Through mud and mountains

Last Sunday, I went on a trail ride in the region where I live, but I had no idea how this seemingly harmless ride could turn into a great adventure. Around here, many roads turn into mountain biking trails on weekends. And even though I’m a complete amateur in this sport, cycling more as a hobby or for leisure, I like to challenge my limits and test myself on some of these trails.

On Sunday, we decided to take on a 40 km route, which is already quite a stretch for my level, but even more so because of the significant altitude changes, as I live in a region full of hills and mountains. We took the Bocaina trail, leaving from Itatiba toward Estrada das Cabras in the Joaquim Egídio district, with the goal of following this road all the way to the town of Morungaba. Despite the fatigue, everything was going well, and we made a planned stop for lunch at a spot we affectionately named "Vista de uma Pedra" a few years ago. After this break, we continued toward Morungaba, where we had planned to stop for coffee before heading back.

That’s when the adventure really started for me, as there were many steep descents requiring a high level of technical skill. Since I don’t consider myself technical or skilled at all, this was a big challenge, a way to push my limits and, most importantly, face my fears.

We took the long-awaited coffee break and then started the ride back to Itatiba. The plan was to take a dirt road as soon as we left Morungaba behind. But as soon as we reached Fazenda Girolândia road, a popular route for cyclists, we were caught off guard by a heavy downpour. Even though it didn’t last long, the rain was enough to make this ride truly unforgettable.

The rain turned the dirt into a thick, sticky mud that clung to our wheels, tires, and bike chains, making it nearly impossible to move. We tried to clean the tires on the grass, using sticks, tapping them on the ground to shake off the excess mud, and after many attempts, we managed to move forward a little, reaching a stretch where the terrain was sandier and rockier rather than muddy. From there, we were able to complete the remaining kilometers.

At least this happened in a place with a beautiful view, which made the scene more interesting and contemplative.

Near the end of the road, we spotted a lake and tried to wash off the mud from the tires, but it didn’t work, and in the end, we could only clean the bikes properly once we got home.

I had done this exact same route three years ago, and while I remembered it wasn’t easy, I didn’t expect it to be even harder this time. In any case, it was definitely an unforgettable day, one that will stay with me forever.
Until the next adventue!

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