I live to bike. I'm a roadie for more years than I've been on the planet. I started mountain biking in 1978 when I lived across the street from a mountain and I found an old schwinn bomber in the garage - the bike was from like 1945 and it had a front shock where the fork pivoted about an axis perpinducular to the line of travel at the low end of the head tube, constrained by a big ass spring. Baloon tires. I took that bike up the trails and thrashed.

Got my rockhopper rigid in 1997 and learned some basic skills, but didn't get out much due to stuff. Now I have the flexibility to get out on weekly local rides and I'm getting my ass kicked by my friends on their double squishies. So in addition to getting skills, I'm looking for a great used bike. I'm taking my rockhopper to Mt. St. Helens on Saturday to check out Ape Canyon and Planes of Abraham. Ride On!