Its 8:13am

Wake up to the pitter patter of my 2 year old on the cold cabin floor....” that was a short 8 hours ”.....O ya today is my annual “Mountain” excursion with Eddie ...Rock n roll down the trails.. Must call Eddie...So what is the itinerary??? [ initial plan ...an 8 hour “Tekerra trail ride, turned into an 6 hour Old Fort Point hike... back into riding the Valley of the 5 lakes...so much to do!!

First breakfast, followed by a quick outing with the kids, and for good measure ....throw in the “are you sure you’re going to be all right with the kids while I’m gone honey?” line ...its 11 am.

I decide to warmup by riding from our cabin @ Patricia lake into town to meet up with Eddie...Hell its downhill, and after all I’m a runner..energy to burn. As I get to my destination, Eddie is waiting with his new yellow “squishy “ Santa Cruz....Nice to see Eddie finally have new ride after a some 15 years of lugging around ole Betsy..

As I am changing my drenched bandana, and tooling the gears on my own ole Betsy , Eddie obviously notices the pain transpiring in front of him...and “graciously” offers the suggestion “what do you think of grabbing a ride with the raft crew, up the road to the river...and from there....Valley of the five lakes...” I quickly agree...but first....coffee.

After a warm cup of Joe, and nice ride in the emissions nightmare of a Ford monster truck...we are finally off.

From the asphalt tarmac into dirt single track...”ahh finally...its has been too long. All that running has made me forget what two wheeled fun the outdoors can really be. Man I feel good..Go hard...go fast...Zig...Zag ...the old Andy is back folks ..and....oops...end of the trail? Have to turn around and back track....down a minor embankment, some rocks, some more rocks, negotiate and........what the he.. I’m wiping out !?...I am actually going over the bars....I’ve never done this...and on such a simple part of the trail....better roll when I hit the ground...ya just like I learned in Judo some 28 years ago...hey this is going to wor. OUCH....limp leg hitting solid tree....instant
pain...this is going to be bad....”

Hey are you OK... “Sure” [ no I am not OK....but I won’t show you the full extend of the pain I’m experiencing] . Whatever confidence and ego I had mustered...is diminishing quickly...and we are just starting!!

Back on the bike, and ride out the pain.....Shit, first climb of the trip...a doozy..No granny gear, no granny gear...what the hell?! Eddie
is right behind me on his “squishy “ ...can’t be...this is not suppose to be....Granny save me....!!!! Make sure to smile at the top, and
breath shallow like...don’t show weakness. Well this is going to be a pride and ass kicking ride...

After putting the heroics and testosterone aside, I finally find myself in the zone...the true goodness of epic mountain biking ....seeing the back country up close and all its majestic beauty...a beauty only some 2% of the tourists see...

Off course no ride is complete with its share of photo ops....and make sure to over emphasise hill steepness and difficulty factors...pose and shoot...pose and shoot. After a short trail snack I am back on my steed...a steed that is beginning to show its age.

Down hills!!!...OK that’s more like it...my specialty...lets go hard....turn, slice, bank, crank hard.....what the hell?! Eddie is right behind me on his “squishy “ ...can’t be...this is not suppose to be...keep focused...”So Eddie...been riding much...or is it the new wheels??” Another rolling drop...with a tree branch, high enough for me to duck und.. oh my God...helmet is caught...head and neck being puuuuulled back “ this is not good......gotta let go of the bike ooouuuch!!!! Again...on my ass..gonna feel that tonight....

Hey are you OK??

Pick up Betsy...and ride off...with thoughts of hot tubs, strong alcohol, and herb flowing through my sore head...”Ahh an uphill...great” Pull, push..... oh oh is that a Bonk I feel coming on.....better take a pull off the ole Camel....Shit....no more fluids...Head becoming light, shakes to follow..”Eddie...hold on...wait” Must find sweets...and drink...Dig deep into
the goodie bag..ahh yes ice tea and candy..thank you God....

Back in the saddle after a shaky consumption of sweet and drink...More downhill...and I don’t care what line I take...go man go...”what’s that whistling noise??” Flat!!!! Eddie...I think your tire just blew out...No....its mine!!!! Lucky for me [ or shall I say Eddie ] I happen to have a spare tube....Are we almost done????

Finally, steep, steep downhill...the mark of the end of a trail...we are done folks...but wait the final insult to injury....Eddie’s roomy meets us at the end of the trail...walks over to what used to be the envy of the biking community circa 92 .... gives it the one’s over and says..”Man....your handlebars...very retro like .....straight from the Don Johnson days eh”.

As with all mountain rides, you are bound to walk away learning something new...My journey this day,an end of a ride where age, family obligations and yes old technology took its toll....but an renewed fire for riding the trails and ...possibly a new attitude..of taking the time out to look around...and take it all in..and be in awe..

Story by: Andy Lucardie

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