I woke up at the crack of dawn this morning to the sound of a screaming alarm clock. Looking out the window I realized that it was going to be a perfect day for a long ride. So after putting on my riding gear and consuming a banana and an instant breakfast, I was out the door and on the bike. I rode along my normal route, a few neighborhood streets and off into the woods for some way cool early morning single track. After fifteen plus miles of killer single track, fun jeep trails and four stream crossings, I was at the shore of the Potomac River. This is where I usually turn around and head back the way I came. But today I was feeling pretty good, actually I was feeling real good and figured that I should do a little exploring. So off I went, up the jeep road headed into the unknown (unknown to me at least). After a mile or so I spotted a trailhead off to the left. I turned onto the single track and the soft dirt showed evidence of other mountain bikers that had passed this way before. After a short climb I was treated to some real nice sections of trail. Steep downhill sections with lots of switchbacks, small creek crossings, a few fallen trees to ride over. There were even a few spots where other trails crossed the one I was on. So I thought that I would check them out also. After changing trails a few times I realized that I was out in the middle of the woods on a whole network of trails. I also realized that I had no clue as to where I really was. I stopped to take a breather and try and get my bearings, but in every direction all I could see were trees.
I checked my water supply and I was in pretty good shape, I ride with a camelback and all that water comes in handy on this type of ride. I figured that I would just retrace my path, but I wound up going around in a circle. It took me about another half an hour to find my way out of the woods and back on the jeep trail. From there I knew how to get back home. Another fifteen plus miles through the same four streams and along the same sweat single track that brought me there. Upon my arrival home I went to the fridge and slurped down an ice cold barly pop. Life is truly Good! Especially when you ride a mountain bike.
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