Leafy

Ok so Cliff has inspired to me to try to blog more.  I do think have a good excuse with school though.  Yesterday I decided to go ride at the trails in Montvale and was joined by my very good friend Tim.  It's always fun to hang out with Tim and he usually mountain bikes once a year.  Last time he rode in the woods was a year ago with me in Bedford.  HA HA.  I tossed out the idea of riding on Facebook hoping that a few people would bite, but no one did.  Oh well, they missed a fun, leafy ride.  

The leaves always make things interesting.  They cover the trail so you can't see exactly where you're going unless you're paying really good attention or the trail is obvious.  It also makes things a bit more slick.  Both of these factors led to a pretty cautious and slow ride which was fine with me since I am just not in the best biking shape.  We found ourselves off trail on a few occassions.  Once or twice, I think I wound up making a new path.  OOPS, sorry Kenny.  

As far as Montvale goes, I do like the trails, they are simple enough and challenging enough.  There are plenty of opportunities to go fast which I didn't really do a lot of and of course there are a few things that I can't do.  I swear I will ride across that skinny, flat bridge one of these days.  Both times I approached it yesterday my brain said no.  I don't get it, It's easier than the other stick-made, uphill bridge, but for some reason I freeze.  I've ridden similar bridges just fine too.  Oh well, reason to go back!  As far as the crazy uphill climb.  I started off from a dead stop because I couldn't make the switch back at the bottom, but then I climbed all the way to the with in 10 feet of the uphill right hand switchback before I ran out steam.  

Beales Treasure didn't quite kick my butt yesterday, but again I think I made my own trail at a few points.  Anyway!  We ended up making a loop then riding back down the access road and back tracking a trail or two to make up a 8.5 mile ride.  I think we did alright considering the conditions.  I certainly can and have ridden longer and farther as has Tim, but it was getting cool and I didn't want to have to climb back up to the parking lot again.  Such is riding for leisure!

Looking forward to the next opportunity to ride next Sunday.  Time changed and I'm not quite ready to go night riding and leaves yet, but we'll see.  I'm almost done for this term (only have to take my final exam and turn in one last assignment) then I get 6 weeks out of school.  Hoping to hit the trails every weekend while I'm out!!!