Freedom Riders

"The ground of liberty is to be gained by inches, and we must be contented to secure what we can get from time to time and eternally press forward for what is yet to get. It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good." --Thomas Jefferson

I thought of our founding fathers as I rode today. Not because we both wear tights with funny shoes, but because I felt as if they would want me to give the tree run another shot. I pursued life, liberty, and happiness as I pedaled into the "burn area". A blanket closure of the area is ridiculous as long as I don't tread on other people's rights...causing damage to the hillside, endangering the water supply, etc. We used common sense and stayed on the trail; our tracks barely visible in the dirt.

We used to be divided by fitness level, but it now appears that demarcation will be determined by those who choose to pursue happiness, and those who choose to ride the Rail Road Grade every day.

If you've read this far, you're probably saying, "But isn't it still illegal? ". Yes. But, isn't driving 56 mph in a 55 zone illegal? Yes it is. I guess we all choose where and when we want to fudge.

There...I've justified myself to myself. On to the actual riding stuff...

Me and the other Freedom Rider did the tree run again today. Not wanting to screw up the hill like we did last time, we prepared ourselves for the final ascent. We had to search back in our memories on how to use the granny gear, and scratch and claw our way up the hill. We prevailed, and it even seemed somewhat easy when we got to the top. On the way back down, we hit Hamburger Hill. Boy did it look scary not seeing it up close for so long. It was torn up and rocky too. We went for it, and it turned out to be not so bad. Sure we dabbed a couple times, but we got a feel for it. Biggest enemy was going too slow. We will clear it next time...

Let freedom ring...