Learning to Enjoy the Ride: Getting Reacquainted with an Old Friend

I spent a fair amount of time on the bike this fourth of July holiday weekend. On the fourth, I hauled out one of the logs that will soon be firewood to heat my parents' house with this winter and created a "log ride" to practice on. This involved getting out the chain saw - something I had never used. However, everything went fine although the ramp on one end was a bit too steep. The neighbors must have thought I was a bit off because I spent about two hours riding a figure 8 in the yard, mostly just barely making both wheels on the log and then falling off. I did manage 6 successful full-length traverses (all in the same direction) combined with a few entertaining falls.

After I got bored/frustrated of trying to navigate the log lengthwise, I decided it was time to practice crossing it. I found another smaller log to build a small approach to cross and gave it a shot. After about 2 unsuccessful tries I was nearly over the third time when I did something I have never done - broke my chain.

I was surprised that this happened as the chain probably doesn't have more than a couple of hundred miles on it, if that. I suspect it might have something to do with the very muddy conditions I put it through last weekend but even then, I have trashed more chains in rougher situations and not had a problem. Fortunately, Michael's Trek is also an 8-speed so I borrowed his chain to get me through until I can get to a shop.

On Saturday, Kev and I spent a good portion of the day riding at Shindagin Hollow. It has been probably 2 years since I rode there last and that is way too long - this is such a great place to ride. There were a number of trails I hadn't ridden before and while we saw a number of riders passing as we geared up in the new parking lot, we only saw two other riders out on the trails. There were a few crashes - including me getting ripped off the bike by a branch protruding into the trail and Kev endoing on a benign looking bump - but everyone was ok. Kev's mechanical woes at Shindagin continued as he lost a screw on his derailleur but we fixed it with a well placed stick to keep the cogs from running on the cassette. The last time he was there he blew up his chain a long way from the car. I managed a few crossings of some of the TTFs crews have built over trees - some more unnerving than others. I think I was more apt to try these because someone was there who could drive us out if need be.

We took a break for lunch and then headed back out for about another hour of riding. I think my computer is a bit messed up because when I was grinding up hills it said I was going 10+ mph... So I am not sure how far we went or for how long but we rode from about 11:30 to 5 with a few breaks for repairs and food. All in all, one of the best days of riding I have had since Kingdom Trails.