Hello to all you out there in Mountain Bike land. I have been away for a while... a long while. If anyone out there remembers me and my wonderful riding partner (Marabelle, my Great Dane and best friend) I am happy to say I have relocated... back to NoCal. Leaving Santa Barbara was tough with all the world class mt. biking action right at my door step and all, but it's nice to be back up in the wine country.
A problem did exist for the longest time, however. I couldn't find any good places to ride up here. Sure I could go out and dodge tourists on the roads around town, but what fun is that? I'd rather ride 20 miles with a pineapple in my biking shorts. I headed up to Lake Sonoma a few times but it's all fire roads and the rangers get all pissed off when I took off down the deer trails (plus they didn't let Mara go with me). What's a boy to do? I was going nutz and saw no way out. Oh the humanity of it all!
Then I discovered Annadale park. Yes! This is what I was looking for. 25 mile loops with technical ups and super fast downs are around every corner. There are creek crossings, mud boggs, and vast oak woodlands with killer trails going everywhere. THere's even a lake to swim in and a population of California Red Legged frogs... the very same ones Mark Twain wrote about in that frog jumping contest (I still haven't seen one but I'm still looking). Aside from the usual asshole factor most of the people I met were cool too! Give me a week or three and I'll have that whole place mapped out in my head (and on the trusty 'ol G.P.S. unit).
To top it all off I just got a job at a local bike shop. Now I'll get all my parts at cost. I'm a happy boy!I'm glad to see that Reed and Woodie are still riding and telling the tails. Keep it up!
It's also good to see that Some Girl is still out there doing the solo rides that I too enjoy so much.
Peace to all and if anyone's in the area drop me a line and we can put together a group ride. The locals up here are very friendly.
