Whadda you love about where you live?

[OTBSkinloss]

Today I stood on solid ground, and looked down at the top of an airplane in flight.

[Ripp]

Who says I love anything about where I live?

Central IL is (with some exceptions of course) not known for great MTBing options. My area has the highest Prop tax rates in the state outside of Chicagoland, our gun laws are amoung the tightest in the nation, these cities are the home to two large Insurance offices (worlwide, and regional HQ for State Farm and a large Country Ins building) which seems to make for a very boring, cultureless community, and we have a State U so there is a virtualy endless supply of drunken idiocy going on.

But then again there is a pretty decent rail trail system so I can easily do errends in town by bike, and the trail head is only 15 miles from my driveway, and I guess those drunken students can be pretty entertaining once in a while.

OK I give home a 3/5 star rating.

Doesn't compare with being able to ride up to a place where I could look down on outgoing airplanes though!

[Cyclenaut]

Last week I drove from home to Loveland ski area and did a half day on the snowboard on the Continental Divide. Then I drove across the State, stopped in to see Jenn and Anne at the Hot Tomato in Fruita, and went the rest of the way to Moab to meet with friends who were visiting from the UK . I took the scenic route from I-70 in a nearly full moon with snow on the ground and red, red rocks and took some of the best long exposure night shots I've ever taken. The next day we spent 6 hours riding and taking pictures on Hidden Valley and Moab Rim. I drove home the next day to over a foot of fresh powder on the slopes.

Just a couple of typical Colorado days, really.

[nogearshere]

otb doesn't live here....

badda boom.

[rockyrider]

I live minutes from trails in the mountains, I can have coyotes and bears hanging around my place, and we have the mildest winter weather in the entire country. What's not to like... other than the rain.

[OTBSkinloss]

otb doesn't live here....

badda boom.

And, where I live aint Kanukistan! More to love!
:D

[007ted]

Today I saw the most beautiful sunrise coming of the water as the ice slowly drifted by then the geese flew off and the crisp cold air bit into my face :)

[OTBSkinloss]

Sun's just starting to rise here. Gonna be a blue sky and fresh pow pow day!
Gotta tune my skis.
Smell ya later! :D

[plume_mtb]

Well, I can ride a bicycle comfortably year round. I live 20 minutes from nationally regcognized single track. Coming from a non-cycling community to this one I feel like I'm actually part of the group, not on the outside.

that about covers it.

[kpomtb]

VERY little traffic.

Low cost of living.

7,000 acre state park 4 miles and 1 stop light from my house.

Year round riding, looking at sunny and temps in the 60's today.

[Repack Rider]

I can ride Repack any time I want to. All the local bike shops give me a discount.

[makaha75]

Sun's just starting to rise here. Gonna be a blue sky and fresh pow pow day!
Gotta tune my skis.
Smell ya later! :D

too late, I got to it all yesterday :D

I also have looked down upon a plane in flight - yesterday, in fact. Happens all the time.

I love where I live because the weather allows me to ride a variety of bikes - 4 different in the last 2 days, today I'm on the mighty B-machine ('85 bianchi limited, foxy)

CO roolz

[Cyclenaut]

Ooo!! Is this a competition to see who got to the powder first? I was carving up the foot of freshies on Thursday.

[PutAwayWet]

I was plowing almost 2 feet of freshies wednesday and thursday. Then I had to haul it thursday night. Friday I slept. :)

[realSaint]

Apartment is above a bike shop and climbing shop. I can ride for exactly two minutes- before hitting sweet, vacant single track. Long winter means ski touring and ice climbing. Good, dry summer means lots of riding. Have the beginning of a 4000 foot climb (by road bike) exactly 10 minutes (by road bike) from my door. Two crags (Limestone and Quartzite) not more than 20 minutes away (by bike). And the list goes on and on and on...

And, all this after moving from Windsor, Ontario (as in, across the river from downtown Detroit).

Sweet deal.

Speaking of which- I should be skiing right now. Seeya.

[RepublicanSS]

The weather.

I have the downtown skyline from my front porch and a huge deep pool in the backyard.

Living downtown I can ride my bike or walk to concerts, events the park etc.

I live within two minutes of the 408 which can lead me to Santos in an hour or to Clermont for a road ride in 30 minutes.

The running is great downtown.

Plus where I live the property values continue rise:)

[davkatreb]

I'm thinking...

Nothing yet...

Still nothing...

Okay, how about this? The local high school ain't bad. While most of the inbred little cocksuckers are a complete waste of DNA, my daughter has made friends with some really decent kids. They all look out for one another, get good grades and have never been in trouble.

I got the C&O (184 miles of car-free two track) and the Western Maryland railtrail (24 mile paved bikeway) within sight of the room where I am typing this.

The Lockhouse (walking distance) has some of the best prime rib I have ever tasted, plus there are ALWAYS a couple of INCREDIBLE microbrews on tap.

There are endless miles of two lane blacktop running through farms, orchards and quaint little towns. I can hear my roadbike kicking the stall door as I type this.

There are some downright RIPPING trails anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour away.

Still, this can be an ugly little town. Mean and stupid rednecks are the rule. God, how I hate them. They make an excellent case for laws against the marriage of cousins, one to another.

Still, this is where my beloved wife, The Beautiful Miss Kathy, and my wonderful daughter, Rotten Rebeccah live. Any town that can boast of these two things is a blessed oasis in my book.

[longhaultruker2]

my closest neighbor is a racoon.other than that,there are dozens upon dozens of dirt bike trails i helped build as a kid that i can ride most of today.but the best part is that all my human neighbors are elderly,so they cant hear my noise,and sooner or later i'll buy up all the newly available real estate from the aires;)

[rockhound]

Today I stood on solid ground, and looked down at the top of an airplane in flight.

I watch geese fly in formation below my house.

[Rev.BudGreen]

*Relatively low taxes.
*One of the cheapest "major" cities in which to live, so my dollar goes a long way.
*I ride past two "top 100" bike shops on my way to work everyday.
*Berryman Trail, consistently called "the best singletrack between the Rockies and the Appalachians" is a short drive from my house.
*Council Bluff Lake, North & South Trace Creek and the Middle Fork Trails.
*The St. Charles trail systems
*The 225+ mile KATY trail (rail to trail)
*My a smokin' hot wife who speaks three languages.
*My awesome Border Collie.
*My house in the City, where I can easily walk to four or five bars and restaurants. And not so easily stumble home!
*Less than a mile from the MetroLink (light rail) station which opens up the whole city (and they allow bikes!).
*We actually get FOUR, count 'em, FOUR seasons every year. As much as I HATE this 20 degree cold right now, I look forward to the soon-to-be 60 degree Spring days ahead.
*I am the perfect commute distance from my office: 15 low traffic volume miles. My office has a shower, locker room and a secure place for me to keep my bike inside.

Man, thanks for starting this thread. Reminds me that I've got it pretty good! May not be my former home, Hood River, OR, but, then again, Hood River isn't home to the World Champions of the Universe St. Louis Cardinals!!

[Teocalli401]

The Community. Some of the most selfless people in the world live here. Though we have a constant influx of dickbags every fall...they always seem to leave.

The commute. Downhill for the wake-up, uphill to work out the frustrations. Public Trans is free.

Great bike shops.

Sunsets

4 1/2 hours from the city.

Hundreds of miles of world famous single track out the front door. Crytobiotic, slickrock, and Crest Trail down the road.

Property Value continues to decline. I rent.

Things I don't like.

Developers:mad:
Tourists
-lack of enviromental concern/awareness
-fast buck-no repercussion attitude
Two climatic seasons
Hippies
lack of culture-one giant box of crackers:(

[Scott G.]

-Blue State

-Bike riding distance from Canada in case things get REALLY bad here in the US;)

[rockyrider]

-Blue State

-Bike riding distance from Canada in case things get REALLY bad here in the US;)The 101 would be quite a scenic ride, you're a fair ways from the Great Divide Trail.

You need to learn the language if you come across the border if you're going to blend in.

[kpomtb]

Well, it's February and I got to ride in shorts and a tee shirt today. It was 64 degrees and sunny. On the other hand it's February and I had to mow my yard before I rode.

But all in all, it beats shoveling snow. :D

[plume_mtb]

I guess just being able to ride trails in February is still a novel concept for me.

Check out my blog for a great big old group ride that took place at our local trails...

http://plumesrides.blog.com/

this is why I love where I live.

:D

[davkatreb]

You need to learn the language if you come across the border if you're going to blend in.
How do you say that in Spanish?

[OTBSkinloss]

Well, it's February and I got to ride in shorts and a tee shirt today. It was 64 degrees and sunny. On the other hand it's February and I had to mow my yard before I rode.

But all in all, it beats shoveling snow. :D

I'll try to not give you too much grief, in July and August when it's the same temp here. :D

[Scott G.]

The 101 would be quite a scenic ride, you're a fair ways from the Great Divide Trail.

You need to learn the language if you come across the border if you're going to blend in.

Hey, I have done the required reading...

[Scott G.]

You need to learn the language if you come across the border if you're going to blend in.

I have also studied the language and listened to the appropriate language CD's;)

[Tman]

The best part of this area is that none of you believe me when i say how killer it is!:D


So, I will throw out some spam, I buy the beer if you show......www.bhfattirefestival.com

[kpomtb]

I'll try to not give you too much grief, in July and August when it's the same temp here. :D

Yeah, that's the other side of the coin. Around then it will be highs around 100-105 and lows around 80. But hey, it's a dry heat...alot like a kiln.

[ItsAaronWV]

I live in the Mountain State...minutes from some of the most famous singletrack in the east...nuff said!

[rockyrider]

I have also studied the language and listened to the appropriate language CD's;)But can you pronounce the difference between the words about and aboot

[tryandgetme]

And, where I live aint Kanukistan! More to love!
:D

Where I live IS Kanukistan. I love it! Millions of miles of untouched wilderness, mtb access a non-issue for most of the country, more places to ride than you could ride in a year long vacation.

[tryandgetme]

I have also studied the language and listened to the appropriate language CD's;)

yuck! try this instead http://canadianmetal.com/?con=tm-band

[mimbresman]

Oi! Venezuela...what is not to love?
- A psycho dictator for President who is popular with 60% of the population.
- High inflation
- Shortages of beef, sugar, cooking oil, etc... due to government mettling.
- High crime rate (over 100 homocides per week in Caracas alone) fortunately I don't live in Caracas.

On the plus side...
- I live on the Caribbean...shore is adjacent to the property boundary of the condo complex.
- I get paid in US dollars (45% is paid at the parallel rate in local currency)
- I don't pay rent (provided in my contract).
- I don't pay taxes (exempt under US law).
- I live a nice middle class lifestyle on 45% of my salary.
- I bank the other 55% of my salary
- beer is fairly cheap and plentiful, though I don't drink that much.

Where I am from...much like what Cyclenaut said, minus the skiing. Western New Mexico has low population, empty trails, killer riding, and is within driving distance to other prime riding places. It makes me happy to think I can go back and slide right back in.

[phlatlander]

Aside from having extreme summer heat & humidity, but no beach, and bitter winter cold w/o any mountains to at least give you scenery, KC is alright. Much like the Good Rev stated, it's nice to have four 3-month seasons - it breaks up the year & helps me get stuff done (gotta get that tree planted before summer/refinish the deck before winter/get the basement sheetrocked before spring so I can use my weekends for riding :) ).

Great thing about the location of where I built my house is that I am 25 paces out my back door away from a 2700 acre state park. Lots of Bambies, Thumpers, turkeys, etc, and there's an Eastern screech owl (daughter named Hootie) nesting in a hedge tree cavity right behind our house. Riding back there yesterday in the warm, late-afternoon sunlight, I stopped to watch a Great Blue Heron standing out on a frozen lake, ice fishing through a 20' thawed hole.

As for riding, it's your basic rolling hills for my road days and many many miles of flowy, rocky singletrack within 1/2 hour from KC proper. Most importantly, our 'burb's Parks & Rec Administrator (& many of his staff) is an avid cyclist and we are implementing a greenway plan to connect all the area parks & lakes with a trail system (paved).

[adam12]

Not a G.D. THING!

[real_ss_budgie]

well i was cruising back from a late night lofty ranges ride from the grub with 2 pints and 2 cones under my belt and stopped to check out the view towards the city with lightning flashes in the background..scrummy! the line tween city and country is a wee 10 minutes.

[Spatafore]

I do not love really anything about where I live. I am thankful for the great job that I have here in which I left Pittsburgh for.

I am looking at the big picture about all this though. In about 3 years, I am taking all that I have learned in my field over the past 6-7 years and am going to find a job in North Carolina near the mountains. I am then going to buy a lot and be the contractor on my own log home. (I will assemble the timber part with my father and maybe a couple Amish lads.)

I miss living in Pittsburgh and being 10 minutes away from good trails. When I move to N. Carolina, I will make sure that I am within riding distance of some good trails. Then I'll start firing out some future mountain bikers with the woman!

[PutAwayWet]

I'm 20 minutes from the ocean. 45 minutes from the mountains. I live in a safe area with very little crime. I have at least 6-7 fantastic riding locales within an hour of my house (one 15 min away, another 30 min away). I ride with a great group of people and have a good LBS that I trust. There's no income or sales tax.

Bad things:

There's no income or sales tax, so my property taxes are through the roof (pun intended). Affluent Massholes from Boston keep moving north, driving the cost of things up and adding to the traffic congestion. Other than that, I wish I was less of a wuss and liked riding in the snow more so that the riding season was longer.

[mutantvan]

We got three feet of freshies, we got three feet of freshies. Oh yeah, and we are a blue state.

[mountaintime]

The best thing about where I live is the fact that I can ski and ride the same mountain on the same day. Ski-tour (or ride lifts:eek: ) the top sub-alpine 1500' or so, with an equal amount of dh and xc riding on the bottom available year round (with even more in the summer), did I mention there are actually three mountains like that within 15 min commute?
One of my favourite things to do on a ski day is go from wild alpine terrain during the day to evening beach walks at sea level with the family.
Property values? Freakin outrageous!!! go figure.

proudly Canadian
-m

[rockhound]

We got three feet of freshies, we got three feet of freshies. Oh yeah, and we are a blue state.

Isn't WA only blue on the left side of the state...?

[Repack Rider]

I like this: got on the mountain bikes yesterday with friends and rode 20 miles on the road to catch the Tour of California coming by, then rode back on dirt.

[Zinger]

This afternoon I briefly fell asleep in the warm sun, lying in the median of Hwy 90 about 50 feet east of the Biloxi lighthouse, while waiting for a Mardi Gras parade to begin. Then the parade started, and it was great.

But it was still cool enough this morning that I had to wear tights to ride. Nothing's perfect, but some things are close enough.

Yes, there are serious downsides to living around here (killer hurricanes, rednecks who blast rap music, I could go on). But some warm afternoons in mid February make up for the bother.

[OTBSkinloss]

Cool Zinger!
I also sat in the sun, sans shirt, today. About 40F, and sunny. If I had been off work, I coulda skied about 8 inches of fresh! One more thing. I love that we got a butt load of HOT women in spandex, running around all day, everyday!

[Jay13]

I've lived in Florida the whole of my 32 years. 3 years in Tallahassee for my bachelors degree and the rest in Orlando. I love Florida as I remember it from childhood, but most of the things that I love are now only memories, as the snowbirds flock south in increasing numbers every year and the population explodes. The sprawl here sucks bad. The traffic is worse than ever and getting worse every day.

I love the fact that I can ride here 365 days a year (as long as you don't mind riding in rain, or the number would go down dramatically) and we have a few killer trails.

I don't love the fact that all the trails are spread out across the state and all the good ones are at least an hour from me (and several hours drive apart in most cases)

I am anxiously awaiting the day (still a few years away...) when I can move to a more scenic and remote location. Till then, it's weekly 100 plus mile drives roundtrip to the trail :mad:

[billwilliams70]

I live in the northwest corner of TN and the southwest corner of KY....Fort Campbell to be exact. I live within an hour (give or take a few minutes) of five quality trails. Three of which that I've ridden already. I need to ride more of 'em though.

Jay13.....you ever ride here: http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=824&category=features Looks pretty good. Next time I come to Orlando, I may just bring my bike.

Later.

[mutantvan]

In my best Homer Simpson voice:

ummmmmmmmm, spandex


doh

[Jay13]

Jay13.....you ever ride here: http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=824&category=features Looks pretty good. Next time I come to Orlando, I may just bring my bike.

Later.

All the time... It's one of my favorite places to ride...

[rockyrider]

identical triplets?

[Jay13]

Naw, just a lil PS...

[yon8raps]

My apt door is 2 blocks from an entrance to the American River bike trail. Walking distance to scads of watering holes and restaurants, bikeable to groceries and everything else. 5 minutes to downtown proper, with all the scenery that entails. But back to the A.R. bike trail...30ish miles of paved high quality trail, and plenty more of "horse trails" for the poaching...Beyond here lie MILES of horsey trails that run up to Auburn and beyond up into the sierra.

The best thing? Being able to tow the canoe by bike a few miles upriver, grab a six pack, pile everything into the boat, float back to within 10 blocks of home, and tow it back home w/ no car shuttle! Ahhh.

[tryandgetme]

that reminds me, I used to be able to visit my ex-girlfriend by canoe. how canadian is that?

[rockyrider]

that reminds me, I used to be able to visit my ex-girlfriend by canoe. how canadian is that?It would be very Canadian if she left you for a hockey team.

[tryandgetme]

close, the guy plays hockey :D

[phlatlander]

close, the guy plays hockey :D

That really narrows it down...

[catskillclimber]

I am a fifteen minute pedal from two college trail systems that are maintained by the local mountain bike club. There is also a railtrail that I can use to get from my house to downtown and I am a short drive from the mountains. Could be worse.

[billwilliams70]

All the time... It's one of my favorite places to ride...
That's some good stuff, and it's really cool that you get to ride with your two twin brothers. :D

Later.

[Jay13]

Yuck yuck. Next time I won't post a sequential pic...;)

Seriously though, it's a great trail, one thing me and RepSS agree on...:cool:

[1mystk]

Let's see, if I had to say what I love now ... well now I know that there are plenty of trails to ride within a 15-30 minute drive. I can also putt around just about 10 minutes north of me (ride rime not driving) on a small trail. The benefit even more now is that I can take a doggie a day on my ventures when I ride during the day and by meself. Dogs get the extra run in and mommy gets some ride time and time with the puppies on an individual basis.

What I don't like... too much snow!:( The trail that I was going to ride this weekend is a no go... it appears that the snow is too deep.

Time to move somewhere warmer;)

[phlatlander]

Yuck yuck. Next time I won't post a sequential pic...;)

That's a cool photo(s), Jay!

[rockyrider]

That's a cool photo, Jay(s)!.............

[CRUM]

As usual, I come late to the party.

What I like about where I live is I chose to live here. And seeing that my life has been riddled with poor choices(especially in the early years) choosing to live in southern Maine stands out like a beacon of light.

All the usual pluses abound about Maine. Great country, great people, trails everywhere. But the one attribute that stands out the most is it turned out to be an ideal setting for me to do the family thing. My daughter turned out great and much of the credit goes to my wife's and my choice of locations to raise her in.

[Ripp]

What I don't like... too much snow!:( The trail that I was going to ride this weekend is a no go... it appears that the snow is too deep.

Time to move somewhere warmer;)

Carefull Ms Mizz. Warmer often means wetter!

A few inches of cold white stuff can be good fun, but a few inches of slightly melted white stuff means trail destruction in most places in the US! Which, of course, is no more rideable than 12+ inches of snow.

Guess that means we both need to move really south!

Got any open places near you Mims? :D

[mimbresman]

Guess that means we both need to move really south!

Got any open places near you Mims? :D

In my case I moved way south...
Rip, currently live in a coastal city with a pop. of 500,000 on the eastern side of Venezuela. I live in the upscale part of town. There is an island that was connected to the mainland by a man-made causeway years ago. It is where most people ride. Its not much, but it has some climbing, a little single track, etc. Pretty lame compared to my home state of New Mexico.

On Sundays I usually hook-up with the locals and we do some routes in the local mountains. It is mini cloud forest-like conditions. Very steep in sections. These mtns jut straight out of the sea from 0m to 700m. Some interesting places back in the hills. Hill people...people who live primatively with burros, dogs, chickens, and goats, scraping out a living.

I've ridden the Andes in western Venezuela. Its a long way off from here, but worthy of more exploration. Very steep territory. I did a trip with my wife in Aug. I rode up a jeep road to the small town of Los Nevados while she rode in the taxi Land Cruiser. At the town we spent the night, then took mules and horses over the Andes to the 3rd station of the world's highest/longest tramway, where we topped out over a pass of about 14,000 ft. The whole time I was on my horse, I wanted my bike (which went back to town in the Toyota taxi). That route would be worthy of a mtn bike trek. Here's a pic. Fresh snow at about latitude 9 N. The other is me going up the jeep road to Los Nevados taken from the Land Cruiser.

[Ripp]

Mims, that trip into the Andes sounds and looks awesome. Beautiful country, and being immersed in the culture would be very enlightening I'm sure.

But of course the post was a joke and there is no way I'm moving to Chavezland!

[mimbresman]

Chavez has really f**ked things up.

One thing is my city is one of the training sites for the new su-30MK jets he bought from Russia. They look somewhat like an F-15 but have vectoring thrust engines. We are treated to daily airshows. Right now they are in a different phase of training. The flighting is pretty standard, but early on, I guess when the Sukoi pilots were flying them, they were putting on a show with all the tricks; rolls, loops, vertical climbs, cobra manouver, etc.
This morning as I rode my bike to work, I noticed a van parked on the street by the house next to the school. In the windshield was a sign that said, Sukoi Design Bureau. I am assuming some engineers are staying next door.

Venezuela is actually pretty cool if you ignore all the B.S. The people are actually really friendly. Food is decent and beer cold. I've never had a (major) problem here really.

Another pic. December 30, 2006

[geardaddy37]

Rural Michigan is a great place to live...I'm fortunate to have a job, which allows me to p[ay my bills and have enough energy left over to be able to pursue my various interests. I like this thread. It's great to read about where others live and how they view it. I guess I could pretty much adapt to anywhere, but the mountain people seem to have it made. Someone posted from the Black Hills...I remember that place, and it is the first place I really mountainbiked. 1973...custer to wind cave and back. Like anything you gotta make the place you find yourself in interesting...otherwise your a prisoner.
Cheers, Bill

[OTBSkinloss]

Like anything you gotta make the place you find yourself in interesting...otherwise your a prisoner.
Cheers, Bill

Amen. Choose your attitude.
:D

[leebo]

I live north of Boston, Ma. 3/4 hour to boston, 1 hr to beaches, 2 hr to great skiing, it's awesome. At the end of my street,I have 15+ miles of singletrack, and other parks and forests near by. One of the best things about where I live is the very active NEMBA mtb club that I am a member of . Nothing like building and riding singletrack! This somewhat offsets the bad drivers and cost of living issues.

[tomy]

uh... nice scenary along gravel roads around town, only 25 minutes from one of the best trail systems in Kansas, close to lawrence and Kansas City, decent urban riding for small town.... gotta stay positive in this type of place :)

[NJ Jess]

I really enjoy mountainbiking in New Jersey, New York, and CT. Lots of Rocks and logs and singletrack. There's something for everyone in regards to skill level. We also have a growing number of women riders on the trail too.

[Shkenblke]

CHEESESTEAKS, great mix of people, The Eagles (even when they suck), Great trail system in fairmount park considering its in the city, South Street, plenty to do in the Illadelph...

p.s. most obnoxious and great fans in the world :D

[rockrider]

Things that Rock: some of the best trails in Ontario are a short 15 min ride from almost any door in town, trails are free, one great LBS, lakes lakes and more lakes, patio at the Buddha(once the snow melts)

Things that Don't Rock: Ignorant drivers (as always), winter is cold(-20 C this morning) and long, bears that won't leave the trail and force you to turn around just before hitting the best sections of the ride.

[lubes17319]

Not much.


But I'm making a change in a few weeks.

[OTBSkinloss]

And this. :D

[OTBSkinloss]

And 5 minutes later, this.

[monkeyboy]

Bears on the trail!
Geez that would make me *hit me self. The most we get is a kangaroo or koala and the're kind of cute and cuddly and won't rip ya limbs off. Though heaps of nasty snakes this summer.
I like it here cause riding all year round is easy, There is snow if ya want to go to the mountains. Though they are really big hills in comparison to proper mountains. And powder is rare. The coastline is amazing, with great rides, beaches and pubs.

[Newt]

Ask me again in a couple of months, my title shall read


Vancouver Island :)