Pedaling

Here in Maine or most of New England for that matter, we always seem to have a mud season. It was generally the time of year where the snow is melting, flowers may start to appear through the snow and there is mud everywhere. The loggers are generally out of work for a bit, roads are posted with weight limits until the frost leaves the ground etc... and sometimes we receive big snowstorms in the same time frame.And that is the case for today/tomorrow. Weather projections are from 6-12" of new snow tonight and into tomorrow. The pictures below are from today from riding through some dirt roads and trails. It's an excursion this time of year, I always expect that known routes will take a longer time frame and that I will  come home wet even if  I don't fall. AND I'll also come home dirty from dirt/mud. But, I have to admit that I find it a challenge... from trying to keep the bike upright in wet/very soft snow and then you might immediately hit a section of ice. The re

For the past 17 years, we have hosted a ride here in Maine that is generally a 'first ride' of the year for some. Now with the addition of fatbikes, that is not the case for everyone. At any rate, it is a ride where we might be out in rain, sun, snow and of course wind. Typically, the folks that show up and are simply anxious to be outside again and meet new friends and catch up with others they haven't seen in awhile. It is a potluck day, so everyone brings something to add to the table. So after a generally cool ride,  homemade food around the woodstove in the shop... it doesn't get much better than that. So you might wonder what is the point to all of this? Like each year, things are changing and now we find that some folks are working, others are no longer riding regardless of the season, and others... who knows. What I'm thankful for is the hearty folks that come to ride, with no certain distance or speed predetermined in their heads. It's based on the we