The Cycle of Life, Idiocracy, and True Friends

Following a night of debauchery minus the promiscuity, I had decided to stay home and enjoy a day on the couch. I promptly received a text from a close friend asking me to meet her for a mountain bike ride on Chilhowee Mountain, an old stomping ground. Despite feeling a bit groggy from being up past my bedtime, I felt great. I felt ready to ride! If you have been following this blog or simply keeping in touch with me regularly, you know damn good and well that my lack of motivation has reached an all time high. My thoughts have turned to perhaps relinquishing my fitness goals to join the circus and be the Amazing Cat Juggler or the World's Largest Midget. I don't know, but things were looking bleak. I eagerly accepted my friend's invitation and quickly texted Sara, my partner in crime. She too was excited to hit the trails despite a 5 mile run she had just completed.

* * *

Let me rewind and take you back in time to a place all of my biking friends know and love--Tsali Recreation Area near Bryson City, NC. I began biking there at the beginning of time in a galaxy far, far away in a land riddled with hobbits and trolls. Okay not really, but it sounded good. We lived, ate, breathed biking. Each morning was like Snow White waking up after the spell had been broken; birds chirped, flowers bloomed, and sunshine seemed to glow down from the heavens. We did not own fancy biking gear. A good pair of blue jean shorts and a retro T-shirt filled our biking attire needs. Sidi what? Break out the tennis shoes! The soundtrack for the day consisted of the Stereo MCs, some Deee Lite filtered in along with a little Cake for desert. (Feel free to sample below.)

The trails are fast and flow like water. Rhythm abounds. The best part is that the trail system lies within a campground that is mostly inhabited by bikers. The only thing that would make this more perfect is if a brewery were placed smack-dab in the middle of the campground. I would never leave. 

Before the days of cell phones, people actually called each other like on REAL telephones that existed in our homes--crazy I know. We actually showed up when we said we would and didn't have the ability to shoot each other a text at the last minute saying we would not be able to make it due to some ridiculous reason like we had been attacked by a giant squid in the middle of town. Or we would not be able to make it because aliens decided to capture the family pet for testing. WE WERE RESPONSIBLE-- a concept that seems to have fallen to the wayside these days. It would be nice to point to the Miley Cyrus/Justin Bieber generation, but every generation has developed some level of inadequacy when speaking of responsibility. I blame technology; coming from someone who's livelihood depends upon technology that says a lot. If you need a glimpse into our current status as a people, please watch Idiocracy. 

 

Where was I? Oh yeah...Tsali. 

Each trip consisted of the same players for the most part. As time wore on, the players switched up and out and some left for good. It was simply the "cycle of life." Ha! Yes, a pun was intended. That group has now evolved into a totally different group of riders and has grown much smaller. Unfortunately, life and responsibility kick in at some point (for most anyway) and the euphoria must come to a stop or at the very least slow to a sloth-like crawl. The days of gritty teeth, mud in the butt crack, and beer in the Camelbak are over. Or are they?

* * *

Back to Chilhowee...

My riding buddy, Rhonda, is waiting for us. We all arrive within minutes of one another and begin to put our bikes together, pop a quick snack, and finish getting on our bike gear (no more tennis shoes and blue jean shorts). However, I notice Rhonda is wearing a T-shirt. All I could think is that is cotton and will be soaked in minutes and you will be so uncomfortable. Then my ADHD kicked in . . . what was I doing?

We hopped on our bikes with Rhonda in the lead. The estrogen train was off. We bombed down the loose, rocky trail as though it were the yellow brick road and we were off to see the wizard. Occasionally, we slowed down enough to chat and discuss how rough the trails had gotten, warn each other of upcoming spider webs, and to be on the lookout for a bear as Rhonda has never seen one in the wild. Rock, root, tree, sinewy single-track...annnnd repeat. Like the good ol' days, we rode simply for the enjoyment of riding. There was no judgement on who had the best bike. There was no pressure to beat each other. There was no complaining about lap times, too many rest stops, or hikers on the trails. 

At one point, we passed Benton Falls and headed down Clemmer trail when we passed a group of tourists. I overheard one of the women exclaim admiringly, "Oooh lady bikers!" I smiled. Yes, we are, I thought. But more importantly, we are more than that--we are friends. True friends. 

As the heavy hand of time passes over all of us, only true friends remain. And for those, I am eternally grateful.

And as for Rhonda's T-shirt...

I removed my jersey that felt like a 20-lb weight tossing it into the trunk and thought this jersey is soaked and so uncomfortable. 

Muddy Memories and the Joy of Simplicity--July Beginner Mountain Bike Clinic

The alarm buzzes. The sun finds its way through the cracks between the blinds and curtains bringing with it a newness providing us with an opportunity to start over. Whatever went wrong the day before, the week before, or even years before melts away. The covers are thrown off. We are up with an unusual zeal that causes blood to rush and our heart to pump with excitement. It's Friday and we are seventeen. Responsibility is only a mere thought and an understood future. But for now, we ride!

 It is difficult to remember those days if indeed they ever existed for some of us. But for those who do remember and have since buried those feelings and memories below a trash-heap of stress, exhaustion, the daily grind, and life's blows, it is time to let go of the garbage and remember...

...remember what it is like to play in the mud for the hell of it.







                                                                       

...remember what it is like to spend time with friends. 





  
                                                                                                                           

 ...remember what it means to play hard and go home with mud in your teeth, shoes, nose, and...well...other uncomfortable locations that mud always seems to creep into.





                                        


More than anything just remember these moments are a time to heal and keep in touch with your inner kid providing us with an opportunity to teach each other, our children, and ourselves what it means to be human and simply enjoy the little things.

*All photos courtesy of Sara Straussberger.


Come join us in July!
July 21 @ 2pm--Brush Creek trail--trailhead located at Boyd Gap parking area just above the Ocoee Whitewater Center.
Focus: The basics--braking, shifting, proper bike fit, proper bike attire, etc...
RSVP by Friday, July 19. 

*We will schedule one each month through September so stay tuned! 


YOU MUST BE 18 OR OLDER!!! Sorry kiddos! Mom needs a break too. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Sheesh! I know...more paperwork. 

--> THE 411
There will be a short lecture component consisting of familiarizing you with your trusty steed (i.e. how to adjust seat height, brakes, shifters, etc...) followed by an 8 mile ride. We will teach you how to shift, when to shift, and what not to do concerning your brakes and shifting. We will discuss safety and proper biking attire. Plan on being out at least 2 hours and possibly 3. This will be determined by the number of participants.

--> THE TRAIL
We will be riding a very rolling trail that hangs East of the Ocoee Whitewater Center. There will be no big roots, big drop-offs, or huge hills. I do not wish to kill you right away. No!! That will be saved for the last class (okay not really). There will possibly be hikers, runners, and dogs on the trail. We will discuss how to approach these 'obstacles' prior to hitting the trail. 



--> THE NECESSITIES

1.Please remember to bring your bike. If you have not ridden it in a while, please take it to your local shop and get a tune-up. Trailside maintenance will not be part of this course!

 





 





2. Bring a helmet!! If you do not bring a helmet, you do not get to ride!!! Helmets are cheaper than hospital visits. Go to your local shop and pick one up.
 
 

 3. Wear proper shoes. Tennis shoes are fine if you do not own cycling shoes. Just don't show up in Chacos, Crocs, flip-flops, etc. I would like for you to keep all of your little piggies.

 

4. Water! Lots of water!! It will be hot, damn hot! If you pass out, I might be tempted to push you into the river and pretend I do not know you. Also, be sure to bring bicycle water bottles and not your Nalgene bottle. They do not fit in water bottle cages. If you do not own water bottle cages and bottles, again, hit up the cycling gurus at your local shop for these items.

5. Bring a chair for the first portion of the clinic. We will convene in a shady corner of the parking lot at the trailhead to begin our discussion of biking, proper bike fit, apparel, etc... 

 

 

6. Please bring a great sense of humor as you can see I have one and love to laugh and hope you do too. 





--> THE $$$ 
These clinics are free. FREEEEE! However, depending upon where we decide to head for the second and third clinics, there could be a park fee. I will post that on the blog in the future. Be sure to check back frequently for updates! 

I look forward to working with everyone and can't wait to see you out there! 
If you have any questions and to RSVP, please email me at bikinbeth@gmail.com

No Testosterone Allowed: Women's Beginner Mtn Bike Clinic for Summer 2013

Last year, several brave and ambitious women gathered together to test their mental fortitude as well as prove they could keep it rubber side down! And they did just that. This summer has proven to be logistically challenging with life serving up a healthy dose of obstacles to overcome, but it can't cage the determination of this dirt diva. So listen up ladies! Bust out those trusty steeds, break out the spandex, and join us for another season of biking bliss!

Sara Straussberger will be joining us again to lead some of you in 2-wheeled fellowship. However, Catherine Mantooth is busy nurturing the next tiny cyclist into the fold. So she will not be joining us, but will be with us in spirit.
   
June 9 @ 2pm--Brush Creek trail--trailhead located at Boyd Gap parking area just above the Ocoee Whitewater Center.
Focus: The basics--braking, shifting, proper bike fit, proper bike attire, etc...
RSVP by June 7. 

*We will schedule one each month through September so stay tuned! 


YOU MUST BE 18 OR OLDER!!! Sorry kiddos! Mom needs a break too. You will be asked to sign a waiver. Sheesh! I know...more paperwork. 

--> THE 411
There will be a short lecture component consisting of familiarizing you with your trusty steed (i.e. how to adjust seat height, brakes, shifters, etc...) followed by an 8 mile ride. We will teach you how to shift, when to shift, and what not to do concerning your brakes and shifting. We will discuss safety and proper biking attire. Plan on being out at least 2 hours and possibly 3. This will be determined by the number of participants.

--> THE TRAIL
We will be riding a very rolling trail that hangs East of the Ocoee Whitewater Center. There will be no big roots, big drop-offs, or huge hills. I do not wish to kill you right away. No!! That will be saved for the last class (okay not really). There will possibly be hikers, runners, and dogs on the trail. We will discuss how to approach these 'obstacles' prior to hitting the trail. 



--> THE NECESSITIES

1.Please remember to bring your bike. If you have not ridden it in a while, please take it to your local shop and get a tune-up. Trailside maintenance will not be part of this course!

 





 





2. Bring a helmet!! If you do not bring a helmet, you do not get to ride!!! Helmets are cheaper than hospital visits. Go to your local shop and pick one up.
 
 

 3. Wear proper shoes. Tennis shoes are fine if you do not own cycling shoes. Just don't show up in Chacos, Crocs, flip-flops, etc. I would like for you to keep all of your little piggies.

 

4. Water! Lots of water!! It will be hot, damn hot! If you pass out, I might be tempted to push you into the river and pretend I do not know you. Also, be sure to bring bicycle water bottles and not your Nalgene bottle. They do not fit in water bottle cages. If you do not own water bottle cages and bottles, again, hit up the cycling gurus at your local shop for these items.

5. Bring a chair for the first portion of the clinic. We will convene in a shady corner of the parking lot at the trailhead to begin our discussion of biking, proper bike fit, apparel, etc... 

 

 

6. Please bring a great sense of humor as you can see I have one and love to laugh and hope you do too. 





--> THE $$$ 
These clinics are free. FREEEEE! However, depending upon where we decide to head for the second and third clinics, there could be a park fee. I will post that on the blog in the future. Be sure to check back frequently for updates! 

I look forward to working with everyone and can't wait to see you out there! 
If you have any questions and to RSVP, please email me at bikinbeth@gmail.com

The death of motivation and Star Wars

The death of motivation is akin to the loss of a family member and, in my case, was the result of the loss of many people. Riding my bike was replaced with riding the couch and viewing my current video collection enough times to make George Lucas sell the rights to his Sci-Fi empire, Star Wars.


 Last September, the local outdoor community lost Jeff West, owner/operator of Ace Kayaking School. Jeff was known for his selflessness, compassion for others, and intense dedication to the sport of kayaking and its participants.

This is the memorial service on the Ocoee River following Jeff's death on the Stakine River in Canada. He was remembered by not only his biological family members, but also by his river family.

January witnessed the loss of a dear friend from high school, my former goalie coach, and high school boyfriend. Jason O'Neil Messer had been battling Crohn's disease most of his life. He was an avid soccer player, paddler, biker, and bordering on genius whipped my ass every time we played Trivial Pursuit. But it was not his intellectual prowess that stood out. It was his devout belief in a higher power despite being dealt every bad hand possible. Jason played the cards he was given and played the game to the best of his ability. He helped anyone who needed it never judging them. He, like Jeff, was selfless and sought to locate only the good in people and bring that to the forefront.

I am fortunate to have known two very selfless individuals who were willing to give 100% of themselves--not 50% or even 75%--100% and never complain.

They say everything comes in threes, so in February I lost my favorite little adventure buddy.

Furbie was a stray my Mom found and brought home intending to keep for herself. As soon as I saw him, I knew he was going home with me. I exclaimed to her, "Oh my god, I can't believe you got me a dog!" She reluctantly gave him up, and we soon became inseparable. He refused to succumb to stereotypes and shed his "little yippy dog" persona to join me on "big dog" adventures. Furb, as we called him, was capable of running up to 7 miles during a trailrun or bike ride. If we were going for a long ride, I wore a backpack he could rest in once his little legs pooped out (as you can see above). All of my adventure buddies loved him and treated him as if he were their own.

 Sara Straussberger and Furb at the Ocoee River "Blue Hole."

 Travis Mull and Furb after we just completed the first section of the lower Ocoee River below Dam #1.

Olivia Jenson and Furb chillin' at Tsali Campground in NC.

To my sidekick of 10 years, you will forever be greatly missed. You were a HUGE part of my life and a part of my adventure family as well as my real family. The next dog that comes along will have some BIG, little, doggie shoes to fill.

  This was taken at the Cohutta Springs Triathlon. I am one proud dog parent.

 Furb on an 11 mile hike above the Hiwassee River on the Benton MacKaye trail. This was his last big adventure.

To all of those who are lost, you are not forgotten and will serve as the fuel that fires my motivation.

This summer is going to be great despite all of the holes that are now in need of filling. So I challenge you to push yourselves harder, be better, and motivate others even when you are unable to motivate yourself.

"We can never cease to be ourselves."
— Joseph Conrad (The Secret Agent)