Riddell: Harrison Bay trail is fine place to start mountain biking for anyone
Thursday, November 6, 2008
A justifiable concern of the potential for injury surfaces in conversations with many potential Zoomer Boomers.
Having been largely influenced by media coverage of seemingly brain-damaged kids doing brain-damaging tricks on bicycles, skateboards, snowboards and skis, they just cannot see themselves pursuing such activities. They fail to note that the vast majority of normal people, young and old, who engage in these activities also do not see themselves participating in the extreme versions, but the Zoomers’ concern alarm has been activated.
As we add candles on the birthday cake, we are not as quick and sharp physically as we once were. A recent report using a simple finger-tapping experiment has suggested that changes in the brain beginning around the age of 40 slow proactive and reactive nerve pulses, which, of course, impact performance.
As any maturing runner, cyclist or golfer can attest, we just don’t cover as much territory as fast as we used to. Speed and endurance aside, we also don’t seem to recover quite as quickly from the occasional bump and bruise. Where once an embrace of a tree trunk while riding a mountain bike was a mere blip on the radar screen of aches and pains, now it is a three-day blackout.
It is no coincidence that over-the-counter medication use has increased with the increase in Zoomer Boomers. The concern alarm is not totally unfounded.
The key is to gain confidence in the activity without going through the painful learning curve that many of us associate with youthful indiscretion. For Zoomers wishing to experience the tremendous benefits of mountain biking, there is no better place to start than the trail at Harrison Bay State Park.
Whether ridden clockwise or counterclockwise, the trail loop features no sections that would be considered too technical for a beginner riding almost any type of mountain bike. While there are exposed tree roots and these can provide a bit of consternation for newbies, just remember that momentum is your friend, try to ride over them at right angles when possible, and if you feel like the root is bigger than your skill, get off and walk.
The SORBA folks have done a great job of rerouting bits of the old trail that were seemingly always wet. One friend mentioned that he once stopped on this trail before it was rerouted, looked down and noticed minnows swimming between his spokes. Now, though, there should be no cause for alarm.
When you turn into the park, just follow the signs around to the parking lot where you will find the trailhead.
Peak colors are here and Harrison Bay State Park on a mountain bike is a great way to experience them. Do yourself a favor and get out and ride.
John F. Riddell is a business columnist, UTC adjunct professor, Hamilton County director for CEG and professed “Zoomer Boomer.”
