Flat pedals and proper shoes: to date I have ridden 18 rides totaling 333 miles. Mark, I agree with you about pedal strikes because the pedals are wider than clipless. It is what it is, I get caught because I wasn’t prepared or couldn’t see the catcher in the brush. Brushy trails add another level of excitement and danger. I accept that risk. Otherwise the technique is to keep toes pointed up for heel down pedaling or for bracing going downhill. Somehow during the bunny hop the front foot heel is down and the trailing foot is toe down to effectively wedge the feet on the pedals. I have found the pedal stroke is more powerful as it is all about pushing down and not pulling up. I have been learning that with a bigger gear I can pedal up stuff perhaps better than I can hike a bike. That’s within reason of course. Great pedal power. The 510 shoes are definitely more secure and comfortable to walk in as the shoe flexes w/o the rigid footbed and there is no metal cleat right under the ball of the foot. More attention to detail of keeping my feet on the pedals is necessary: flat feet on flat pedal meets a bump: body gets kicked up taking feet along, coming back down if you are lucky is right on the saddle and not the top tube.
To Tomas he is hitting the pot intoxication on the head so to speak. These big road climbs need numbing. My buzz slightly distracts my thoughts of how long and steep the climb is. By the time the downhill kicks in the edge of the buzz has worn into base consciousness: am I still buzzed or is the downhill that mind boggling? A small vaporizer bowl of high THC content pot lasts longer than I can burn off on most climbs. So the downhill has both boggling and buzz. Beer is too heavy, takes up too much pack room, and its effects are prone to taking more risks. Crazy friend Shrimper would pack several cans of beer wrapped in socks in his pack. We’d stop for a break and I would hear the pop of the can being opened.
I updated yesterday’s post w/ pics as I am in downtown Leavenworth w/ strong signal. A short period of sprinkles fell so far.
The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is right outside of town. I have an urge to spend a night out. A lottery for overnight permits occurs every AM at 7:30. This process limits the number of people camping in a very neat environmentally sensitive area. I might try for a spot tomorrow.
My digestive system might be cured. My stool sample grew out meaning there was bacteria in my tract. The antibiotics seemed to have killed the bad guys. A possible side effect of the drug is torn tendons. I have a sore calf that I hope is not part of a tear. The leg discomfort is discouraging me from hiking. I can pedal OK.
I am planning on being in Spokane starting next Tuesday for a short visit.
Life is too short to smoke cheap pot.
Hey Craig, retirement is good, all 5 weeks so far. I see you will be here next Tuesday (August 16?) We can do some rides if you want to hook up. Feel free to park the van on the property. We have internet and electricity hook up if you want it. Les & Gloria