I love really cold runs. I'm not sure what it is about getting outside and exercising in the frigid air that is so exhilarating. Maybe it's the empowerment it brings to have beaten the temptation to stay hunkered down in a warm house. Maybe it's the fact that everything looks and feels so crisp. All …
The wind blew so hard that I was scared if I let go of the railing I might actually be swept off the small metal platform I was standing on. I'm not one for heights, and as I'd climbed towards the top of this fire tower, I felt my stomach turn a few times. Don't …
Continue reading "Fire towers and friends with a side of history."
*I started this post last spring but never published it. I found it as I was cleaning out old post drafts and figured it was worth a share, better late than never! Last spring, I was dealing with some hamstring injury issues, meaning I was forced to cut back on the intensity of my bike …
Continue reading "Adventures in Coal Country: Exploring the Houtzdale Line Trail."
I looked up from pushing my bike to see the jumble of rocks continuing as far as I could see. I'd try to ride for a bit, challenging myself to see how far I could make it before needing to dab, but the rocks would often win. Sometimes though, I'd have a good run, cleaning …
When I learned of a work commitment in Scranton the Thursday before a family commitment in Malvern, my brain that has been jonesing for another long ride adventure started scheming. The D&L Trail travels a big chunk of the length from northeast PA to southeast, and it just seemed silly to drive 3 hours back …
I've been struggling with a hamstring injury since the beginning of winter. For most of that time, I didn't even realize it was an issue. My hammie was tight and sore but I figured it was something that would work itself out. About a month ago, that dull soreness turned into a burning pain in …
I have a special place in my heart for this bike. I will never get rid of it. Evan built this bike for me shortly after I started mountain biking again in 2013, with a small frame that had been sitting around the shop where he worked at the time and a lot of random …
I've had my eye on the Allegheny Front Trail (AFT) lately. I'm not sure why it in particular has garnered my attention over all the other great central Pennsylvania hiking trails --- maybe it's the proximity to Evan's new workplace and our general newly found interest in the Black Moshannon area, maybe it's its attainable …
For the past couple of months, Evan and I have been sharing a vehicle because we both seem to have terrible car luck and his truck has a mystery issue that has us running around to different mechanics and spending too much money. Unfortunately, both our jobs are far enough away that commuting by bike …
Winter camping is not for the faint of heart. Especially not winter bike camping. You ride all day, get sweaty (read: cold when you stop), then need to try to stay warm all night using only what you can carry on your bike. Then wake up in the morning and ride some more. But there's …
Continue reading "Always forward: A weekend of biking and camping in the Pine Creek Gorge."
helena kotala 