Tuesday, November 11, 2008

back to being me

so i had off monday since i was traveling east today for work during the holiday. i decided to be normal me again and went mountain biking. i got some advice from a website and a quick stop at santiam bike shop. i have a secret crush on a worker there now. (which has been much needed... secret crushes help liven any day and days to come.)

i went down to mary's peak, outside of corvallis. luckily i saw the sun, multiple times which gained some points for oregon. it was a good progressive hill up. then i got onto single track...oh happinesstrue confession...i got tired and had to walk at times.
at the observation point, i was so surprised no one else was there to see the fog with me.
from what i hear, you can see peaks and great views when it's clear. so maybe next time eh?
things i learned from my bike ride.
one the forest is gorgeous and i'm not scared of it on my bike. two. i can't wear my chacos anymore at least this time of year. my toes got cold. three. i'm not as skilled in damp conditions. the trail is so moist and mushy. i'm clearly a dry desert girl. i was not prepared for treacherous slippery roots. they may have won this time but next time i will conquer them. or i may buy a road bike. don't judge me. i didn't want to go meet counties i'll be over looking like a domestic violence victim, like last year at school, not pretty. four. mtn. bikers in the northwest are used to tight squeezes between cut logs, two trees, jumps off of roots to damp ground, be able to brake quickly to carry your bike over a tree that has fallen over the trail, etc. i have little to no experience in these areas since i rarely rode my mtn. bike if it had been raining anytime recently in utah or az. i said out loud multiple times, "honestly! who does this!" and "you've got to be kidding me!" during the ride so needless to say, i'm glad i was alone this ride of introduction.

10 comments:

Jose n' Analee said...

Wow. Those pictures are amazing!! We never get cool fog like that in Utah.

Dainon. said...

Methinks I just fell in love with Oregon a little bit.

Ben and Jenny said...

Oh that's gorgeous! I love how tall the trees are. I love that you document your whole adventure. Much more entertaining to read.

Robin said...

Gorgeous pics! I love a great trail (hiking...NOT biking). However, be careful out there by yourself...yikes!

Jaimie said...

wow jess, great pics! i'll post my Haleakala adventure pics soon.

ram said...

Wow, we have roots like that here, but those trees are something else. I imagine that must be close to the Fratelli's hideout from the goonies.

Danielle Merket said...

Very nice. Almost as beautiful as you ;) When can Bassie and I come visit?

Mike Woods said...

Hey, Jess. That looks like a great place to ride. You will have to get used to the new style. Here is a link for you to watch. It should encourage you to enjoy the trees and roots bushes while mountain biking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WezRvZwnQZg

Nothing like our desert riding in Page.

Mike

ram said...

P.S. I'm glad you're back to being you - that's a good thing!

Dezi & Brock said...

ROAD BIKES ROCK!!! YOU HAVE TO GET ONE!!!