ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

85,000.  That's roughly the number of acres that make up Michaux State Forest in Central Pennsylvania.  One would think that after 15 years of mountain biking in the forest that it would be hard to find something new to ride, but the 85,000 acres makes Michaux a big place.  Actually...really big!  There are certain spots that I love where the forest seems to just engulf everything.  I know that there are cars and roads and buildings and telephone poles down there...but the forest just swallows it all up.  The sensory experience...the breeze blowing through the trees, the green that stretches as far as the eyes can see, and the fresh smell of the blossoming mountain laurel...is so rejuvenating.  Nothing man-made or unnatural.  Just the forest. From 800 feet up the forest seems to engulf everything. -- July 7, 2020 85,000 acres allows for so many possibilities.  Even so, it can be easy to fall into the routine of riding the same familiar trail...

It's almost impossible to replicate a mountain bike ride...but yesterday, I tried my very best to do just that.  Tim, Glenn, Matt, and I met at Pine Grove Furnace State Park for the last mid-week ride of the summer.  The other night I texted each of the guys and asked them to let me know what trail or section of the forest they wanted to ride.  From there, I planned on piecing together something for everyone.  Glenn requested a repeat of a ride that he, Matt, and I did a few weeks ago (minus the "getting temporarily lost" section).  Sounded like a plan. Group shot after riding Grave Ridge.  Tim Sindlinger, Dave Raymond, Glenn Medice, and Matt Linnane. -- August 15, 2017 I'm not sure if there really is such a thing as a "perfect" ride...but Glenn, Matt, and I came pretty close three weeks ago. While attempting to show Matt some of the ATV trails that run along Piney Mountain Ridge, we ended up revisiting trails that Glenn and I hadn't been on ...