ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

There's a novelty to riding your bike in places far from home.  I've taken my bike with me on a trip  to the Jersey Shore, to St. Augustine, and on many trips to my home town of Bedford.  I'm still looking forward to the day that I take it on a trip to visit my brother in Mesa, Arizona.  Cycling is such a cool way to explore and experience other parts of the country. Driving south through Virginia, Robin and I took a short detour on the Blue Ridge Parkway .  We were treated to a beautiful sunset along the way. -- November 25, 2017 Each year, Robin and I spend the week after Thanksgiving in West Palm Beach, Florida.  I know that  flying would be easier...but I like the thousand mile drive!  I get to spend time with my wife, see the Country, and easily take my bicycle!  I really look forward to riding my bike along the Florida coast.  It's so amazingly different from riding in south-central Pennsylvania.   You can forge...

Time is the one resource that you can never get back.  Now that the clocks have been turned back, and Standard Time rules the day, time is an even more precious commodity...especially if I want to spend any time outdoors during the daylight hours.   I'm extremely fortunate to live and work within five miles of the trails at Rocky Ridge County  Park .  Even so, the the window of time I have to get on my bike and ride (either trail or road) gets shorter and shorter this time of year.   The view from the observation area on the northern side of Rocky Ridge County Park. -- November 17, 2017 It was evident to me as I pulled into the parking lot of Rocky Ridge County Park yesterday afternoon that there were others trying to squeeze in some precious Vitamin N before the sun set and the gates of the park closed.  The parking lot was full and there were plenty of people out hiking and mountain biking.  I quickly pulled my bike off the top ...

The early November sun poking through the trees served as my guide while I was mountain biking at Rocky Ridge on Friday afternoon...highlighting the fallen (now flattened) leaves covering the single track.  At one point, I stopped to take in the scene in front of me...it seemed to be raining leaves, the temperature was unusually warm, and the air was filled with the sweet smell of Autumn.  Autumn is, by far, my favorite time to be outdoors.  It doesn't matter if I'm mountain biking, hiking, or on my road bike...I love the Fall...and Fall in Pennsylvania is really kind of special. The sun helps to uncover the "hidden" trails at Rocky Ridge County Park. -- November 3, 2017 Tim got this great pic of me at Rocky Ridge County Park with the Autumn leaves in the background. -- November 3, 2017 Tim took this pic of me riding over the fallen leaves and down Trail #7 at Rocky Ridge County Park .  The beauty of the leaves also hid the loose rocks and gravel un...

A few February's ago, my wife and I stepped out of Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport and into the warm dessert air.  Robin looked at me with a smile on her face.  When I inquired about the big smile she respond that she was reacting to my smile.  Six hours previous to that moment we boarded a plane at BWI and escaped the deep freeze of winter.  I couldn't help but be excited about being outside...and apparently, the expression on my face said it all. I've been doing a lot of solo mountain biking after school this year.  Last week, while riding the Lakes , I paused to  the appreciate the amazing Autumn Pennsylvania weather and take in some Vitamin N. -- October 19, 2017 I crave nature and I crave being outdoors.  I don't know the science behind it but I feel better and I'm happier when I'm outside.  There are plenty of studies out there that say that exposure to nature helps with depression, high blood pressure, anxiety, ADD, and just about a...

I've been getting out on my mountain bike at least once or twice a week after school the past month and a half.  Within 45 minutes of my students leaving  my classroom , I can be on the trails at Rocky Ridge County Park or the Lakes .  A few times I've ridden solo...but most of the time Mark or Chris are able to ride with me.  Our rides haven't been epic...but they've been fun.  Chris and I rediscovered the fun of decending down (and climbing up) Trail #7 at Rocky Ridge.  Mark and I rode what he called "the Agitator" at the Lakes....a nice ride around Lake Williams in both directions.  It's probably the hardest ride you can do at the Lakes.  I've been challenging myself and switching up the trails ...making each ride new.  There hasn't been much stopping for photos and there hasn't been may rests.  There's just been a lot of riding...and it's been fun.  Tim snagged this pic of me at Rocky Ridge a few weeks ago. -- Se...

Friday morning I loaded my mountian bike and my gear into the back of the truck before I left for another wonderful day in 8th grade.  The plan was to meet Mark at the Lakes  immediately after school and kick off the weekend with a mountain bike ride.  Circumstances, more important that mountain biking, brought me directly home instead.  I felt bad texting Mark at lunch time and cancelling...but I would have felt worse had I not come home to help my wife.  I hope Mark got to ride (I'm not sure)...but I felt good with my decision and I know that he understood. I didn't expect to be able to ride today.  I made sure to make my way up Starview Road. -- September 23, 2017 It's not just Mark...I'm super blessed with friends who love to ride but who also understand that family comes first.  As much as we would all love to get together and hit the trails...it can't come at the expense of our loved ones.  I didn't expect to have to cancel yest...