5 month break · 8 March 2010, 15:44
What a long winter, glad it’s over.
Spring is starting to peek it’s head out and I’m wasting no time in introducing myself. After our usual morning walk, I gave the mountain bike a good cleaning and oiling.
Hopped on for a quick around the block test ride and it induced me to put the gear on. Started out easy, my goal was to just average over 12 mph. Surprisingly, my legs felt fine, but cramping was close by whenever I jammed.
A lot of work is going on in the McAlpine, new overpasses for creeks, fresh gravel for trails. Though I ride the same trails, every year brings small changes and new challenges.
MTB: distance 13.2 miles, average speed 12.5 mph.
Breezy afternoon · 3 October 2009, 18:20
The weather has been great.
Fall is the best time to be in the Carolinas, nice and cool at night and it warms up just enough in the afternoon. Been walking after dinner, haven’t gotten a chance to ride in the last week, so I suited up today.
MTB: distance 14.95 miles, average speed 13.7 mph.
Soggy Week · 23 September 2009, 17:58
Rain came to the Carolinas.
For the last week, all it’s done is rain. A bit late, since all our lawns are dried up by now, but any precipitation is welcome. This afternoon, the Sun shone on the backyard signaling me to suit up and go for a ride.
Plenty of cross country runners from the nearby Catholic school were out running the trails. They know by now to give me room when I ring my bell signaling that I’m about to run them over, since they occupy the width of the trail.
MTB: distance 14.66 miles, average speed 13.9 mph.
Got out before the rain · 16 September 2009, 12:05
The local radar told me to get out early.
There was a huge copperhead on the main trail, a walker alerted us all to it’s slow crossing of the gravel. By now I’m accustomed to their presence, but when I began riding on the McAlpine, I would mistake them for a branch.
MTB: distance 14.62 miles, average speed 14.1 mph.
Fast trails today · 15 September 2009, 14:53
The gravel trails have smoothed out.
Didn’t have to exert much effort to maintain a good pace today. All the gravel that was laid down in the summer months has been packed down by walkers, runners and bikers. At this point, even a road bike can be used on the trails, but I’d rather have the comfort of a full suspension mountain bike.
MTB: distance 19.23 miles, average speed 14.2 mph.