Trail work & SS at Freedom

The EVMA was working on a new trail at Freedom Park, so LD and I loaded up the rakes and bikes and headed out early Saturday morning. Since it was my turn to drive, my rigid and hardtail bikes would come out and play. I like my Suburban, 3 bikes, 2 people, our gear, all inside. Gas mileage... whats that?

The weather was a perfect for trail work mid 50's. With about 25 people we split up into groups and started looking for the little flags leading off into the woods. Penny took a group to do a bench cut at the entrance from the fire road, which turned out really good. One group started at the end of the trail and worked backwards, while we short cutted to the middle and started raking. Right away I took out my aggression on some saplings that were too close to the trail. Using the Maddox, I was able to dig them up, roots and all. Larry likes to rake. Clyde showed up and tried to steal my thunder, but I would have none of it, he would have to rake. After the slaughter of countless hardwoods, 3 hours of work, 2 Cliffbars, and 1 bottle of water, we wanted to ride!
Wanting to try the SS everywhere, it got first ride. Freedom is much more SS friendly than expected. The downhills are not too tore up, uphills are not too steep, roots are not too exposed. Larry and I took off on the old trail, soon to catch Pat Hurley, who was riding with his wife. Soon Pat asked to let "us" by. "What do you mean "us"?" I said, "Your supposed to be riding with your wife." Without reply Pat accelerated and we pursued. With 15lbs in the front tire this time, the ride was much better, but I can tell rolling resistance is high. This bike is not about speed, its about having fun and getting a workout, both of which I did. We all stopped to look at a new drop put into the trail by Mike Benton. I rolled it, and Pat pussed out, so we made him lead again. He claimed he was going to slow down. I knew this was a trick. I stuck to his wheel the rest of the lap.
Knowing the new trail was really soft, I pulled out the geared bike. This trail is fun. It will be great when its finished. Lots of variety on this one! Cant wait to get back this weekend.

How 'bout this weather?

Is this really January? Is this global warming? Don't get me started on that climate change crap! This mild weather has been good for riding, not for blogging. I'll have to cover several rides in this post.

The EVMA club meeting was last Sunday in Williamsburg. The group ride was at York River that morning. Larry would be driving, only room for 2 bikes. Should I attempt the rigid SS with no backup bike? What the heck, if I can ride it here, anywhere else will be easy. The tire on the front of this bike is a massive 2.5, so 20psi might soften the rigid fork. I was wrong! The roots were brutal! Having to slow down for the roots on the downhills makes this bike no fun at York River. Maybe I will try again after I get used to the rigid setup, maybe I wont. One lap was all the hands and wrists could take!

Monday was a beautiful day, too bad I was working. The temp. was still in the 60's when Nick and I went for a ride. Leaving from Kempsville about 7pm, we biked down Kempsville road toward Va. Bch. Blvd. The sidewalk is actually fun and gives lots of opportunities to cut through parking lots, looking for curbs and other obstacles. It wasn't long before Nick's bike starts ghost shifting. I hear a load pop, and a yell from behind. Circling back, I find Nick in the middle of a big intersection picking up his chain! He whips out the chain tool, removes the broke link, and reinstalls it on the bike. One of the links is not moving and skips on every rotation. Luckily Performance Bikes is open until 9. We decide to limp it in to buy a new chain. The going is way too slow with the jerking chain, so we pull off to remove another link. This time things go better and the rarely lubricated chain squeaks smoothly to Performance. With new chain installed, and running way late, the pace quickens until our tires hit the boardwalk. After getting us lost and then unlost in Bay Colony, we head back. Riding sidewalks at 20+ mph can be exhilarating! Altogether about 28 miles for the night.

Tuesday night we headed south to ride a pump track. Lots of fun, and a great workout. I want one of these in my backyard! Hopefully more pumptracking is in our future. Thanks to Dave and his wife for having us out, and for the pizza.

Now rigid...

After riding the Single Speed one time, the weak link was obvious ... me! The next thing was the fork. A heavy, entry level coil spring with no adjustments. What to do? Not ride the bike? Man-up, and ride it anyway? Buy a lighter fork? While all options for the regular guy, I never claimed to be regular. It seemed only right to stay with my low tech theme for this bike. Carlos installed a Surly rigid, CroMo fork for me. Hopefully the 2.5 tire on the front will give me some cushion! This puts this bike at 21lbs. That's lighter than my Carbonfiberthingybike. So what would be the smart thing to do? Well I never claimed to be smart either! My first ride will be tomorrow at York River. Might as well try it out on some roots and some good climbs.

2008!!

Happy new year everyone! I am really looking forward to the ride. Where will my bike take me in 2008? While my crystal ball is a bit fuzzy, I'm shure it'll be fun! New years resolution? Don't need 'um. To ride as much as my life (or my wife) will allow, is a year long ambition. I am constantly amazed at my wifes ability to deal with me. People say I am a lucky guy... I say it's skill. Hope to see you all on the trail, the road and at the races!