Stories from a HUSBAND - FATHER - SON - GRANDFATHER - UNCLE - BROTHER - FRIEND - TEACHER
THAT'S RIDEABLE
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There's a small section of trail located at the base of trail #7 at Rocky Ridge County Park that I have NEVER successfully ridden. As a matter of fact, the only person that I've ever seen pedal over that rock garden is Mikey Nardelli...and he made it look like child's play. There are some trails and obstacles just aren't worth it. I think the older I get the more I appreciate my health, my body, my family, and well...my life! A good sense of fear can sometimes be a good thing and I find no shame in sometimes saying, "I'll hike this one."
Through the years, all of our skill levels have increased exponentially. I can remember, years ago, watching Mark and Tim descend down hills that I never in my life would think were possible to ride. I've seen Kristian hop his mountain bike from obstacle to obstacle with incredible grace. I've witnessed Mikey ride, as smooth as butter, some crazy cool rock gardens. Me? I tend, along with Mark, to lead the way...willing to let others in the group prove to me that something is rideable. Logs. Hills. Rocks. If you can think of it...it's a pretty good bet that we've tried to ride it.
I was in awe of Kevin Hardy as he played effortlessly on this teeter-totter in the Lehigh Valley -- August 7, 2010
This steep hillside in Dupont State Forest, NC was scarier looking than it was scary. I just put my chest on my seat and held on tight! -- August 2008
Kristian makes EVERYTHING look easy...especially these logs in Patapsco Valley State Park -- October 15, 2016
Near Cascade Falls Trail in Patapsco Valley State Park this steep cliff is now closed off...but before they rerouted the trail with these "mountain bike friendly" steps I would often ride down it...and then turn around and come back up! -- All pics taken in 2012
Nothing beats a well placed rock to make the ride a little easier. Michaux State Forest -- April 7, 2012
This washed out mess next to an exclusion fence in Michaux State Forest made for some pretty tricky mountain biking -- May 8, 2010
Riding this dry creek bed (turned rock garden) in Michaux State Forest is a piece of cake for Kristian -- August 28, 2016
Well placed logs smooth out this section of the ride at Rocky Ridge County Park -- September 18, 2014
These table rocks at Rattling Creek are a natural part of the trail. Clockwise starting top left: Dave Raymond, Mark Lentz, Tim Sindlinger, Kristian Hains -- March 7, 2009
Tim has no problems whatsoever with this pine tree build-up in Michaux State Forest -- June 28, 2016
Riding the rocks in Rocky Ridge County Park -- September 23, 2016
Look at Glenn go! Not bad for a man who can use his AARP card to get us discounts on ice cream! Michaux State Forest -- June 28, 2016
Often, it's best to stand back and watch how the guy in front of you gets through the rock garden. Left: Chris Keller in Michaux State Forest (August 25, 2015). Right: Kevin Hardy in on Indian Trail in Bald Eagle State Forest (November 2008)
Common sense has long since replaced peer pressure. It's an unwritten rule within the group that no one has to "drink the Pabst" and feel pressured ride what they aren't comfortable with. We've all become pretty good at spotting "easy buttons" to get around the trickiest of trails. Shortly after he began riding with us, Matt Linnane told Tim and I that he loved that our rides never turned into races or pissing contests. It's one of my favorite things about the guys I ride with and it helps to make all of our rides rideable...for everyone involved.
Life is a journey...not a destination.
David A. Raymond -- January 21, 2017
Not everything is rideable....just ask Timmy! -- July 12, 2016
If you enjoyed reading this...by all mean, please tweet it! As always, here's a list of GARMIN maps and stats from a few of the rides featured in this post:
Riding Michaux State Forest with Glenn and Timmy (June 28, 2016)
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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