| Re: Cyclocross Ride
In article <s9jd309muvph9u8a7hdo6lfojmmkggfest@4ax.com>, luigi12081
@cox.net says...
> was balmy again today like yesterday, so I saddled up the Jamis for a
> ride. Being early in the season, and being unsure of my legs, I
> didn't want to venture too far from home, so I find my rides these
> days less the daylight-burning point-to-point rides of the summer than
> meandering up a variety of hills and rises in town. Mapped, they
> would probably look like one of Billy's errands in "The Family
> Circus."
>
> There is a little-used network of gravel trails in my town, stretching
> for about five miles or so, interconnecting with a county-maintained
> trail. I've always been kind of sniffy about most recreational
> trails, as they tend to meander. But being in a meandering mood, I
> decided to explore some of the gravel trails here in my town.
>
> I pulled my bike off the main road and onto the trails. It was the
> middle of the day, and I shared them only with a few good-natured
> dog-walkers and birdwatchers. Some went uphill, some went down, some
> were level. All were hardpacked dirt or sand or gravel. My 32mm
> tires did fine, and I discovered a positive to my considerable on-bike
> bulk: excellent traction uphill. Mostly in the middle ring. Heard
> birdsong, saw cardinals. Jarred my way through to the end of state
> maintenance and decided to see just how far I could go into the
> improvised trail that went into the woods.
>
> Not far at all, it seemed. Mud here was deep--all the way to the
> spoke nipples--and smooth tires don't grip too well in those
> conditions. Many dismounts. No running: CX racers have the benefit
> of knowing the course. I had no clue where I was. I should have
> known I was in for trouble when the only tracks I saw were dog prints
> and 2.5 inch tires. I thought briefly of the mountain bike at the
> pawnshop, and thought better of it--too many bikes already.
>
> I turned for home and did a few hills. Maybe with a surfiet of
> enthusiasm.
>
> Fourteen miles on the day. There will be more miles on other
> mornings. I'm still getting the muck out of my drivetrain. And the
> soreness out of my legs. And the smile off my face.
That last one will be tough <Grin>. Nice story!
--
Dave Kerber
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