Mountain Bike Mamma
October 27, 2006
Today brought my first group bicycle ride, which was also my first real trail ride. It was fantastic! What a great ride! Wooohooooo! I have never done anything like it, and I looooooved it! There were 5 of us: leader Anne, Johanna, a man named Steve, and another whose name escapes me. Johanna was the next least experienced rider after me, but still numerous miles ahead. Anne and the guys are into it big-time. One even rides a single-gear. Everybody was very nice, giving me room, encouragement, tips and verbal pats on the back. Todd from the shop brought my bike--which I had dropped off for a major tune-up--and told me I can call in the payment later.
I did logs! I rode my bike over logs! It was soooooooooo fun! What a challenge, though. Keep weight off the front wheel and pull up on approach, then, while in the air, shift weight back onto the seat and push on the handle bars to stabilize the rear end as it goes over.
It is good that I had not seen the course in advance, or I might have chickened out. It was unbelievable terrain: steep hills, gravel, creeks, logs, switchbacks, hillside trails a foot wide with steep drop-offs, logs, little bridges, big patches of rumbly roots, large rocks, boggy spots, logs (did I say logs?), you name it. I traversed all but the last big, steep hill. Also had trouble with two of the logs, and had to kick off on banks a couple other times, but kept up with the group for the most part.
Oh, but I'm going to be sore. I did more braking and gripping in an hour than I normally do in a week. It was great exercise. You'll be happy to know that I cut out early, eschewing the second trail--despite my urge to keep going--so I would be sure not to over do it. There will be more rides.
The shop did a great job tuning up my bike; it is clean and shifts beautifully now. I'm happy. But I sure do stink.
© 2006 Shay Seaborne. All rights reserved.
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