Now that I am a Coloradoan, I decided I better start living like one. So, I have done a little hiking, I am getting ready for ski season, and today, I decided to go mountain biking in Palmer Park. The park is great because they mark trails well. They even tell you if they are green (beginner), blue (intermediate), or black (advanced), just like ski runs. I have been mountain biking before, but I am not sure the trails out at Chuluota, Florida really qualify. It is kind of hard to go mountain biking if there are no mountains. So, I decided to do a green trail. Next time, I will be looking for the bunny slope. It was an educational experience. Here is what I learned:
1. The fool says in his heart that there is no God and that bike helmets are for dorks.
2. Middle age + out of shape + high altitude = lots of heavy breathing.
3. If you are from Florida but now live in Colorado, there is no such thing as a small hill.
4. A corollary to the above: just because it doesn't look like a hill doesn't mean it is not a hill.
5. Little boulders can be big problems.
6. Going downhill is more fun than going uphill.
7. If you are going fast down a hill and you are on a dirt trail, just because you have good tires, that does not mean you can turn.
8. My back hurts.
By the way, the Colorado Springs Gazette now has a great website with a guide and map for all sorts of hiking and biking trails in the region. I put it in my links to the left. The site is Colorado Springs Outdoors. Check it out.
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5 comments:
would love to go riding with you one morning, Mark. Mountain biking and road cycling are one of my favorite activities.
I'm about 3 - 4 years out of shape with mountain biking, so we'd make for a great pair!
Rob Bushway
www.RobBushway.com
HaHAHAHA!!! Are you going to be limping at church Sunday?
Christina
Isn't the high altitude/breathing thing amazing! Every time we go there, I am so surprised by how out of breath I get so quickly!
Well, I am glad to hear you survived the experience!
Rob, I would love to go biking some morning, but I want to get in a bit better shape first. Trust me, you don't want to ride with me, yet!
Christina, thanks for the sympathy. Your heart of compassion is touching!
Jill (If I have the right Jill in mind), I think you and Jason just need to move out here so you all can get used to it! You all are younger. So, you will adapt faster.
Florida has sharks and we have man eating rock formations...it's a simple substitution. I think that you have been formally introduced to our wild, wild West(even if it's in the middle of town). =-)
Next stop: The incline.
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