On July 21, 2016

Tales from the trails

Ariel Kent

It’s 7 a.m. It’s cool, dark and calm and the only sounds to be heard are the chirping birds and the steady breathing as I pedal uphill. Waking up at the crack of dawn is how I get saddle time in. Waking up early, before lifts are spinning and before people are really awake is how I enjoy my mornings. It’s really the only way I can get on the bike since I work full time.

I’m at Green Mountain Trails in Pittsfield, pedaling up the long ascent to enjoy the views, nature and the amazing trail network. Since lifts started spinning and since I crashed a few weeks ago, I haven’t been putting the saddle time in I need that will make me a better rider when using the lifts.

To some, riding every morning at this hour seems idiotic, psychotic, even crazy. To me it’s just habit. It’s life. It’s what makes me find my inner Zen. Sometimes I’ll run into another rider out there; most times it’s just me and nature. I push through pain, the pain of pushing myself, pain from crashes that I now attempt to recover from. Pain is what keeps me awake at this hour. Pain is part of trail riding and what makes me a better rider in the end.

Once at the top of the five-mile climb, the pain subsides, my breathing relaxes and I take a moment to enjoy a Clif Bar and a few sips of my Gatorade concoction. Then I get back on the bike and head down the mountain. By this point it’s 8 a.m., and I have to make my way back down to be at work by 9 a.m.

This is my tale from the trails.

It’s my normal routine and is what I consider fun, because in the end I’m not only going to be able to have fun on my bike, but ride longer, pedal harder and push further.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

VARA recognizes athletes, coaches and educators / Rutland native Chuck Hughes honored

October 30, 2024
By Karen D. Lorentz The Vermont Alpine Racing Association (VARA) honored a group of student athletes, dedicated coaches, educators, and volunteers at the 2024 Awards Gala on Oct. 26 at the K-1 Lodge in Killington. A special highlight was the induction of Rutland native Chuck Hughes into the VARA Hall of Fame. Julie Woodworth, VARA…

Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports seeks winter volunteer-instructors

October 17, 2024
Instructor training begins in November for skiing, snowboarding and winter sports KILLINGTON — Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, the largest year-round disabled sports nonprofit organization in Vermont to offer daily, year-round sports and recreation for people with disabilities, is looking for energetic winter volunteer-instructors who have a dedicated passion for sports and who want to…

Tips to maintaining your bike

September 27, 2024
Staff report So, you bought a mountain bike. Well done! You’ve now got a few epic rides under your belt. Excellent. But now you wonder how to best protect your investment and keep it rolling like new.  While there are many expert bike mechanics around locally that can help, here are a few basic things…

Agency of Trans awards $7.19m in bicycle and pedestrian grants

September 27, 2024
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) announced Sept. 12 the awards of approximately $7.19 million in grants to municipalities for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvement projects. The combination of construction projects and planning grants will benefit cities and towns statewide with improved transportation connectivity and safety, tangible economic benefits, and additional transportation options for commuters,…