Today’s ride was yet another episode in the grand soap opera I like to call “As the Pedal Turns with the Cuddle Bears!” I was riding shotgun on Moki, and she was on her beloved Pumpkin Spice, as we charged up Marshall Grade like a couple of Tour de France wannabes. It’s typically a no-sweat ascent, but today, we pushed our limits, bypassing our usual pit stop to venture deep into the heart of Marshall Woods. This wasn’t just any old detour; it marked the debut of a fresh single track that snakes its way back to our old haunt, Sheep Mountain Trail.

Our tires chewed up the trail down Sheep Mountain, swerving back onto the familiar dirt of Marshall Grade Road. Just when it felt like the excitement was winding down, we dove into Quick Draw—or as we’ve affectionately dubbed it, Two Larch—and flew down with a mix of adrenaline and zen. We took a wild card turn into Woods Gulch, tossing a little chaos into our meticulously planned route.

While Mo took a zen moment on the tranquil Rattlesnake Creek Trail, I opted for a little extra burn up Powerline, cresting Jumbo Saddle to loop back to the car. We regrouped back at the ranch, drenched in sweat but grinning ear to ear. Just another typical day shredding the trails with my favorite cycling sidekick and our noble steeds. Here’s to countless more!