A DECADE OF MOUNTAIN BIKING MICHAUX, Pt. 2: ROCKY TRAILS 2009-2010

Hitting rocky trails on a mountain bike is expected (especially when riding in Michaux State Forest).  You could say that Michaux is an 85,000 acre rock garden...literally a mountain biker's playground.  It's a place where grown men can ride their bikes, cast away worries, and become kids again.  Most of 2009 & 2010 was spent riding familiar trails and roads that our group had pieced together the previous three years.  One notable exception was a trail that led to a rock outcropping southwest of Forest Road.  This proved to be an extremely cool, although accidental, find.  In searching for an alternate route to the top of Tumbling Run, I stumbled upon a system of rocks that provided an amazing view of the valley below.  For the next few years this became my "standard ride" at Michaux. 

Riding "Gargamel's Trail" in Michaux State Forest.  Mark Lentz, Dave Raymond, Mikey Nardelli, & Kristian Hains -- February 2009

Our group.  From Left to Right//Top to Bottom:  Mark Lentz, Glenn Medice, Kevin Hardy, Tim Sindinger, Bill Graves, Mikey Nardelli, Kristian Hains.  I'm the squirrel with the camera! -- May 9, 2009

Tim and I getting ready to ride Michaux.  In the background you can see the remains of the iron furnace for which Pine Grove Furnace State Park gets it's name -- July 14, 2009

One of my best finds...in looking for an alternate trail to the top of Tumbling Run I came across this rock outcropping with a spectacular view -- June 7, 2009

Dave Raymond and Tim Sindlinger -- July 14, 2009

The only pic I have of me riding my carbon fiber 2009 Specialized Epic  -- July 14, 2009

Bill Graves, Dave Raymond, and Tim Sindlinger -- July 20, 2010

Riding Bear Knob near Piney Ridge -- July 20, 2010

As I look back on these pics from 2009 & 2010 I can't help but notice the smiles on our faces.  It shouldn't surprise me...we were in our "playground" after all.  What you can't see in the pics is that, for the better part of those two years, I was internalizing some personal rocky trails that I found myself on.  Our group, which had been so tight, began to unravel.  I know now that we would eventually come back together...with deeper, stronger, and more mature friendships...but it didn't make it any easier at the time.  If there is one lesson I've learned from riding in Michaux it's this...when faced with rocky trails just keep on pedaling.  You'll eventually come through safely on the other side.  We all did.

To be continued...


Friendships (and smiles) that have survived rocky trails and the test of time.  All pics taken in 2010.


Life is a journey...not a destination.



David A. Raymond -- December 7, 2016

Yes...I teach American History.  I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that today commemorates the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  If you know a World War II vet be sure to thank them for their service.
Location: Michaux State Forest, Shippensburg, PA 17257, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

HIKING TUMBLING RUN & POLE STEEPLE

Image
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 ...
Read more

BACKTRACKING 2023

Image
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 ...
Read more

RETURN TO ROCKY GAP

Image
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...
Read more