Woke up at 5:30 am and met some friends at Ringwood bright and early on Sunday. I think that last time I was at Ringwood was a MTB Festival back around 2018, so it’s been awhile. In one word – Awesome. But here’s a longer review.

Early that morning the rocks were slippery, so we decided to stay away from Skylands and Warm Puppy Rock Trails. We deemed it too risky for our comfort level. Speaking of comfort. Smack dab in the middle of Ringwood is a huge botanical garden with greenhouses that smell really good. The place smells like a flower shop and Easter Sunday. I have no idea what is is growing there, but whatever they are growing, it seemed to keep the mosquitos and gnats away. So whoever set that up, just wanna say good job to you! Back to the word “comfort” again, right next to the Botanical greenhouses there is a small building that has a sign that reads “Comfort Station”. Coming from a guy who rides Stephens a lot, this building seemed out of place so close to a mountain bike trail, but I gotta say I could get used that cushy life. This Comfort Station has CLEAN bathrooms with running water (cold and hot), a vending machine with food and beverages, and get this … a payphone with a dial tone that works!!! There is even a lobby with chairs to sit on.  I was halfway expecting Alfred, Benson or Lurch to serve us hand towels, breath mints and lunch. If this place had a concierge it would almost be on par with the Ritz Carlton, but relative to what I’m used to, this is really a huge step up from the facilities at Stephens which happen to be zero.

In addition to the Easter Sunday fragrance that repels mosquitos, I’d like to give a special shoutout to whoever was shooting at the Thunder Dome Skeet Range. The percussive sound from the constant shotgun fire, works wonders to keep the skeeters and gnats away, which is why this is called a “skeet” range. What I love about Ringwood is that they hit the insects from all angles. If I was a mosquito, the smell from the botanical garden would keep me away, but with the additional layer of protection from the the shotgun range, I’d be too scared to procreate thousands of baby mosquitoes.

If you want to mountain bike ride through an outdoor museum, or ride through a place that’s several dimensions better than Hayden Planetarium 3D Space Theater (because it hits you in more dimensions than just 3D) than you need to ride Ringwood. It delivers beautiful sights, intense sounds, mysterious smells, pleasant comfort and magical downhills. All you have to do is show up and pedal!