Thanks for the shout out and especially for the donation, very much appreciated!
YW - good cause. Nice job with your fund raising!
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So last Sunday's jinxed mtb ride with Mike&Dave found me wallowing through simple rocks, and messing up roots and logovers.
It was a real out-of-body type thing, kindofa who is this guy driving the bike. Yeah i can't get through the monster rock gardens at SMP,
but these aren't those - body too far forward, and OTB in slow-mo, even after seeing/feeling it coming and trying to pull the tire out - basic stuff.
1. lack of confidence - butchered a bunch of CR last time - stuff that i usually ride.
2. still think about my crash 10 months ago
3. the anthem seems a bit long - the paragon seems a bit short...
4. legs didn't feel terrible
5. first move when there was trouble was to unclip, rather than balance/recover.
anyway,
@Norm mentioned earlier this year, that to get faster on the trails, ya gotta ride the trails. I did not seize the opportunity, and probably
rode the least amount of off-road in 3 summers. So, it is time to do something about that.
Had a meeting in Edison this morning, it was quick, and easy. Took the opportunity to swing by
@KStwenty1's house, and pick
up the fruits of his garden. A massive amount of Habanero chili peppers - and a hab+peach+mango jam. I've got some crazy
ideas, and they are going to be picante.
yesterday, Fixed the 29r HT, and threw it in the back of the truck. Took that for a quick loop around donaldson park - for some reason,
i thought that was near the rutgers environmental area - otherwise, i would have done my test in johnson park. cool little park tho, it has the
raritan going through it, and isn't far from the bay - thinking about doing some fishing off the shore there. cause i bet some serious fish sneak up the river.
so drove back to the REA, and rode around for 45 minutes. Some of the trails are drainage 'ditches' so won't be good after a rain. there is one tricky climb, but the rest is nice and fast (er, yeah)
Then did a canal side loop at 6mr. matched my pr, and had fun doing it. even left a bit of time out there with a few dabs (cleared all of forbidden red tho - the trail goes around the roots now)
Was feeling good, and of course have Chris
@Schilling on my mind, so headed over to SMP. Last time I got to ride with him was there, and he and
@woody were encouraging to the group
of mortals in tow. Suffered through the stuff that those guys make look so easy. Went a bit slower, and more deliberate. That provided the confidence to stay clipped in, balance, recover, continue.
When i have more time, i'll go and do repeats on the couple of sections which "i can't ride" - but know it can be done.
about 20 miles on the mtb today. i'll take it.
I'm trying to work out going to hippo cx this saturday - hope i can swing it!
