Got my first ride today here in the NoVA/MD/DC area...first ride since July actually, and it felt GREAT. Been busy with training and work (just started working for the guv'mint again); it was great to get outside and see what the east coast has to offer. (just moved back east from California...) Autumn weather...rocks...roots...trees...(hardtails hurt!)
Thoroughly enjoyed riding today. Tried out Gambrill, because it seemed to be the easiest place to find with the best-marked trails...wanted to avoid all frustration. I found enough by trying the black trail first...those rocky/log climbs were a bit much at first, even if the trail was double-wide.
But after getting on the yellow, green, and red trails, life improved considerably...little less trials-techy, and a lot narrower. Had a blast. Doesn't get much better than wooded, rocky singletrack. Looking forward to sampling the techy stuff I've heard about at Watershed, the smooth fast stuff at Schaffer, and whatever else you guys can show me.
My schedule will return to sane (weekends off, regular hours) on 31 October, so I'll be up for riding if any of you are. Should be in the area until next June. Won't have the DH bike, unfortunately, but I also can't risk an injury at this point, so maybe it's a blessing in disguise.
So yeah, again...feels great to be back in the saddle, and hope to see you all out on the trails sometime soon.
-Mike
Thoroughly enjoyed riding today. Tried out Gambrill, because it seemed to be the easiest place to find with the best-marked trails...wanted to avoid all frustration. I found enough by trying the black trail first...those rocky/log climbs were a bit much at first, even if the trail was double-wide.
But after getting on the yellow, green, and red trails, life improved considerably...little less trials-techy, and a lot narrower. Had a blast. Doesn't get much better than wooded, rocky singletrack. Looking forward to sampling the techy stuff I've heard about at Watershed, the smooth fast stuff at Schaffer, and whatever else you guys can show me.
My schedule will return to sane (weekends off, regular hours) on 31 October, so I'll be up for riding if any of you are. Should be in the area until next June. Won't have the DH bike, unfortunately, but I also can't risk an injury at this point, so maybe it's a blessing in disguise.
So yeah, again...feels great to be back in the saddle, and hope to see you all out on the trails sometime soon.
-Mike