Re: Time of Our Lives
To: Way Out West
Fr: Cara and Andy Lewis
Date: March 8, 2000

Greetings CJ and Mary Ellen!

We are still talking about our mountain bike adventure with Way Out West, as it was truly one of the coolest things we've ever done. One of the best parts about our visit was being able to "share" the experience of mountain biking despite having very different skill levels. Your ability to teach and inspire a beginning rider while stretching the limits of a more experienced rider allowed us to learn new things while having fun together.

Cara says:

Thanks for teaching me how to ride and creating a schedule that allowed me to progress (significantly) each day. I loved that I could push myself to try new things at a level that made sense based on my experience. And it was great to ride with Andy and be able to share the experience at the end of the each day. Before I came to Way Out West, I wasn't sure if I could get into mountain biking. Now: ALL I can think about is buying my own bike and checking out the trails in North Carolina. Thanks so much for a life-changing experience! As for Andy, he can't stop talking about our experience (see below!)

Andy says:

I surfed the Net from our hotel room in Santa Fe, NM, wondering if I would get a chance to get up on some fat tires during our cross-country road trip. I had brought riding shorts and a jersey, but so far on our trip we hadn't found a good opportunity to hit the trails. Searching on "Tucson Mountain Biking," somehow I landed on your web site and gave y'all a call. After reading the site and talking to each of you, I booked five nights with you.

My mind was dancing with images of single track, full-sus' bikes, hydrotherapy spas, DVD and satellite big-screen TV, etc. I turned to Cara excitedly, and I believe these were nearly my exact words: "I could not have found a better place for us to go, even if I DESIGNED it myself!" Imagine my delight when you folks exceeded my already sky-high expectations.

Each day, CJ set us out on increasingly difficult and interesting trails. On some days he let me ride ahead while he helped Cara build on her fundamental riding skills. On the first day Cara laughed as she pitched forward over her handlebars for the first time, into a sand pit after attempting a 6-foot drop. I was so pround--her first endo! The last day she nailed the drop easily! During each ride, I was amazed to watch as she rode over difficult terrain better and faster than I could have ever expected. CJ carefully chose each challenge, deciding whether she was ready for a given challenge or needed to walk it.

Cara came to your home interested in mountain biking. She left the experience talking about the trails available near our home and asking if we should rent her a bike or go ahead and buy her one! She was HOOKED! You guys have truly changed our lives--my wife is now my riding buddy too!

On the last two days, you gave me the opportunity to really push my own skills by riding with me at a faster pace while Cara worked with another guide. Simply riding behind the guide inspired me as I watched him pop wheelies, catch air, and deftly kick rocks aside with his rear tire. For the finale, you showed me some of your tastiest technical downhill, offering tips, and leaving me with a big grin on my face. I was completely tapped, having drunk a camel back and a half and cranked through a ride that was truly like a gnarly amusement park ride.

During our stay, you shared your knowledge and experience in mountain biking and the desert flora, fauna, and ecosystem. You shared your comfortable home and provided every kind of food and beverage one could ever want for breakfast and on the trail. Most of all, you shared your devotion and enthusiasm for riding, nature, and just having a great time.

Cara and Andy say: You guys ROCK and we look forward to coming back. Thanks for everything!