Too small mtn bike = shoulder/back issues...?

[zoom-zoom]

Zoom, this doesn't relate directly to this thread, but it occurred to me that you, your husband and son might really enjoy the Midwest Women's Mountain Bike Clinic. It's typically held in mid-June in Brown County State Park, in south-central Indiana. As the name suggests, it's a clinic for women of all skill levels, but there's also a kid's clinic. The trails in the park are excellent and would likely appeal to your husband. Prices are reasonable, and camping in the park is also pretty cheap. It'd be a great place to show off your new 29er!

Just thought I'd put a bug in your ear!

Oh, that bug is already there rooting around! If I didn't do the clinic we're at least talking about doing Spring Break there, next year! We love the idea of a road trip combined with mountain biking!

[indysteel]

Oh, that bug is already there rooting around! If I didn't do the clinic we're at least talking about doing Spring Break there, next year! We love the idea of a road trip combined with mountain biking!

Cool. I hope you can attend.

Just be forewarned that the trails in Brown County are often not rideable in the spring, depending on how rainy it is. If the last couple of years are any guide, things don't start drying out until mid to late May. This year, we had a really wet spring followed by an incredibly dry summer (until last night, the last measurable amount of rain we'd gotten at my house was in the second week in May).

[zoom-zoom]

Just be forewarned that the trails in Brown County are often not rideable in the spring, depending on how rainy it is. If the last couple of years are any guide, things don't start drying out until mid to late May. This year, we had a really wet spring followed by an incredibly dry summer (until last night, the last measurable amount of rain we'd gotten at my house was in the second week in May).

Ooh, that's a good point! Hmm...we will have to take that into consideration. You guys have had weather patterns like ours, this year.

[indysteel]

Ooh, that's a good point! Hmm...we will have to take that into consideration. You guys have had weather patterns like ours, this year.

It's hard to win around here. By the time the trails are good and dry, it's also good and hot. June is often a good bet, but you never know. We had 28 days in July over 90 degrees. That's a new record. Last Saturday was the first pleasant day in a while. I'd almost forgotten what it feels like.

[zoom-zoom]

Yeah, same here. A week ago I made it out to a really nice singletrack park about an hour away for the first time in months. I couldn't believe how dry and loose the trails were. Lots of ruts that I don't remember. Corners were really churned-up and kinda scary. While we were there a tree fell (lots of new trees down). The drought is making trees just fall on a still day--scary!

[indysteel]

Yeah; the downed trees really freak me out. A horseback rider got killed last month in Brown County when a tree fell on her. That hit a little too close to home. We rode last week at the park that had gotten a fair amount of rain the day and night before. It was still soupy in parts that morning, but as the trail dried, it was nice to ride on something slightly tacky. The trails in Brown County are crazy dry and crazy fast at the moment.

I'd really glad you're taking a renewed shine to mtbing. I recall you saying you didn't really enjoy it earlier in the summer. Having gotten into it myself over the past two summers, I can say that it's quickly become my favorite thing to do on two wheels. I'm having a blast. I still have lots to learn and will consider the clinic next year. Unless and until I learn to consistently get my front wheel up, I'll be pegged as a beginner. That's not an issue, but I really need to tackle that skill. It's my biggest mental block at the moment.

[limewave]

Yeah; the downed trees really freak me out. A horseback rider got killed last month in Brown County when a tree fell on her. That hit a little too close to home. We rode last week at the park that had gotten a fair amount of rain the day and night before. It was still soupy in parts that morning, but as the trail dried, it was nice to ride on something slightly tacky. The trails in Brown County are crazy dry and crazy fast at the moment.

When we were there earlier this month we regularly heard trees falling. We had one fall in our campsite the day before our arrival! And a large branch fell on our truck.

[zoom-zoom]

I'd really glad you're taking a renewed shine to mtbing. I recall you saying you didn't really enjoy it earlier in the summer. Having gotten into it myself over the past two summers, I can say that it's quickly become my favorite thing to do on two wheels. I'm having a blast. I still have lots to learn and will consider the clinic next year. Unless and until I learn to consistently get my front wheel up, I'll be pegged as a beginner. That's not an issue, but I really need to tackle that skill. It's my biggest mental block at the moment.

Yeah, I have LOTS of skills I need to master. But I am finding that road riding is starting to get kind of boring to me. I never thought that would happen, but after nearly 3 years I'm not enjoying riding the roads near me as much as I once did--especially when I'm riding solo. DH told me this would happen, and at first I thought he was crazy, but it turns out he's right. He's always right. I hate that!