RR: Back in the Saddle - Lake Calvera

[MTBBill]

After a couple of weeks being off the bike due to my face injury at Goat Camp, I finally got back on the trail. I had tried doing a bit of stuff in the outdoors late last week but the “brand new” skin on my lips was quite sensitive and the slightest of breeze and direct sunlight was unpleasant to say the least. Today I gave it another shot and decided hit up one of my local trails, Lake Calvera, which I ride to right from my front door. Will has a two hour hockey practice tonight so I decided to Jake out for some one-on-one Dad time on the trails.

We had a great time out on the trails today. I am always amazed at how easy kids put up new skills. Most of the time I show them something once, they do it once and then it is locked in. Man I wish I could still learn at that rate. I have made a point of gradually progressing the length and difficulty of the rides I take them on each outing and today was no different. I took him on a lot more twisty and rocky singletrack that he has done in the past. I also made a point to get him to the “Back 40” of Lake Calvera which meant he had to do a good deal more climbing than usual out there.

For me I can tell it will take a few rides to get my MoJo back. I still have some numb spots on my face which makes for a really weird sensation (or lack thereof) to feel the sun and breeze only on a portion of your face. The good news is that the spots are getting smaller everyday. In what little technical bits I did encounter today, I caught myself glancing at where I don’t want to go. Not good. I’m sure after a few rides I’ll get “it” back but it was an odd mental riding state today. What I lacked today in riding prowess was more than offset by the high quality time I got with my youngest son who put in a solid 14.4 miles today.

[strobelite]

yet another reason i cant wait to be a daddy!

i really want to build a custom 1x9 micro mini.

[bajamtnbkr]

Good to have you back Bill.

[OMR]

Sharing your love of MTBing with your sprout is the best of the best.... glad to hear you're back...somewhat!

[bighit8]

My son Daven Is finally at the age, for his birthday we are gonna have me and Daven time and ride the loop. His brother will be with mom!

[jhardeman]

Bill - would you be up for leading a kids ride at Calavera Lake sometime? I ride there after work a lot but would love to get my kids out there on a Saturday sometime. It would be cool to get all of us together sometime.

[Blue Rat]

Great to hear that you're on the mend ... heal well.

I wish my daughter was still at that learning age, she's 22 and officially knows everything. lol ... We did have a lot of fun riding together in her younger years.

Scott

[Solo]

Glad to hear you're back in the saddle again.

And what a phenom Jake is going to be! I remember walking that bridge and the rutted climb after it when I started riding.

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by jhardeman

Bill - would you be up for leading a kids ride at Calavera Lake sometime? I ride there after work a lot but would love to get my kids out there on a Saturday sometime. It would be cool to get all of us together sometime.

Sure thing. My Saturdays should open up in May after I'm done with my kid's rec league hockey season. Still have my oldest doing travel hockey but that is not an every weekend thing. With the longer days now, we could also do an after school ride.

[mtbgurl26]

good to see you're back in the saddle! the little one looks like a pro already! glad you guys were able to get a good ride in today!

[R2D2]

...

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by R2D2

How old is your youngest Bill? I have a 10 year old, I'm up for a kids ride on a Saturday!

He is nine. I'm gonna post up a kid's ride here when my Saturdays clear.

[Impy]

good to see you back, bill! That was quite an injury. Hope to see you on a ride one of these days.

[mr.hobbs]

Originally Posted by Impy

good to see you back, bill! That was quite an injury. Hope to see you on a ride one of these days.

Bill, You inspired me to ride Calavera again after about 11 years yesterday. I use to frequent that place alot in my early days of riding. It's cool to go back and make all the things that use to seem undo-able.
I did a little over 2.5 hours and rode with 3 different groups along the way. I was told more than once "you might have to walk this section on that single speed". I wasn't welcome in that group for long, as I spent more time waiting for them to get down the hill I should have walked.
All in good fun though.

I was scouting for a place to bring my kid in a trailer.

[Mikekim]

Man that injury looks bad - bad enough to interfere with drinking (and holding in) beer even!

Glad to hear you're back and ushering in the next generation to mtb. My girl is about to turn 3 and just learned to turn the cranks to move the bike. I've got twin boys on the way this May. In a few years I hope to take the herd on the trail too, probabaly Calavera since it is my local too.

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by jhardeman

Bill - would you be up for leading a kids ride at Calavera Lake sometime? I ride there after work a lot but would love to get my kids out there on a Saturday sometime. It would be cool to get all of us together sometime.

I'm going to put this in the Trailhead section as well.

Carlsbad is doing a National Trails Day event this Saturday (June 7th) at 8AM. The theme is on emergency preparednes. There will be a short presentation followed by some group led rides and hikes. Here is already plans for two groups of rides for different levels. I am going to be there with at least one of my boys and will be happy to lead around a kid friendly ride.

Here is a link to the Carlsbad's website on the event as well as flyer for the event PDF.