How can riding a bike feel so good?
Besides the currently rare moment where I might have the chance to dance, riding my bike in the woods makes me happier than anything else find myself doing. It is amazing how easy it is to forget this and how wonderful it is to remember. Yesterday, Ivory and I rode Canny Bottom/Cove Creek, and Daniels Ridge and I haven't felt more "on" during descents and climbs than I have in a while. The last time I rode Daniels Ridge was about a year ago during the Double Dare, and before that two years ago in the Swank. Suddenly this trail was cake. Maybe it was the big wheels, maybe it was the fact that I have been riding my mountain bike rather consistently for a year. Either way, nailing switchbacks and steep tight rocky sections of trails was blissful. The small cheerleader that sits on my shoulder appeared and helped me clean the trail smoothly. I had many epiphanies about riding that should help me ride downhill even faster. And I can't wait for my next big day in the woods.
Now it’s time to prepare for the Double Dare. From what "they" say, riding on the road is a good way to get in better shape for mountain biking so I think its time for a few more long road rides although it can be hard to get me motivated to ride on the road. Gas prices should motivate me anyway. Not to mention, the pain in my hands and knee could stand the break. I have a few week-long bike tours to lead and some more Swank training rides ahead of me as well. After the Night Train, I took a bit of a break and getting back in to riding has been harder to do than I thought, but days like yesterday remind me why I ride.
