Less daylight means more night riding. Add leaf-covered, wet, slippery roots and rocks, and you have the increased potential for Falling.
But darkness makes me ride better. Not being able to see as well means that I can’t get picky with lines to take. It forces me to keep my body relaxed and moving forward.
If I ride a trail at night, and then ride that same trail during the day, I feel like I’m riding faster. Being alone in the woods, with an 8+ year-old light system and hearing Blair Witch noises also makes me ride faster.
I wanted to do a nice, relaxing mountain bike ride. Something with more miles, less technical stuff, and no climbing.
I decided to try Blue Marsh Lake, in Leesport, Pa. I haven’t been there for a few years and I seem to remember that there’s no climbing in Blue Marsh.
I was wrong. There ARE hills in Blue Marsh but they were just what I was looking for. Some long, steady grinders on old access roads, and some short steepies – but all were rideable. The trails were dry and not too rocky or rooty. Just sit and spin and avoid the horse poop.
I did a little over 9 miles, then decided to head back for a total of 18 and 1/2 miles. I’ll do the entire 30 mile loop around the lake when I have more time. And energy. And fitness.
It was a good day of riding and I learned a few things that day…
September 1st is the first day of dove season – which is why there were guys in full-camo with shotguns on the trail.
Entire sections of forest can be eaten bare by tent caterpillars.
Tent caterpillars skeeve me out.
There are big ‘ol fish with big fat fish lips along the edge of the lake. They don’t seem to like Fig Newtons, but are curious about hockers.
I observed some interesting interpersonal dynamics in the parking lot as two separate couples finished up their day’s activities.
One couple was a pair of hikers. I heard the man yelling at the woman, “THAT’S IT. I’M DONE. This relationship isn’t going anywhere!” The woman just laughed at him dismissively.
The second couple were two mountain bikers. I saw and heard them earlier on the trail whooping and “Yeah!-ing.” As they loaded their bikes on their car’s roof, I again heard the girl let out a “Whew!” and the guy agreeably say “Yea. Awesome ride.”
I think this sample population provides statistically significant proof that couples that ride bikes are happy and have good relationships; and people who don’t ride are miserable.
Man vs. wild – Warren didn’t have any Clif Bars so he had to settle for a centipede
Warren and I went for a ride at Bear Creek. They do a lot of work building and maintaining mountain bike trails there, so if you get the chance, check it out. Be sure to pick up the free trail pass from the hotel.
The climbing was especially strenuous for some reason. It must have been our fast-paced hammering up the technical rocky, rooty, steep single track. Or we’re out of shape.
Toward the end of the ride we were heading back to the parking lot and took a trail that I haven’t taken before. A few inches off of the trail we noticed some caves. Knowing how great SPD shoes are for spelunking, we started to explore.
One cave only went about 30 feet down, and 50 feet deep. It was about 30 degrees colder inside. There was a log lodged near the ceiling where small, bioluminescent squirmle-like creatures were hanging.
The other cave was probably about 75-80 feet down from the top. It was too dark and far to see, but when we tossed some rocks, it sounded like there was a deep pool of water at the bottom. We were surprised that there weren’t any barriers or signs around the caves (yet). On the trails, there are 8 1/2″ x 11,” neon green, laminated signs warning of bridges – probably the flatest, grippiest, safest surfaces on the mountain – but nothing around these 80+ feet deep, loose-rocked, squirmle-filled, pits next to the trail.
It was a great day of riding and cave exploration.
I know I’m not the only person to use handlebar tape for a chainstay protector; but the color-coordinated electrical-wire twist connector for a valve cap? That’s gotta be a first.
Proof that we rode 4.64 miles – I’m not just exaggerating
Sometimes it’s quality, not quantity, that can make a ride great. My “BMX friends,” Warren and Chad, are always fun to ride with. Even if we don’t do an all-day 30 mile ride, we still have tons of fun – without the post-ride cramping.
Here are some highlights:
As we started toward the trails on Spring Mountain a red tail hawk was taking off with a rat in its talons.
Chad was kind enough to be the boulder-jumpin’ guinea pig as he showed us some new trails and stuff to jump off of.
Chad was also kind enough to bring a bag of carrots on the ride. Not for us, but for Avie (Avalanche), the goat that lives at the top of Spring Mt.
I bailed after a rock drop and sent one of my shoes floundering into the woods.
There’s a decent jump-to-flat at the bottom of the mountain to play on. We battled each other going for the longest distance.
Even at almost 43 years-old I’m still innovating jump variations. I pulled a perfect one-shoe-er when my foot pulled out of my shoe which was still clipped into my Crank Brothers Mallet C pedal. Extreme.
Warren went for a big boost over my bike seat and rode a killer nose wheelie to g-turn. His bike should be out of the shop soon.
Props to Noah and the guys who have been maintaining trails at Spring Mt. Good stuff.
