 |
| Avoiding the cactus. - image by Diana |
 |
| Our gang on Alaska Jersey (and long socks) Day - by Cecelia |
Last
October a group of Divas headed to Arizona on a mountain bike
adventure. We had two days of riding at McDowell Mountain Park, just
northeast of Phoenix, followed by three days of riding on the Black
Canyon Trail which is northwest of Phoenix. Between the 90-degree heat and the
cholla (jumping cactus), the cat's claw and a few rain-damaged trails which had ruts down
the middle, our group experienced a gamut of emotions - from frustration to joy- and a few
physical injuries.
 |
| Don't lean in, or out! - by Gloria |
 |
| Lori surviving the heat and thorns - by Rose |
 |
| Maggi on the trail - by Rose |
Yes, it was challenging and in the
words of Maggi, "sometimes brutal and frustrating..." But, she added, "I
also got to listen to coyotes, owls, and even cows sing me to sleep and
see majestic saguaro, clever cholla and a rattlesnake up close and
personal." Maggi and the other Divas reminded me that it is through facing challenges that
we can accomplish things, like bettering ourselves as riders. Maybe we
become better people overall when we're encouraging our friends to ride
something technical or when we're pulling thorns from someone's
backside.
 |
| We rode among the dancing saguaro - by Gloria |
For me, it's only through time that I can
better reflect on the five days spent on desert trails and remember that
beyond the flat tires some people experienced and some other
things that I thought could be better, that I was out camping and riding with
10 inspiring women and two great guys who all pushed ourselves to be better
riders and also knew how to kick back and laugh about it afterward. It
will live long in our memories.
 |
| 90 degrees of hot hot hot! - by Lori |
Oh, yes, and there was a pool!
 |
| Sarong night - by Jeff |
And there was beauty.
 |
| Beauty amid the thorns - by Gloria |
posted by Rose.
