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Once there was this guy who wanted to have a great day. Sure, there were plenty of good days, but great days were few and far between. He was determined to make things happen, and the evening before he thought hard about what could possibly make a great day. Being passionate about mountain biking, he knew that the great day had to include that. So, he set out to find a trail that would bring the great day upon him.

With his decision made, he invited several people to join him on this auspicious endeavor. Sadly, he was not taken up on his offer, but he was determined not to let that sway him from the task at hand.

The morning arrived with little fanfare other than a crystal blue sky and the daunting task at hand. He quickly loaded up his necessities, chose a rather lightly geared stead, and headed out to higher elevations to achieve his goal.

Sipping on a grape soda and eating some rather fresh Oreo cookies on the way, he had an epiphany. Since his first choice of trail was a lesser traveled trail, what would happen if he was stuck by himself? How would anyone know if he had a great day, if he never came back? Who would help him keep a steady pace? Was it really worth the extra fifteen minute drive for a shorter out and back course?

With that in mind, he changed his destination and arrived at the Kenosha Pass trailhead. After all, it’s only a great ride if other people see you having a great time, he thought to himself.

Saddled up, he began the long arduous climb to above tree line. His ride started out in relative solitude, as he left a small group of people who were preparing in the parking area. It was just him and the trail.

Not long into his ride, he encountered one of his favorite blooms, the Columbine. How great that on this great day, this flower would be popping out everywhere. It brought a great smile to his face and with that.\, all other cares had simply vanished.

By this point, the thought of only having 1×10 gears garnered no reaction. He was fresh, alert, alive, and basking in the beautiful blue skies and perfect temperature. Lungs and legs provided no feedback to his brain. A good sign, but with altitude and mileage on the rise, would it last?

This isn’t a race, he thought to himself. This is a time to soak it all in. So, he stopped occasionally, to admire his surroundings and think about the next turn that will add to this great day.

With all of his stopping to gaze at the wonderment of all, the group that he had left at the start of the ride, had performed the first leap frog of the day.

Not a bad thing, he thought. And so, he used it to his advantage to help set a pace and converse a little about the great day ahead. He would continue swapping the lead with this group for quite a few miles, until he decided that reaching the top, meant eating the special treat he brought all the way with him.

So he cranked down hard with the few gears he had, saving the last one for that special need. He did not use that gear to reach the top. Not at all.

Upon reaching the upper most summit of his ride, he reveled in the 11,671′ of altitude and feasted heavily upon his sugary snack.

And with that, came the crowning moment of his great day. The reward of pristine finely carved trail, that outlined the bead of his tires just right.

An amazing downhill awaited him as he carved each and every turn and switchback. Down, down down, over water, over roots, over rocks, and with a grin that stretched ear to ear.

Oh, what a day, he thought as reached the junction that ended his adrenaline filled lollipop loop.

As he climbed back to the smaller pass, he reflected on the decisions he had made that lead to his great day. Before his final decent to the trailhead, he turned, he sighed a happy sigh, the kind that releases a cool breath between a wide open smile, and then he was content. He had obtained a great day. He did! He did!