July 6th Rides

Did about 3 miles of fire trail/single track. I am completely beginner at mountain but really want to do it. DH just picked up a new mountain bike today and I know he loves it more than road. If I ever get over my fear of broken bones I might just like it. We also went yesterday, I am learning but really timid. It will never be my first choice I fear.

I did one of my first real errands out my way on the bike today as opposed to a joy ride. I'm overhauling my mt bike and I needed a 14 mm socket with thin walls, to start taking the crank off. I have a 14, but the walls are too thick. I said I'll be darned if I'm gonna take the car out for an errand like that. So I biked over to Gardner to the nearest hardware store near me. I biked round-trip 28 miles to pick up one 14 mm socket. The socket did the trick though. The people in the store were totally amazed that I lived where I did and biked "as far" as I did to do this errand. They have no idea there is a whole biking world out there. I saved one gallon of gas.

I'm just recovery from a little tendonitis I had from pedals with too much float so I was a little hesitant going too far as I didn't want to re-injure. I couldn't bear not riding so I really babied myself. I just spun real easy and stayed in the small ring on any hills or inclines. My average was slow but I didn't care - protect those knees - I was rehab-ing. I have a new pedal setup. I just got some new first time road shoes - carbon. With Look Keo's. I love the platform pedal and I love the carbon shoes. It's all very comfortable and my feet feel very stable. Before they were slopping around too much. So far tonight ankles and knees feel good.

Burke - as in VT and mtb?

love it there!!

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

Took SKnot's Kona Smoke (which I think is too small for him now, but fits me great!) for a 30 mile errand run to the LBS for assorted parts and tools and a sexy road rack for my Surly. (I'd borrowed the Smoke's rack for the last year or so, and it just doesn't fit right... but I was too cheap to buy a road bike rack until now!) Came home with a wide and unwieldy load, but the Smoke is such a workhorse that I really didn't have any trouble.

The Burke-Gilman MUT was an absolute madhouse. Bikes, walkers, dogs, kids, weekend warriors, the whole kit and kaboodle! Saw a dude with his helmet on backwards and tipped onto the very back of his skull. Saw a chickie with a beautiful shiny new Dutch bike. She was VERY upright on that critter and you could see her sticking up way above the crowd. She looked like a terrified giraffe.

Sunny and breezy and a great day for a ride.

(I think the Smoke is gonna be an Xtracycle someday. I was sorta testing her out for that today... fine and dandy!)

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PN - thanks for helping him out. I hope you're feeling better!

AA - You'll get it. A mountain biking guru once told me: you have to get smooth before your get fast. :)

MM - Congrats on your errand! What a great story!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

Baby steps!

fire road is actually a great place to start...

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Originally Posted by Aggie_Ama

Did about 3 miles of fire trail/single track. I am completely beginner at mountain but really want to do it. DH just picked up a new mountain bike today and I know he loves it more than road. If I ever get over my fear of broken bones I might just like it. We also went yesterday, I am learning but really timid. It will never be my first choice I fear.

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I am going to admit something...

i never read through the rides of the day before...and now that i am -

i LOVE IT! SO fun! :D

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Originally Posted by LBTC

PN - thanks for helping him out. I hope you're feeling better!......

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Ya, I'm fine, thanks. I'm a tough old nut.

I just spoke to the man I "helped". He's home resting. The docs did an MRI and ECG, but couldn't really find an obvious cause. Heat and dehydration played a part, but they're also referring him to a neurologist because they think he may even have had a little TIA as well. :eek: Sure glad he went to the hospital.