Starting to Ride Again

Ya, I'm psyched - chain cleaned & lubed, tires inflated - test ride indicates everything shifts well, brakes work good.

When wifey gets home I'm going to leave for a short 4-6 mile loop. Will post photos.
Woo hoo!


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I wasn't able to ride last night so I went out this morning

This place is only about ten miles from my house --> LINK --> and I've never ridden it before.

I did the short loop two times and . . . that was enough for the first time off the couch in years.

I can't tell y'all how great this feels!

This short loop has 3 fairly easy and short "hills" which, combined with some of the larger rocks and higher root steps, might put this ~1.5 mile trail in the "intermediate" category.

I'm going out again Sunday morning! Woo hoo!
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I managed to get in 5.6 miles today - thought I was gonna die but I took a few rest stops - felt great!

Went here on my way home from work --> LINK

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. . . still riding . . .

Coming south on I-575, I pass Blankets Creek, and Monday I stopped at Olde Rope Mill --> LINK

Even though it was hot, even though I am in incredibly bad shape, I took it fairly easy and I experienced a truly phenomenal ride. So I went back to the same trails on Wednesday (in the middle of Argentina vs. Netherlands game).

I plan on going back today - might go to Allatoona Creek - maybe Mt. Tabor - maybe Blankets - maybe all of 'em

I think I spent $400 for this bike I found on Craigslist several years ago - all I did was strip it down (didn't remove the BB or headset bearings) and cleaned everything (it was a real mess) and replaced the chain (I always add a SRAM quick connect) and I replaced the tires with some used ones I still had from the old days.

It's a cheap piece of crap bike but everything works well and I absolutely love it.

Maybe I'm just stupid or something but there's a strong bond growing for my nothing special bike that provides me with incredibly enjoyable experiences.



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I remember my old user name and I also remember IAB's antics - always taken with a grain of salt.

Most would recognize the obvious advantages of running, and other aerobic activities, but I can't run - bad foot - so running isn't an option.

I really, really enjoyed running in the park (I live near ~20 miles of wooded trails) mostly because it was very convenient, very close, simple, and cheap.

Now, I'm doing ~ the same thing but with a bike, and a little more planning - I'll probably always have "runner envy" but I'm much more focused on doing what I can with what I have and being really grateful for that.

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I guess that pic makes me feel good coz I'm not that old and I'm not in that bad shape

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This morning I rode the Turtle Back trail (?) at Alatoona Creek --> MAP LINK

More awesomeness


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Another five miles in the woods after work today

Woo hoo!

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Another 5.53 miles in the woods today after work

Looking forward to a 3 day weekend starting tomorrow (Friday, 18-Jul-2014)

Maybe I'm ready for a much longer ride - Bear Creek perhaps?

Hmmmmmm . . . .

The bike is holding up VERY well!



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I'm still riding - not posting much but still riding, still breathing so hard going up hills I think my lungs are going to turn inside out . . . still loving those roots that twerk my back tire . . . laughed today when I was thinking "Hell, going this fast aint gonna make a damn bit of difference which line I take" . . . feeling the sweat from my t-shirt more than an hour after I ride and feeling good about it . . . somehow I have managed to remove the front wheel and seat and get my entire bike in the back of my Civic in less than two minutes - same with getting it out and ride ready . . . I'm still using my hydration pack with water bottles in it . . . don't give a damn how stupid that is because I ride and when I top a hill I deserve a damn break . . . just can't wait to ride more . . .



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