Still Riding

I’ve had less time, so I haven’t been posting here much.  I tend to post small snippets on Google+, as that’s much quicker than writing a full blog post.

My geek side is going to make a quick appearance.  I’ve installed Linux on my laptop.  I still have Windows too, and can use which ever I need.  I’m hoping to get where I don’t need Windows anymore, and can dedicated the whole hard drive to Linux.  Bicycling has complicated that a little, as my GPS software runs under Windows only.  I’ve found a replacement that will probably do the job.

I am back to riding the bike every day.  I spend many of those days on the recumbent, as my neck is bothering me again.  On Friday, I rode the Big Dummy to work, then out for beer after work, and I hauled two growlers of beer home.

Saturday morning, I rode with Tim, on what was supposed to be a “spirited road ride”, but I didn’t get the memo, and I rode the Big Dummy.  That’s totally the wrong bike that kind of riding.  I worked hard, I went slow, and I held Tim up, but it was good to get out.

After we parted ways, I ran some errands, and ran across this couple with three children with their new Madsen cargo bike.

I ended the day with 25.8 miles.

Today, Sunday, Tim picked me up for a mountain bike ride at Waverly Hills Park.  I had ridden there once before with him, but I didn’t own a mountain bike, so I borrowed his too-small single-speed Monocog.

This time, I had my Fargo.  I’m out of shape, and the climbs were killing me.  The descents were amazing on the Fargo.  The handlebars on that bike are great for off-road use.  I grab the drops and can brake and shift without worrying about letting go of the bars.  The only problem with the bars is it’s not comfortable to ride that way.  My wrists kept hurting.  I may have to try rotating the bars to a different angle, but then I’m worried I won’t be able to be comfortable riding the hoods on the street.

I only truly fell once.  It was soft dirt, and didn’t hurt.  I did get rather dirty.

I still have doubts about my fitness for Gravel Grovel.  This ride really winded me and was only 9.3 miles.  Granted, it’s much rougher terrain than most of Gravel Grovel.