Yes, I have proof. I have proof that on occasion I actually get to ride with someone. Even if its for a short distance. So this morning, I had the opportunity to link up with Mark Gorman, a long time friend and cycling industry entrepreneur that just happens to be the man behind "Ohio Outside" (editor/publisher). This has been an ongoing project for Mark for several years, but within the last year or so he's really enhanced this site and the amount of frequent visitors.
The web site is aimed at individuals that like to compete or just have fun outdoors; and as the name implies is primarily aimed at the state of Ohio (at times he heads out of state for a good story or race coverage). Mark and I date back many years ago when he was working his way through college turning a wrench for Ernie's Bicycle Shop (local bike shop in North Canton, Ohio). Mark was coming off a running background and had crossed over to being a full time expert off road racer. Matter of fact, Mark was one of the original grassroots racers that I began to work with.
Over the next several years Mark and I would share quite a few trail rides together as he introduced me to a host of ATV/motocross trails in and around the East Canton, Ohio area. That's when 3 wheeling ATV's where in use and the trails would hold a lot of water, so we became experts at riding the narrow strip of dry earth in between the water filled ruts that the motorized vehicles left behind. These trails weren't perfect, but offered miles of trails and good times. Today, they've all been claimed by homes and a couple gravel mine operations or two. No more of the old trails left in East Canton.
