Three tiny success stories yesterday evening:
1) I haven't been riding in something like a month. (yeah, yeah, I know
I'm not a Real Mountain Biker (TM). Whatever.) Amazed to find that I'm
in better shape than ever. A longish gradual uphill that used to make
my thighs burn as I spit phlegm is now much more doable. I'm breathing
heavy, but not choking, and my thighs don't hurt. I'm going faster than
ever, and Eric had to actually work to beat me up one hill. I almost
think I could have beaten him if I had clipless -- with platforms, I
seem to get to a point where, if I spin any faster, I'll lose contact
with the pedals.
2) This was a boring dirt trail, but there's a short segment of single
track alongside part of it. I call one of the rocks on this single
track segment "The stegasaurus." Sticks up sharply right in the middle
of the trail. I've always wussed out at the last moment and walked over
it. This time, I rode right over it, twice. Yay me!
3) Eric's car now has less to fear from me. I'm no longer wobbling when
lifting the bike on and off of the car rack. My upper body has gotten
stronger. Again, yay me!
I'll be attending a beginner mountain bike clinic on Sunday. I'm
definitely curious about the curriculum. They suggest having clipless
pedals for the bunny hop and wheelie drills, but I've been riding
platforms, so it seems silly to switch to a different pedal. I guess
I'll bring both and see what makes sense when I get there.
--
monique