So, after all the agonizing about shifting in the front ring, I managed to sneak out of work early to ride. There's a cold front moving in; today the high according to my car was above 80; tomorrow it's supposed to be 40 and snowing. I wasn't the only person hustling to get some tracks in before the weather turned.

I went to a familiar trail (Heil) and ....

Well. I don't know if it's the indoor soccer all winter (but just once a week), the rock climbing, or eliminating gluten from my diet -- but -- wow. Uphill for me is usually a baby-granny struggle, complete with sandpaper throat from the rasping breathing. Half my biffs are usually because I'm so tired that I just kind of ... stop pedaling for an obstacle, and then I take advantage of the biff to take a break and breathe.

Today, though, today -- wow. Sure, I was working, but I wasn't dying. I wasn't in my baby granny the whole time, and when I was, it actually felt easier. I did an extended uphill stretch with lots of loose rock in my middle ring. Sure, I biffed a few obstacles, but very often I just upped the pedaling, changed my body position, and kept on going. (Yay full suspension.)

Not only do I love my Ellsworth again -- I love mountain biking in a whole new way! Climbing doesn't have to be torture -- film at 11!