I can clearly remember back to when I was a mountain bike beginner.

It all started around 2005...I was throwing batting practice to the team and felt a sharp pain at the center of my left knee. It swelled up like a water balloon, so I had to have some cartilage scooped out. The doctor told me I could choose swimming, walking, or biking as possible exercises for rehabilitation. I tried swimming laps in our pool but found that booooorrrrriiiinnnnggg. Walking and hiking do provide at least provide a change of scenery, but they were too slow for me. I finally decided to try biking.

My mountain bike now.

The perfect Bike for a Mountain Bike Beginner?...I had purchased a bike for Alissa at our local swap meet several years before. The bike had been too large for her but I had hoped she would "grow into" it. I had no idea what kind of bike it was but I thought it looked cool and most importantly, "I thought I was getting a steal." It had skinny tires, no suspension, and weighed a ton. Anyway, Alissa never had "grown into it" so I decided I would give it a try.

The Riding...I started riding up and down all the streets in Eucalyptus Hills, our rural neighborhood. One day I looked at the surrounding hills and wondered "what is on the other side." I also wondered if there were any "rideable" trails out there. Google Earth showed me three different ways to get into those hills.

2nd entry-Private Road

Unfortunately, all the trails began on someone else's property. My first option involved riding up a driveway, then branching off between two houses. My second choice required riding up a private road with a sign clearly stating to keep out. The third entry entailed riding up a very steep road, through a private gate (which is always open), coming within 30 feet of the house, then turning off onto a trail. None of these ways had locked gates or fences so I decided I would just ride my "mountain bike" as fast as I could across their property and see what happened (I have yet to get chased by any dogs and so far no one has yelled at me or tried to stop me).

What I found on the other side of those hills is why I still love mountain biking. I was "exploring" a beautiful area with no cars, trucks, or machines of any kind. Birds were chirping, bees were buzzing, the brush smelled sweet, the trail was orange granite and glowed in comparison to the surrounding sagebrush. It was so PEACEFUL.

The Hills that Beckoned

I am no longer a mountain bike beginner, yet I still get excited to see where the next trail will take me and what it is going to look like. I enjoy the challenge of a steep climb and the thrill of flying through a smooth stretch. Then I can stop, look around, gulp a drink, and enjoy the scenery. The best part is I can enjoy all these things while doing something healthy for my body. I once saw a man who had to be at least 75 years old out biking. I hope my body will hold up that long. I know I'll have the desire. Enough said about this. Let's get a move on and talk about some trails!!

Your first mountain bike ride?

Do you have a story about your first mountain bike ride?
What kind of bike was it? Can you share a picture?
How far did you ride?
Who were you with?
Anything strange happen?

Would you like to share your beginning with others?

Enter Your Title of Your Page

Tell Us Your Story! [ ? ]

Close Help Entering your story is easy to do. Just type!... Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph.

Upload up to 4 Pictures or Graphics (optional) [ ? ]

Close Help Do you have some pictures or graphics to add? Great! Click the button and find the first one on your computer. Select it and click on the button to choose it. Then click on the link if you want to upload up to 3 more images.

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name	(first or full name)
Your Location	(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.

(You can preview and edit on the next page)

Click here to see the rest of the form and complete your submission.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Like Mountain Bike Diaries? You can set yourself up to receive non-intrusive updates of my newest rides by liking the MBD Facebook Page, or subscribing to the YouTube channel, RSS feed, or our monthly newsletter ... the Mountain Bike News.