ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

It's a word that Mikey loves to use...SIMPLICITY.  Mountain biking stripped down to it's basic form. For four years, I'd had been riding a full suspension bike...and dealing with the mechanical problems that come with full suspension bikes. Early in 2011, I sold my 26 inch, full suspension Stumpjumper and purchased my first 29 inch mountain bike. Gone were the small wheels and rear suspension...replaced with a bike that I would ride the heck out of for next five years.  I was the last 26 inch hold out in our group...but simply stated...making the switch was one of the best mountain biking decisions I've made.  My first ride in Michaux State Forest with my brand new 2011 Stumpjumper 29er.  An incredible ride which ended with an amazing view from the top of Pole Steeple -- July 4, 2011 My time in Michaux during 2011 and 2012 was spent mostly with Kevin Hardy, Tim Sindlinger and Chris Keller. Chris and I had met a few years before (my son and his daughte...

I have ADD.  Hell, at this very moment, I can feel my attention being pulled in about six different directions.  (I literally had to delete and retype that last sentence four times!)  Now...I didn't know I had ADD until my lovely wife, Robin, suggested that I go see the doctor.  Apparently I had the incredibly annoying habit of looking at everything around me ("Oh, look!  Squirrels!) instead of the person who was talking.  Even though I may be completely paying attention to the conversation, my behavior gave the appearance to others that I really didn't give a sh*t.  Not a good impression to leave.   This pic, which shows the positive effects that exercise has on the human brain, is in The Atlantic 's article " Exercise Is ADHD Medicine ."  ( Hillman et al,  Pediatrics / The Atlantic)  I survived childhood with a lot of structure...a very loving (but strict) mother, Catholic school up to and through 8th grade, then footb...

"I love this place!"  The exact words muttered over and over again by my good friend, Kristian Hains, as we navigated the Allegrippis Trails near Raystown Lake in Huntington County, Pennsylvania on Tuesday.   Ranked as Pennsylvania's #1 mountain bike destination by Singletracks.com ...the Allegrippis Trail system was created by the Army Corps of Engineers in tandem with the International Mountain Biking Association .  All this is possible because the land around Raystown Lake (which was created in 1973 for the purpose of controlling floods, providing electricity, and supporting recreational activities) is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and has never been privately developed.  Literally, it's 30+ miles of trails that are a series of stacked loops (which can provide for seemingly endless trail combinations ) created BY mountain bikers FOR mountain bikers!   Kristian Hains riding Ray's Revenge -- August 2, 2016 "I'm sure I've had more...

It's hard to say what's going to be discussed (if anything) when a group  goes mountain biking.  This morning while riding in Michaux State Forest with Mark, Glenn, Timmy, and Matt,* I found myself in the middle of the pack which gave me access to all kinds of conversations.  Mark led the ride because...well... Mark can (as Tim says) find a trail anywhere .  Matt and Glenn brought up the rear because they had never ridden on this particular trail .  Mark and I really wanted to take Glenn up to our favorite vista overlooking the forest.  After a quick ride down the "rail trail" near Fuller and Laurel Lakes we began our nearly 3 mile climb up the the ridge.  It's not the shortest way up...but, as far as we know, it's the easiest way to ride up (yes, you can choose a shorter "hike-a-bike" trail.)   After reaching our destination at the top of the trail today we took about 15 minutes to relax, cool down, and appreciate the vastness of Michau...

I usually end my writing with the same sentence:  LIFE IS A JOURNEY...NOT A DESTINATION. The credit for this seven word statement goes to the band Aerosmith .  It's a brief lyric halfway through their 1993 song, AMAZING .  The phrase has always stuck in my head and I think it's appropriate because we never really know, for good or bad, what paths life has in store for us.    Tim Sindlinger, Dave Raymond, & Mark Lentz soaking in the view on our new favorite rock vista in Michaux State Forest .  The view is astonishing! Mark Lentz showing me the view from these rocks northwest of Laurel Lake -- June 13,  2016 I think it's also safe to say that none of us are on exactly the same journey and for reasons that no one understands we get pulled in different directions.  From my own experience, I know that I've chosen paths that differed from those of my friends thinking that, because of choices made, our paths would never cross again...

This past week, I ventured out on my first bike rides since my back surgery in mid-March.  As road rides go...they weren't long rides...but they were fun!  I'll admit that I was just as nervous as I was excited.   I've tried hard to be a good patient so that I would heal as quickly as possible and I definitely didn't want to undo any progress...but, a few rides in now, I feel good.  The rides I've done so far have been about 10-ish miles (I don't want to over do it) and I've stayed relatively close to home...but yesterday I rode 13 miles .   I've got to tell you....it just feels good to be out in the fresh air doing what I love to do.  No mountain bike rides yet.  I'm going to give myself another week or two before I try some off road riding. My bike rides, both yesterday and today , took me down near the Conewago Inn .  It was great to be out on my bike -- May 15, 2016 I seriously have to thank my family for helping me (and putting up...