Taking Off the Training Wheels

By: Maria Hileman

Iremember my husband holding our brand-new baby and beaming, telling me “It’s a boy!” Instantly I was gushing with joy but also a bit worried that this little man would carry the strong daredevil genes of his father. My husband is an adrenaline junkie, who is constantly pushing the limits in all activities. One of his favorite thrill-seeking hobbies is mountain biking.

We currently are surrounded by some of the best mountain biking trails the Upper Midwest has to offer. These red-dirt mountains and clear-blue lakes are in my backyard just waiting to be explored. But I’ve been wary of this sport because I’ve seen my husband and friends come back from riding with deep gashes and broken ribs and bruises due to high speeds and obstacles. I am definitely more of a cautious adventurer who likes returning from the outdoors unscathed. There are risks in the sport, like crashing into trees or falling off dangerous drops, but there are also many benefits. Mountain biking gets you a front-row seat to explore unmatched scenery all while providing an awesome workout.

It was time for me to take the training wheels off and venture out for my first ride. Luckily, I had the help of some friendly folks who are well-seasoned in mountain biking. My group went to Cykel, a mountain bike shop located in Ironton, Minnesota, just blocks from the Cuyuna trails. Cykel offers bike sales, rentals and repairs and got us set up with the proper equipment for our test ride. For any beginners, I’d definitely recommend renting a bike first before going out and buying one. You’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve got good working equipment. Plus mountain bikes can range from $500 to $15,000.

Aaron Hautala, a member of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew, gave us a tour of Cuyuna’s new 7.4-mile adaptive trail in the Sagamore Unit. Adaptive trails are wider than standard mountain biking trails and offer beginners or people who use three-wheeled bikes perfect off-roading conditions. With Hautala in the lead, we were off. The trails’ grooming and wider width made for a smooth ride. I was able to keep my speed in control and never worry about crashing into trees or rocks. Cruising through aspen and birch trees on deep-red soil brought me back to my younger days when we would bike through the woods to get to our tree forts. There’s something about riding in the woods or along a lake that nexercises not only the body but also the mind and heart. You can’t help feeling like a kid again.

We covered miles of trails, let gravity do its thing and luckily avoided any wipeouts. The views were gorgeous and certain spots had my adrenaline pumping. We came across an adaptive cyclist and his son, but other than that we had the trails to ourselves, so we were able to go at our own speed. Being a good steward to the trails is pretty simple — share them, ride within your ability and stay off the trails when they’re really wet.

All in all, my inaugural mountain biking experience was a breeze. It got me out of the house and into fresh air all while exploring a new skill set. I’m looking forward to expanding my horizons and hitting new trails this summer.