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

Killington receives positive snow control for Audi FIS Ski World Cup race Nov. 30-Dec. 1

November 21, 2024
KILLINGTON—Killington Resort received a positive snow control announcement from FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation), the governing body of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. With this announcement, Killington Resort can assure international race teams and ski racing fans traveling to central Vermont for Thanksgiving weekend that both the giant slalom and slalom races will…

Skiers and riders flock to Killington, Nov. 14

November 20, 2024
Staff report “The day you’ve been waiting for is here!” Killington Resort posted on Facebook, Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 13, announcing opening day the next morning. The resort kicked off the 2024-25 winter season at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 — once again, becoming the first resort in Vermont to open for the winter season. (Killington…

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…