Mountain Biking & Suddenly Ice Cream?

Matthew and I were tired from the free two hour Philadelphia Spartan Bootcamp style workout from yesteday, but it was so beautiful outside (and it was the weekend!) we didn't want to sit in and be lazy bums.

On one of my long runs two weeks ago I discovered a bit of wooded trail. I, being from the middle of nowhere finally felt at home and was disappointed to only be able to run a bit of it before I had to turn back (if I went any further I wouldn't have had the energy to get back). So I enjoyed it while it lasted and made a mental note to return there with more energy or by some other method. Being about 6 miles away from our apartment, biking there would be perfect, especially given the nice warm, (although not scorching) sunny weather.

We packed our CamelBaks with nomz and hydration, coated our pasty white bodies in sun lotion and after a bit of tinkering with our new, cheap Walmart bikes (and by a bit, I mean an hour... damn cheap Walmart bikes *sigh*) we were on our way. It didn't take long to realize that they cost $79 for a reason... my ass felt like it was permanently fused to that hard plastic bike seat. We tried to set that thought aside and keep going. It was a beautiful, and clear day & we weren't going to let a little soreness ruin our day.

The ride was great (ass soreness aside). There was the river along our side the entire time, a nice gentle breeze our faces, and the light sun on our skin. Over bridges, around turns, up hills, down hills, and then... the pavement ended. This is apparently where Lincoln Drive becomes Forbidden Drive. We stopped briefly to look at a trial map we found and then decided to give the mountain biking section a go. We began uphill and began to see tons of people biking, running, walking, hiking, even horseback riding.

We stopped for our squashed packed sandwiches (it's not an adventure sandwich unless it's squashed) at a cute little bench and after a bit of resting (mostly for the sake of our butts!) we decided to keep going a bit further before we turned back. We passed so many hiking trails, and other ways we could go. We could keep coming back week after week and never take the same path twice! We saw swimming holes, dogs, and started wondering if another parking lot would appear soon (it must, right?). Suddenly after miles of nothing.... an Inn appeared? Confused, but interested, we stopped and saw ice cream! My inner fat kid loves soft serve vanilla so when Matt offered.. twist my arm. We sat and enjoyed our ice cream while continuing our people & nature watching (one of my favorite past times!). After our treat we (reluctantly) hoped back onto our stiff bike seats and headed home.

I was coated in sunscreen, dirt, sweat, grime, and bugs, yet I was so happy. This is what I needed. A day in nature, with the one I love. As great as living in Philadelphia is, sometimes it takes that simplistic happiness from me. I feel like this could be a regular Sunday excursion.