Stories from a HUSBAND - FATHER - SON - GRANDFATHER - UNCLE - BROTHER - FRIEND - TEACHER
KEEPING THINGS MOVING -- May 6, 2016
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There was a time, when I first started mountain biking, that a flat tire would end my ride. Not only was I not wise enough to carry what I needed to fix my bike...I wouldn't have known what to do if I did have what I needed with me. Over the years, I've learned to deal with a whole lot more than just flat tires. I have to credit any ability I have to fix my bike mid ride to Mark Lentz and Jay Zech. Mark has given me a whole lot of "on the trail" experience and Jay was kind enough to teach me a thing or two while at the bike shop.
Doing a little maintenance on my bike -- July 2015
Flat tires suck...but when riding in places like Michaux State Forest (or even locally at Rocky Ridge)...they are bound to happen. Generally, the rule of the ride is, each person carries what is needed to fix their own flat at least once...a tube, a pump or CO2, and the tools needed to get your wheel moving forward again. The only times I had to push my bike out of the woods, in recent memory, were the times I've forgotten to bring what I need. We've sealed flats with dollar bills, power bar wrappers, and super glue. I remember when Glenn's tubeless tire, filled with Green Slime, blew a side wall. It looked like Predator threw up on the trail! Regardless, we've always found a way to keep our wheels rolling.
Glenn giving Mark a hand with his flat near Tumbling Run at Michaux State Forest -- 2006
Mike Alicea fixing his flat near Woodrow Road in Michaux State Forest. He has perfect technique -- June 14, 2014
My son, Alex, experiencing his first road ride flat -- June 18, 2014
It would be nice if flats were the only thing that happen to a bike while riding....but that's not the case. Some mechanicals take a little more skill to fix. Everything I carry with me cycling is because of the experience of not having it when I needed it. When I don't have what is needed a little creativity can go a long way. Bolts fall off of a bike when you least expect it and chains break. In Timmy's case, his chain seems to break every couple minutes...
Tim fixing his chain at the Lakes -- April 28, 2013
Tim fixing his chain at Rocky Ridge -- June 30, 2015
Tim fixing his chain at the Lakes -- October 17, 2015
Tim fixing his chain at the Lakes...again -- October 17, 2015
Me waiting for Tim to fix his chain at the Lakes -- October 18, 2014
Probably the best person to have with you when something happens to your bike is Mikey. The man can fix anything (and tell you the make, model, and serial number of the parts he needs as he is fixing it). He has a knack for bike maintenance that I will never know and he's saved my butt more than a few times in the middle of a ride. Mikey, you're the man and I'm so pumped to be riding with you again soon!
My most desperate fixes have come during adventure races. While racing the French Creek Fling Adventure Race in 2011, I blew a tire two minutes into the race. It took me ten minutes to fix it...all the while being passed be the entire field. Ultimately I finished in 5th place over all...but only seven minutes behind the first place team. Big lesson learned: I need to fix my flats faster! Ironically, my biggest mechanical happened three years prior in the same race. My rear derailleur ripped completely off of my bike. After removing a few cables and cutting up the strings of my Camel Bak to tie things up...I turned my 2006 Epic into a single speed. Anything to keep moving forward.
There are, I've found, things that happen that you can never prepare for. When this happens, your bike ride turns into a hike...which can also be fun. A few years back I was riding at Governor Dick with Mark Lentz. The trails at Governor Dick are littered with boulders the size of my pick-up truck. Such a fun place to ride...unless one of those rocks tacos your rear wheel. Mark and I pushed our bikes out that day and explored stuff that we wouldn't have otherwise...keeping our Garmins running the entire time. Mark's claim to fame that day is that he still has a KOM on a hill we pushed our bikes up! That's so like Mark.
Regardless of whether we are ultimately forced to hike our way out or if we have the mechanical savvy to ride through any problem the trick is to just keep on moving. It's a good metaphor not just for biking...but for life.
The last second I had on a usable rear wheel in Governor Dick -- April 1, 2013
Showing off the damage to my rear wheel -- April 1, 2013
Life is a journey, not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- May 6, 2016
Tim...fixing his chain at Rocky Ridge. I should mention that Tim once fixed Mikey's chain for him...with a rock!
A day off of the bicycle doesn't mean a day spent inside. With the end of summer in view, and the school year encroaching soon, I took my sixteen year old son, Alex, and his buddies (Robby and Austin) to Michaux State Forest for a day of hiking, picnicking, and exploring. Our day today was split into three parts. We planned to hike up through Tumbling Run Game Preserve, have a picnic lunch at the furnace stack in Pine Grove Furnace State Park , and then hike up to the top of Pole Steeple. Although the trail head at Tumbling Run is not marked, it is easy to get to if you know what you are looking for. After passing Pine Grove Furnace State Park on state route 233 (headed South) you will be looking for a obvious gravel parking area located on the right between Woodrow Road and Dead Woman's Hollow Road. It is important to know that the last "nice" bathrooms are located at the furnace stack at Pine Grove Furnace ...
My wife took me to Alaska this year. I had never been to that part of the world, nor have I ever seen such immense natural beauty in my entire life. For our 10th wedding anniversary we took a six day cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to Alaska and back. Along the way, we visited the Alaskan cities of Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. We took a train ride into Yukon Territory, Canada. We saw whales, bald eagles, and countless salmon. Robin and I had the opportunity to hike along Bennett Lake, explore Glacier Bay National Park, and sail through Tracy’s Arm Inlet. It truly was one of the “bucket-list” trips that I could only dream of and it was fitting that I got to visit the 49th state during my 49th year on the planet. Thank you, Sweetheart! Robin and David Raymond. Welcome to Alaska! -- July 18, 2023 David and Robin Raymond in Tracy's Arm Inlet -- July 17, 2023 Approaching a glacier in Tracy's Arm Inlet -- July 17, 2023 ...
In the early 1980s my mom and dad began taking my brother, Jake, and I camping at Rocky Gap State Park near Cumberland, Maryland . During the summer months we seemingly went every weekend. I loved it there. Rocky Gap was just a short drive from our home in Bedford, Pennsylvania. We spent our days playing on the beach and fishing in the lake. My mother made incredible meals for us at the campground and each evening my dad would make a campfire. The campfire was my favorite part. My dad made mountain pies, my mom would make popcorn over the fire, and my brother and I would roast marshmallows and hot dogs. Our camping trips ended in the late 80s when both my brother and I reached high school. Our schedules were just too hectic. That was the last I would see of Rocky Gap for 25 years. Rocky Gap State Park and campgrounds sits at the base of Evitts Mountain in western Maryland -- May 30, 2016 When I began dating m...
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