There’s nothing quite like the rush of hitting the top of a climb on your mountain bike. When you reach the precipice and look down at the trail before you, there’s only one possible outcome: pure, unadulterated fun. As you bomb down the hill with reckless abandon, the lush green of Louisiana cypress trees rushes by your face in a blur. You carve into turns like a wild beast in its natural habitat and navigate the trail like a seasoned cartographer on an expedition. Only the slight fear of the technical terrain keeps your senses grounded as you blister through your descent to the end of the trail. When you think of Louisiana, odds are that your mind doesn’t immediately jump to mountain biking, but our great state has some truly amazing trails. Here are three of them you’ll want to ride. Sam Houston Jones State Park While most people head north from Oakdale for mountain biking, taking a 65-mile trip south to Lake Charles is just as good. Sam Houston Jones State Park offers up some amazing trails where both beginners and experts can have a blast. Some of the single-track trail takes you along the west fork of the Calcasieu River, providing magnificent scenery to go along with the awesome trails. There are so many rumors about jury duty that it can be difficult to know which ones are true. Here are three of the most popular speculations, debunked. Admitting Bias Will Ensure Your Dismissal If you admit that you are biased when you serve jury duty, it does not guarantee your dismissal. In fact, a judge cannot dismiss you for being biased — but an attorney can. In addition, attempting to portray yourself as a biased person can put you in a troubling situation. Attorneys and judges have been selecting jurors for a long time and know when someone is lying to them. Your best bet will be to give honest answers to the questions they ask. No Voting, No Jury Duty According to another circulating myth, if you aren’t registered to vote, you don’t have to serve jury duty. Many people believe this myth because voting enters you into the jury duty pool, but there are other means by which citizens are chosen. Other ways you’re entered into the pool include buying a home, paying taxes, and getting a driver’s license. Even if you aren’t registered to vote, you’re still liable to be summoned. JURY DUTY MYTHS Summoned to Court
Serving Jury Duty Will Get You Fired If you’re worried about getting fired by serving jury duty, you can take a breather. Your employer cannot fire you once you’ve been selected for jury service. In fact, if your boss threatens to fire you for it, they will face the penalties, which include fines and even jail time. Many employers know and understand this, but if yours doesn’t, you can submit a file of complaint to the trial court administrator, and they will take care of the rest for you. The system to select jurors has been around for a while, and those involved know what they’re doing. It’s best to go in with an open mind and be completely honest. After all, it is your civic duty to do so.
LOUISIANA’S BEST-KEPT OUTDOOR SECRET
Chicot State Park For those looking for something less than a daylong expedition, there’s no denying Chicot State Park has some fantastic options. The trail is a bit of a challenge, but not because it requires expert maneuverability. Totaling 23 miles, the single-track trail is a long jaunt for novice riders. However, the second you barrel across one of the narrow wooden bridges famous to the park, the adrenaline jolt should help get you through the long distance. Kincaid Lakeshore Trail If you’re not afraid of a little climbing, the trails surrounding Kincaid Reservoir are a must. From banked turns to elongated downhill stretches, the trails in this area are some of Louisiana’s finest. With the option to connect to more leisurely rides in the area, the 45-minute trip north is perfect for riders of all abilities. Bring your bathing suit, because when you’re done biking, you’ll want to hop in the water.
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