Sun is Out

5:15 AM alarm goes off... hit the singletrack by 6:00 after a warmup ride up the bluff. Other folks had the same idea. It's the start of summer and the sun is out at 5:00 AM, making pre-work rides easier this time of year.

I had the day off, so I rode the whole loop and back home by 8:00.

First ride on the new Ergon grips. I am liking these grips - they take the pressure off of my hands. No more ache after the first 15 minutes. Also switched to a Bonty Big Sweep bar, not sure but this may be too wide at 640mm. Wonder if it can be cut down?

Next up, new seatpost needed so that I can take the current post as the "tag-along" post and permanently install the trail a bike hitch kit there.

Not sure if I am getting faster, but I am feeling better.

Close

Survived the first time trial of the season - improved my time by over 4 minutes from last year - only about a minute off my goal time for this summer. Not bad for a "slug" rider not seriously training. I guess I really don't like racing that much, but it was a good challenge. I've got to get more base miles in, my HR was too high for the entire loop.

The good news is that I am finally feeling comfortable on the 29er. Steering is acceptable, getting over logs and rocks is great. I'm learning to not use the brakes as much and just let the bike do the work. The wheels are pretty heavy and I can really feel it when climbing up the rollers, but I'm not going to complain. Overall the bike isn't that much heavier than my old Stumpjumper.

Some photos coming soon of bad house ideas the previous owners had. Like using fiber board to seal up the dryer vent. I really don't like fixing their past mistakes, everything takes 3 times longer than it should - not that I know what I'm doing anyway.