After over a year of anticipation, I finally embarked on my first extraordinary journey into the South Carolina Mountains.
In response to a Facebook post by a legally blind rider who could still conquer mountain biking, I reached out to be his riding companion, offering to pick him up and drive to the trailhead since he couldn't operate a car. His mountain biking skills, evident in videos he and his wife had shared, fascinated me. Despite his visual impairment, he could ride like the wind! During our drive, he explained that he relied on his peripheral vision to navigate the trail since he couldn't see anything directly in front of him.
We headed towards Dupont Forest, located just north of the South Carolina border and a little over an hour's drive from my house. Dupont Forest had a rich history—it was originally owned by the Dupont family, who had a factory on the land. When they decided to sell it, the State intervened and purchased the property, transforming it into a State Recreational area.
Accompanying Frank, my riding partner, turned out to be a stroke of luck. He was extremely familiar with Dupont Forest, knowing all the best trails, including hidden gems like the covered bridge, the Dupont family graveyard, and breathtaking waterfalls. But the highlight of it all was the impeccably maintained single track, which, in my opinion, was the finest I had ever experienced. Frank captured all the thrilling moments on video, which he will edit
and share soon.
However, it became apparent that a year of not riding had taken a toll on my muscles and cardiovascular endurance. Despite having completed 20-mile rides with my best friend Marv back in California just before we left, with much greater elevation gain, this 15-mile ride pushed my limits and left me exhausted. Frank's pace was relentless, and riding my Stand Up Mountain Bike for the entire distance truly challenged my abilities.
The excitement to return and explore the other trails and parks in the area with Frank is overwhelming. And I can't wait to have Marv join me on these adventures when he visits.
