There’s a guy at work who’s pretty experienced at mountain biking and all that fun stuff. Last year, he arranged group rides with co-worker, which was pretty neat, but as I had obligations to main tank Karazhan at the time, I had not been able to take advantage of the group rides. This year, I’m determined to make it out more.

Today was the first time we got to ride. I wasn’t sure that we’d be able to because it was grey and overcast all day. However, the threats of rain were all empty and promptly after work, a group of us went out and took the trails around 12 Mile Creek and up the escarpment around Brock University.

Ok, this is the first time I’ve done any single track riding, and for the first time out those trails were challenging. Climbing up Hydro Hill was brutal but that was all just energy. For me, going downhill with rocks and tree roots, across narrow makeshift bridges was probably the most extreme thing I’ve done in my life. That’s sad, I know, but I’m learning. Of course, a lot of those steeper hills, I walked down, but it didn’t help that I was bonking closer to the end of the ride.

Would I do it again? I’m already signed up for next week, and yes I’d do those same trails again. In time, I’ll have more confidence with the downhills. The big thing for me was trying it out, getting out and catching some pretty scenery, particularly along the escarpment, and even some wildlife, like the doe we saw on the stone dust trail heading home.

My red faithful kept up nicely with the big kids at least. I love my bike.

There’s a big bowl of spaghetti with veggie meatballs waiting for me now. Yum!