First ride on a popular local trail (pics & video)

[Savra]

.......neither does the open, flowy sunshine lit trails! (or do you have them in NY?) Our trails are all closed in, very tree squished and usually rooty as well....(though the shade is good when it is 98.....)

Oh no - NY trails are also very choked in and rooty. The west has some beautiful open trails surrounded by big rocks, trees, brush and dirt with sun all the way through. You are right though - I always get a nice shady camp site in summer so as not to die of heat.

[luv2climb]

Here's a couple short random clips that show how friendly people are on trails. Since I started mountain biking again I've noticed that the hikers, equestrians, and other cyclists are often very friendly.

This is near the end of the ride when I was riding part of the trail twice for more climbing. I stopped to change camera batteries and eat some energy chews, and a hiking couple stopped to chat.

The second clip is a friendly rider I yielded to at the top of a climb.

http://vimeo.com/38066186

Here's why I'm not a super fast descender, especially on singletrack. Even though I wasn't riding that fast on this downhill, I still surprised the lead rider in the group of climbing cyclists I yielded to.

http://vimeo.com/38064593