a real rookie's castlewood ride

[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 .

[fastdogs]

thanks, I think I will try to do one of these rides again, although I'm not confident that I could keep up- as long as everyone doesn't mind me bringing up the rear.
But I'll have to limit them to no more than once a week, I didn't get home till about 9 and my little guy is supposed to be in bed then. I wish I lived closer to castlewood, it's a great park.
vickie

[uforgot]

...and then bring everything you learn to Rolla. Can you jump those logs now?
It's really great that you are taking any extra time you have for this. When he is older he is going to have a great time mountain biking with his mom!