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Kate Riedell's Journal
Mountain Biking Rediscovered
posted by at 06:43 AM on December 27, 2008
This past Sunday, I dusted off the trusty '02 Specialized Epic in my bike room and packed up the car for a day of mountain biking with my dirt teammates - Jen J, Jen H, and Lesley. The skies were ominous for rain, but with mountain biking, rain never deters me somehow. I drove the hour or so down to Concept Cyclery in Morgan Hill and began to unpack my bike stuff. Jen H arrived, our ride leader and was as bubbly as usual, I just love her enthusiasm. We made our way to Henry Coe and right off the bat hit a lung busting climb. Lesley surged ahead and I relented as my knee pain began to set in and slowly pedaled up to the top. As I began to get my cadence in a steady motion, I began to realize how much fun this sport really was. Drew E. was right -- the dirt will always welcome you back. Thanks Drew!
Jen H. did not disappoint with this ride as we made our way down some fun swooping descents with lots of rocks and roots in them. The rain began to hit us as we found our way to a trailhead close to the car. But, we continued to ride... rain will never stop this team :)
As we loaded up our bikes on Jen H.'s truck, I thought -- I cannot "give up" this miraculous sport as I thought I once would to stick to the road. I have to manage to do both. I have been mountain bike racing since I was 15 and this is what is in my heart. This is what I know, ever since that first day on that green and orange painted cannondale and going back to my first race at Cranbery Park in '98.
This same kind of sentiment followed on Monday at China Camp where I met a friend and had a super ride quickly changing leads with him at a moments notice. I never knew I was smiling so much -- especially, when I hit the ground right in front of him at top speed. Yikes! Luckily, no major damage done.
I followed up this ride on Tuesday with a nice ride at Tamarancho. Here, I forget how technical riding can actually be out here in CA. Rocks, roots and everything else under the sun can be found here. I had only ridden it once or twice since I had moved here and found a new found respect for this place this time around.
Mountain and Road -- I have a passion for both.
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