Riding with Jimmy Lewis - 6 June 2007
Jimmy and Heather have been the perfect hosts introducing me to Off Road California style. The morning after I arrived Jimmy had me up at 5am for an early drive to Mojave to hook up with the rest of his staff and accompany them on a euro bike test. The usual photo lark slowed the day a little, but the riding was pretty cool as we blasted across the desert and into “gnarly canyon” where the speed slowed until the bikes had to be dragged up some rock steps causing one bike to bust its radiator. Only Jimmy, myself and Kyle made it up the biggest rock step, with the rest of the group playing catchers at the top. A bit more desert took us up into the Sierra Nevada and loads of cool single trail ending at Jimmy’s cabin in the mountains. A cold beer and one of the finest sunsets I’ve ever seen saw my first day in the US out.

The rest of the magazine guys went home and Jimmy’s wife Heather came up to the cabin after she finished work and the plan was for just the three of us to hit the trails over the weekend. Day two in the US and Heather led out up an absolutely cool trail that climbed up the side of a mountain in a series of technical switchbacks. (see photo). The riding was all in the mountains, single track, twisty and great fun. Highlight of the day was definitely the sighting of the rare “trophy tree”. Lowlight of the day was definitely popping my shoulder out for the first time in 6 years – luckily it went straight back in as we were on the side of a cliff in the middle of nowhere and there was no options but to continue on the trail.
This also turned out to be the best trail of the day.

Sunday I took the easier route back down the mountain since my shoulder felt pretty unstable and I wanted to make sure I’m OK to ride again tomorrow – and I’m pretty sure its going to be good. I picking up a collegue from the airport tomorrow morning and then we'll collect some bikes ready to start the next Adventure.

Simon

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