It's never about the destination
Adjusting the GoPro on top of Pikes Peak at 14,114 feet above sea level!
As a cyclists diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, I try to ride my bikes every weekend and get away at least once a month to somewhere epic. I ride my road and cross bike 2-3 times a week. I have a small bike shop in Riverview, FL where I try to help other cyclists learn about wrenching on their own bikes through private and public workshops. As a mechanic for the past 20+ years of The Gravity Garage, I specialize in upper-end Mountain, Road and Cyclocross bikes. In the past 30 years, I have ridden all over the US, from west coast beaches of San Diego, the deserts of Barstow/Joshua Tree in California, the Red Rocks of Nevada, all throughout the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and now the gator filled preserves of Florida. With elevations from Sea Level to the top of Pikes Peak at 14,114’. Rides as short as an hour to overnight bike packing trips. Sand, snow, mud, dirt, rocks, hard pack, asphalt & concrete – my adventures have been awesome and I am blessed with the ability to keep riding even at 52-years-old and all that that brings with it! This is a few ramblings about some of my journeys!
Transplant: From Colorado to Florida:
Cycling Flatlands vs the Mountains
I ride, Road, Cyclocross and MTB. I lived at 6,500 feet above sea level and my “home riding trails” typically started between 8-10,000ft with anywhere from 2-4,000ft of climbing (a lot for me).
Central Florida Cycling
In the past 30 years, I have ridden all over the US, from west coast beaches of San Diego, the deserts of Barstow/Joshua Tree in California, the Red Rocks of Nevada, all throughout the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and now the gator-filled preserves of Florida.
Mountain Biking Balm Boyette Preserve
Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve Balm Boyette is much more secluded than some of the other. There is a 2-mile ride in on double track before you even get to the trails! Early morning rides are almost guaranteed to be filled with local wildlife including white-tail...
Bikepacking in the Colorado Rockies:
Birds of Prey
Birds of prey are fascinating when you consider how long they have been around and their abilities.
It’s the journey not the destination!
A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success! When reaching out beyond your limits, it is always best to do it with true friends. This trip was no exception…
Why Bikepacking
How can anyone with an ounce of adventure in them, not think this is an excellent idea?
Planing the Route
You have a starting point and a destination, but what about the route in between? When exploring the backcountry on a bike expedition, a plan should be in place as to the specific route.
Getting There
It’s all about getting as deep into the woods as you possibly can get.
Inspiration to Ride
I have a restless soul, and the prescribed treatment is “Get Outdoors”! It’s always been that way, since the time I was a kid playing and “camping” in a fort I built in the backwoods of Texas by flowing creek, to surfing the beaches of Southern California to packing horses on the backcountry of the Colorado mountains.
