Two Wheel Blogs

I'm actually starting to think I might yet overcome this back thing. It might still be a while, but tonight's trainer session left me feeling very optimistic. For the first time in what seems like forever, I was able to complete a session without any major back pain.

I say major, because the little reminders are always there. They serve to keep me on the straight and narrow, pedaling and position wise. That's good, right? Hey, I'm trying to look on the bright side of the little pains. I can live with them. It's the big stabbing ones I can do without.

As many of you may recall, I tend to kick the hell out of my bikes. Some may call some of the things I do "abuse". The bottom line is, I buy parts to allow me to ride the way I want, and when I want. When a part breaks or fails, I try to determine if I was a negligent jackass and I caused it to fail, or if the part was simply not designed to do what I did with it (and seek something that is more in line with my needs/wants/desires).

Wow. What happened to yesterday? Here it is Sunday already. My weekend's about done. Saturday came and went so fast it feels like I missed it completely.

Of course waking up late and in a fog this morning does little to help matters. I was out way too late last night. A long evening to end an action packed day.

What have we here? Why a Boone titanium chain ring of course...with somewhere close to 1000 miles of harsh abuse on a single speed. See that wear? Me either.

Anyone who has used an aluminum ring for SS MTB knows that a ring with a thousand plus miles on it (especially if you neglect regular lubrication) looks like shark teeth (every tooth is worn heavily on one side, and sharpened at the point).

It was a good weekend, and it started on Friday.

Friday I drove out to Perry, Kansas for a ride with Rob. We had a pretty good time. The trail conditions were great. I like rocky trails, and Perry has 'em! I think we rode about 7 miles and it was great.

Saturday I rode the local trails here in Jefferson City. As usual, they were great too. Riding solo in the woods can be fun, but when the temp is 80 and the wind is steady, it is like heaven. It was a fast and fun ride for a bit under 14 miles of single track.

I love riding when the weather is like this. It looked like rain on and off all day long around here. I know, because I sat here and watched it as I worked around the house until mid-afternoon. Shortly after 2pm the alternating sunny then cloudy succession froze on cloudy. And I still hadn't gotten myself out for a ride.

I checked the weather radar. Nothing out there but clouds. Interestingly, the weather site said our 86°F temperature really felt like 101°. That could only mean one thing, really ugly humidity.

And so it was. Humid doesn't really describe it. I'd say "damp" captures it about right.