I had mixed emotions about doing the whole thing alone. Noble can be pretty unforgiving (as we saw last week,) and some of the trails are a little remote. At the same time, its a pretty popular trail on Saturdays and I was familiar with the route after riding in the Lagunas twice in the last three weeks, so the risk seemed relatively low. I just figured I'd stay within myself and go at my own pace, which has its own appeal.
With only myself to worry about, I got an early start and arrived at the Pine Valley trailhead at about 7:30. I was wheels up 10 minutes later and began the 4 mile slog up the paved road.
The weather was flawless, and I just sat back and tried to enjoy the climb as the sun rose over the mountain to the east. Seven days earlier I had climbed the road to the Oak tree for the first time, and had paced myself quite a bit in anticipation of a long day. Today, I wasn't sure what my pace was like since I was alone, but it felt faster and more consistent. I didn't take any rest stops on the way up, and just spun along listening to my ipod and dodging hunters who were driving up and down the road.I hit the oak tree in about 50 minutes, and was feeling good, so I didn't even pause. I just turned the lockouts off my shock and fork and proceeded down the fire road toward Indian Creek. Once I got to the Indian Creek singletrack I paused for about 3 or 4 minutes to eat a gel and drink some Vitalyte, and then proceeded up the trail.
I cleaned the initial singletrack climb this week after screwing up the entry last week. Even so, that first section of singletrack involved one short HAB, though I rode much more of that section of trail this week than I did last week. From there I rode through the small meadow and began the real Indian Creek climb in earnest.
That climb is not a lot of fun. Its loose, steep in parts, and just sort of beat me down. I rode more this week than last, and didn't stop to rest at all, but did find myself HABing several sections. It helped quite a bit this time to know how long it was and when it would end, which allowed me to ride a little more aggressively and clean some parts I didn't even try last week. Even so, my shoes got more of a workout than I would prefer.
Near the middle of the Indian Creek climb, I did stop to snap this picture, which I liked.
Once I got to the top of Indian Creek I rested for about 5 minutes at 4 Corners (aka Champagne Pass?). 
At that point I had a decision to make. I felt great, with no cramping in my legs at all and no real fatigue after I rested a bit. Even so, I just didn't feel like riding Pine Valley trail (for the third time in four weeks) over to Sunrise Highway and back to Penny Pines. We had ridden that route last week, and while Pine Valley trail is pretty fun, didn't feel an overwhelming need to hit it again. The road ride on Sunrise Highway to Penny Pines just seemed like extra miles for the sake of extra miles, especially when I had an attractive alternative. Instead of taking Pine Valley trail to the Sunrise Highway to Penny Pines to the very top of Noble, I instead elected to continue down Indian Creek (aka Pinball) and take that trail over to Noble. I flew down Pinball, and then climbed the rest of the way up Indian Creek to the Noble connector. I didn't hesitate, and headed right down Noble. Noble went by in a flash. I cleaned several of the rocky sections that I didn't make it through last week, stopped for a second to pay homage to Barcy's collarbone at the tree grove, and thoroughly enjoyed the descent. After two attempts at both widowmaker and stairway I was unable to clean either of them, and since I was alone I figured discretion was the better part of valor. For pure bragging purposes I'd like to be able to clean those two, but whatever.
I did clean all of the other sections that had given me trouble in the past, and did so while just flowing along, without re-tries. Very quickly I found myself at the junction of Noble where heading left leads to extra credit while heading right leads to the road. I felt great, and without hesitating made the left up EC.
The climb up was a little longer than I remembered, but not as difficult or tiring as it had been last year when I rode it last. I rested for a few minutes at the top, and then tackled the final descent of the day. I had hoped to ride the entire thing, but did have to walk one short section that I just couldn't figure out the line through. I made it back to my car very quickly, and was a little struck by the feeling of anticlimax.
Maybe it was my decision to skip Pine Valley trail and the road section. Maybe it was because I was legitimately not tired and felt fine. Maybe it was because I was alone and had no one to share in my accomplishment. Maybe it was because the ride was only 17 miles long, which is fine, but no epic. Whatever it was, I was pretty "meh" at the end. At least my wife would be happy that I was home early in the day.
As I loaded up the car and headed home, the anticlimactic feelings faded and I reflected on all of aspects of the ride that I had enjoyed. The amazing weather. The peace and solitude of the mountains. The opportunity to enjoy God's creation and truly appreciate its beauty. The fun, swoopy sections during the Noble descent. The accomplishment of completing all that climbing and not wanting to die. (I remember my first Noble shuttle two years ago when I was completely wrecked at the end of the 9 mile descent.) So on balance, I felt great. But there is still a part of me that feels like I have unfinished business up there.
So I think I'll try to make it up there again. Next time I'll probably do Pine Valley trail to Sunrise Highway to Penny Pines, and then loop BLT before heading down Noble. At the end of the day, I think the title of this RR is misleading; I didn't do the Tour de Noble. I did Indian Creek to Noble, a worthy ride in its own right, but a bit short of the epic feat that is the full Tour.
In any event, here are the stats:
Total Distance: 17.19 miles
Total Time: 3:39:36
Ascent: 3388 feet
Average Speed: 4.7 mph
Top Speed: 22.8 mph
Bike: Intense Spider XVP
Map
