kc, John Michael, Mary Pat and I drove up to Mammoth Lakes at the end of August. Peg and Chuck flew in for a few days and then Billy joined us for the end of the week. It was unfortunate that Peg and Chuck were not able to be there during Billy’s time. We had a great time riding in the bike park (except for a few falls), in the local area, touring the area and playing dominos.
We had beautiful weather and, except for one day, few people on the mountain. Some of us visited Mono Lake and saw its unique features with the Sierra range in the background.
John Michael did some epic rides, really pushing himself. He learned a lot from Billy and did his best to match his cousin, who he thinks is the greatest. It surprised me when John Michael said he wanted to do a ropes course which was in the central area of the Mammoth Lakes bike park. He has always, previously rejected height-related activities. The course was VERY difficult for someone his height and he was terrified at points (not as much as Aunt Peg and Mom, however), but he persevered and completed it. There is a video series at the bottom.
Peg had a pretty bad spill on the Off The Top trail and bruised and scraped her knee and elbow. I fell on the same trail two days later, suffered less severe physically, but broke my bike, permanently.
It was terrific to spend time with Peg, Chuck & Billy riding bikes, eating good food, drinking local beer and playing dominos!
I’ll put two different image galleries in this post, photos and videos.
Thanks to Peg for sending me some of her photos.
The videos will be below the photos.
Photos
Videos
Billy & JM ride through a difficult rock section, I walked.
https://vimeo.com/293736708/0531d1186b
On the ride back from the Mammoth lakes, John Michael pulled off one of the greatest bikes saves of all time – check out his reaction!
https://vimeo.com/293847287/313512b904
kc and I did a nice ride on public trails around town.
https://vimeo.com/293849172
Here John Michael leads Billy, kc and me down the Off the Top trail, the highest starting and longest trail in the park.
https://vimeo.com/295060388/a38b52cc9b
On one particularly difficult day, John Michael was struggling with the effort, but pulled-up on the trail and would not proceed unless he could try the difficult side trail Billy had taken!
https://vimeo.com/293850097/1c4c8e0865
Another video of Off the Top trail, but with only John Michael, Billy and me.
https://vimeo.com/295259056/96e5795d9d
Ropes Course videos
Step 1
https://vimeo.com/295463676/92bf91d3ee
Step 2
https://vimeo.com/295462429/a2c30d09f7
Step 3
https://vimeo.com/295462074/132f77def6
Step 4
https://vimeo.com/295467195/84ce032af6
Step 5
https://vimeo.com/295460915/1b5d51b167
Step 6
https://vimeo.com/295465276/604e047dc3