BOW - Stony Creek

Today was the MMBA/DNRE's Becoming an Outdoor Woman Mountain Bike Symposium. My group rode with a few girls from the Dark Horse Brewing team and a couple of guys. I had a great time, and gained a lot of confidence riding rocks and switchbacks.

I cleared the big rock garden twice, no problem. This stretch starts and ends with some pretty big rocks which are intimidating looking, but my nerves were eased knowing that there was a crew of guys there to catch us if we fell. I'd say the most challenging part of the trail for me was the roller coaster (or at least that's what I think it was called; maybe it was before that?) with all of its tight turns and switchbacks.

(That's not me, obviously, but this girl rocked!)

I feel the day was a huge success because I didn't technically fall; however, I did have a few mishaps along the trail. First, at one point during some switchbacks, my front wheel's quick release flipped open. This could have been a very scary experience, but thankfully I heard a pinging sound (of the lever hitting the fork) and the front end felt a little loosey-goosey. I was able to pull off the trail to figure out what was causing the problem before the wheel actually came off the fork. Crisis averted.

There was another point where I was going a little too fast and I had a run in with a tree. Well, a couple of trees. I lost control after a tight turn and jammed my wheel between two trees spaced about eight inches apart. I didn't fall off, though; when the bike stopped I was still clipped in and upright. Kind of like a dysfunctional track stand.

Mishaps aside, I kicked Stony's ass, and learned a lot in the process. It was a good day.

Oh, there was a raffle as well, in which I won a giant (22 oz) bottle of Hammer Gel plus a handy little squeezy dispenser. $20 value—it essentially paid for my registration fees. Thanks Rochester Bike Shop!

Addison Oaks...well, that was fun, what's next?

I've finished moving back to my parents', which means I'm now a lot closer to a lot more trails. Today I explored Addison Oaks and had a good time. It was a fun, fast trail. That's how I like them—fast and sweepy, not too technical. Had some decent climbs, but not as many as I was expecting, given the hilly nature of the Oakland County dirt roads that surround the park. I'd get a better hill workout just by riding to the park, but that's a fair trade-off for having a trail like this so close.

Oh, and I think it's worth noting given my track record on new trails—I didn't wipe once, not even close! I'm getting better at this mountain biking thing, I think.

I loved how fast and sweepy this trail was!

The first of several caution signs...that means fun, right?

Right!

Could've done with less of these between the fast sweepies, though...

Actually, it would've been a lot more fun if the rock gardens were more spread out and less in number. I liked having two big rock gardens on Burchfield's main loop that I could bypass if I wished (or tackle if I was feeling spry!), but I didn't have that liberty at Addison Oaks, and there were a lot more of them...I wasn't counting, but seemed like eight or nine at least.

Post-ride picnic to end the day.

All in all, I had a good time today. I think next time I'll throw in a ride to Bald Mountain, too, because Addison Oaks (while fun, and quick) was not very challenging. I do need to bone up on my technical skills a bit, so I'm making that a goal for this year. I am also considering taking part in the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Mountain Bike Symposium this June at Stoney Creek. Does it sound worth it?

Oh, and in case you were looking for my pictures from Yankee Springs, click here to view them on Picasa.