Riding into the Light. Spring Break 1996 at Pisgah National Forest. Pisgah contains hundreds of miles of dedicated mountain bike trails... no pedestrians, no horses, no motorcycles. Just you, God, and your bike. The first morning it was about 18 degrees F. Luckily we had gone to Walmart and bought long jons and tights. This picture is of Jason my roommate. Also along for the trip were Jon White and Scott Scargle. The trip couldn't have been any better. Good weather, great trails, no flats, good food, good friends. Except that the guide book led us astray a couple of times it was a flawless trip full of fun and testosterone. I hope to go back next spring.

      And I actually didn't eat it. One thing I learned on the trip was to climb over obstacles like this one. It didn't hurt that my Cannondale MS800 had an extra high 13" bottom bracket height, but I've since sold that frame to get a smaller one. Of course on this last day I really got agressive and ended up biffing a couple times and banging up my knee pretty hard, but war-scars make it worthwhile. One big thing I learned on this trip was to ride confidently. Many obstacles are overcome with speed, and if you hesitate you'll never have enough to get over them. Don't be stupid, but have fun and don't be afraid to charge it into some obstacles you think you'll fall on. Don't bail too early, get in a couple extra cranks before clicking out and see if you can't make it. And oh yeah, eat lots of carbos and stay in decent aerobic shape. Make your body your slave, don't be enslaved by it.

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