I got out for a mountain bike ride Saturday at Jacobsburg, just a chance to tool around and clear my head after some difficult days. It turned out to be one of the best things I’ve done in quite a while…
The day was beautiful, sunny with blue skies and a few puffy clouds, and the trees were all greened up and the fields were full of flowers — mostly the pretty but invasive Dame’s Rocket, but I didn’t care.
I parked at the main lot, which was only about a third full, and didn’t see too many people out on the trails (though I did run into Sean C walking his dog). I had the trails mostly to myself, except..
Jacobsburg these days is pleasant enough, but it’s kind of tame compared to its old self. Much of it is smooth doubletrack over rolling hills, but there are a few places left with true singletrack, and even some rocky, rooty sections. One short rooty climb is a real challenge (it’s on the trail where we put in bridges, lo those 28 years ago), and I was looking forward to giving it a try when I came around the bend and saw two other cyclists resting at the top. Oh no, an audience! Well I gave it my all, and made it up pretty smartly I thought, and so did those other bikers, who were amazed that the little climb was even doable. The honest truth is that I’m not the mountain biker I once was, but in that moment — yeah, I still got it.
I talked with those guys for a bit, then I went on my way, and in the end I probably rode for about two hours, getting in maybe fifteen miles.
That evening we went to the Rose Garden, watched a couple of bands (we ran into Sarah & Marc there, and sat with them for a bit), then met up with Doug & Lori for some drinks downtown. Just what the doctor ordered!
