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17t Cog Update

As I mentioned a few days ago, I had graduated from an 18t to a 17t cog on my single speed. Last night’s training ride with the MtnBikeRiders.com Race Team was my first chance to ride with it.

One thing I noticed right away was the speed I picked up on the flats. I wasn’t spinning as much as I did with the other cog. I also felt that I worked way harder on the climbs.

Last night’s training ride was set at a good pace by Priscilla and Joe. In fact they lead the ride and my only goal was to catch up to them. As I trailed behind, I felt the effects of this cog around mile 8 of the ride. My legs and upper body had been working as if I was on over drive.

As I rolled up to the parking lot, Priscilla was sitting on the curb waiting while Joe and Val were chit chatting. I swear…they are fast! What’s funny was, Kim and Tony Finch rode with me and those two didn’t even seem like they broke a sweat. I think they probably could have gone for another lap…aye….these racer people (Priscilla, Joe, Kim and Tony) are totally built differently from people like me… short, pudgy (but good looking) non-racer types.

Though the 17t cog was harder, I do look forward to progressing in my riding and eventually I’ll graduate to the next level, a 16T!