Mountain Biking Lakeview

It had been quite some time since we biked the Lakeview Trails at Pocahontas Park.



Mountain Bike Mike joined us for the Memorial Day spin and Dynamo was our talented photographer.





It was a beautiful morning for a ride!



We had so much fun! And, even took advantage of the beautiful new benches on the trail!



The trails were in great shape! It was just a gorgeous morning for a ride!







And, sure enough...our snake family was back this year at the creek. Eek! I think we counted between 3 and 4!



One just sunning on top of the rock!



I guess we weren't the only ones enjoying the morning at the park. So were the creatures!

Mountain Bike Monday - Some single track riding

Finally, we were able to get back to some single track riding at Poco over the weekend. We even caught up with our friend, Mountain Bike Mike!



The boys were all smiles! It was good to be back out in the beautiful green woods! What a great time of year to be riding.



The trails were so smooth and packed. They were fast and flowing. I just love the green and blue trails at Poco.



Even though the weather was really warm, it wasn't too bad under the tree canopy.



We snapped some pics of Dynamo rolling over the rocks!





What a star! Like it was nothing to it!



Look at the smile!





We have been mostly riding on the road and trying out our new bicycle built for two, so it was a lot of fun to explore the park again!



We ventured over the boat ramp to the Forest Exploration side of the park. We wanted to try and find the new trails that are part of the IMBA Richmond Ride Center.



And, there it was! The new trail!



It was hard packed clay and was fast!





We had a ball flying through!



It will really be awesome when it's finally completed. Such amazing things going on at our favorite park!!



It was such a great time being back out there together. I love riding with my Dynamo! And, it was a bonus having our friend, Mike, there too!

Shotgun Rider

With Monday being a holiday, we decided to get out and enjoy the fresh air! There were lots of others at the park enjoying the day as well!



Each day we have to remember to be grateful for the time we have together to be outside enjoying God's creation.



I am thankful for the warmth of the sun on our chilly rides, and the sparkle that it gives to the water it shines over!



I am thankful for a husband who WANTS to ride with me at my pace. He is always patient, kind, and supportive of me. He lifts me up!



When we get to the dam we always stop and stare in awe of its beauty. Dynamo mentioned the sunlight in the background just over the top! It still amazes me everytime we ride up and see the rushing waters!



We enjoy being with one another. We enjoy the time away from the rest of the world, away from the phones and the internet. It's a time to ride and reflect and just be together. And, there's always time to stop and just look at the world around you and admire it's beauty. Every single leaf, acorn, mossy tree trunk and creature is God's work.



And, silly me just had to make Dynamo give me a mooch! But, the park is a special place for us. It's just full of peace and beauty. There's no noise of the world around, just the two of us together!



Sure, the trails can be tough. It's just like life. But, we can make it. Together, with those we love we can make it. Without Dynamo's love, support, and encouragement I wouldn't be where I am today on the bike (and in life). He takes the time to help me and love me. He patiently waits for me at each of the peaks and turns during our ride, knowing just when to push me along. He encourages me out of the tough valleys and together we have both grown as people and bikers. We have to support one another and encourage each other to be the best we can be. There's a Tim McGraw song called "Shotgun Rider." I always want to be Dynamo's shotgun rider! I want to always be with him and by his side through the good times and the bad. He is a blessing and a gift from God.



I pray that each of you will stop and take a moment to think about all you have to be thankful for and show those you love how much you love them. Protect them and love them with all you have. But, mostly, be thankful to God for each and every blessing you have.

Chilly Willy

Saturday was a day to be together and take a stab at the mini Monster Cross route at Pocahontas State Park! Dynamo and I bundled up for the 21 mile ride and it was a good thing we did! The temperature was a chilly 34 at the start and registered in at around 28 degrees by the finish. Let's just say it was so cold that we didn't stop much to take our hands out to snap pics! So, we only got this one from the start!

This new year we are grateful for our health and for one another! Even though the temperatures were quite cold, it was still refreshing and good for our bodies and minds to get out and smell the air! It was a great ride and we just barely made it back to the Jeep in time before dark!

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!