Morraine State Park

Wow, is that forest something else? Mountain biked last weekend in Morraine State Park and boy oh boy, does it remind me of how to make a mountain biker a mountain biker. This place is covered with all the terrain necessary to make you a true mtn biker. You have some really challenging hill climbs, tough rock garden sections, few flats to recover, and much off camber trail to challenge even the best of mtn bikers. I cannot say enough for the technical status that this place has.

Years ago when the original makers of the trail created it, there were so many rough sections that you almost had a hard time even riding it. There was so much mud in some places that you could not ride them, and so many rocks that you didn't dare fall down. Since then there must be a newer crowd maintaining things because the routes have been changed to avoid the mud, make it a little longer and get some more traversible rocky sections. They have also added many many (wheel barrow loads i am guessing) sections of gravel to soak some of the water, i think. But again still managing to provide a very difficult place to ride.

I unfortunately had the inconvienence of getting a flat tire on the front wheel. Since I did not use my noggin i did not bring a tube, which provided me with the pleasure of stopping to pump my tire every five to ten minutes. Make sure that you are prepared for anything when mountain biking in any area. Anything can go wrong and sometimes it always does.

In any case I just wanted to let everyone know about this place because it truly is an awesome place to ride, and will sincerely change a mountain biker who wants a place to ride to get better. There are other places to go that will also set the grounds for serious improvement, but many are a little further to drive to get to. If you have the luxury of also having a mountain bike, dont be affraid to get out there and try this aspect of cycling out. You just might find that you are a mountain biker at heart. It will challenge you in ways that you probably would never have thought you could be.

To all us roadies on the outside, I shall see you all tues and thurs this week. Keep in mind that thursday we will be on a circuit ride and that pace will be slower unless we are on the hill. The idea is to judge where you are at the beginning and ride the hill harder but still attempting to keep enough in reserve such that you may climb the hill repeatedly. This will also teach your body to recover after a hard effort. Recovery is key even while you are on the bike.

Summer Intake:

Water or energy drink: one bottle an hour
Food intake: 250 calories an hour

Winter Intake: Same

See ya all soon......

Jason