I am a newbie Angel and I live in Aliso Viejo with my 15 year old son Chris. My older sons Matthew 28, Mark 27, and Mike 24- all live together in Huntington Beach. I am glad they have chosen to live together as adults, and very proud of all of my sons. I have been riding for about 4 years. I did my first group ride last week with a small group to "waterworks".   I cant even describe the feeling of how good it felt to ride with such a wonderful group of women. The fact that it started with a prayer made me realize I had found exactly what I was looking for.  Every single one of the girls gave me so much encouragement, despite the condition of my falling apart bike!  Thank you all for not leaving me behind.

2007 was a very long year for me- I lost my home, my marriage of 18 years, my job, and my eyesight (due to lasik surgery). But I refuse to lose my enthusiasm for mountain biking, and miss out on the joy it brings to me.  I  scraped together some funds and bought a new bike last weekend! My first ride out to Cooks Corner last Monday was awesome despite the fall into the storm drain, and the 5 mile  ride  home soaking wet.  I have ridden that bike every day this week so far.  My favorite trails include Aliso Woods, O'Neill/Arroyo Trabuco, Holy Jim and the Aliso Creek paved trail when everything else is closed due to rain.

 I am dying to ride the Holy Jim Trail to the top, or at the very least have a helicopter drop me off at those towers and let me ride down! I also love to hike, and I do the low-tide hike from Main Beach to Emerald Bay in and along the tidepools. I am free almost every day to ride or hike after 8 am, after I drop my son off at  school.   I am    using this year to heal and reflect, and move on to the best part of my life.  Those are my plans, and would love to get to know more of you Angels - and looking forward to many more awesome rides and adventures.

Love, Light and Blessings

Brenda Gilbert