[James]

So I've been in my new town for a little over a week. It was a week ago Sunday. So in that week I've already ridden more than in the 3 months I spent in my last town. I love it.
I have about an 8 mile commute to work, along my own bike path the entire time, along the ocean. Then on Sunday I spent about two and a half hours riding singletrack in Santa Cruz with an old buddy. Then to work and back both days so far this week.
My legs hurt, since I obviously haven't been riding much lately, but I realized how happy I am here. With the exception of getting up to Santa Cruz to ride, I really haven't touched my car at all since I've been here. It takes the same 25-30 minutes to drive to work too, thanks to the wonders of traffic, so there is no reason at all to drive.
I'm finally somewhere where I can really live the "bike lifestyle," and the bike paths all over make it easy.
Sorry to write this essay, but it finally hit me tonight, as I relaxed with a Fat Tire out of the case in my fridge. My legs are still sore, as I haven't been stuck in a car since my big ride, and I tend to time trial home, trying to best my last time.
Good stuff. Bikes rule, they really, really do.

Thanks for listening...

JJames

 

[jimmydean]

That rocks. Not many things beat a cold Fat Tire when the legs are sore for good reason The weather here makes biking to work a chore and my commute is 11 miles door to door. Not bad, but I also do it on my DH bike since it's all I have now.

If I lived in and around SC, I could see either bike or motorcycle.

 

[James]

That rocks. Not many things beat a cold Fat Tire when the legs are sore for good reason The weather here makes biking to work a chore and my commute is 11 miles door to door. Not bad, but I also do it on my DH bike since it's all I have now.

If I lived in and around SC, I could see either bike or motorcycle.

Totally. The first day I moved in, I went to the store and got a case, since it's more available up here than in SoCal. So I had nothing but a case of beer in my fridge. Don't have much more a week later, but that's neither here nor there.
Yeah, the bike totally makes a difference. I have a pretty bitchin' Specialized S-Works Cross frame, with a Sibex titanium fork, flat bars with SRAM stuff, etc, it rules. I'm thinking about rocking some old-school 3-spd type bars for it too, we'll see.
My favorite part on it is the ollllld school Cook Bros Racing cranks, set up 34/46t style...
Haven't had any signifigant precipitation, but I know it's coming. Fox has a new rain riding jacket that has a hood designed to be worn *under* a helmet, so I'm gonna be getting that. Also an iPod pocket with internal headphone routing, I'm all about that...

 

[jdcamb]

Amazing how a fine ale can melt the soreness of a satisfyingly long ride. In fact the Irish in me turns it up a notch with another if yer' payin' lad.

 

[Heidi]

Glad you are happy there! Riding rules

 

[punkassean]

Glad you are liking it up there James! Next time I head up I'd be happy to give you either a tour of Santa Cruz (which it sounds like you have covered already) or a tour of Henry Coe for some gnarly but awesome backcountry XC riding. Henry Coe is the same distance from you as SC but completely different. Good times!

 

[James]

Glad you are liking it up there James! Next time I head up I'd be happy to give you either a tour of Santa Cruz (which it sounds like you have covered already) or a tour of Henry Coe for some gnarly but awesome backcountry XC riding. Henry Coe is the same distance from you as SC but completely different. Good times!

For sure, I will hit you up for that when you're up. My # is still the same, so you should have it...

 

[Zark]

Yeah buddy! Just glad you're out of that hell hole (geographically and mentally)

 

[James]

Yeah buddy! Just glad you're out of that hell hole (geographically and mentally)

Totally.
Dude, SC rules, 2.5 hours of pure singletrack heaven...
Now I need a new bike to commemorate the move!