bars: 180 calories
Yogurt: 110 calories
Bagel: 300 calories

I’ve been on this diet/exercise thing for nearly five months and can’t stay below 240 pounds. I’m starting to wonder if that’s my so-called genetically-preset optimum weight.

If there is such a thing as a Bunny Trail for neophyte mountain bikers, then the dirt road at the base of C Hill probably fits the bill. Jeff Moser writes often of the thrills and chills associated with non-motorized off-roading so I decided to take a shot.

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Bonus this week: two cards for the price of one.

A friend and I were discussing gay marriage over lunch this week and we agreed there’s bad news for some of you: gay marriage will be legal everywhere in the United States someday. Maybe not this decade and maybe not all at once but it will happen. And our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will wonder why it was such a big deal.

Having graduated from two community colleges and having taught at one for years, I’ve seen many brilliant educators and others who would be better off doing something else. And it’s exactly the same situation at a four-year school, too.