Bam! Bam!

Nothing like enjoying the last cool morning before the heat sets in for the next week...some time on the ride it hit us and just kept getting hotter...



E

BAM!

Got a road bike when we moved back, for some reason I still get pulled into the forests to ride the gravel roads....
Anyway...check it...
it hurt a good bit and my bike is all dusty...
sweeeeet

Gretta gets her ride on!!!

Gretta is really getting into the whole riding in the forest and embracing the climbs...this ride took her deeper into the forest than ever...nice!
Keep it up lady!
e

Pansy Lungs Loop

WARNING: mushy content within

Truth be told... I have pansy lungs. They've been giving me a fit since...well, as long as I can remember. Once upon a time and not so long ago, I was horribly embarrassed to walk up hill with anyone. Just the slightest exertion, and I would begin to sweat, turn red in the face, gasp for air. It was an absurd scene. I have asthma (yes, I realize even here as I write this that it sounds shameful), and I've always allowed it to act as a limitation on my life--doing anaerobic activities, avoiding anything aerobic tooth and nail. Little did I realize (thank you, wonderful husband of mine!!!) that pushing through that uncomfortableness...in small, smart, careful steps would help me to take charge of my lungs. And, now I can officially say, my lungs do not own me.

Today, I climbed (on my sweet machine) about 2800 vertical feet in less than two hours...and there was no gasping! Granted there was plenty of sweat and red in the face but NO gasping, panting, panicking. And, I actually (stand back, now) had...fun! Happily, this only verifies my intentions in getting a mountain bike. To have FUN! I didn't get a bike to become fast or "good." I just wanted to be out in the forest, and I gotta say, riding a bike up hill is soooooo way better than running, and I could go so far, see so much more of this beautiful forest in our backyard!

Here is what I named my Pansy Lung Loop...it is my beginning fire road loop that I am using to smack my lungs into good behavior. I must apologize to my running shoes here... sorry old friends... you may not see many days outside for a little while... at least until it snows enough that I can't make it out the forest. But, really, I mean, if you had a sweet machine like that...would you wear you? Really? I know it's harsh, but this isn't San Fran anymore.

The fireroads here aren't washed out in 3 feet deep ruts...nor are they stupidly straight up hill.

And, just look at that...it's a fireroad! Not even a "trail."  Just a road (with trees!) that takes you here, to this lookout:

And here, where it seems that magic can happen and it's entirely understandable why the forest becomes such a personal relationship that always seems to come across in people's discussions of these places:

And, just when it seems that it can't get any better...it has been. I've met some amazing women to ride with and had the incredible fortune to spend a lot of time with them in beautiful surroundings. Then, to boot, I have a partner who I trust and has encouraged me and helped me to extend beyond my comfort zone to find something that I truly, truly enjoy!

We're back baby!!!

 

Gretta post 7 mile ride wondering why it is that I still have to have a camera even after we just finish our ride...because- that's why!!!

 

dig that dirt on my lady!!! Dannnnng

Yes, that is our beat up old truck we drove all the way out here with 275,000 miles on it! It was made while I was still in high school. 

 

Gretta's new best friend...

so, one of the points of our move was to enjoy the outdoor opportunities here in central PA, in that we decided that Gretta deserved a bike to call her own and a chance to figure out what all the fuss was with mountain bike riding.
Yesterday she took the bike and climbed up the moutian road in Rothrock state forest to get aquainted with it...all alone in the woods and fire roads. This morning we headed out to the local trails that feature dirt and turns so she could run around and get dirty. It was great!  It ended up raining on us, she went head first over the handle bars when a log jumped up and she really looked like it was worth all the hassle of moving back.
Gretta- it was great being out there with you!!! You rode so well, thanks for letting me be a part of your first mountain ride!
e

Here...here at last.

Made it to Leah's pad last night around 1am. (Thanks, Leah!!!!!!!)..dang what a day it was. And the gps took us along route 22 with a ton of night construction, one lane roads, and two cranky people... But here we are- rested, caffienated, and just a kittle stinky from riding without ac for 17 hours straight. Hello beautiful state college.

Coordinates: N 40•46.645' W 77•50.935'
Elevation: 1106'

Oh suh-nap

It's the first Sheetz...e just spun the tires and nearly turned the rig over pulling in. well maybe not that extreme... But he did off road a little over the curb pulling in. Someone's getting excited. To tell the truth we all are... We're going to push on.

Coordinates: N 40•00.231' W 81•34.517'
Elevation: 858'