Summer is over, what the heck happened to it!

   The switch from sandals to shoes and socks seems like it happened almost overnight here. Warm one day and frigid the next, with leaves turning color and already falling off the aspens. It seems like ages ago now that I was watching chickens in the backyard, and even longer since I last raced or hit a jump on a downhill bike. Such a long summer but strangely short at the same time, spending far more time with my rear in on the couch than on a bike seat. At one point I started feeling as though I didn't really care about riding any more and could just go on without it--such a strange thing, looking back, now that I've been riding again.
  About a month ago now it started feeling like fall and rain poured out of the sky, leaving trails in a beautiful state. Ahhh, I said, it's time to ride again! After getting the go-ahead from the doc I was able to help coach Shine's Queen of the Mountain clinic at Squaw Valley; teaching some basic riding skills, trailside bike repair, and taking a course walk through the rock garden. Even though I wasn't racing it was still a great time, with plenty of spectating fun, and I realized how much I miss just being around bikes and the awesome people who love to ride. My teammates especially--such a rad group of ladies! I even squeezed in a lap on the DH trail before race time, and though I skipped the rocky top section I found the rest of the trail quite exciting as my first real mountain bike experience in nearly 6 months. Shine had a great showing in the race with honorary team member and coach Tasa Herndon in second, Gretchen Johnson third, Allison Oliver fourth, and our youngest rider Sam Kingshill coming in with the 5th fastest time. Next year...look out!
  Things are feeling mostly back to normal, besides how terribly out of shape I am. Single speeding kicked my butt as I discovered my gear ratio is slightly harder than Kit's SS bike...whoops. If it doesn't kill me it should make me stronger, right? I've definitely re-discovered a love for the simple hardtail bike and how light and zippy it can be. A trip north to the Sierra Buttes to ride Downieville and discover some new trails by Graeagle also made mincemeat of my poor legs, but it all feels so GOOD! The past month on bikes has been so much fun I can't imagine having to go without riding again any time soon. Darn you winter! Stay away until December!
  As always, I am so appreciative of my team Shine Riders Co. for being so positive and supportive while I was not able to ride. And I am also thankful for all of our great sponsors who keep the team equipped with the best gear and provide so much help with our fundraising efforts: Five Ten, Kali Protectives, Loaded Precision components, Guayaki, Happy Turtle Apparel, Loeka Clothing, Smith Optics and Yelo Velo. I'm looking forward to next season so I can get back out and represent them on the race course!

All the ladies @ Queen of the Mountain clinic

  Although racing is done for this season, I'm going to keep shredding trails until the snow falls and then some. Come ride with me and share the joy of mountain bikes!