[jacksonpt]

About 4 weeks ago, I was riding pretty regularly... and I got pretty good. I could ride most anything I came across, was spinning well, handling the bike well, and was in pretty good shape.

Tonight was my first decent ride since. Remembering how good/confident I was 4 weeks ago, I hit the trail with reckless abandon. What a mistake. My lungs were shot, my technique was way off, and spinning left a lot to be desired. I took numerous spills and I have several war wounds to show for it. I got beat up and humbled. However, I did make it up a particular climb for the first time ever. I about puked at the top (fitting, considering the climb is called "Puke Hill"), but it was worth it.

Moral of the story... after a long layoff, pedal easy and/or take a good first aid kit with you.

I'm gonna be hurtin in the morning.

 

[N8 v2.0]

The trail gods have welcomed you back.... it'll all be good now.

 

[derekbob]

hey, we have a climb in bidwell park called "the puker," imagine that...

 

[Mike B.]

I rode state park yesterday, there were 7 of us total I think. It was actually my first ride of the year thanks to some hellacious work hours lately. I have yet to clean puke hill so I can't imagine you were too far off tonight.

 

[jacksonpt]

Originally posted by Mike B.
I rode state park yesterday, there were 7 of us total I think. It was actually my first ride of the year thanks to some hellacious work hours lately. I have yet to clean puke hill so I can't imagine you were too far off tonight.

The climbs at state park are so short that determination can get me to the top of most of them without much trouble... the catch is always whether or not I can keep my front wheel on the ground.

Though I will admit... I rested for about 30 seconds at the bottom of puke hill to get my wind back before I started climbing.

 

[I Are Baboon]

Originally posted by jacksonpt
Moral of the story... after a long layoff, pedal easy and/or take a good first aid kit with you.

Yeah yeah, we all know this, but do ANY of us really follow that rule? Hell no. We ride as hard as our bodies allow us to.

MTB is like any other sport in that you have your good days and your bad days. It's hard to have a good day after a four week layoff.

 

[golgiaparatus]

Just ride tomorrow and then... the nest day you will feel MUCH stronger.

Usually takes me 1 good pain and suffering ride, 1 recovery ride and then 1 good ride to feel like I've make it back from a bike break.

 

[TreeSaw]

Had a similar experience last night. Went for a quick ride, a little later than usual and the bugs were horrendous! We went fast and I managed to fall down so many times on crap that I never crash on! WTF??? Guess it just wasn't my night!