Ahhhh, now you've done it Grasshoppers!!!!

[OMR]

You've made the old man choke up and my computer screen suddently got a little blurry... I really appreciate the birthday wishes and consider myself one of the luckiest guys on the planet to have riding buddies... nay, friends such as you. But there is more to this for me than just birthday wishes....

To me, mountain biking has always been about having fun. Getting outside, testing yourself and just enoying the gathering of a group of friends... all riding towards a common purpose. It didn't matter whether you were 20 or 60, whether you had been riding for a year or 20 years, whether you had a Huffy (almost drew the line here) or a custom titanium beauty, you were instantly accepted as one of the tribe and a place was made for you at the campfire. I know of no other sport that has taken me the places that I've been or introduced me to a truely diverse group of people that have become true friends... all because of a silly toy called a mountain bike.

There is a pearl of wisdom I do want to pass on here... and that is: as you get older you really begin to appreciate your friends and what they mean to you. I guess because you begin to see the end of your life and sense that the moments you have left are precious and you really don't want to waste it on trivial things or trivial people. My riding is important to me...it keeps me grounded and sane... more importantly, my wife realizes this and encourages me to ride.... but only after the chores are done!

So I want to challenge each and everyone of you... really appreciate the friends you have ... never stop riding, as you just never know what new trails & new friends are just around the corner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STR!.... back at you.....

See you all on the trails.

[Code Blue]

Originally Posted by OMR

You've made the old man choke up and my computer screen suddently got a little blurry... I really appreciate the birthday wishes and consider myself one of the luckiest guys on the planet to have riding buddies... nay, friends such as you. But there is more to this for me than just birthday wishes....

To me, mountain biking has always been about having fun. Getting outside, testing yourself and just enoying the gathering of a group of friends... all riding towards a common purpose. It didn't matter whether you were 20 or 60, whether you had been riding for a year or 20 years, whether you had a Huffy (almost drew the line here) or a custom titanium beauty, you were instantly accepted as one of the tribe and a place was made for you at the campfire. I know of no other sport that has taken me the places that I've been or introduced me to a truely diverse group of people that have become true friends... all because of a silly toy called a mountain bike.

There is a pearl of wisdom I do want to pass on here... and that is: as you get older you really begin to appreciate your friends and what they mean to you. I guess because you begin to see the end of your life and sense that the moments you have left are precious and you really don't want to waste it on trivial things or trivial people. My riding is important to me...it keeps me grounded and sane... more importantly, my wife realizes this and encourages me to ride.... but only after the chores are done!

So I want to challenge each and everyone of you... really appreciate the friends you have ... never stop riding, as you just never know what new trails & new friends are just around the corner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STR!.... back at you.....

See you all on the trails.

OMT (Old Man Typing)

This is one of the best posts I have seen in awhile......

"I know of no other sport that has taken me the places that I've been or introduced me to a truely diverse group of people that have become true friends... all because of a silly toy called a mountain bike."

I love the way m-biking and other sports let people share a common interest and keep the other stuff out

[genusmtbkr5]

I agree whole heartedly. This sport is very special indeed.

[Pain Freak]

"I know of no other sport that has taken me the places that I've been or introduced me to a truely diverse group of people that have become true friends... all because of a silly toy called a mountain bike."

I've participated in a wide variety of sports, but mtb'ing has been unique. It amazes me how this sport seems to seek out the best in people. I have met so many people riding and to tell you the truth I don't think there are but a few that I wouldn't continue to ride with. But it still seems strange to me that this sport is different in the way that people are involved with it. Can't figure it out and really don't care, I just hope it continues on.
Great post,OMR!

[jfromlv]

Greg, you said your wife encourages you to ride, after the chores are done. It seems that as I get older, my memory is not what it used to be, and I keep on forgetting to do the chores, yet I still remember to ride!

Joking aside, I couldn't agree more about mountain biking, it has been therapy for me in all aspects of life. STR has been such a huge part for the last year and a half as well.

[sdyeti]

Wow...that gave me chills