Mountain Biking

My first blog, my first post. I might as well start with my current passion.

Way back when, 1989, my buddy Jeff barges into my room one day.

Him: "Hey Donnie, let's go mountain biking!"
Me: "What's that?"

Being Navy, we lived in the barracks in Mayport. Hanna Park was right next door to the base. There were a few miles of trails and Jeff was riding out there frequently. I didn't have a bike though so borrowed one from another buddy, I think it was a Huffy. Jeff had a Cannondale. What I didn't know then was good gear is a BIG help.

I learned mountain biking the hard way. Several scrapes, bruises and bumps later I was hooked. Eventually I bought my own bike, I think it was a Murray (I know, I was young, stupid and broke), and rode with Jeff often. I wouldn't say all the time but enough to keep the fire burning.

Fast forward to 2001. Marriage, children and career put my mountain biking on the back burner and I hadn't rode for 6-8 years.

Enter John. Epitome of physical fitness. Metabolism of a hummingbird. Avid mountain biker. He stokes the fire once again. I'm at a point in my life where I can start taking up certain hobbies again. I break out my Murray. He breaks out his top-o-the-line, best parts money can buy, mountain bike. I still haven't learned good gear is required.

Wow! It's been a looong time! He's fast! I can't keep up! He's leaving me behind! I have to peddle faster! How'd he get through those trees?

Him: "You alright?"
Me: "No..."

University of West Florida had some great trails. He laughed at me every time I dragged my bike on the trails. I think he may have been embarrassed to be seen with me and my Murray but he still rode with me. 2003-2004 I hang up my mountain bike again.

Fast forward to 2006. Stationed in Japan, return from deployment for a short in-port period before heading out for the fall.

My loving Wife: "I saw an awesome mountain bike at the store while you were gone."
Me: "Really? What kind?"
Her: "A good one. You should look at it."
Me: "Really?"

2006 Cannondale Scalpel, made for speed, on sale to make way for 2007 models.

Her: "You should buy it."
Me: "REALLY?"
Her: "Yes."
Me: "NO! REALLY? YOU MEAN IT? YOU REALLY MEAN IT?"
Her: "Calm down, we're in public, you're acting a fool."

November 2006, my buddy Dave is a hardcore mountain biker. He's excited I have a mountain bike and is chomping at the bit to show me what he can do. And he can do it like nobody's business! We find a trail in Sasebo, my first trail ride since 2003-2004. Easy, flat, FAST! I'm excited to show him MY skills! I'm on his tail, he can't get away from me! The trail curves left, nice little downhill, a few rocks, he picks his line, I pick mine, where'd that overhanging tree come from? I picked wrong...

Him: "You alright?"
Me: "No..."

I'm not as young as I used to be, but the fire is lit and blazing strong!

Since that Sasebo ride, I've ridden Yokosuka and Muroran, Japan, Guam, Hong Kong, Brisbane and Sydney, Australia, with our next stop in Hawaii. Got a great group of guys to ride with every port visit. Each port visit averages about 4 days and we ride hard and long everyday. Riding with Dave, Boss and Hank has increased my skill level ten-fold and I'm better than I ever was. The difference between then and now though is I will never hang up my bike again.