Weekend MTB Rides

[Catrin]

Had a great time this weekend! Rode my favorite trails, just focused on having fun and stopping to smell the flowers...metaphorically speaking as there weren't any flowers Camping with 100 other mountain bikers is always a great experience - but this time we were sharing the campground with a LOT of boy scouts - neither group were aware the other was coming.

I've decided to just focus on having fun on the trails, and have given myself permission to stop when I want and to go as slow - or as fast - as my body feels like that day. I don't HAVE to continually push myself to increase my technical skills - with my new approach I will certainly improve but it might take a little longer. I am fine with that

It is a balance between my tendency to keep pushing myself too hard and the reality of not being able to take another hit to my neck like I took last fall. Doesn't mean I won't ever fall again, of course, and that was a freak fall to begin with. Just trying to balance things out so I can keep having fun on the mountain bike trails. My neck just isn't the same and I need to keep that in my equation.

All of that being said, I was able ride my favorite trail entirely in the middle ring the other day - only the second time I've been able to do that!

[Giulianna23]

Catrin...I went to Brown County but got there a bit late we just got to see a few mtb riders approaching the finish line I guess they were the very last ones.
I went with my boys , my nephew and went hiking. We had a very good time. We are definitely going back Sunday...with the bikes ..

BTW...I saw your Soul and your Jamis.... Pretty bike !!

[Catrin]

Catrin...I went to Brown County but got there a bit late we just got to see a few mtb riders approaching the finish line I guess they were the very last ones.
I went with my boys , my nephew and went hiking. We had a very good time. We are definitely going back Sunday...with the bikes ..

BTW...I saw your Soul and your Jamis.... Pretty bike !!

Glad you had a good time! If you just saw a couple at the very end, then you saw the two riders in the new "Klunker" race which was the last one. To qualify as a Klunker the bike must be single speed, and ONLY have coaster brakes (no hand brakes). It helped the two in the Klunker race knows every rock and root in the trail system there - but they made it down the full course in almost the same time as on their regular bike. This was the first year for the Couples, Klunker and Drag races. I've a couple of pictures I will post later.

Drag is just like what it sounds, men must dress as women and vice-versa, and they have a "Le Mons" start. "Le Mans"?? No women entered, and only two men but they were a hoot to watch as they really got into it. I heard a good number of men discussing what they will wear NEXT year! If I had a hope of actually riding most of the course in question without killing myself I would have entered it myself - they had a LOT of fun Besides, how seriously can we take ourselves if, at the awards ceremony, there is a very big man with a beard, long blonde wig and a pink dress? The other man's ensemble was less memorable, but it was obvious they were both having a lot of fun.

Have fun next Sunday!

[Catrin]

I had a great mtb ride this morning with IndySteel and another friend. We rode a trail I've only ridden once before, and portion of another trail that I've not seen before. It was fun!

I've been more than a little frustrated recently with my slow progress on the trails - but the fact of the matter is that I was being too hard on myself - I've not had many chances to ride this summer. For now I am just focusing on having fun, and I succeeded today. I did bite it on the new trail when my rear wheel spun out in dust going uphill around a curve, but I am fine. I do have a lump the size of a large lemon on my hip and a bit of trail rash here and there, but that's all.

I am so glad I went today and am looking forward to returning for more!

[indigoiis]

Rode in Pittsfield State Forest today with Berkshire NEMBA on a group ride (family/beginner) as part of the NEMBA Mountain bike adventure series and...

I did not screech once! Yay!

[Giulianna23]

I was schedule to go to Brown County State Park today but I woke up with my sinus out of control. Ran to the Pharmacy and didn't feel better until the evening. Still not too good but I promised my son I was going to take him to the trails today so I went for about an hour with him at a slow pace. It was nice and relaxing ...I feel good.

[sashadieken]

It was my last chance to ride the chairlift up the ski hill and try coming down their mtn bike trails, so I did it! I was pretty nervous starting out. I took a wrong turn right off the bat and began to wonder when I saw the black diamond signs! I went back and found the right trail, which was the big easy one, Elk Trail. I spun out a couple of times on turns where the dust was so thick, but I wouldn't say I fell off--more like I laid over! Acceleration control.

Down near the bottom I took another wrong turn and all of a sudden the bumps were 4' tall! I walked the steepest part, but then rode out into the parking lot and I'm sure everyone thought I had ridden that trail all the way!

[Catrin]

I was schedule to go to Brown County State Park today but I woke up with my sinus out of control. Ran to the Pharmacy and didn't feel better until the evening. Still not too good but I promised my son I was going to take him to the trails today so I went for about an hour with him at a slow pace. It was nice and relaxing ...I feel good.

Sorry to read that you had to bail on the BCSP ride yesterday, glad you were still able to get out there and ride a bit with your son!

I hope to hit Pine Loop at BCSP at some point next Sunday afternoon or Monday morning to check out my new tire combination - you are welcome to join me. That is assuming life, and rain, doesn't interfere