Mountain Bikes, Bass Guitar, and other stuff I like

Last week's adventure was up in Dawson Forest, the site of the Georgia Nuclear Aircraft Laboratory. They have about 20 miles of trails up there that are singletrack and doubletrack.  Renee and I took our bikes and loaded up the trail map using MTB Project .  It was a really hot day and we went in the early afternoon, so it was scorching.   I will say that the place, given its history, has a weird vibe. They could've filmed an X-files episode here. Also, a woman was also abducted and murdered out there. Yikes! Renee decided to go on foot and leave the bike behind so I went ahead on recon on the Red trail. It was wide-open powerline riding for about a half-mile then Renee decided to turn around because it was too exposed.  The sun was beating down on us so we headed back to the parking lot and did the Orange trail, heading west.  It was a good sustained climb out and plenty of equestrian "evidence" was about.  Trail treasures?  Jungle-like conditions a...

Had a great time and an excellent race at my 3rd Rope Mill Duathlon. It consisted of a 6 mile bike, 3 mile run, then another 6 mile bike.  Try to imagine all out effort for nearly 90 minutes.  This race was a beast last year and was one of the toughest races I did.  This year was no different except that I am pleased to report that this year I felt a lot better physically and mentally. My bike to run transition was more "pleasant" and I didn't feel nearly as trashed going up the first awful hill to Explorer Trail.  I was a lot more assertive and in control.   I had rested all week except for a short MTB ride on Wednesday. Also haven't been doing much running to speak of for the past several weeks.  I think I may have pulled a muscle in my right quad as it's been bothering me since the ride on Wednesday. We had a race start in the 30s this morning. I couldn't feel my hands and was having to rest my palm on my bars and brake with 2 fingers.  My feet wer...

So I entered this race last minute. I had no intention of entering this year having done it the last 2 years and I've been focusing more on duathlon and triathlon.  I've also been road biking more and mountain biking hardly at all. I guess I'm burned out on trail riding and need something fresh.   A few days before the race I thought I would enter this race and it didn't hurt that my wife was goading me.  Sometimes, the mere fact that she encourages me pushes me over the top for entering races. I arrived at the race feeling relaxed with a devil-may-care attitude. Payed my fee and set up my pit area. My tent wasn't fully operational so I had limited shade, which was unfortunate considering how blazing hot it was. Layed down in my pit chilling to some old school hip-hop being sure to keep hydrated.  Ate some pre-race food then changed into my kit.  Still feeling relaxed but pre-race stoke was building. Can't believe I was nervous for a "C race." Line ...

The photo to the right is before a mountain bike race. Photos after that same race about 8 hours later and after covering nearly 61 miles on bicycle: Yes, that would be exhaustion friends. Extreme satisfaction too. Also,a 3rd place medal for my toils.

Bought a Trek 29er singlespeed today and promptly went out to Blanket's to let the bike break me in. I have been considering this purchase for about a month debating whether or not to convert my current bike to a singlespeed or just buy a new one. What attracts me to singlespeed is the simplicity of the bike and from what I've been reading, an almost zen-like experience when riding. I loved how quiet it was with no chain noise to speak of really. It is a pure bike and hopefully will deliver pure biking bliss. Weather was threatening today so I waited in the parking lot for 15 minutes but no rain. It began raining as soon as I hit Dwelling and it was flowing streams of water down the path. Not much fun! I felt horrible for bringing my brand new bike out on its first ride and it turned out to be a slop-fest but that's life in the outdoors. I also forgot my gloves so I had a deathgrip on the bars and they were slick. I also wore my clipless shoes on flats! Ha, that was ...