Great Mountain Biking
Our Mountain Bike Passion
Mountain bike passion is something my husband, Mark, and I have shared for many years. We are hopeless romantics who met on Valentine’s Day in 1982 and we’ve have been together ever since.
A Love Story on Two Wheels
One day this summer we were walking hand-in-hand on the beach at La Jolla Shores. We passed a woman who asked whether we were on our honeymoon. Mark laughed and said, “Yes, for the last 30 years.”
The Power of Communication
When we inform people that we not only live together but we work and play together, too, they are astonished. “How do you do it?” Communication is key. We constantly communicate. We don’t go to bed angry. If we do have an argument, we take a time out, and then we come back together to talk it through. It has gotten easier and easier to get past these kinds of buckles in the road. Especially now, as we all navigate through a global pandemic, a time when domestic abuse, pet abuse, and divorce are all on the rise.
Discovering the Thrill of Mountain Biking
Through it all, there is one thing we do that has really stoked the fires of our relationship, and that is mountain biking.
The Adventurous Journey Begins
Back in 1986, Mark and I decided to put our business on hold and sail around the United States, Alaska, and Canada in a small camper, called a Chinook, for nine months and 25,000 miles. We headed north from San Diego on April Fool’s Day and didn’t get back home until Christmastime. Life is different when you’re on the road. The only worries we had were where to fill up the gas tank and where and what to eat. We would drive maybe 50 miles a day, and then find a place to camp and enjoy the new location. It was the adventure of a lifetime.
A Chance Encounter and the Introduction to Mountain Bikes
While exploring Victoria, Canada, one day we saw a man on a bicycle riding through a creek. And when I say “through,” the water was up to the tops of his knees. Mark and I looked at each other. “What kind of a bicycle is THAT?” we wondered.
Falling in Love with Mountain Biking
After a glorious expedition featuring a grizzly bear attack (also in Canada), salmon fishing in Alaska, fresh-caught lobsters in Nova Scotia, Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts, and far more adventures than I can recount here, the first thing we did upon returning home to San Diego was to purchase a couple of mountain bikes for each other as a Christmas gift.
From Riders to Video Producers
We were so taken by the sport that we began to produce videos about it. “The Great Mountain Biking Video” and “Ultimate Mountain Biking: Advanced Techniques and Winning Strategies” were the VHS tapes that every true mountain biker had to have in their library. They featured tips from mountain-bike pro racers and won many awards and lots of good press.
Conquering New Frontiers
When Mountain Biking became a sanctioned sport in the Olympics, we produced “Battle At Durango: First-Ever World Mountain Bike Championships” featuring footage from multiple cameras – also a first in the mountain-bike video realm.
Documenting a World Odyssey
Our last and greatest mountain bike video was called “Full Cycle: a World Odyssey” which we produced and in which we also appeared. We went to nine different countries, including the United States, in search of the world’s best trail – a la
“Endless Summer.” This movie won 13 different international awards and lots of great press but ironically was never aired on any broadcast station. Clips have been shown though, including a couple of world’s firsts: underwater mountain biking in Costa Rica and the First-Ever Himalayan Mountain Bike Rally in India. It’s now available for viewing at a streaming platform called Gumroad, along with our other videos.
A Lifelong Source of Fun and Adventure
Since we began our adventures in mountain biking in 1986, it’s been a constant source of fun with exercise as a side benefit. It brings us out into nature which we love. We believe that the “couple who play together stay together,” and we hope to be able to share our passion for many more years to come. I recently had a couple of “hiccups” where I had to sit out a few rides due to a couple of Total Knee Replacements over the last few years, and then a Retinal Detachment. My mom used to quip that growing old was not for sissies. Boy, was she right! But I’m back in the saddle again and always ready to hit the trails with my Valentine.
Finding Solace and Joy Amidst the Pandemic
The Covid-19 Pandemic for us was defined by more rides together in Nature, where the air is invigorating and the views astonishing. Not to mention, it’s great exercise. Why not take advantage of your free time and go out for a bicycle ride? It’s good for the body and the mind.
Conclusion: A Journey of Love and Adventure
Mountain biking has been more than just a hobby for us—it has been a shared passion that has strengthened our bond over the years. From our first encounter with a mountain biker in Canada to producing award-winning videos and exploring trails worldwide, we have experienced countless adventures together. Through the ups and downs, mountain biking has brought us joy, excitement, and a deep appreciation for nature. We have learned that finding common interests and pursuing them as a couple can enrich our relationship and create lasting memories. So, grab a bike, hit the trails, and discover the wonders that await you as you embark on your own mountain biking journey. The ride is always better when shared with someone you love.
