70 degree weather and dry trails in November can only mean one thing – the mountain bike must be ridden.  More importantly, I had just retrieved the bike from the shop several days ago after having a much-needed tune-up and replacement of the rear cassette and chain.

I took the bike to the closest trail, the Shawnee Mission Park mountain bike trails.  This is a 6.5-mile collection of trails that range from easy to moderately hard.  These are also the trails that introduced me to the love of dirt trails.  I think back several years ago to when I had no endurance or cardio conditioning.  The few steep grades would make me winded and I’d have to stop frequently.  Yesterday found me cruising along with greater ease.

The weather was perfect – I just wished I had friends along with me to enjoy it.