Biking Some Trails

 

A week ago today, when Ryan and I went on our monthiversary date, we found this really great trail that we walked for a while. But we decided we wanted to come back and ride our bikes, and during our days off this week, we had time to do just that! 

We had a GORGEOUS night to ride, and we waited until late enough that it wasn't SO blistering hot outside. 

These trails go in and out of woods, and I just loved all the pretty trees. This will be a good one to revisit this fall!

I say this next part not to toot my own horn at all, because there is definitely nothing remarkable about it, but it was a big moment for me, so I'll own it! :) 

I've told you before that I broke my leg riding my bike back when I was a kid, and I've really not ridden a ton or consistently since then. I didn't ride it much for the rest of my childhood and then until last year, I never owned a bike again, so other than sporadic rides here or there, I haven't had much bike time. 

So for me to really begin to learn to ENJOY riding again is significant for me. And this night was so much fun. I genuinely loved being out on that bike! We rode 7 miles total (ran out of trail), but it wasn't a loop. So we knew everything we rode to get to the farthest point would come back again on the way home. There was one section that had a boardwalk ramp that was both steep and full of tight turns. I knew going down on the way out that I probably wouldn't survive it uphill on the way back. I knew my legs would be tired, and it would be hard to get good momentum when I had to make such tight turns so often. 

So as we returned to it, I told Ryan I would ride it as far as I could and then walk my bike up the rest of the way. But as I started my climb, I decided I wanted to beat the thing. 

AND. I. DID.

The above picture is not that great, but it's proof of my climb! The picture below was taken before it, on the ride down, but it shows how it turns. 

I couldn't believe I did it without ever stopping or falling off! Big win for this uncoordinated girl!

And I was rewarded with this beautiful sunset view!

It was such a fun night. I was so glad we went and I'm looking forward to visiting this trail again - and going back to some others we tried last year!