I'm in my forties and in great condition relative to the average American, but no doubt fairly slow and weak compared to most MTB'ers (for example I've pedaled up Minnewawa Truck Trail (Otay Mountain from Pio Pico Thousand Trails, but I was so slow at points the speedometer wouldn't register movement), so count me as slow.

I love the backcountry. I've hiked, backpacked, dual-sport motorcycled. I've been in a jeep or two and I have been up on a horse in my younger days. It was motorcycling that brought me from blissful ignorance to the era of bicycle helmets, and I gladly wear one now (even though they were virtually non-existent in my youth). Needless to say, though I have many years on a bike, my MTB skills are deficient, so count me as a noob too.

I hope to join in and explore the trails a bit with some of you. I like riding from my driveway when I can so often my rides are 90% street or urban exploration. I recently upgraded to a 29er hardtail as a compromise between street and dirt. So far so good - I remain the limitation to where it can go and what it can do.

Cheers!
Craig

Welcome. Mission Trails Regional Park ("MTRP") and Spring Canyon and Oak Canyon are good semi-neighborhood ride options for you. Post up if you'd like to do an evening ride.

Mission Trails is definitely a place I should explore more. I'd like to eventually master the ascent of Cowles Mountain too.