ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

I've had FRESH 'N TWISTY on the brain since Brent, Tim, Kristian and I rode Rocky Ridge County Park last Friday .  Yeah...that new trail on the southern side of the park really got my juices flowing and turned an ordinary afternoon ride into  SOMETHING AWESOME .  I was hoping to be able to get out on the trails again this week for an after school ride before the weather took a downward turn...but neither Mark nor Kristian were able to get out.  So... with CRYSTAL BLUE SKIES  overhead on  Tuesday...and with the local weather guys predicting a wash out for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday...and even though I had been planning on just doing an afternoon road ride...I threw my Stumpjumper up on top of the Cruz and headed over to Rocky Ridge.  I just couldn't help myself! Instead of a road ride I threw my Stumpjumper on top of the car and drove out to Rocky Ridge to enjoy a perfect September evening -- September 27, 2016 This would be my second ...

I might anger a few of local mountain bikers in York County by saying this...mountain biking at Rocky Ridge, at least for me, is kind of like eating frozen pizza:  it's never my first choice, but it's convenient when in a pinch.  And it's not that Rocky Ridge County Park isn't amazing...it is.  I always tell people that, if I lived far away from York, I would drive hours to ride there.  It's some of the most technical and challenging riding around.  If you like rocks and hills and single track...Rocky  Ridge is your place.  If you can mountain bike here...you can mountain bike anywhere!  I really believe that. Friday's ride introduced a completely new dynamic...it was the first that this group...Brent, Kristian, myself, and Timmy...had ever ridden together.  It was a great afternoon on the trails at Rocky Ridge County  Park -- September 23, 2016 Why is it never my first choice?  I guess it's because...after 20+ years of ...

Usually, mountain biking provides me with a good dose of GROUP THERAPY .  Although I always road ride alone...I consider it my "me" time...I very rarely head out solo on the mountain bike trails.  Mountain biking for me has always been about sharing time and experiences with friends.  But sometimes schedules, calendars, and life just don't come together the way we would all like it too. Taking a short break on a hill overlooking Lake Redman.  Nice view.  You can check it out HERE  -- September 18, 2016  So, when I sent the message out that I was going to ride at Swatara State Park this afternoon (which was the only time free riding time this weekend) Kristian was the only person who was able to give me the thumbs up.  Even that didn't turn out we expected.  My time frame got pushed back an hour and Kristian had family stuff that needed attention...which (in my book) is always much more important than mountain biking.  So...wi...

I've been pushing my luck on my road rides the past week.  After a string of flat tires I found myself completely out of spare tubes.  I figured that, until I could get to the bike shop, I would just ride and, if I  got a flat, I would either walk home or call my wife or son to come pick me up (which is kind of unfair to them).  So today, after school, my bike ride took me down the Susquehanna Trail to Gung Ho Bikes .  I figured that if I was going to ride...I'd ride there to get what I needed.   Gung Ho Bikes in York, PA.  I took this pick the day I purchased my 2016 Specialized Stumpjumper. -- March 2016 I've first walked into Gung Ho in 1995 and I've never considered going to another bike shop.  Since then, I've bought 10 mountain bikes, 3 road bikes, a bike for my wife, and a BMX bike for my son. (After writing that last sentence I'm kind of amazed.  That's a lot of bikes!) The owner, Jay, is my longest continuous friend since ...

We're in the middle of a dry spell here in central Pennsylvania.  I haven't cut my grass in over three weeks (to be more honest...my son hasn't cut the grass in more than three weeks)...the local farm fields are turning brown...and the Susquehanna River is pretty darn low.  I've been in a dry spell too.  It's been over two weeks since I've been out on the trails on my mountain bike and, yesterday, I finally managed to break a ten day hiatus from my road bike.   This has been my luck recently...road closures and flat tires.  No worries...every bike ride is a great ride! -- September 14, 2016 It's not that I like to leave my bikes hanging in the garage as wall decoration...and it's not that I don't want to ride...but it's been nearly impossible for me to get out and ride the past few weeks.  After school appointments, quality family time, and the fact that I've been just plain tired have played a role.  Other things, like the Springs...

In final days of June 1863, four Confederate brigades...under the command of General Jubal Early ...occupied the city of York, Pennsylvania demanding $100,000, shirts, hats, meat, & more.  Leaders in the city were able to come up with all of General Early's requests except for the money.  Approximately $28,000 was eventually handed over.  Far short of what the confederate general wanted...but enough to satisfy him and prevent the city from be torched.  The fact that York, Pennsylvania is the northernmost city in the United States to surrender to the Confederate army is overshadowed by the events of the next few days...the largest battle to happen in the history of the Western Hemisphere...the Battle of Gettysburg .   But...it's a cool story...and one I like telling to the students in my history classes . This WELCOME TO YORK monument, located on George Street south of the city, greets visitors as they come off of Interstate 83.  It's a safe bet tha...