I spent the morning down in Ellicotville NY at Holimont Mountain Bike Park. It was my first ride of the year, and I was down for anything.

Recent heavy rains removed a lot of winter loam from the trails, and the techno was insanely fun. Some trails like Newt’s Tail and Lizard Spine has a fresh landscaping of tricky rocks, roots and switchbacks. For my season opener I had a blast, with one dicey moment caused by a chipmunk, but I’m happy to report both the chipmunk and I made it out alive.

Gotta’ watch those little guys. Very territorial.

While I was there I bumped into some of my friends from Bert’s Bikes and Fitness on Niagara Falls Boulevard, right here in sunny Tonawanda. It was nice to see some friendly faces. I hope to see you there soon.

Twenty-Seven

A good walker leaves no tracks;
A good speaker makes no slips;
A good reckoner needs no tally.
A good door needs no lock,
Yet no one can open it.
Good binding requires no knots,
Yet no one can loosen it.

Therefore, the sage takes care of all men
And abandons no one.
He takes care of all things
And abandon nothing.

This is called “following the light.”

What is a good man?
The teacher of a bad man.
What is a bad man?
A good man’s charge.
If the teacher is not respected,
And the student not cared for,
Confusion will arise, however clever one is.
This is the crux of mystery.

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu
Translation by Ray Burgess