Been awhile since it was warm enough and especially dry enough to try this route (as well as some, ahem, new stuff at .9). Not to mention March legs and March cardio. But ... riding alone, didn't need to keep up with anybody so it was fine. Legs pretttttty tired at the end; multiple stops to let heart rate slow down and breathing improve. But overall, not bad given how much riding has NOT occurred yet this year. Trails were bone dry, zero mud, with some evidence that there had been mud riders earlier in the year. Bailed to the road at 16.6 because was pretty sure the legs were not up for two more sharp climbs, even if they are short. Finally starting to get used to the Blackthorn ... the wheelbase is a LOT longer than any other bike in the stable and the head pipe is VERY slack, meaning the front wheel is much farther out than a "regular" bike. Definitely changes the handling. On the other hand, roots, rocks, etc that give trubs on the other MTB are of zero consequence on the Salsa ...