Celebrating Columbus Day with some off-roading!

We were finally able to get the trio back together for a little off-road riding at Poco this past Monday, which was a holiday for some of us!



The day was just right for riding! We headed over to the Forest Exploration/Fendley Station Loop in hopes of checking out the new trails they are putting in for the IMBA Richmond Regional Ride Center!



There was actually a guy working and we chatted with him about the plans! They have made lots of progress on the trail building for the hand cycling/beginner trails!



There are wide trails and berms along with that awesome "skinny" log so far!



Poco will truly be a destination once all of these new trails are completed! We are so proud of this project and the progress being made!



We encountered two turtles on the side of the fire road and I think we interrupted them. Never seen that before in person!



We examined the many flags marking the new trails! So exciting!

The leaves are beginning to fall, and that is one of the prettiest times of the year at the park!





After our loop over on Forest Exploration we decided to try out the Blue trail before quitting!



It felt so great to finally hit the single track again!



And, even better to have our friend, Mountain Bike Mike (MBM), back too!



We even rode in our usual order...me, MBM, and Dynamo!



I'm the turtle of the group so they follow me!



We finished up with around 14 miles! We really loved being back!

New Year New Adventures! Please VOTE!

Happy 2014 everyone!! It's a new year and time for new adventures!



With the wonderful holidays and eating past us it's time to get back into the swing of things! We thought there was no better way to start off the new year than a bike ride at our favorite park, Pocahontas!





The air was crisp and cool and the park was full of hikers, bikers, dog walkers, runners, picnikers, etc. We knew the perfect spot to stop and snap a picture...the dam! Dynamo made "2014" from sticks...





and we tried to get a decent selfie!



Then, we submitted it to the Virginia State Parks First Day Hike Contest!



So, if you don't mind, can you click here and give us a vote?!?! Thanks so much in advance!

Now...what did you do to celebrate the new year?

Moutain Bike Monday - Ride Together

Late Saturday we ventured to the Park and hit the fireroads. I wanted to get in the majority of the Monster Cross Route before dark. We are gearing up for the Anthem Moonlight Ride on August 17, which is a fun 17 mile night ride in Richmond on the road!



It was a nice night for a ride. We really had a lovely time riding and talking! I do enjoy our time on the trails together. We can be together and talk without the distractions of life.



We take time to stop and look at things, snap a picture here and there, but most of all just enjoy the time we have with one another.



We rode by the pool as they were closing up! That sure is a busy place in the summer! Cars and people everywhere!



Down by the water there were lots of kayakers going out for a paddle!



I'm sure seeing the park from the water is so lovely! We often seeing fisherman and kayakers from the trails!

We wrapped up our ride after about 16 miles since it was getting darker! It was a great ride together at Virginia's largest state park! Did you know that?

Mountain Bike Monday - Independence Ride

On July 4th I broke out the original Spot, my singlespeed. Yes, he had forgotten who I was. He felt neglected just hanging in the garage getting all dusty! But, the minute I hopped on to ride it felt like old times!



I hadn't ridden my SS in a while and thought it was the perfect time to start integrating him into my workouts. At least every other ride I should be riding the SS. I could definitely tell it had been a while since I rode Spot. You definitely do use different muscles than on my 1 x 9. It didn't take me long, though, to get back in the groove of knowing when to stand and pedal.



The SS was a little more of a workout on a hot day than I planned, so I didn't do as many miles as usual. While I wandered around Dynamo did a few extra miles.



I should have just gone to the parking lot and waited, but no...I had to go down to the dam and look for the northern watersnakes that hang out by the bridge. Well, one was there! A little one searching for food! As I went back to get my camera and then attempted to head across the bridge, I spotted a rather large snake body just off the edge of the bridge!



In an attempt not to test fate, I snapped the above pic and inched my way slowly back to my bike! The entire time I was fussing at myself for being stupid and inviting trouble. I thought my little expedition was harmless. Plus, I wanted to take the SS up the big climb back to the parking lot. Good training you know!

After I got back to the car, I headed over to the Nature Center where I discussed my findings with the lady inside. She indicated that she thought it was a copperhead and that she would notify someone since that was a heavily traveled area for hikers, bikers, and others fishing. Needlesstosay, we steered clear of that area on Sunday when we rode!



It was another hot one on Sunday, but we ventured out anyways! We did a mix of fireroads and a little singletrack. In my mind I mapped out the route and we just went with the flow!



The water was very high and fast at the dam. It was much cooler at this location in the park. We noticed a lot of butterflies floating through the air near the dam. I'd never seen so many in one place. Maybe they were thirsty!



It was so hot I almost considered jumping in the water for a minute! Yes, me who never gets in water that I can't see the bottom! It was like an oasis in the desert!



Once we got used to the temperature it wasn't so bad. We had a great ride together and completed about 19 miles total. We drank a lot of water!



We had a lovely Independence Day holiday and hope you did too! What a great way to spend the holiday enjoying nature with my Dynamo!

Mountain Bike Monday - Am I a half monster?

Three-and-a-half years ago I would have never understood this scene above. Over the years there have been many a bike in our dining room in the process of being built, repaired, or otherwise. I always said it was Dynamo's thing! I have helped him set up a few bikes at midnight in the garage...trying to get the shifting just right. I've held wrenches and provided assistance whenever needed. I know most of the parts of the bike and can for the most part converse with anyone on a pretty basic level.



Years ago I questioned why one person needed more than one bike and now I'm eating my words. Funny how that happens huh?



Today, I'm excited to know more about biking than I did those many years ago and I enjoy it so much. I have learned so much just by listening.



I'm grateful to Dynamo for taking the time to teach me about bikes and riding. Not every spouse would be as patient as he was, especially in the beginning. Day after day I would cry and whine about the difficulty of learning to ride. Dynamo stuck by me and guided me to the point I am at today.



Dynamo is one of the most positive people I know, especially when it comes to exercising. Yesterday as I was complaining about the parts of the Monster Cross route that were not my favorite he told me that thinking negatively would only bring down my performance.



He most certainly was correct, and I really started to think about that. There are certain parts of the park that are not my favorite for one reason or the other. I particularly dislike the side we call "the horse side" because the hooves make lots of indentations and it's very rough.



Instead of dreading that section, I need to look at it differently. You really have to keep on your toes some days due to the land mines in the middle of the trails if you know what I mean!



I admire his ability to look at things in a positive light. I need to be more grateful that I can accomplish what I do and seek to improve it each time. I need to block out negative thoughts. It's a mind thing!



We tried to get our heads in the pic above...a sort of in action shot, but we just couldn't quite get it!



Life is much more fun when you have someone like Dynamo to share it with. He's such an encourager and a fan! He never complains if I move too slow or how long it takes us. He says just being on the bike is training for him. Not many husbands are so patient and just enjoy being together like that. I'm so blessed.



And, we couldn't have asked for a better day to ride the half monster cross route! I made it...all 22 miles! Not bad after so much time goofing off!



It was lovely outside. Such a nice surprise for January!



And, remember while on vacation we bought a turtle horn for my bike? Well, I named him Roberto and he went for his first ride yesterday! Doesn't he look like a Roberto?



I enjoyed honking at the people as we went by! The kids on the trails loved it! You really can't take yourself too seriously now can you? It made people smile! Hey - that's enough for me!

Mountain Bike Wednesday - The Birds!

We finally got back out on the bikes this Sunday!



It had been a long time off, but it was time to get back in the swing of things!



The weather was great!And, we had some company!



Missy joined us for a little spin around the park. We ventured out onto the fireroads.



All of a sudden as we were climbing a hill we noticed a huge flock of black birds.



They were everywhere just like in that movie. The picture was hard to get. We were climbing a hill and in awe! There were thousands flying across the path and in the trees. It was amazing! We had no idea where they all came from nor what stirred them.



We swung around by the car and dropped Missy off, but continued on for a bit on Forest Exploration.



The worst part about this route is the really big climb in the beginning!



Here I come!





We wrapped up the ride with 10 or 11 miles. For the first day back it was ok.





We will step it up next week!





Hopefully you're having a great week!