Well, it’s been a while since I posted on social media my last e-mountain bike adventure of Sunday, December 7, 2025--#19. Number 20 was a solo ride on Thursday, December 18, through Sycamore Canyon to the Guadalasca Trail and downward to Backbone; during unaccompanied rides, I’m alone with my reflections and relationship to Mother Earth. That Sunday, December 21, Dan, Javier, Ralph (The San Fernando High Tigers alums), Joe, and I rode the Bulldog Trail for e-mountain bike adventure #21 that starts on Mulholland Drive in Calabasas and passes through the defunct MASH filming site; a short hike from there will get you to the helicopter landing that is part of the series’ opening credits. While walking across a waste-deep creek over an unsteady plank, one of us fell into the water. Luckily, the e-mountain bike was kept on the board. It being submerged would have been bad news for the bike’s electric motor. For a few miles, the wind made the ride chilly. On the way back to Dan’s truck, parked on the side of the road of Mulholland, we must be vigilant crossing the road as high-performance motorcyclists and big-bucks sports cars (Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis, Maseratis, McLarens, and others) noisily race by. There is a good chance of being hit by one of these crazies if you’re not trucha.
L-F: Javier, Dan (aka Dan the Man that Can), Joe, and Ralph
The following Sunday, on December 28, for e-mountain bike adventure #22, we—Dan, Javier, Ralph, and I—beat just barely the forecasted atmospheric river while riding the Los Robles Trail in Thousand Oaks. We caught light rain later in the ride as we slipped and slid when our tires lost traction. Then, the Wednesday before the New Year, Wednesday, December 31st, Dan, Javier, and I (btw, for me, being retired is nice), we rode the Albertson Motorway/Fire Road to the Norwegian Trail for e-mountain bike adventure #23. The prior storm felled good-sized tree limbs onto the trails, forcing us to maneuver through them. This trail also has two huge boulders that make us tip-toe our bikes between then to avoid damaging our handlebars.
Javier and DanNo ride occurred on the Sunday after New Year's. But Dan, Javier, and I returned to the Albertson Motorway/Fire Road to the Norwegian Trail for e-mountain bike adventure #24 this past Sunday, January 11. This time, we were more prepared as Dan (aka Dan the Man That Can) carried within his bike-rider's backpack filled with tools and first-aid items, a Stihl PS 10 folding saw. So, when our path was blocked at the same place as last time with more fallen branches, we took turns sawing our way through. While dumping a large bough over an embankment, I fell backward just as Dan said, “Watch your step. Don’t fall.” As I lay on my espalda, I worried about my right knee ligaments as my lower leg got trapped underneath my hamstring. With my leg straightened out and facing downward, brothers Dan and Javier pulled me out after they lifted the branch off. Thanks, guys.
I enjoy our e-mountain bike adventures as I’m physically and mentally challenged by them. As a former athlete, I love pushing myself cardio vascularly up to my lungs burning and feeling nauseated after stopping. Maybe I’m subconsciously attempting to experience a runner's high that I enjoyed once in a blue moon when I ran as part of my folk-style wrestling training days at Oxnard High, Moorpark College, and Fresno State. Kinda weird and not so smart, especially now that I’m over sixty. The mental component involves quick thinking when facing terrain obstacles (rocks of all sizes, deep ruts, tight switchbacks with immediate climbs), coordination, and keen judgement in relation to breaking the front and rear tire just right to avoid flipping over, repositioning my seating going up and down narrow and rocky inclines, and shifting gears while manipulating the electric-motor assist.
Some of you may think, as I first did: “E-bikes do the work for you. So, how is it exercise?” E-mountain bikes are designed only to assist you on your ride, not a full load of energy to move forward. Studies have found that e-mountain bikers get from 90-92% of the workout that a person on an analog/regular/non-assist mountain bike. The assist is particularly helpful when facing sharp, prolonged slopes like the ones on Albertsons to avoid looking like Jesus bearing the cross. During a ninety-minute ride, I have burned close to nine hundred calories. This kind of exercise, regular walking, and at least one weekly visit to the gym keeps my blood pressure in the normal range with a resting heart rate at 55...and med-free. Trying to eat right (no easy feat as I love sweets) and cutting way back on my alcohol consumption helps a bunch, too.
Not bad for a sixty-two-year-old. Knock on wood. I need to cherish and take advantage of this level of physicality as long as I can. Because once it's gone, it's gone. And it will disappear be one day.
In closing, my favorite prima, Armida, among a great bunch of cousins, has been reading my my e-mountain bike adventure social media posts. Hence, she thoughtfully gifted me this Christmas an awesome water-resistant mountain bike backpack. It has nifty components and compartments: a water bladder, pockets for snacks, and accessories for electronic gear. If I ever get lost on a solo ride, I will be prepared. Thank you, Armida!
Final point: Notice in the accompanying pics my Chicano-styled riding shirts. I’ve had these camisas in my closet for years, largely unused. Now I wear one for each ride to let brother and sister gueros know—-and they are 99% gringos on the trails—-that Chicanos and other ethnic Mexicans can enjoy the great outdoors, too!
fpb
