28 July 2009 - 2:21It’s on

Not just some catchy ad slogan, but also my “re-training” for SSWC09. The knee has been a terrible set back, and a sad reminder that I’m not getting any younger. Now I need to be a bit more serious about my physical health if I intend to ride bikes much longer.

I plan on starting out very slow until I get my strength back, and ramping up from there.

The short stints on the Rocky have been helpful in keeping my legs somewhat used to pedaling, but now it is time for the lungs to get to know the legs, on Kermit. With the weather cooperating for a change, Maggs, Aaron and myself took off to a seldom ridden and somewhat “misty” collection of trails after work, for some single speed fun.

The ride begins with a biggish pavement climb, Maggs not even breaking a sweat with his 34-19t gearing, Aaron is churning the cranks over on his 32-20, and I’m barely keeping up with Aaron who isn’t even breathing hard with my 35-21. But I’m keeping up with Aaron! It isn’t like you really have  a choice on the SS, you make it or you don’t. I was making it, despite feeling slightly hypoxic. Probably very similar to what I’ll be feeling in the thin air of south west Colorado.

Once we got to the single track, things lightened up a bit. I was warmed up, still frightfully out of breath, but otherwise ready to go. Mandy, Keiran and Seamus met us up there so we could hopefully get some good riding pictures while the light was good.

Seamus was a happy dog as he got to tear about the place like some sort of wild beast. He was in his element.

For those that don’t know, it has been raining non stop since Memorial Day. The trails we usually ride are pretty much trashed, and will take a long time to dry out. I’m doing my best at staying off them, but I need to ride, and I need to ride on trails. This secret stash is great, because only a few people know about it. The rocks are still deadly slick with moss and condensation, and the trails are very primitive compared to what we have on Perry Hill. DA had twisted his ankle up here a couple of years ago, and ripped the head tube badge off his SIR9 during the same incident, and it was dry then.

I consider it a great way to get my skills sharp, much like Rocky did in Rocky IV. Time to get serious, without all the BS like gears and suspension that make riding “easy”…

We got a few pictures taken before the light was pretty much gone. Then we rode around and explored for a bit, but by then, the ole’ trick knee started actin’ up, and we decided to hit the road and go back to my house. I had burped a tire because I let out a whole bunch of air. Racing Ralphs are no good on mossy rocks unless you run them at 22 psi. You can’t catch air with 22 psi in your tires if you are a big kid like me…

It felt really good to get out and ride, but I have a long way to go.