Got To Take the New 29er Out

Today was the first day I've really have had a chance to take my new 29er out for a proper ride in the dirt. I went with a guy who knows the trails well and where they all are.

 
We stated out easy enough with a quick 5 miles on the road to the trail head. This trail was pretty flat and wide. Being a rookie Ted thought this would be a good way to get to know the new ride and break into dirt riding. This was an absolute ball with some man made obstacles, trees to cross and just enough moisture in the dirt for good bite. I enjoyed this 5 miles of back woods a lot.

 
The next 15 miles was anything but easy. Lot of granny gear steep climbs, lots of rocks, lot of roots and big trees and tight steep downhill turns. This section was hard, slow, fast and rugged. I tried to ride slow on the downhill's as much as I could but still found trouble.

 
Crash number one happen on a tight turn heading back up hill. I was in a low gear and hit a root which caused my back wheel to bounce causing my forward motion to stop and over I went. Crash number two was three feet later as I was trying to get going again spinning out on the wet rocks. That drew a bit of blood when I bounced off the big rock. I didn't feel too bad because a guy who had entered the trail right in front of us there and was having the same problem. Crash number three was trying to cross a stair step over a tree. Not going very fast at all but just wasn't square and the bike slid off the side of the tree and on my butt I landed with a nice Cat 5 tattoo to add insult. 

Crash number four was on a rough downhill and I'm trying to go easy but clipped a tree with the left end of the handlebar. That spill tossed me down a small embankment with mud covering my right leg just for good measure. How I didn't get hurt in that one is small miracle.

All this abuse to me and the new bike never even so much as suffered a scratch that I can tell. That might change as I wash all of the mud off it later. But quick inspections on the trails after each get off didn't show any damage. It still rode and shifted just fine which is more than I can say about the rider. I've got a hunch tomorrow morning is going to feel like the first day of high school football practice.

All in all 20 miles of mud, rocks, roots, trees, hills and water crossings and I had an absolute blast. But man was it hard riding. 50 miles on my road bike is much easier!

fasthair

Am I The Last One?

OK am I just an old fuddy duddy or what? I ask because I’m not on Facebook and it seems like everyone else and their mother is. I’ve got friends and family all who harp on me to join. To be honest I just don’t see what the big deal is. What am I missing here?  Am I just being stubborn because I can’t stand that snot nosed brat Zuckerberg? That smug ass just rubs me wrong in so many ways. Are you on Facebook?

While I’m asking questions. Here is another thing that rubs me wrong, Apple. I can’t stand that smug ass company either. I must admit though I’ve been harboring a desire to buy the new iPad. My biggest distaste for the company other than the worlds worst software for Windows, yes I’m talking about that shit software iTunes, is the smug ass fan boys that seem to think if you don’t have a Mac and an iPhone and all iThings that you are some how stupid for “putting up” with Windows. Just a FYI. I like Windows and I couldn’t run my business without it because the software I use all day long doesn’t work on a Mac or even available for that matter on a Mac. Since you don’t have to have that crapware on your PC now to sync the iPad I’m really starting to think about getting one. So who has an iPad? 

Gosh it seems like I’m on a rant today. OK fine since I am.

Google, what the hell? What have you done to my browser? I don’t care how many times I’ve told Chrome to use Google as my homepage you insist on opening the last page I had open when I closed the browser. While that’s not that big of deal it’s annoying as hell. Another thing Google since you are on my shit list today. Why do you keep populating my Google+ Stream page with content from other people I don’t even know or who aren’t even in my circles for that matter? Don’t you think if I wanted to know these people I would seek them out on my own?  The real pisser is these posts can pop up in the archives days, weeks or even months later. Would you please stop it, it’s really starting to piss me off. Don’t force me to delete all things Google in my life because I really like my Android phone and would hate to think I have to have a damn iPhone because than I would have to have the crapware iTunes on my PC again and I think you know how I feel about that! Another question Google if you will. What the hell happen to Blogger? Why is it I can’t comment on my friends blogs anymore? Every time I type a comment and hit post it disappears into cyberspace never to see it post regardless how many times I type it. I wanted to comment on Ms. M’s blog yesterday but you just refused to post it. Stop it already! You’re really starting to act like that snot nosed brat Zucherbrug!

OK now I feel better :)

fasthair