This morning I got extra early to get in a few short miles before work(this is the hate part). I got out my SS rig and headed to the Fullerton Loop(the love part). Sorry no pics.
As I started on my ride, my legs began to get warmed up and then quickly feeling them burn from the lactic acid that was caused my speedy, hamster like legs spinning my 32/18t drive train(hate). As I entered into the first single track, I spun even faster in hopes of achieving some good flow. But being limited to my lack of gears, I maintained the same speed all the way through. (eh..love)
On my first climb, I try to sit as long as I can then at the last minute, I jump out of my saddle to put some extra power on the wheels so I can get up over the crest(love).(entering hate) By this time my legs are burning, lungs are filled up and my arms are worn. If you didn’t know, riding a SS makes you use quite a bit of your upper body. There’s tons of pushing and pulling on the bars. That’s why you’ll see a number of SSers that have bar ends, it helps out with the climb.
I as I continued on my ride, I started asking myself why did I get up so early to do this(hate)? Mountain bikers must be masochistic people since there’s so much pain involved with riding and the pleasure of it seems to be a shorter experience…not sure if the trade off is really that great. Think about it, you climb and climb. Some times you feel like you’re pedaling forever(hate), for what? Just to get to go down a hill(love) that you may eat it on(hate)?
So if you ask me, mountain biking reminds me of the people you’ll see on the show COPS where the police get sent to a domestic disturbance call in which the husband hit the wife, but when the cops show up to arrest him, she doesn’t want to press charges, because she loves him! That’s like you and I when it comes to mountain biking…we get totally beat up by climbing, but we rationalize it by saying…”oh it was worth the climb!”….aye…mountain bikers must be messed up in the head… 🙂
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Show CommentsCouldn’t have said it better myself! I was thinking those same thoughts just the other day as I seared my legs and lungs on a 4 mile climb up Skyline Drive in Corona….
Keep up the good work everyone! I stumbled across your site(s) a few months ago and I absolutely love ’em – especially the self-effacing humor you are so good at writing.
Ride on my friends, ride on…
Special K,
Thanks for the compliment, are you local?
self-effacing? I don’t know dude, I LOVE attention….I’m sure you’ve seen my many photos and videos…featuring…ME! hehe
Anyhow, glad to hear from you. Let me know where you’re from. Besides, Priscilla’s been wanting to ride Skyline.
RL
Yeah, I don’t know what it is but it sure is addicting. I hate the climb but it sure does feel good afterwards. I can’t even say that I always love the downhills I just love the fact that I can climb (some of) those hills and make it to the top!
When you guys are up for a looong climb let me know and we can go to Skyline from Coal Canyon (or visa versa). Either way you’ll have a love/hate for that day 🙂
Yeah, I definitely want to hit up Skyline and El Moro these next few weeks. Let us know when you’re free Joe. How does Skyline compare to Northridge out at Chino?
I would say Skyline is steeper and definitely longer. But the reward is much sweeter whether we come back down Skyline or down to Coal Canyon.
The love/hate relationship is not just for mountain bikers, but for other types of cycling as well. For example, bike commuting, I hate waking up earlier and dealing with douchebag drivers, the love? Well, I’m riding my bike, saving money on gas and keeping the weight off.