Walter….

Not much else to say. Trying to talk this guy up is impossible. He is at the top of the mountain and if you want to get there, well, f*^+ you buddy the spot is taken.

Walter, a father of boys (of course) and husband to one wife… which is really irrelevant because he lives only to sell you (something) on Mountain Biking. He knows more than anyone about anything on this topic. Just ask him, he will set you straight.

What does Walter do for work? Well, that really isn’t any of your business, so don’t even try to figure it out. Just remember, it’s very important.

And luckily for the group of Raptors, Walter will always be a part of the group. He may not be on time, but he will always be a part.

Gabe....

As a Mountain Biker, Gabe moved by many things....

None more than a fine scotch and a rather expensive cigar after a ride down Black Mountain’s Widow Maker.

I mean don't get me wrong, he does enjoy small babies and watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean with his smokin hot wife, but not much can compare to the sweet aroma of an aged Macallen poured neat and served outside on the sidewalk after the ride.

Go ahead, try to meet up with Gabe. But my advice, plan to take a number. Unless you’re a Raptor or an Ironman, he really has no time for you. Sorry Danny Macaskill, seems Gabes social calendar is full.

Adam...

A bona fide member of the San Diego Raptors and a trusted wheel to follow on the downhill. Just don't follow his timekeeping too closely—he has a knack for rolling into the meetup five minutes late. This might seem like a character flaw, but he prefers to think of it as building suspense for his grand entrance in his latest gasp-worthy bike transport, or vehicle.

On the trail, you will find Adam embracing every bone-jarring bump along the way. Don't be fooled by the squeaky crank or dirty chain on his lavishly expensive mountain bikes; they're part of the charm and a testament to the action they've seen.

Our adventures sometimes come with a bigger price tag (thanks to Adam’s uncanny ability to find additional thrills to amp up our trips), but he assures you, it's worth every penny and every heart-stopping moment.

If you are looking for a roommate on one of our trips, talk first to Walter, who got to enjoy a

symphony of discomfort that no one should have to endure. It could have been the bad oysters in London

or possibly haggis in Edinburgh (jury's still out on that one). We laughed, we

cried, we swore never to repeat it. Better

to let Adam room by himself (he is also a mouth breather).

You'll spot Adam not just by his careless riding style, but also by his flamboyant footgear. Yes, he is the man-child who occasionally sports different colored shoes on opposite feet because, let's face it, why not? When he throws his leg over his bike, he’s not just a middle-aged successful entrepreneur—he becomes an 8-year-old kid again, ready for adventure and camaraderie.

So, join us on the trails, bring your best jokes, and prepare for unforgettable rides and

good-natured ribbing. Just remember, while Adam’s timekeeping may be subpar, his

commitment to this group, the joy of the ride, and my Raptor brethren are

always spot on.

Max... AKA MapMax, MadMax, FloMax

Our senior member of the group is so advanced in age that he’s actually a Boomer. But his age isn’t directly proportional to his wisdom. Like many Boomers, Max thinks just because he is aware of the Dunning Kruger effect, he is immune from it. To be fair though he has some good points: He is an ardent advocate for the KOTFOL organization (Keep Our Trails Free of Lycra). In addition, he has never knowingly turned down any opportunity to quaff real ale or have a dram of single malt whisky. In his limited spare time, Max is a keen film buff - especially the more sophisticated and intellectually challenging films like Animal House. In fact, it is from the masterpiece of modern cinema that Max’s distinctive trail cry can be heard: “You f***ed up! You trusted us!”

His love of Scotland, Southern California and the the San Diego Raptors is only matched by the gap between his perceived and actual MTB skills.

Fadi...

Have you ever felt inadequate around someone? Like whatever you do, they did it better? Or at least nicer than you would…

Meet Fadi. It’s not an understatement to say his family refers to him as a savior, which is why he is really the unspoken leader of the Raptors.

Always gentle in his guidance, Fadi leads without anyone knowing they have been led. His biking knowledge surpasses that of any amateur or weekend warrior and his commitment to the Raptors is really unparalleled.

Fadi is a friend to all and a father of two. His first wife is still his current wife after 20+ years of bliss and passion only matched with that of his downhill skills.

You can find him anyday “working hard” at the C Level of the very best hospital in San Diego where you’d have to be crazy to try and leave.

Brian... AKA Macgyver, The Tinker

Meet Brian. He’s an Interstate, International Raptor. He came to age in the 80s with long hair and a lock on his bedroom door. The hair may be gone but his love for heavy-metal just doesn’t seem to fade. He’ll rock ‘n’ roll any downhill trail you can find. Just don’t ask him about clavicle hill. He never gets lost, because Map Max is there to guide him. Chasing Adam never gets old. Hacking into Walter‘s electronics may be a favorite, but this trail MacGyver is at his best when fixing bikes on the trail with abandoned car parts. When the day gets long , you’ll find him with the “three gentlemen riders” (you know who you are) bringing up the rear while Bill and Kevin will already be cleaned up and ready for the next ride. If you see a hill, coming make sure you’re in arms reach of Samer. And if you’re ever feeling bad about yourself, just remember Gabe’s smile and enthusiasm at grenade drop. I hear two out of three ain’t bad, but it would be nice if someone could remind me, “what happened again?“

Trail motto: If you never wreck, you’re not riding hard enough. But you don’t always have to ride hard”

PSA: missing Raptor. Goes by Tom. If seen send a call “R-A-P-T-O-R-S!”

Samer... AKA The Mayor

Ladies and gentlemen of the universe! Allow me to introduce with some trumpet fanfare, none other than Mayor Samer, the doctor! The man who can check your heart, lungs, and reflexes before you managed to say 'Co-pay.' Stay classy, healthcare world.

Dr. Samer, by day, is your pretty standard middle-aged medical marvel, saving lives with his genius diagnostics, his incisive intellect slicing through medical mysteries like crotchety coronary arteries through a rich man's last will and testament.

A medical maestro, who dominates the industry with his scintillating white coat, that even George Clooney in his ER prime would be envious of... and let's face it folks, Clooney envy is a real thing.

Now, the good doctor doesn't just don white coats and merengue through his office hallways. He also knows how to unwind. By day, healer of humankind; by night, rider of gravel. Dr. Samer trades his doctor's bag for the handlebars of his gravel bike, chewing through the weekday miles, leaving behind a trail of awe and the fragile egos of much younger men.

But, here's where it gets juicy, folks! Come weekends, our friend Samer pulls the ol' switcheroo. He absconds with his mountain bike (we'll call her 'Mighty Matilda') to wild, uncharted territories with a bunch of rowdy comrades, THE RAPTORS. This group of biking mavericks is so secret that even the Illuminati's begging to be on the waiting list.

Apparently, Dr. Samer has sworn an oath of silence about this gang of pedal-pushers to his gravel crew, causing more intrigue than a soap opera marathon. But fret not, that's Samer – multi-layered, charmingly deceptive, with a side of hilarious that'll have you keeled over in splits while he's checking your splits.

In the vast network of human connections, Dr. Samer stands as a titan, a central hub, a node where people and stories connect. If Kevin Bacon thinks six degrees of separation are challenging, he hasn't met our Dr. Samer!

So, there you have it folks! Dr. Samer - the heartthrob healer, the pedal-pushing patriot, the lord of laughter, the man with connections that'd turn LinkedIn green with envy.

Kevin...

A Conundrum on Two Wheels!

Hidden amidst the rejuvenating solitude of Poway’s lonely road to the canyons and ironically a stone's throw from town vibrates a mystery, a Raptor named Kevin. A middle-aged man with an untraceable occupation, he sits comfortably between the familiar clamor of locality and the intriguing silence of a life 'off-the-grid'. A seasoned mountain biker, he navigates life much like his biking trails - with intensity, precision, and an inexplicable sense of thrill.

Kevin's four boys, have inherited their father's audacious spirit. Through the dense undergrowth of the forest and along jagged mountain slopes, they've crafted a labyrinth of biking trails, a testament to their endless enthusiasm and adventurous lineage. Kevin's wife remains a grounding force in his life, pulling him back from his adrenaline-fueled exploits enough to prevent complete abandonment of worldly norms.

But what adds intrigue to this otherwise quaint family is the mystery that enshrouds Kevin's profession. Yes he is a Raptor, but what else is he?

It's as if it's an unspoken code of the Raptors, Kevin and his job outside of ruling the mountain are mutually exclusive topics.

No one has ever seen him make the typical morning commute, yet the family lives comfortably. He is often found tinkering with bike chains or painting vivid stories through his tire tracks on the rugged terrain, but never in a constricting business suit, navigating the murky waters of corporate bureaucracy.

Perhaps a low-key inventor, an acclaimed author under a pseudonym, or maybe a remote consultant in a high charging industry. No one knows!

Yet, Kevin has always kept a tranquil smile on his face, leaving the Raptors curiosity unsatiated.

Despite the many question marks that populate his profile, there's one narrative that's unanimously agreed upon - when it comes to mountain biking, Kevin is a force to be reckoned with. His name is whispered in awed tones when tales of his biking prowess are spun.

And yet, maybe it's the not 'knowing' that makes the story of Kevin, intriguing. Perhaps it's the living proof that a man can still lived unplugged from the well-trodden path and be happy. Maybe, in the end, the less we know about Kevin, the more we understand the essence of life - unpredictable, adventurous and best lived off the beaten path.