Have I ever mentioned just how great it is living in Durango?
Have I said that Matt and I are happier here than we’ve ever been anywhere else I live? Do you wish you were living THE life in your dream location, surrounded by like-minded people who all like the outdoors and know how to really have fun?
(Bill, Alice, Diz, me, TJ)
Some thought we were off our rockers when we left Albuquerque “stability”. Some probably still think we are nuts. Those are the truly unfortunate ones, for they’ll never understand what we did, why we did it, and what they are missing out on.
This past weekend, I got the opportunity to ride with a whole crew of people (and we ran into another couple on the trail 5 weeks new to Durango who also get it) who are doing exactly what Matt and I did.
They chose a destination where they wanted to live, and they did it. Sometimes you have to take those risks in life to get what you truly desire.
So onto our reward for moving to such an awesome place…TJ was our guide for the day and picked out the Molas to Coal Bank ride. Thanks to TJ for all the photos in this post. I snapped my first photo and the battery konked out.
I ride with TJ on Jodi’s Thursday night ride. Alice, who was also with us on this excursion, also rides in Jodi’s group. That’s how we all met each other. Thanks, Jodi! Oh, and Bill work’s with Rob, Jodi’s husband. I love this small little town! The 5th member of our group was Diz, a friend of Alice’s. Diz led the pack today with strong legs and some super fit lungs.
The day was beautiful and the wild flowers were rampant. While storm clouds threatened us in the air, Mother Nature looked kindly upon us and allowed us to have a dry ride, with a few (okay, more than a few) muddy spots along the way.
Does anyone know what you call those big green plans behind Alice and me?!?
We had only 1 patch of snow to ride through…okay, hike through. I entertained Bill by trying to ride, unsuccessfully, through the white stuff.
You can’t ride your bike without having a beer. I just question what kind of beer you should have. Diz and TJ’s beer of choice??
Choose your path and take it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
“Choose your path and take it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Exactly!
Glad you “kids” are livin’ it up and lovin’ life!
If you don’t roll the dice, you can never win.
Shakin the dice now…won’t be long before I roll em’!
Psst …I maybe in town for SSWC 09. Working out some logistics now. Fingers crossed that it all works out.
Fabulous pics and post. I am looking forward to a 4 day trip to Durango in Sept. Your post makes me more excited.
You’ve got some wonderful country to explore up there!
Well said, Jeni! So glad we got to do the ride – looking forward to the next one.
This place is our paradise.
Hey Jeni, My name is scott murrell i am an x adventure racer, team captain of team honey stinger, that would love to join the big wheel racing team i just moved from colorado last year to abq, and hope in another year to poss. move to durango. Oh by the way, i don’t know how to spell it, but thsoe big grean leaf plants are called false heliotrop please contact me at scottlsg@yahoo.com I just started really training again, mostly runing, but would love to do some long mtb racing. talk to you soon.