09/16/2026
PART 3 OF 3
NOT EXPERTS. JUST STUBBORN.
A few crashes, some blood, one broken rib, and five guys who made it to the Kern River anyway.
After the heat, the rocks, the falls and the long descent, getting into that ice cold river felt about as good as anything could have.
But there was another part of the story I hadn't expected.
I had started this trip as the outsider. Joe was an old friend, but I had only met the rest of these guys two nights before.
By the time we reached the bottom, I didn't feel much like the new guy anymore.
The faster riders had spent the day stopping and waiting for us to catch up. Everybody got knocked around to one degree or another, and we ultimately came off that mountain together.
There was quite a bit of Scotch afterward, plenty of toasting, and a lot of camaraderie. After surviving the Cannell Plunge together, I felt like I had been accepted into the group.
Five older guys. Five e-bikes. A questionable decision or two.
Get the full system: ExtremeMist Misting Hydration Backpack —
https://www.extrememist.com/products/extrememist%C2%AE-misting-hydration-backpack-with-2l-reservoir-personal-cooling-system
Already have a hydration pack? Add misting with the Retrofit Kit —
https://www.extrememist.com/products/retrofit-kit
