Not really the first ride, but the first ride since Spring began, this latest was also the muddiest. Run-off from the mountain snow became little streams that went down parts of the trail. I couldn’t see them until I was right in them, so avoiding the mud was not really possible. It flipped up off the back tire. It caked in between the gears, coated the chain, and started to make the derailleurs work less efficiently. It was everywhere. The mud didn’t make the ride any less fun, though it created problems. In fact, if I’m being honest, I’d rather have a wet trail. A dry and dusty trail is in some ways less preferable. Dust finds its way into your ears and nostrils, while mud usually only lands on your cheeks. I’d rather have the obvious mud than the less obvious dust. There’s probably a life lesson in that. A moral to the biking story? Isn’t there always? Also, just so you know, mountain biking is always done “at a distance”, so it’s safe to do at this time.
Xenosthesia.com 