Content Maker Network Blog

There are those who could care less about history and rush ahead through life making the same mistakes our ancestors have made for millennia. They do not realize that human nature has changed little because the automobile was invented and television has become ubiquitous. Of course it is easier now to live in the world of the virtual playing computer games and watching the NFL. In the old days some tried to live their lives through books and seldom raised their heads to face the realities of life. It has become easier now to shake off reality with the aid of television and the Internet, but for those who seek reality and an understanding of history, horseback riding in Arizona can pay big dividends. An understanding of history is not something which comes from simply reading about or seeing pictures of the places involved. It helps to actually live it as much as possible in the same way as the people who created that history. Arizona’s history after pre-Columbian times was mainly created by riders and to understand better what they felt and did one should visit the country on horseback too. Another thing about horseback riding is that one can’t rush through places as one can by car and one is more inclined to reflection and contemplation.

It?s been an impressive summertime up to now. Last day we went on a ride through the Sequoias. It was an glorious trip, but began with the exhausting drive. My gear was packed with my bike ready the night before. I left work early Thursday and started the drive alone. My meet up time was set for eight pm where I was to meet with my friends on the mountain since I didnt know where exactly the campsite would be. I had to make the timing just right otherwise I would not meet them. If I didnt make it in time, they would come back the next day to find me. The only logical outcome of there is that I would be taking a long nap in my car alone that night if I didnt make it in time

Well I didnt have to sleep in the car alone that night. I made it in time to crack a beer and pedal around on the bike a bit and enjoy the fresh mountain air The air was crisp and I was excited to be away from the city. My Santa Cruz Heckler was in tip top shape and ready to tear up some rails and free riding, fresh out of the shop. Friends arrived beers in hand and ready to show me where the campsite was.

We began our mountain bike ride the next morning, each if us carrying 40lb packs ensuring enough food and water to last at least 12hrs of long hard riding. The first crank up the big hill was ridiculously long. We pedaled over 10 miles uphill, that took over 2hrs. Making it to the summit was grand. I chugged nice clean water out of my stainless steel water bottle.

The next 8hrs was spent jamming up and down hills, over fallen logs, off huge hits and hucking over big rocks. We half a few good breaks in between stopping to eat lunch and have a smoke at the three sisters, what an grand spot. The dirt was just right. Not too dry as to cause any dust and not too wet that our wheels would get stuck. There was a bit of ice still left on the ground from the spring melt. The temperature was perfect, not too hot, not too cold.