ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

It's no secret that I love mountain biking.  It's also not a secret that like to ride in Michaux State Forest and that ultimately, no matter where I ride, all trails will lead me to ice cream.  Not just me though.   SOLO RIDES are few and far between...I love riding with friends. They are the ones that make every ride special...and over the years, their friendship, their personalities, their love of the outdoors, and their love for mountain biking have helped turned a hobby into a passion.  I'm so fortunate and privileged to have them in my life and out on the trails with me. All the links of the chain:  Mark Lentz, Kristian Hains, Glenn Medice, Timmy  Sindlinger, Mikey Nardelli, Kevin Hardy, Bill Graves, Mike Alicea, Matt Linnane, Brent Shirk, & Chris Keller Without my friends I'm not sure I would mountain bike nearly as much as I do...I'd be just one link of the chain. All of us, together, keep this thing moving.  I love Michaux, I l...

Ten years ago, when I first started riding in Michaux State Forest , Mark, Glenn, Tim, and the rest of the group were kind enough to accommodate me by riding extremely early in the morning so I wouldn't take too much time away from my son who, at the time, was only seven years old.  I'm beyond that stage in life now...but now it's Timmy's turn.  With his hectic work and family schedule he's only able to get about one ride in a week.  Now it's my turn accommodate him.  So...for the past few years during the summer months...we have a standing Tuesday mountain bike date each week.  Sometimes it's just Tim and I...but this summer was special.  The summer of 2016 saw the return of Glenn, Kristian, Mikey, & Bill...Mark was able to make most of the rides...and Matt was able to get time away and join us a couple of times.  Regardless of who is in the group, our Tuesday rides have become one of the things I look forward to each and every week...and I'm hap...

Just the name of the trail makes anyone who loves mountain biking want to ride it.  Grave Ridge.  Rocks emerging from the top of the ridge resemble tombstones of all shapes and sizes.  Labeled for ATV riders as "Most Difficult"...the trail is a mile of technical mayhem!  Mark Lentz first took me there in 2006 but I haven't been back since 2010.  Grave Ridge, which is located in the heart of Michaux State Forest , straddles the boundary of a recent timber sale.  Logging, which closed the trail for public use, began in December of 2010.  Today, Tim and I found our way back for the first time since the trail reopened last year.   Navigating Grave Ridge in Michaux State Forest -- August 9, 2016 Taking a breather with Tim halfway through our ride today -- August 9, 2016 Tim snaking his way through the ferns in Michaux State Forest -- August 9, 2016 I had a couple of routes mapped out in my head for how to get there today.  ...