Making Mountains out of Molehills...then riding them!

Trusty Steed: Trek Mamba 29er

Here is a short(ish) post about my most recent bike ride. I normally don't take my phone with me due to the high probability of a wipeout of some kind resulting in the loss of blood, dignity and my electronic devices, but this time I braved it. So equipped with my trusty steed, a helmet, some flashy sunglasses and my iPhone, I set off to chronicle one of the rides I do a couple times a week.

I live near a regional preserve in the mountains and there are a number of fire trails snaking their way all over the mountains so emergency vehicles can get access to fires. They also are a great place for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers although not so much at the same time. There are quite a few trails that are bike-friendly, but I suspect that the mountain actually hates bikers since there are several places that are just to damn steep to ride. Being the workout masochist that I am, I actually enjoy the grueling climbs, spinouts, backslides, and more than occasional walking of the bike directly into the heavens, because of the reward...the descent.

Beginning of the worst part of the last climb...let the walking/crying begin

 The whole ride takes about an hour and half, and most of that time is spent suffering up the mountain rounding one corner only to find and even steeper grade around every bend. There are these spots where you can see only sky and you think, "Ah the top, there is no more mountain visible, so it must be all downhill from here." and then you make it to the top and realize that there is indeed more climbing. I still haven't figured out how this is possible, but I can attest to the fact that my soul weeps every time I discover more climbing.

The last push before the summit

Despite all the anguish, the ride is so beautiful. To someone who spent most of his life living three feet below sea level, I am still dumbfounded by the simple beauty of hills and mountains and the nature that adorns them. I've seen coyotes, deer, pigs, snakes, cows (they are grazing grounds, so sometimes you have to weave in and out of them on the trail), bobcats and foxes. Plus all of the foliage covering the hills and dotting the trails. I try and take in as much of the scenery as possible because once you make it to the descent everything is kind of a blur.

While climbing or walking with the bike you are doing about 5mph or less, which gives you time to notice how pretty everything is while you are cursing the very existence of all mountains and hills. But, aside from the sheer joy and terror of racing down the trail, the view from the top is always worth the climb.

Payoff! The view from the top...1 hour of climbing down and about 18 minutes of sheer terror left...

 So I take a moment to catch my breath and feel the solitude of being out there by myself...just me and the mountain. Then I adjust my seat, put on a ridiculously loud song on the iPod and tear ass downhill.

The descent is mostly hanging on to your rear brake for dear life and doing your best to remain attached to the bike. Click here for the tale of how the bike and I made it down the hill separately. Anyway, its a lot of sweat, curses, tears, a few prayers and usually a few moments of sheer terror, but every time it is a ton of fun.

It's not the camera, I am actually fuzzy from all the bouncing down the mountain...