Not from a bar stool although that opportunity presented itself more in form of porch steps or deck. No, today i was invited on a Shenandoah Bike Co shop ride north of town and up in the rocky mountains. I was challenged and then beaten by just miles of beater rock that after the rain storm became even more onerous. The SBC riders just rode it. I fell slipping on off an off camber rock that washed my wheels out from under me dumping me on the rocks. This time it was the right side. During last night’s shop b-day celebration @ Tim’s I stretched my back on a balance ball for many minutes. Too much too long. Felt good. Today i stood up someway and my back immediately went stiff limiting my flexibility & range of motion. And I still climbed on my bike. I was pathetic. Riding these VA rocks requires all body parts moving @ adjusting to tortured path. I got thrashed. Watching the other riders negotiate stuff that I walked down left me frustrated and wondering why i mtn bike.
I rode w/ Sue Haywood, bf Tim, Kurt, Kyle, Colin, & Jake. The trail dropped us onto gravel logging rode. They were continuing the ride. I bid adieu and slowly made my way back to van. Maybe 3 flats on the others’ bikes. Pinch flats from rocks.
Hey, you Davis, WVA riders, forget that i said that your trails were toughest nastiest I have ever ridden. This VA mtn ridge riding is the hardest ride I have ever carried my bike on. Sue rode a Flux, Tim rode a 5 Spot like mine, and Colin rode a TNT Spot. Most Turners I have shared a ride w/.
Yesterday was putz around day and the shop b-day party. Did wash. Saw a store sign, “Crutchfield” which is an electronics where I bought all my van sound system. A retail store in Harrisonburg. It was, checked it out. Clerk there talked to me @ SBC several days earlier. He told his buddy about me. He is new to mtn biking and has lost 40 lbs so far and has an infectious smile of satisfaction or riding. My purpose was to learn the additional sound a subwoofer would add after hearing Dixie Chicken from Little Feat blaring from a guy’s house. I wanted to know what i was missing w/o bass. I listened and determined that the $450 and space required for it, I said i was good.
Hot & humid in H-burg. Last night temp didn’t go below 70 degrees.
Tomorrow is State College, PA for several days. It’s possible that Chris Lesser, the writer of the BikeMag article might join me. Cool.
Dirtbag sleeping in a business parking lot. Way cooler. I will go to bed early. I’ll learn what my body feels like laying down.