Addicted

to riding single speed mountain bikes. Today was a 3hr ride out at Lynch's with Leroy, Brian & Clint. After laying a pallet of sod on Friday afternoon, I was whupped from this back breaking honey-do chore. Not sure how I would feel today I brought the geare bike out the garage. Holding true to the ss fashion I promised Leroy I would keep the shifrter quite. So about ten minutes in settled on 32x23. Finally made the creek crossing, and I even had an audience. A big step for this trail. No mechanicals and no crashes, this makes for an awesome ride. Looking forward to another mtb ride tommorrow in Manchester. That will be two days in a row.

One for the Win Column

Finally a check goes in the win column! Sunday I skipped a local race to go up to tiger town for a much needed shot of adrenaline. Putting myself amongst the masses in the Single Speed XC race. My last outing in Clemson was 2002, and somehow I remembered most of the course. Not the XC type I decided to plan ahead a bit. Contacting some friends on gear suggestions. I only had two to choose from 18t or 20t. The 18t. was called up for duty.

It’s been about 4 or 5 years since I’ve raced with sport riders. Man it’s like a pinball game. These cats are bouncing off of every tree in the woods. Breaking heavily in the turns and spinning on the hills. Well the organizers put the SS class with the sport 40+ after the sport 19-29 & 30-39. Damn this is going to be painful. From the start passing folks left and right. The opening climb, there is one groove or preferred line. Well that was occupied and racing SS you got to hit it and hit it hard. There is no spinning up the climbs. So into the rough I go passing these fellows knowing this is the thing to do early. Closed in the singletrack behind the folks will drive you insane.
Managed a good pace into the single, a few riders here and there to pass from other classes. Amazing the riders who blew up on the opening climb that were able to come back on the single blowing their horn and wanting by. Well with nowhere to go patience would be a virtue. Then the trash talking started, I didn’t want to break it out but I had to. Examples: “come on dude, pick a gear”
“I paid $33 just like you”
“why are you spinning up this hill”
“yeah I’ll let you by, but you better kill these hills ahead”
“that other gear will make you go faster”
Dropped the hammer about 30 minutes into the first lap, and never looked back. Second lap was still full throttle. The only possible mechanical was my lock ring for the cog had loosened. It sounded like Santa and some reindeers coming through the woods. The cog never came off the freehub so I kept hammering. The last time up the big was painful but I finally had a win.

Chasing the Roadies

It's thursday and that means another installment of HBW group road ride. For me it's always a tester to see if I can hang with the roadies. This week was no different, except I was back on a road bike. Road tactics are not my strong point by any measure. This never disourages me from mixing it up when I can. With only 7 riders leaving O'Leary's this ride would be quick. As the wind picked up and the sky darkened, the anticipation began to rise. The ride would be short but it would be fast.
This ride needed to get started quick. The first hill acceleration was mild. The second was a bit faster. Then on the downhill of 176 I decided to speed it up a bit. Well it's always short lived. The next series of hills are always the tuffies. Wash Lever Rd. put me at 193 bpm, or to quote Paul Sherwan "he's on the rivets, after that attack". Damage control from her out. Here comes the rain, well at least we made it to Freshly Mill Rd. before the rain started. One more attempt to bury myself in my own punishment. I tried to lead out a few riders to the foot of the bamboo forest. Stick a fork in me I'm done. With a few quick flashes of lightning this ride was over in a flash no pun intended.
Time: 1:05
Dis: 21mi.
Av. hr: 160
Mx hr: 193

Rollin' Tarmac

After 3 months without a road bike, finally able to complete my Raleigh build. Made it out for 50mi. of sunny skies and little traffic. Interesting route on Plat Springs to Ramblin into S. Congaree. Continue up Ramblin to Fish Hatchery to Bachman to 321 toOld Wire to 21. Plus a loop of 21 to Savant Hunt to Access to 21. Back in with Dixiana and 12th St. extension. A much needed ride with some distance and close to 3 hours in the saddle.

Hopefully the rain will get in get out tonight. Big ride planned tommorrow in Sumter - 50mi on the SS. Should be a good ride if the weather pans out.

Lynchs outings

A flat break, with
Clint's new friend.

Spring is here, finally