two speeds

We have had a couple interesting rides lately, but without much variety…in speed. Major is loving the coming fall weather, so "trot all the places!" has become his plan. I'm loathe to stop him because damn, it's fun (and he is behaving himself)! We have no endurance rides coming up, and are not "conditioning" but Major sure keeps himself in the mix!

A simple evening ride was along the lake. Major with one goal, trot! But I really did not like that plan (I was hoping for a mellow ride), so it became a game of trot and our other speed…eat. Major is still pretty incompetent at eating and walking, and with nowhere to go, stopping to eat the green tastiness is fine.

snack one: grass is good

snack two: grass is great!

this was a cougar snack: deer skeleton is all that remains

The best part was the musical accompaniment! I never ride with any music (I like the sound of nature and Major). But along the lake we often hear the boats, and this time a ski boat was moving along the lake, playing their loud music. The skier was obviously not very good, as they kept stopping to retrieve him! But unlike most times, this was actually some good music. It started with Disturbed's cover of "The Sounds of Silence" (oh, the irony), then I heard the opening notes of one of my favorite bands, Midnight Oil, and "Beds Are Burning." As I rode away, another 80s hit, "Down Under" by Men at Work played out as we trotted/danced away.

button bush: smells lovely and covered in bees and butterflies

snack three: moss is good too

Our next trotting adventure was a day exploring Empire Mine. I hadn't been there in a couple years. The trail are mostly wide with great footing, hardly a rock in sight! Very few people, a few courteous bike riders, Major was game to explore. Maybe because our home trails are so twisty and stop-and-go, he started out trotting in contained excitement and didn't stop. For 13 miles.

Prescott Mine structure, right when we started off

eager ears: oh boy!

Seriously, I would slow him, ask for a walk (not because he was tired, but because it was just a casual ride I thought) but Major had other plans. And he was so pleasant about it, just asking to trot again and stepping into a lovely, but quick, 7mph. Then 9mph, then a few canters in long, clear sections, and he was just eating up the trail, truly seeming to enjoy himself. We both had a great time (though I was tired as I didn't expect Major to be doing a solo endurance ride!), and we'll have to go back sooner than later.

contain yourself Major: walk across the raised culvert area

the trails were a blur: literally, so much trotting!

I may hate the fall, with darkness descending and the long dreary winter ahead, but these cooler days are appreciated, and I better get out there and enjoy every moment of daylight while I can…at whatever speed I get!