On her most recent journey, Deuter Ambassador, Melissa Nerone Fletcher, takes a trip to visit with friends and tear up some San Diego single track. For a trip inspired by her off season break as a mountain bike guide for Moab based Rim Tours Mountain Bike Adventures, we’re pretty sure Melissa has her “down time” figured out!

The life of a mountain bike guide is pretty much seasonal. In Moab, while winter riding can still be pretty darn awesome for the locals, it tends to be a bit too chilly for our visitors. Thus, the tour business pretty much goes into hibernation. It becomes the time of year to take a little road trip. For me, I said “KOWABUNGA”!

Having lived for 20+ years in San Diego prior to coming to Moab, I headed there. I was in luck, there was a heat wave upon my arrival – daytime temps in the 70s and 80s. What’s a girl to do??  — throw on the Futura 22 and hit the trails!

Needless to say, my mt. bike buddies in San Diego are still SPEEDY. I got a bit of a spanking by my long-time girly friend Gretchen and her snappy, younger “Team Canari Queen” pals, Denise and Amy. It was a fitness ride for sure! Ya, ya Gretchen I know – “Mach Schnell!” (German translation = “Hurry Up”). But, I still had a great time on the Lusardi Trail and climbing up Black Mountain in order to enjoy some yummy singletrack downhill on the backside.

My next ride took me to the “La Costa Switchbacks”. The trails here are a great mix of fun and challenges. I rode with my friend Trynt, who is the only female on her firefighting crew. She is also one of four people I personally know who has reached the summit of Mt Everest. Immediately from Trynt’s driveway it was: pedal, pedal, turn, pedal, pedal, turn; up, down, up, down, up, down. The switchbacks down are so much fun we decided to do them twice!

Giving my riding legs a break, it was time to visit some of my favorite hiking/running trails at Torrey Pines State Beach Park. The trails wind along high on the bluffs above the ocean, with one trail eventually leading you down to the beach. My friend Craig joined me that day on this 6 mile trek. Craig and his Chesapeake Bay Retriever Stanley were recent stars on the Natural Balance Dogs Rose Parade float.  Those surf board riding dogs definitely know how to “hang 10”! Stunning vistas, great company and Chamber of Commerce weather made this another winning outing.

Catch you on the next wave!
–Melissa Nerone Fletcher (Mountain Bike Ambassador)

Ride the road, wave or trail with your Futura 22.

• Learn all about the Futura 22 at Deuter.com
• Pick one up from Tahoe Mountain Sports
• Grab one from Backcountry.com
• Buy one at Altrec.com