Monday started with 4 riders shrunk down to 3 riders started the ride with 2 riders and I finished solo. But this was all due to happenstance no unfortunate events or anything of the sort. At first Aaron, Bryan, Tyler and I had planned to ride, but due to a school project Aaron was out. As it turns out Bryan was in a meeting with one of his officers and couldn't make the start time but its all good Tyler came out and could only ride the first part of the trail since he had to go back for class but he still made it out so I wouldn't be lonely.
Tyler and I started up the Dow Lake trail from the usual meeting spot near the beach. I let him lead since I was on the SS today for the Retro Monday ride and he was on his full suspension. I didn't want him to be held up by my slipping tires since that seems to happen alot. We did a nice warm-up pace with some power into the first steep climbs which Tyler was feeling shortly after that but he kept trucking along. Luckily we had some rolling downhills to ease the pain. After making our way through the first two sections of technical trail we ended up down at the Lake View Trail. Tyler decided that it would be best if he headed back to the cars so he didn't miss his entire class.
I started on my solo trek up the longer section of trail towards the dam. As I attacked the hills I soon found out that switch bike geometries is not a good idea for longer rides. The Cove is set up as a Long Travel Trail Bike (LTT) and the SS is a Cross Country Bike (XC). With different angles and body positions I started to get some pains in my back but all that soon subsided due to other pains. Pushing up the hills had really started to take it's toll and I was getting a deep deep burn so deep that it had moved up my thigh and into my hips (probably due again to the geometry).
I finally got past the point of pain and rounded one of the last climbs to hear the sounds of the Highway nearby signaling only a mile or so to go. This is also the start of the downhill section. It seems that all the trails around here start with a major uphill, have a rolling middle and end with a major downhill. This would be the same if you rode it in reverse. The only unfortunate event of the day ended up being my first major wreck of the year. Well it was more like my front wheel slipping and me ejecting from the bike over the handle bars. Fortunately I was okay, only the bike had it's stem move a little but no big deal I just kept it straight and finished the ride back to the jeep on the Lake View trail.
I ended the ride and only my legs wished for some more gears and my back for some more suspension. I wouldn't give up the SS for anything it is a real skill builder as well as a great training tool. My legs might have been sore but it really helped with my power and keeps you pushing past the bail-out point on climbs. Plus it makes you feel like a kid again I just need to start investing a little bit into the bike to make it a more capable machine.
Ride planned for tomorrow and the day after and well most likely the day after that. Hopefully we can get a few more new guys out to experience a little Johnivation.
Willis out!
