I’m learning something about single speed mountain biking

Well for one, it’s pushing me to go beyond my limits…which in turn has and still causes me to throw up.

On our weekly night ride, Moe, Priscilla and I hit the local trail to get some miles in. In previous weeks I couldn’t clear some of the hills, but this evening, I cleared some of the harder ones. At the Fullerton Loop, the first short but steep climb usually takes a victim every now and then. Single Speeders…newbies are more prone to get owned by this hill. Being a newbie I was getting my butt handed to me on a silver platter each time I tried this hill. But each time that I do try it, I was getting further up the hill than the previous attempt.

So this evening I mashed my pedals up the first climb and cleared it! I was pretty proud of myself and got a high five from Moe who is also riding a single speed. He almost made it, but I think a rut grabbed onto his tires. What makes it even better is when Priscilla gives me the “great job babe!” Those words make the pain of the climb feel even better.

Tonight was super cold, it was around 40 degrees. That’s pretty cold for SoCal! We cut the ride short due to some cleat problems I had as well as my inability to lessen the need to hurl. For some reason, I wasn’t on queue with the ride. My knees were aching, I swallowed a bug that clamped onto the back of my throat before I threw him up. Plus I was worn out. Ya I know, I’m full of excuses tonight.But I couldn’t under stand why I was so slow compared to how I normally ride. Perhaps it was my 2 mile walk during lunch that did me in…

So we got back to the car, Priscilla started modeling some long johns that she got to review(more on that later) and we just hung out for a bit to chit chat. For a cold night ride, it wasn’t too bad. I mean, c’mon riding a bike is fun no matter what!