Yesterday took an unexpected turn when my buddy Larry hit me up with a wild idea: tackle Stuart Peak on our mountain bikes, pushing all the way to the wilderness boundary before taking on the peak itself. Fired up by the challenge, we set off at 12:30 p.m., racing against time to make it back for the Thursday Mountain Bike Night Ride at 6 p.m.
Larry, ever the packrat, loaded his bike rack like we were setting off on a cross-country trek. That decision quickly bit back as we hit the Trail of Tears, a climb that lived up to its name, especially for Larry with his extra cargo. I managed to pull ahead, snagging some photos to capture our adventure (and Larry’s struggle).
The route was relentless, steep, and brutal, all the way until we hit the switchbacks about 2 miles from the Wilderness Boundary. Despite the terrain, I was in my element, only having to dismount for a couple of logs and a particularly sneaky root that caught me off guard.
As we neared our goal, the wilderness never looked so inviting, nor the challenge so rewarding. We reached our turnaround point with just enough time to spare, hustling back with the thrill of the ride pumping through our veins and the promise of the night ride spurring us on.
We made it back with moments to spare, the night ride a perfect capstone to an already exhilarating day. But the true cherry on top? Celebrating our conquest with pizza, sharing slices and stories, a perfect blend of carbs and camaraderie. Here’s to spontaneous adventures, challenging climbs, and the friends who make them unforgettable.
Boneshakerbike 
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