Killer Ride

Almost literally…

Yesterday I decided to get in a good, long ride. Unfortunately the Fuel is back in the shop, and I wasn’t in the mood for a road ride, so I took the SS out. I left from my house around 8 and hit the dirt trail across the street that goes along Bear Creek. I followed this into Morrison where I then headed up to Mt. Falcon. So far the riding was great, and the gear I had was good. I had not taken the SS on Falcon yet, and knew with the gearing I had, it would be a tough climb. It was tough. It kicked my ass. I usually spin up nice and easy on the Fuel in a low gear, not the middle ring in front and the 4^th cog in the back… I failed making the waterbars, which I expected, but I also had a hard time going over rocks. I got so used to the full suspension that I didn’t know how to take the rocks on a fully rigid. After almost falling off the bike quite a few times, I started to get the hang of it. I never could ride very far without stopping for air- I never knew this trail was so steep! I did manage to ride most of it, with all the stops I took… I was discouraged at first, and then thought of the very first time I took the SS out. I almost died on the first hill of Centennial Cone! Now I can blast up that without stopping or breathing that hard. So Falcon will just need some practice with the SS, and probably a different gear…

I had not done Falcon since they redid the top, although I heard about it, a lot. It was very disappointing to see. The only upside is that it made it more possible for me to ride the whole way up.

I got to the gazebo and had a snack, and then headed on to get in Lair ‘o the Bear. I have done this trail on the SS, so it got a lot easier after this. Even the uphill on the way back up wasn’t too bad. I guess I was warmed up and my legs were getting used to it.

I was out of water by the time I got back to Falcon, so I wanted to get home as fast as I could. This is where full suspension comes in handy! I am not sure what kicked my ass more, going up Falcon, or coming down. I did my best to pick good lines, but I was getting jarred everywhere. It was painful, and I was about ready to die when I hit the parking lot. I stopped briefly and my body still felt like it was shaking all around.

The rest of the way home was uneventful, but I will say, that was one of the hardest rides I have ever been on. It ended up being about 40 miles, and took me 5.5 hours. I still like my SS, and my goal still is to race it next year, or the year after, but I need to get used to it, or it is really going to kill me!