Tman
05-30-2007, 11:56 AM
This weekend marked our 1st annual Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. www.bhfattirefestival.com it was a resounding success. What is greater, is that it restored my faith in cyclists. I had the pleasure of leading several slower/easier rides. Riding with beginners and flatlanders new to the rocky,steep topography we have here was an epiphany. I found myself taken back to those first rides offroad 20 years ago with that blissfull ignorance that newness brings. I rode with a genteman in his 50s, dressed more for tennis than riding. His drive and skill impressed me more when I learned it was one of his first times out. I made sure I carried extra food and water for these moments.We stopped on our rides and talked about the history of the area, discussed forestry and local fauna. All in all I came out of the weekend with a passion relit! Rain for two days will have the trails firm and fresh, time to play again.