May rides, may they all be wonderful

[north woods gal]

Thank heavens the forum is back. I know we're a small group as forums go, but I really, really missed not being able to chat with everyone. I missed you guys.

My news while the forum was down is that I've fallen in love with my single speed and the whole single speed concept. The Gunnar SS really is the finest bike I'ver ever owned. Now well over 100 miles on the pavement with it, about 20 or so on the trail. Been riding it everyday at least a little, often alternating with one of the other bikes.

Out on the pavement I can climb my hilliest sections on my route with the gearing I now have on the Gunnar. I was not expecting this because I do have some sections that are nothing but hills for miles, not a level spot anywhere. Oh, I really have to work at it and, for sure, it's been a learning experience as far as technique needed. Very satisfying to do these hills my with only one gear, though. The amazing thing is that my average speed on the hilly routes is the same and even better than with the geared bikes. This I did not expect, either. Who knew? The reason I can do better with the single speed is that I really have to hit the climbs early and hard to maintain my momentum. Can't get lazy and wait till I'm well into a climb and just drop down to another gear and just spin up the hill, as with a regular bike. In other words, I'm getting up the hills faster on the single speed. Really have no choice. On the level sections I can maintain a very pleasant 12 mph for an average speed, even with a good head wind.

Much harder to ride my trails in one gear, believe me. Have to do MUCH more standing on the pedals. Still, I can climb my steepest sections, but it takes it's toll. Half an hour on my regular laps is about it, for now. And here I thought I was in good shape. Whoa!

Okay, call me crazy, but I figured why not have one single speed (the Gunnar) for road work and one with lower gearing for trail work? Sooo ... traded in two of my five fat bikes (a couple of Norcos) and had my local shop order that Log Lady steel single speed, today. Good thing, because I got the last medium LL in the country. The Log Lady will be my dedicated trail single with a bit easier to manage gearing for trail work. Won't be ready for awhile, but that's okay.

Anyway, glad to be back.