Once upon a time, before the military, college, or even high school, we were kids finding freedom on our bikes. Those early days of friendly competition brought a spirit of fun and camaraderie that sticks with us. Today, as veterans, mountain biking camaraderie reconnects us with that joy and energy. The fastest bike was always the strongest kid and we were okay with that - even though we challenged that kid in other ways to try to win - “who can take this bike and jump it the farthest off of these ramps?!?“ It didn’t always end good… matter-of-fact sometimes it was darn right bad, but we always came back to it. Why? Because it was fun, and fun was something we all loved to do!
Still in the Past
Now fast forward to the minute I got back on a bike.
I bought my new bike in Alaska, it wasn’t a great bike, but it wasn’t an awful bike by any comparison. It was able to teach me to love the outdoors again. The Army had pretty much ruined me for that - the frigid cold and long field problems made me wish I was in a warmer client; that is until summer - and the mosquitoes are the state bird. However; I digress. I started riding again. It was fast and flowey, was with my friends and we were calling each other on the phone after work, “Whatcha doing?! Wanna go ride?!” “Thought you’d never ask!” “Let’s go!” So we’d go to University of Alaska - Fairbanks and ride their trails, then we’d go on to Denali trips… Son on and so on, but by the time I’d left there - there was at least 10 of us at any given ride!
Biking was our way of PT. It was fun, and it was camaraderie. It was being a kid again and remembering that exercise did not have to be boring.
The Future was Boring
Fast forward again. I’m back home in Elkhart, IN and I haven’t been happy with my PT, my bike had game apart - it didn’t make the ride back from Fairbanks well, and it fell apart in my first ride back - and I literally fell into a river. True story, I lost my phone and my handlebars that day. And my cousin thought it was the funniest thing he’d ever seen. I suppose it was comical! For another time and another writing space…
My workouts were consisting of running and weights with Timmie and Pilates style workouts, mixed in with a few boxing exercises and it was all mundane to me.
We were getting ready to deploy and I drove by Elkhart Bike Shop and there was my new bike - right in the window! Frank hooked me up with my first Trek and from there workouts got a lot more fun!
It’s about the Camaraderie
As boys we would knock on each others doors and ask our friends mom if so-and-so could come out and play and ride bikes! We were free! We were outdoors and enjoying it! Now we have new bikes and, mountain biking has made a surge forward in popularity. You make a phone call and say, “Hey can so-and-so come out and ride bikes?!” And we go! We ride through the woods!
Some of us are older and it’s not as easy of a time to ride, BUT the camaraderie element is there. We are talking with our friends, we’re like-minded, no politics, no bull shit, just straight up fun!
Why we ride
The FreedomSystem.org Mountain Biking Association riders do not care if you are the fastest or the slowest. They care that you are out there hanging out with your friends, getting your kiddos involved teaching them the love of the woods, riding, and having fun with friends! Did I mention that it’s a great way to get in shape!
Did you know: If you are a deserving Veteran FreedomSystem will get you a bike!
During our riding season (April - November) we dedicate two times a month that are scheduled rides and often have impromptu rides throughout!
Our next ride… Veterans Mountain Biking Camaraderie
Our next ride of the season is our last this year, but it’s still time to come and hang out with us! Saturday, November 9th, 2024 at 3pm. We will meet at the main parking lot at Bonneyville Mill.
Hoping to get a bunch of you Vets out there! We might even have some lunch being cooked as well! If you would like to read more about our mountain biking program go here: https://freedomsystem.org/fso-mountain-biking-association/ . Remember that we are a Veterans mountain biking camaraderie group and we look forward to hanging out with you, don't feel shy - reach out to any of us!
Until next time!
