I just got a new mountain bike in December. For some reason that made me think I was qualified to ride EVERY trail at Lake McMurtrey near Stillwater, OK. Chili-bike is 28 miles of trails and 14 miles of road/gravel in 6 hours? Sure, why not. I was told these trails weren't technical; but then my source of information is somebody that races mountain bikes. Our ideas of technical are probably very different.
As with many rides that I have done in the past I was asking myself before it started "What am I doing here?" I don't know anything about mountain biking. Did a few hours at Turkey Mountain several years ago really prepare me to go 28 miles! I must be insane.
WARNING! There are graphic pictures below. Those who don't like the sight of carnage please turn back now! Okay, you've been warned.
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| Before the ride. My trusty bike enjoying the lake. |
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| Yes, rose colored lenses were perfect for the woods. |
The ride is somewhat unorganized. You just kind of start and do whatever you want in whatever order. I met a couple of guys, Ben & Spenser. Ran into them at the hotel and again at the ride. I asked if I could ride with them for at least a bit. They had the great idea to ride the farthest away sections first. This meant we start with a 7 mile road/gravel ride.
It was a good idea until about mile 5. I was going down a hill and the road was quite wash-boarded. My bike started bouncing around until I went sliding through the dirt & gravel. I believe I was going 15+ MPH. What a great way to start the day. Ben and Spenser were nice enough to wait for me to pick myself up and decide that I could indeed keep riding.
Ben, Spenser, & me had been riding about the same speed until we go to the trails. They then turned on the turbo and left me in the dust. We did see each on the trails some and at least started every trail together. It was good to have some company. I have no pictures so maybe I'm making them up. The woods can be very lonely.
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| The trails were awesome. Had a great tiring day. Occasionally remembered to look at the great scenery. Not much time to look around while riding the trails. Time did pass very quickly. |
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| You can see the lake in the distance. |
Ben & Spenser had only ridden a couple of the trails before. Thankfully, we happened to do the hardest trail first.
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| I walked plenty of up hills and several down hills. Very exhausting. This is at the top of a rocky hill that I just climbed. |
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| Didn't take time for too many pictures. Every picture I took is here. |
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| A view of my wounds. I rode about 5 hours after my accident. Yes, I am eating a hot dog. |
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| Nasty! I warned you! |
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| Ouch! |
Mountain biking was great! I hope to do more in the future!
