Finally Back

It has been a while since I last posted. I finally got my garmin back last week. I actually got to use it again to see how I am doing. The past few rides I have been riding without anything to see how fast I have been riding.

Of course I forgot the camera today so no pictures. Oak mountain has actually been quite nice lately as there has been a good bit of water in the streams. It definately makes the climb up the jeep trail much more enjoyable listening to the water tumbling down the hill beside the trail.

I didn't ride at all last weekend (this has been the second time this year, the first because I was sick). My bike was shifting very poorly from all the riding in the mud I have been doing. I knew I needed to replace the new shifter cables and housings as well as a new chain. I am supprised I only got about 750 miles out of the first one, but when I examined it, it was definately in need of replacement. I went by the LBS to check into getting some teflon coated cables, but they didn't really seem to want to help me get some, so I ordered them from competative cyclist. I got the XTR shifter cables, an XTR chain, a SRAM powerlink (I think this was one reason the chain was s bad, because I couldn't easily take it off to clean), a Park Took, cable cutter/ crimper, a chain break tool, and a front fender. I will get back to the fender, but I got the bike very clean and installed the chain and shifter cables. The bike was in such bad need of repair, I could barely shift and now it is so easy to shift gears it feels new again.

I rode a lap by myself first today before meeting everyone else for the Bump ride. I decided to head in the Counter-clockwise direction and quickly stated to think I had made a mistake. There was a trail running event today and I met quite a few runners on the trail. The were all heading in the opposite direction than me and I kept pulling over to let them pass. Most were very polite and kept trying to get out of my way. I rode a respectable 1:32 even with all the stops. I was just ridign a fast comfortable lap so I was very pleased.

I met the BUMP guys in the parking lot at about 2:15 right as I finished. This is the first time Tomy was going to ride with the BUMP guys. I took my time refilling my camelback and eating a snack as I knew it would be about 2:45 before we hit the trail. We headed Clockwise and were joined by a new rider Glen. He kept worring that we were going to leave him because he "only rides 1:30 laps. We had quite a nice ride (even with Monty's flat tire). The weather was really nice being about 70 degrees and sunny. I also did not get any bad cramps like I thought I would on the second lap. I think I am going to try and meet Glen out on the trail for a few afternoon rides as I think he will help push me to get my lap time down a little.

Lastly, the front fender seemed like a good idea as I seem to ride frequently in less than ideal conditions. Joe had a fender on the North Carolina trip and he was one of the few whose face was not covered by mud. I talked to him a bit about it and he really seemed to like it. I found one for $10 that attaches to the underside of the fork. I have not put it on the bike yet, but will carry it with me and the next time I have to ride in the rain, I will try it out.