October 13th (Afternoon)

A rather good ride today. I felt pretty good, so I managed a few sprinting/standing stretches (more than usual). As I was riding out of Pineview towards the end of the street, a kid on his bike (probably about 10 years old?) was riding down the street towards me. Actually, not towards me, but at me. The closer we got to each other, the more he pointed his bike at me! I started wondering what he was doing, ready to swerve around him, when he looked up at me with a huge smile and gave me the happiest “Hi!” I have received in a while (not counting Graedy’s greetings which take the cake for sure). Then he told me “Nice bike!” (which by the time he said it, he hadn’t really seen it, hah!). I looked down at his bike (Toys ‘R Us or Wal Mart special) and, of course, said “You too.” even though I was lying… But it made his day by the sounds of it. Funny kid!

Anyways, the ride down to Peterson’s Creek was pretty good. The trail section I managed good speeds, and yet controlled. The rear brake started squeeling a bit again, so I did some on-trail adjustments again. I made the creek crossing, and up and over the root (the weight shifting technique is working well over this root). I also made a much better distance up the climb over the east bank. I hunkered down as low as I could over the handlebars, focused on the “pull back and down” technique, and powered through. It worked well, but I still couldn’t keep from swerving too far left and ended up having to bail. After that, I decided to attempt the long, straight and steep climb (rather than the bypass). I had a really good effort, and could’ve done better, but instead I wasted a lot of energy swerving back and forth worse than I have before. However, even when I swerved into the loose middle line, I still managed to continue on and up so I was happy with the physical effort, even if my technical effort was off. At the top, I made the rock wall again with good speed. I’m finally getting my timing on this section down pretty good, as I haven’t hit my pedals/crank in quite a few attempts.

I took the first gulley trail down to the single-track. Man, but that trail is a blast! And it’s getting even more so with the more speed and confidence that I’m able to throw at it with every ride. Just as I started heading up to the trailhead for this trail, I noticed two bikers ahead of me (didn’t recognize them or their bikes). I rode my typical pace up to the trailhead, but didn’t gain on them much at all. I guess I’m still average for climbing speed! I think I’m considering myself better than I ought to, seeing as how I keep comparing my pace to Phil and Brian who are both older and just out for the ride (not the speed). Hah! I suppose I need to get out and ride more with guys my age to see how I really rate. Unfortunately, I did have that chance this past weekend but forgot… They held a 4 hour epic XC race on Harper Mountain (called “Octoberfest”). The entry fee was only $25, but I didn’t think I had the skills to handle the downhill sections yet so I didn’t bother. I maybe should’ve!!! Every picture showed riders on $3000 bikes and up, so I would’ve probably stood out like a sore thumb with my $600 entry-level hardtail! The race is supposed to be an annual event, so maybe I’ll try next fall…

The rest of the ride was good. I didn’t make it as far as the last few attempts up the final hill at Rose Hill, but still a good time. I took the main trail/road into Juniper and then the look-out trail. There was a lot of head winds whenever I came down from the single-track on the hill onto the flat, plateau sections. A good ride, a good time in the end, and great weather!