Last week, my buddy Chris convinced me to join him for a ride out in Keyesville, even explaining that November 22 is “Go for a Ride Day,” so we need to get out. I am glad he sent that text. November 22 was a sublime day to be outdoors in the Kern River Valley. The sun was shining, red-tailed hawks’ calls greeting us as we crested hills, and laughter filled the silent void.
Go for a Ride Day is an annual celebration of taking a break from our routines. If we work hard, we should get to play hard! Go for a Ride Day is a day to set your spirit free and enjoy your wanderlust.
Looking out the window from my desk, I can see Keyesville, and when the sun is shining, it is a beautiful place to explore. Many trails lead to historical mining sites and epic views of Lake Isabella and the surrounding peaks.
I call these spots where we stop to soak in the area appreciation stations. Appreciation stations bring out the area’s true beauty and leave you in awe; they are excellent places to mind your head. Do you have an appreciation station? Have you visited it recently?
I do not know the trail we started on, but we connected with the Keyesville Classic trail and spent the next three hours minding our heads. As we rode along, conversations started with the stress of life but quickly switched to ones of aspirations. The sun, working out, and good friends remind you that life is not meant to be serious. We need to get out more, nourish our souls, and wash away the constrictive feelings of anxiety, doubt, or depression.
The Keyesville Special Management Area plays host to the iconic, family-friendly Keyesville Classic Mountain bike race. With over thirty years of history, the Keyesville Classic is one of the oldest singletrack bike races in the region.
The race offers downhill, cross country, and short track brackets, appealing to any thrill seeker. For more information and to check event dates, visit www.keyesvilleclassicmtb.com.
The beauty of the Kern Valley is unprecedented and often leaves me breathless. Lately, the sunsets have melded with the fall colors adorning our trees, and the evenings’ cool breezes melt away the day’s stress.
Our Fall sunsets create a remarkable image on an evening bike ride down any trail. The sky’s colors blend, blues with oranges and purple with red, and light refracts off lazy clouds drifting along, almost making them come to life. The Kern River Valley’s trails are where life’s worries melt away, and fond memories are made.
Remember, my friends, leave no trace. When we leave no trace, we set the next group coming to enjoy the area up for having a good time. It shows that people care about the area, and hopefully, the area is left better than we found it. So next time you’re out, please pick up that little piece of trash, snag that soda can out of the brush, or remove the illegal firepit. If we can all help, imagine how beautiful the area can be.
Get out and Mind your Head: Keyesville, the Year-Round Playground
