a real rookie's castlewood ride

[singletrackmind]

My sister is trying to talk me into riding today, 8/13/08, about 6:15 if you're interested. We'll be doing both the flats and some of the hills and I don't care about speed, walking or waiting....though I may ride until I find a less mosquito prone area sometimes. I'm actually hoping for an easy ride today. There should be several other people there of varying abilities as well.
I'm on a grey/black tandem mtb with a small stoker and drive a light blue 4runner, if you'd like/have time to join us.

[fastdogs]

I may try to find you-- I have to go home and get the mtb first, but will try to make it. If you are already riding, I can ride around and try to find you, you shouldn't be too hard to spot! I drive a gold HHR and will be on the brown wahoo.
vickie

[singletrackmind]

I'll keep an eye out.

[singletrackmind]

Thanks for a great ride today Vickie! I was really impressed with your just do it-iveness. I've taken many newbies riding and believe me, you are an impressive beginner with the guts to get even better.

For the record, it was Love to Roller Coaster to Grotpeter (we both walked the drop-offs on Grotpeter) and she rode over roots and rocks and logs and down those loose rocky sections.....just about everything I threw at her and all the while keeping up with my moderate pace.

I'd be happy to ride with you again, great job!

[fastdogs]

I had a blast!! I was determined to keep up, and what a help it was to follow someone and see how they handled different things. I'm sure I went over stuff I would have walked if I was by myself. I didi have to put my foot down several times (like when my front wheel went over a log but the rear wheel didn't) or when I wobbled into a tree.
I was so impressed with little john on the back of that tandem. He stuck there like glue, making dirt bike engine noises, navigating, or just cheerfully talking the whole time. I have a four year old, so it was cool to see them being able to ride together.
Thanks for a great time, I learned a lot and had so much fun!
vickie

[bike4ever]

Wow - Vickie! It seems you are ready to ride with the rest of us. There is another ride meeting in the main lot tonight at 6:30. PM me if you are interested and I'll get you specifics.

singletrackmind - those drop offs that you walked on Grotpeter were the same ones my friend crashed on a while back. I've been riding those again - just not at the same pace as before the crash.

[singletrackmind]

Great to hear you're back at them. We both know you'll be zipping through them again in no time. They're still my one of my favorite spots (on my single bike) in St. Louis, especially now that they've tamed the water bars a little further down .