Eileen rode bikes.

I've been getting out on the trails with some regularity lately.  It's been good- it clears my mind and I certainly need the exercise.  There's a spot in Marin county called China Camp where I enjoy riding on the weekends.  It's not super technical riding, but you can make it as challenging as you like if you amp up the speed.  Eileen and I would ride there fairly regularly and it was always fun.

When Eileen and I got together back in 2003, I was in my personal salad days of mountain biking.  I was living in Westchester County and had taken up downhill mountain biking.  (For the uninitiated, that's when you go to a ski hill and ride the lift up with your bike, then bomb down the trails that are  in the wooded areas between ski runs.  It can be pretty sketchy and requires solid bike handling skills.  Many riders wear body armor and full-face helmets because the stakes are high.  I was never awesome at it and I didn't do crazy jumps or anything, but I really, really enjoyed it.)

Naturally, I wanted to share my bike habit with E, and she was a great sport about it.  We got her a bike that was up to snuff and started riding together regularly, though we shied away from the super-challenging trails.  She had a few good falls and frustrating rides as her skillset developed, but I always assured her that we all went through that and it'd get better.  Despite some of those early setbacks, we always had great times on the trails.  As I was looking through photos of E the other day, I found one where she was proudly showing off a HUGE bruise on her thigh (the result of a crash on the trails).  She had color coordinated her outfit to complement the deep blues and greens and purples of her bruise.

Eileen was good at evaluating all angles whenever making purchase decisions- she always did her research and always appreciated good quality.  At one point, she decided that her bike needed an upgrade and the next thing I knew she was taking delivery of pretty much the nicest mountain bike I had ever seen up to that point (Ellsworth Epiphany, FYI).  She knew it would be good for her....the fit was much better than her previous ride, and it had much better suspension technology.  (Plus she hated the red/black color scheme of her older bike.)

For both of us, riding the gnarly trails back east helped alot when coming to California where the trails near here are, well, different.  Much hillier of course, many more fire roads and less super-technical riding....in a way: easier.  It was actually kinda refreshing, (but I sure do miss the crazy jumpy-jumpy rooty-rooty technical riding now and again).

So, all this is leading up to my story about riding at China Camp with Eileen.  We were getting back into riding after moving to California, and China Camp fit the bill as a comfortable, controlled trail system where we could acclimate to the wonders of hardpack, dry gravelly trails, and extended climbs.

Fast forward a few years, and we both were in a decent biking groove, with Eileen spending alot of time riding around the city- commuting to work and running errands by bike, and me hitting the trails as often as possible .  We went to China Camp one weekend to "do a loop".  We had progressed from the lower trails, which have less climbing and barely anything technical, to the "full loop" wherein you slog uphill for a good half-hour before enjoying a wonderfully long downhill that zigs and zags through the forest, clinging to the side of a steep hillside.  Not super technical, but it does have some rocky sections and a few switchbacks to negotiate.   The downhill switchbacks are challenging since you have to manage your line, weight distribution and braking just right, otherwise you'll be in rough shape.

My inclination was always to let E lead, since gravity loves me on the downs and I didn't want to get too far ahead of her.  E would take off and I'd wait around for a minute or two before taking off myself.  We'd both hammer, but I'd inevitably catch up.  She hated that scenario and wanted me to take the lead instead..said it nerved her to have me "breathing down her neck".  On this particular day I relented, with the promise that I'd wait for her at the next big junction.

There were a few other riders out that day and with the narrow trails, passing (and getting passed) can be tricky.  I zoomed ahead, had a super fun run and paused at the aforementioned trail junction to wait for E.  I had stopped just past a downhill switchback, so the trail I had just ridden was now essentially above me, contouring through the thick foliage along the hillside.  I was barely there 10 seconds before I heard the telltale sound of knobby tires humming, chain rattling, and rear derailleur slapping...wow, that rider is rolling fast!  My first thought was that some jackhole of an aggro rider came up behind E and blew past her....my protection instinct kicked in and I was ready to give my best intimidating glare to the approaching rider but lo and behold; it was Eileen!  She pulled up with her sly smile and gave me the look of "why are you waiting right here?....Let's GOOOO!"  I was so proud- her biking had really come along and she was so cute with her typical reserve, but she was really having a blast.  Nice day.

And now:  I can't ever forget that stuff.  I rode at China Camp today and, as every ride, waxed nostalgic about riding with Eileen.  I spend a lot of time focussing on the happy times we had together, and I'll tell ya- we had some very very happy times.  I'm so fortunate to have had what time I did have with Eileen.  She was so awesome.  She rides along with me now.

Stewart Bufferlands in Orange County NY 

Killington Mountain in VT

Moab UT

In other news, I'm preparing to take a road trip to Michigan for the 4th.  I'm excited....I'm taking Red with me!  I'm hoping I don't get halfway through Nevada and feel compelled to "forget" him at a rest area (I kid!).  I think the trip will do both of us some good.  I'm slightly worried about a little too much alone time, but maybe that's where my knucklehead dog comes in to keep me from getting too far down.  Also, I'll be visiting a few friends along the way so that'll keep me occupied.

It'll be a tough 4th for me since it's around this same time last year when the absolute worst of it was starting.   E really enjoyed going up to the U.P. over the 4th....it always feels like full on summer (even when the weather is punky). We missed going there the past 2 years due to major medical issues.  This will be another first for me to negotiate.  I'm preoccupied with trip preparations, and I'm also quite busy at work.  I'm crazed...but I'm sure the windshield time will do me good.  I'll update from the road.