Dear So and So

[OakLeaf]

Remember that old riding skills video that used to have a little animated picture of a squirrel that popped up, with the "ding" of a bell, when the video depicted squirrelly riding behavior?

[Eden]

A big hurrah to my teammate and PT who figured out and just about fixed my knee problem in *1* visit.... d@mn she's good

[indysteel]

Dear rain gods: Please stop raining long enough for the MTB trails to dry out. I thought the weather forecast was stressful as a roadie. Now that I'm trying to learn how to MTB, too, the forecast has become even more frustrating. Not only does it ideally need to be dry the day of a scheduled ride, it needs to be relatively dry before the ride, too. Stop being such a jerk this year. We've had more than enough rain. Everything in moderation, okay?

[Becky]

Agreed, Indy! I've MTBed only three times so far this year, and one of those times, it really was too wet to ride A totally depressing lack of miles....I might have to start being a roadie again just to get some saddle time

Dear former boss: When I said that I'd come put stuff together for you that one day, I really did mean just one day. Stop hounding me to be on some kind of schedule....I'll come in when it's raining or I'm injured

[Blueberry]

Dear Rain Gods: Please send the excess here. we need it - and would love to have the fires put out so we can stop smelling smoke.

[Catrin]

Agreed Indy! I would also like to practice my tight turning drills on grass and not pavement, and it would be best if it were actually grass and not mud I need to do SOMETHING this weekend, even if I can't make it to Pine Loop, before my body starts forgetting what we learned at the clinic...

[indysteel]

Agreed Indy! I would also like to practice my tight turning drills on grass and not pavement, and it would be best if it were actually grass and not mud I need to do SOMETHING this weekend, even if I can't make it to Pine Loop, before my body starts forgetting what we learned at the clinic...

My understanding from reading HMBA's trail condition thread is that Pine Loop often takes longer to dry than the other trails. I read a post recently that said something about giving it "a few" dry days. Well, we're not going to have a few dry days for a while.

[Catrin]

My understanding from reading HMBA's trail condition thread is that Pine Loop often takes longer to dry than the other trails. I read a post recently that said something about giving it "a few" dry days. Well, we're not going to have a few dry days for a while.

Yes, I remember that now - I guess it is because the grade is more gentle than the other trails so it takes longer to dry...

There IS Limekiln, another beginner trail. I've hiked it and there is a bit in the middle that is more challenging, and there is certainly more elevation change on the trail. I don't know if you would feel comfortable with it - it is a good bit longer than Pine and there are no shortcuts out that I am aware of.

Personally I want to be able to ride Pine with a bit more confidence before branching out to Limekiln - especially with the odds of my riding solo. Nothing wrong with walking uncomfortable bits, but I think some tight turning drills will be helpful. I've had several women offer to ride with me but I suspect scheduling is going to be difficult...but hopefully something will work out.

Of course the HMBA site is showing none of their trails in the state rideable at this time