Well I've been lacking in my updates lately but that doesn't mean I'm not riding. Tuesday I took another new rider out for a ride. I met Aaron about 3 years ago at the base of Morton where he complimented the old Trek and started a short conversation about his Kona. Well after 3 years I asked him one day outside of Stocker if he had been riding. He said not as much as he wanted to since he had just gotten a new Giant Trance he wanted to get on the trails. So after seeing him one more time I got his phone number and we planned to hit the trails sometime in the near future.
So we planned for a 4:15 start on Tuesday so some quick laps at Sell's Park were on the menu. Aaron had never "offically" ridden around the trails so I thought it would be a great ride for the both of us. I could size up his skill and he could get to see a new trail system. He immediately impressed me with his bike skills. Not only could he handle the bike well but he had the motor behind him to keep up. We flew through the first lap and I asked if he wanted another and he said yes. So I decided we would make it a hot lap to see how he would do. After the first half I could tell he was strong he kept right on my wheel and I'm sure if I told him to go ahead he would have left me behind. No problems there though I love having someone to chase. We flew through the second lap both tripping up on the steep climb but having a blast on the Athens' Trail downhill section.
After the ride we chatted and planned to ride again soon. Well after a busy week Wednesday and Thursday came and went with no rides, so Friday morning I sent out the Athens wide text message and with a few people busy Aaron popped up with a confirmation if he was done with his lab in time. So we decided to hit up Dow Lake and do some trails there. I knew of a nice section of trail but not much else other than the Lake View Trail. Aaron on the other hand knew of a different trail head that started near the Stroud's Run entrance. So we decided to head up that way and ride some new trails. This trail leads to a Mountain Bike only section that hasn't been brutalized by the horses. It is a wonderful trail with lots of logs, and trees and rocks and lots of really technical sections. Unfortunately whether it was a lack of sleep or something else I wasn't feeling it today. I had several times where I just couldn't keep my head straight but luckily for Aaron I let him go ahead and that way he didn't have to wait behind me. After each mishap I would catch back up to Aaron who was riding great. I loved the trail and can't wait to make another trip back out there this week hopefully on Tuesday. With a week of great weather lets hope the guys are up for some riding.
Saturday was another ride with Aaron this time we rode from college park and hit some of my favorite urban spots with alot less curb jumping than usual, too many spectators. We did make it up to The Ridges and made a ride down from the top but due to a creep in the parking lot we strayed away from riding back up and made a long ride back to the complex. Aaron and I had another great time, less offroad riding but got to know each other a bit better, and that's one thing I love about riding. It opens doors to friendships you might have never imagined (V, T & CK).
Sunday was not a day without riding. Brittany has been wanting to ride and with the weather being great I decided it would be a great day to get out and enjoy some of the fall colors with her. We made our way over to the Union Street park to start in the shade and ride towards The Plains. With only a goal of having a wonderful time we rode casually out about half way to The Plains and back. Brittany did a great job of riding and with a few adjustments still to be made on her bike soon we'll be taking her out to the trail for some real riding!
With another week down only a few more until Halloween, anyone up for a Saturday pre-halloween mountain bike ride? Maybe move it from Lake Hope to Dow Lake? Either way I'd like to get some people together for that. So chime in if your down.
Willis out!
