dryfj.com / drycyclist.com (kevin cook)

33/46
Home / Mojave Preserve and Desert bikepacking trips / 2008: Bikepacking in Henry Coe State Park / Day 5: Mountain-bike ride up Red Creek Road to Upper San Antonio Valley and back from Paradise Lake /

As I begin the big two-mile downhill, I'm reminded why I bother putting so much effort into reaching high places by human power

00132-ridge-view-800px.jpg The gentle rollers along the top of the ridge here at about 2400 feet are fun to ride, even in the heatThumbnailsOn the way back down to Red Creek, I come across a view of switchbacks that I will coast down in a few minutesThe gentle rollers along the top of the ridge here at about 2400 feet are fun to ride, even in the heatThumbnailsOn the way back down to Red Creek, I come across a view of switchbacks that I will coast down in a few minutesThe gentle rollers along the top of the ridge here at about 2400 feet are fun to ride, even in the heatThumbnailsOn the way back down to Red Creek, I come across a view of switchbacks that I will coast down in a few minutesThe gentle rollers along the top of the ridge here at about 2400 feet are fun to ride, even in the heatThumbnailsOn the way back down to Red Creek, I come across a view of switchbacks that I will coast down in a few minutesThe gentle rollers along the top of the ridge here at about 2400 feet are fun to ride, even in the heatThumbnailsOn the way back down to Red Creek, I come across a view of switchbacks that I will coast down in a few minutes

The feeling of self-sufficiency from travelling distances by one's own energy provides empowerment that exercise machines in a gym can't. A giant vanity pick-up truck doesn't provide this either, even though it would simplify travel across rough terrain.

The views from up here are awesome; I almost hate to return to Paradise Lake.