Name: Elvia
Rider: I ride like a newbie but I am not a newbie
Favorite Riding Places: The Ridge in Newport Beach
I live in SA with my dad and my girls Stef 15 and Julia 12. I
discovered the outdoors in February of 06. My first hike was 18 miles and 2000
feet of climbing, serious climbing. Before the hike I contacted the leader and
asked if this hike was appropriate for an 11 year old. The leader answered yes
and Julia was on a hike with mom and two friends. My older daughter a bit
smarter said let me know how it goes. We had none of the necessary clothing or
shoes or poles. Here we were in the San Gabriel’s hiking Shortcut Canyon. We were hiking on very narrow ledges and at one point holding Julia and the dirt was
giving in. Well we survived this experience and Julia is not afraid of heights.
This hike opened the door to many more adventures and mountain biking.
How do I explain this? Well I’ll try. I am a single mom
completely dedicated to my girls. I had this short career at this company and I
met this gentlemen and he spoke so passionately about mountain biking. Yeah!
Yeah! My first crush after 8 years of me and the girls hanging around the
house…soon I was at performance bike shop purchasing a bike. It was a mongoose
hard tail. My first MTB ride was at Peters Canyon it was “a learn how to MTN”
bike clinic. The guy holding the clinic kept looking at me funny. Well is it
my fault I couldn’t get pedals level? After playing on the bike…I decided it
was time to do a group ride. It was NOT. I signed up with this club and
joined a beginner ride. I was left in the dust and felt humiliated. I
realized I was soooo out of shape and things weren’t as easy as I thought.
Again I attempted a beginner ride with the same group once again I was riding
alone. On the third try with this group Julia was with me and this gentleman
(crush guy) was on the same ride. They left us on their dust. Of course the
crush ended at this ride. Julia being a kid had tears in her eyes. At this
point I learned my child was competitive. She said mommy they just left
us…seriously we had sand in our hair, sand in my teeth. This is when someone
explained the term sandbagging. My little girl decided she would be faster
than them.
Then I saw this post for a Beginner Clinic by Bob Loeffler and I
met Trail Angel Alice. My girls and I attended this clinic. Alice took the
time to help me adjust my seat and pull over and let me catch my breath. I
couldn’t believe this woman would not leave me. Alice told me about the Trail
Angels. Someone suggested I have my own ride and so not knowing anyone. I
signed up with the Trail Angels and started posting my Tuesday ride. This ride
happened all summer and I made friends with some awesome TA’s.
Shari, Vicky, Patricia, and our Trail Male Mtnbikerfred…a few TA’s showed
up to show us support. We had some great times this ride it helped many people
including myself. I’ll start posting it again as the weather gets better.
Julia and Bob Loeffler
I joined Christine on her fully loop ride and that’s how I met
Mtnbikerfred. I’ll never forget my first ride at the loop with Christine. We
were in the court house parking lot and Christine tells us lets say a prayer
before we start our ride. I knew then I had found my riding buddies the TA’s.
I couldn’t believe my ears when Mtnbikerfred said – I’ll have you jumping off
rocks if you want. This man is never too busy to ride with a Trail Angel. I
call him my little brother.
My little girl Julia did become faster than the people that left us
on that Sunday evening at Aliso.
I haven’t given up yet and no one should ever give up. I’ll wait
for anyone and I’ll never leave anyone behind.
I am looking forward to a ride with Jacke and all the other TA’s.
-Elvia
Elvia, Stef and Julia
