I was in the middle section of a long climb when another rider slowly closed the gap behind me. As he started to crank past me I heard a slight swiping sound in the cadence of his pedal strokes. Vip,vip,vip,vip. He didn't say anything as he rode past, but I looked over at his rig and saw the cause of the swiping sound. He had his knee pads on the wrong knees and the straps were on the inside. With each rotation of the pedals the nylon straps rubbed against his frame and shock. I try to be a helpful mountain biker. I'm always willing to give trail directions or help change a flat. And I try not to be judgmental, everyone was a beginner at once. I remember someone pointing out a tire I had mounted backwards, the little rotation arrow going the wrong way. I also wore a women's ski jacket for several seasons. I never would have known if someone didn't notice the buttons on the opposite side. It's also possible to be a bike rider for a long time, yet not be very familia...
I realized it as soon as I parked my car at the trailhead and stepped out. I mentally facepalmed myself. I had forgotten to grab my helmet. I know we used to ride bikes without helmets. Even the first mountain bikers. But nowadays I don't even cruise the side walk without a helmet. I'm definitely not riding a sick day at Left Hand without a brain bucket. At least I was by myself so I wasn't ruining anyone else's day. I accepted the fact that I wouldn't be doing any hardcore riding and resigned myself to some trail maintenance. It was still a beautiful day and I was in my favorite place, so I headed up. I thought about the judgement I would receive from other mountain bikers, but no one lectured me about head trauma. Then I stashed my bike and became a hiker anyway. The last time I rode Indy I did notice lots of loose rocks. In my thirty-plus years on a mountain I've realized that loose rocks on a trail are just as sketchy then as they are now. I've also re...