So Im fairly new to this sport of mountain biking.I surf and I needed another source of adrenallin for when the surfs flat (as it tends to be most of the time in Florida). I ride an '04 specialized rock hopper. Nothing special. Everything stock with the exception of the cool chainguard I picked up (RAD!) But I ride my bike like its an 8,000$ dual suspension bike with all the bells. Mainly because,as I said, Im new to the sport and I dont know any better. But Im learning, and paying my dues, and falling in love with it as I go. Heres an example... I had just moved up to Orlando Florida to finish school. I heard from a friend of mine (a much more experienced biker with whom I sometimes ride) that there was a decent trail right around the corner from my house. "Snow Hill" its called. A fun short single track that wound through some swamps and a river preserve. I decided to check it out late one afternoon. The trail was only a good 15 min. from where I lived but I made a few wrong turns here, a few wrong turns there, and by the time I found the place late afternoon turned into late evening... but I was on a mission and determined to check the place out, If only for the hour of daylight I had left. My plan was to go through and find the shortest way out... just to get a taste untill the next time I came. But I ended up meeting a cool canadian guy at the trail head who was just about to go for one last run. He invited me to tag along and I agreed knowing that he more than likely knew the trail well and could get us through before dark... all I had to do was keep up. (Keep in mind that this guy was riding the 8,000$ bike I mentioned at the beginning of this story). I was pumped as we took off into the trail determined to stay close behind my new friend. We rode hard and fast about half way through the 6 mile loop. I was doing well. My biggest fear was that he would blow ahead and then have to stop and wait for me as I crawled through the more technical rooty sections of the trail with my single suspension, but I managed to keep up... untill my petal broke off. It happend while we forged through a thick muddy section, tires quarter deep in sludge. He didnt notice.... I almost didnt say anything out of embarassment, but finally I mustered a "shit man, my pedal just broke off"! He stopped and turned. I could see the "Oh geeze, here we go" in his eyes. "Im cool man, go ahead Ill find my way out" I said not wanting ruin the guys ride. He looked at me for a second as if to asess if I was capable or not, then he said "ok" and gave some instruction on the quickest way out. So I started walking... I walked down to the "dip" after which I was supposed to follow left, but it was completely flooded and connecting to an adjacent swamp. I would have been chest deep easily if I tried to walk through it. Plus all I could think about was the 10 foot alligator the man told me about at the beginning of our ride that had become a frequent sight to regular riders of the trail. They named it "Bubba" and I had no desire to meet him. So I opted to take an alternate route. I would have to back track, but I was sure it would connect to the path I intended to take. I was wrong... It was now completely dark, and I was still miles deep in the middle of the trail walking my bike. I couldnt believe that my intended "taste test" of a ride through my new found trail had turned into what was beginning to look like an episode of rescue 911. It was so pitch dark that I kept walking off the trail and into the brush because I couldnt see the path. Laughing to myself and shaking my head in disbelief, I finally decided to just find the most open spot on the trail I could find and just sit and wait. I figured worst case scenario, Ill just sleep here untill early morning and find my way out then. Hell it wasnt like I was stranded in the wilderness somewhere in the midwest. Plus it would make for a pretty funny story. It was just a six mile trail, but I couldnt see 20 feet in front of me! Finally after about 3 hours of sitting (and praying), I saw two lights from a distance. It was my friend from earlier with another rider sporting highbeams on their helmets. Apparently he had waited around for me at the trail head, and when I didnt come out he and the other rider went in looking for me. I was embarassed to say the least but relieved and greatful that these guys were cool enough to wait around for a kook like me and then search for me when I didnt turn up. It was an interesting experience to say the least, one that I wont forget.
