Happy New Year, lovely readers! I hope that you all had a lovely holiday despite COVID’s unwanted presence. Here in Phoenix, “winter weather” means “awesome,” so I currently have the privilege of enjoying beautiful weather whenever I want. As I mentioned in my last post, I really enjoyed the mountain bike clinic I took in November and since then, have been inspired to ride my bike a lot (for me, which is 3-4 times a week). As a result, I am riding trails and “cleaning” (i.e. successfully riding/completing) obstacles and sections of trails that I was way too scared to consider before the clinic. For example, recent successes on my bike at South Mountain include:

• just trying things out and “sessioning,” or practicing things, like the Javelina, Mormon, and National trails!
• riding the first 2 (of 3) “challenges” along the Desert Classic trail [Note: there is a more inappropriate name for the 3 challenges…if you really want to know what that name is, leave me a comment!]
• cleaning the Lower Corona trail up and down
• cleaning the north side descent of the “old” Beverly Canyon trail.

I’m also meeting a lot of ladies who ride, which is something I’ve been lacking. It’s way easier to get outside and ride my bike when I have people to do that with me! I’ve even set a riding goal: 30 miles per week. That doesn’t sound like much, but for me, as long as I pursue this goal, I’ll be riding way more than I have in the past 5 years combined. [Note: 30 miles per week x 52 weeks = 1,560 miles this year. Not bad!] And, last but probably not least, my SAT (self-appointed trainer) is thrilled that I’m riding more. I’ve also noticed he’s giving me more “riding tips” (usually unsolicited). Sigh. Some things never change.

*”Shredding” refers to riding a trail at a skillful level, riding a trail really fast, and/or just plain having fun while riding.