Morning Trail

This post marks the third entry in my series celebrating my top 2009 photos. Today, I highlight “Morning Trail,” captured on March 14, 2009, as dawn broke over South Sentinel. It embodies the quintessential Missoula moment for any mountain biker—the return to town from Pattee Canyon, greeted by the cityscape.

That morning was set for a City Brew meet-up, aimed at combining scones, website work, and, of course, a pre-meet bike ride to assess the trail’s conditions.

With tonight’s TNR hike, I’m gearing up early for one last intense training session before joining fellow enthusiasts for a night of sharing tales, insights, and philosophies. It’s also a chance to spot the latest in trail gear, like the trend of reinforced shoes.

And let’s not forget: “Race Across The Sky” is just two weeks away!

ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, A DELIGHTFUL JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARCHIVES:

2009: Dirt Coalition – Sharing aspirations to join the GT Dirt Coalition, and catching up on the internet during a rest break from a decent block of training.

2008: Hard Miles – A recount of a challenging 60-mile ride up route 200 in the rain, bringing about a sense of unexpected energy and strength.

2007: Lolo Pass Ride – An ambitious 66.1-mile journey to Lolo Pass, featuring around 5,000 feet of climbing and a cramp that led to late-night blogging.

2007: I Just Keep Ending up Here! – A cozy moment at the Break Espresso, savoring a Carmel roll and a cup of Joe, a simple pleasure amidst biking adventures.

2006: Turah Turah Ride Tonight – Reflecting on a great training ride to Turah and back, feeling good all the way home compared to a previous exhausting experience.

2006: New Pictures Uploaded – The challenge of organizing and uploading pictures likened to herding caffeinated cats, all while chilling at Break Espresso.

2003: What I really Want – A moment of technological simplification, desiring only the essentials like a new camera and a powerbook for summer adventures.

2002: Emotional Alchemy – Sharing the anticipation for a book called “Emotional Alchemy,” following an outstanding mountain bike ride and a need for rest.

This curated list of blog posts offers a glimpse into my biking adventures, poetic reflections, and life’s simple moments, painting a vivid picture of the journey through years.