Yes! Finally enjoyed a ride!

[alleyoop]

You are doing great!

You know, MTB has been a kind of two-steps-forward, one-step-back sort of deal for me, too. I will have some sucesses and then all of a sudden freak out on stuff that I had been able to do before. Maybe it is just the nature of learning the sport, I guess. Hang in there! I have ridden with you and seriously, you are rockin' it! Focas on the obstacles that you ARE doing and just try to enjoy the trail a bit.

I had an AWESOME ride with my DH yesterday that I thought we should do. We started at the Hill of Life, some great downhill practice (which is what scares me, so it is good for me). But then we rode the upper green belt, which is pretty, nearly smooth, quiet and a lovely easy ride. Of course, you have to end with going UP the Hill of Life. But in some ways, it is so hard it is just comical. A nice walk. We should try it!

Are you going to the Nut tonight for RLAG?

[Aggie_Ama]

I had an AWESOME ride with my DH yesterday that I thought we should do. We started at the Hill of Life, some great downhill practice (which is what scares me, so it is good for me). But then we rode the upper green belt, which is pretty, nearly smooth, quiet and a lovely easy ride. Of course, you have to end with going UP the Hill of Life. But in some ways, it is so hard it is just comical. A nice walk. We should try it!

Are you going to the Nut tonight for RLAG?

I would love to do that ride sometime, for all the sore muscles after the greenbelt I really enjoyed it. Of course I told my husband that was just a mean trail for a hard tail. He agreed. D

H scared the bejeezus out of me describing the HOL but I will have to face it sooner or later if I want to be a mountain biker here! Downhill does scare me but less than going uphill, which is odd.

BTW- I sent you C's email in case your husband ever wants to torture him with Thumper. LOL.

I am so slammed at work I didn't even bring my bike with me today because I didn't think I would have any energy to go to RLAG. Last night I was feeling unready for a group ride, just so run down from working a lot last week. I should have brought it since it is a long way out to my house to get it.

Have you ever gone to the Sunday rides with ARR at the Nut? I just don't know if I am ready for a group ride mentally (yet!).

[alleyoop]

I have not tried the RR rides... though one time I did intend to and chickened out when I got there, rode alone instead. I had heard that they have a more guy-ish ride (go as fast as possible, stop as little as possible) feel to them.

The RLAG rides are different, very supportive of new riders. You will have NO PROBLEMS at a Walnut RLAG ride. Really. Seriously. Trust me. There are plenty of girls that are new, have fears. The ride leaders stop and talk you through all the technical sections. It is easy-peasy compared to what you have been working on with your hubby.

The HoL wasn't as hard as people made it out to be. Or maybe it is, but I just allowed myself to walk and didn't beat myself up about it. The riding in the middle is kick-*** though, so it is definately worth it to go down and back up.

I will hand off the email to DH... hopefully the weather will hold and they can do Thumper soon.

Hang in! -Heather

[Aggie_Ama]

Heather- Thanks for telling me about the ride. I had fun, the group leaders were wonderful. I think I am not quite ready for primetime on the group riding. Our little pack of 7 was too much for me but I still am glad I came. I will likely come next week.

I felt like a total dope not being able to climb some basic hills. And then the unspectacular crash in front of about 10 guys at the top Powerline hill, well that was just embarrassing. And the bruises are just UGLY. Icing on the cake is 9/10 I do not have to put a foot down on that climb at all. Nothing broken, no confidence lost. I will be back out soon.

I was pretty fatigued and the group dynamics are something new. When we were strung out it was good, in a close pack it was a bit unnerving. After the winter I should be screaming along for RLAG!

[Miranda]

It is really nice when you get something to click... I feel the same way. On the pedals, I have the double sided Shimanos M505, but not single release spds cleats. I think those (singles) are the 51s. I think mine are 55s or 56s. These are multi-release. Meaning you can pull you foot any direction (other than straight up) to release. That, in combination with soft set tension, I think helps. Just a cheaper alternative to try before going to a whole new pedal system. I think they sell the multi-releases here on TE. I have them on my Keen commuter sandles as well.

EDIT: Yep, still sold here on TE atm... here's a link to the product (note the pic on the package of the foot releasing in angular directions, vs just horizontally)

http://www.teamestrogen.com/prodSN_SH56.html