Good luck with the IronGirl next summer, MDHillSlug! That's a great goal.
I know several folks who have done it. I told them I'd love to do it, if I ran or swam! I'm kind of a one act show, here.
I don't have a ride of my own to report here today - I went to church today to say a prayer for my dad, gone 3 years this tuesday, and then spent the rest of the a.m. planting daffodil bulbs. Between yesterday and today, I think I put about 150-200 in the ground! I already can't wait for Spring, even tho' I just got some new ski pants from REI for the winter!
I did want to report on my DH's ride today, however. He recently upgraded the bottom linkage on his mtb - an '03 Klein Palomino Race. The frame design is the Maverick 7, and it's very highly regarded as a do-anything dual suspension trail bike. However, in order to keep the price reasonable, Klein spec'ed a rear triangle linkage using bushings, versus the bearings that Maverick (and Seven) uses. Maverick recently developed a retro-fit kit for the Kleins, and DH jumped at the chance to eliminate the problems that the bushings pose (namely, a squirrely back end and some maintenance issues).
Night and day, he said. He's been on a total high from his ride today. He's been grinning ear-to-ear. A very happy-Zen day for him in the woods with a buddy of his. He said he couldn't believe the stuff he cleared today (and seeing the scrape on his knee, I didn't want to know what he was doing!) and was totally happy with the bike's - and his - performance.
Now he wants me to do the same to MY Klein Palomino. I'm hesitant, as it would make the bike the most expensive bike I never ride. I'd like to get back in the woods. Maybe this winter, if we don't get any snow, we'll take the mtb's out a bit.
...maybe...