Brad had been acting stressed out for a couple of weeks now.  If Brad is not ready to discuss, then you just wait for him to be ready.  Well about a week ago, I found out what the stress was about.  Brad had been planning a surprise wedding anniversary gift-- a single-speed bike.  The stress had gotten to him--- he thought he had found the one he should get but only one in the right size was left so he had to order it now--- makin it now an early, surprise anniversary gift.  Time to discuss the situation with me.

 

I have to admit, I was very skeptical.  Single-speed mountain biking is for experienced, hard-core, and skilled mountain bikers or so I thought.  I haven't been on any bike much until two summers ago and just started mountain biking last summer--- I was still a newbie in my eyes.  Brad told me how much better of a rider I would become from SS and even found me a really nice Bianchi SS.  I was sold.  We got the last 2007 Bianchi Lewis in a 13.5" frame, a 26" SS that is no longer made after 2007, from a dealer in Gunnison that had it shipped from Ohio.  The color was "punishmint" and I was nervous.

 

I got my new SS Friday afternoon.  I never ride a male-named bike, so my new SS is named Loiusa.  It has a nice ring to it when struggling uphill.  Louisa and I went for our first ride (along with Brad and his SS) Saturday.  It was awesome.  So quiet, simple and fun.  I did much better than I expected--- and what Brad expected.  I learned my first SS lesson--- when in doubt, stand.  Since you only have one gear on a SS, you stand----alot.  I have ways to go before becoming a SS guru but I am on my way.  Thanks to my husband for an awesome gift.

 

So after the excitement of the ride on Saturday, I talked Brad into going on a road ride on Sunday.  My road bike is named Ruby--- Brad doesn't name his bikes, yet.  We did our first mountain pass ride over Poncha Pass.  It was a relatively relaxing and fun ride on the way over, but we paid on the way back.  The wind was relentless and aggravating.  After we made it back to the pick-up, it was well worth it but during the ride--- well it was a bit tiring.

 

So Monday comes and we are both sore and stiff--- probably me more than Brad-- Saturday I did more standing on my SS than ever in my life.  We head out for an easier ride through the mountains, over our second pass ride--- Moon Pass, to loosen up a bit and enjoy some sunshine.  The wind was still blowing but in the mountains it seems less aggravating.  Did I mention I took Loiusa?  Stumpy P was jealous but she will get a turn next weekend. 

 

We posted some photos from the weekend--check out Loiusa and her "punishmint" frame color and even some pics of Brad.

 

Until the next adventure,

 

Billi

So I was getting off at 3:00pm on Friday, Billi had the day off all day, and at lunch we started talking about needing to go to the shop in Gunnison.  So we did some math and figured that we would need to leave a little early to get there in time.  At 2:00pm I left work and headed home so we could load up and head to Gunnison.  Well, seems normal and dull huh.  Next thing however, we were talking all crazy about how different age groups view Social Security differently.  I was talking about the older group and then Billi said "I think the younger generation views it more like a there's a cow on the right."  I thought to myself what kinda Texas, rancher's daughter, lame kinda saying is that?  Then, I responded "What............... OH, COW ON THE RIGHT."  The pickup probably went up on two wheels and carved around a black cow on the right side og the highway.  Well the rest of the drive worked out and we are still talking about the cow on the right. 

 

"curb to flat or curb to transition, there's a big difference"  MTBR Forum

brad.

HUffin, puffin and standin, we were all up in the base of the trail.  Not in mood for a super day but we were out ridin.  Now I kinda knew were I was plannin on throwin it down for the day.  I told Billi lets hammer up this road and see were we end up.  We ended up at the base of a fall line climb slappin 25-30% grade on us.  So peddle till you get kicked and begin the walkin.  Then after the walkin there was still a little bit more walkin or pushin the bikes before the trail leveled out.  The ridge flowed for about 200 yards, when we said screw it and flipped around.  I knew and Billi knew that we were going to huck the hill on the way down.  I told her "don't stop, stare out about twenty feet and feather the brakes".  It worked out to be alright.  We got down through that part when over there to the right I saw some sweet sweet single track.  Well more like a cow trail that was about 8" wide and made for a cow.  I then said, wow lets ride that trail, I think I know were it goes to.  Well I was right like usual and the trail came out right were I thought.  What I did not know was that it was pretty technical and hard flowin.  I did alright and pushed the lead until a rocky section were Billi pulled the brakes and threw off the leg.  Hey when in doubt dismount.  I said "Oh come on, let me show you how to do this".  Well I was doin alright, holdin a line, shoutin out advice on my skills and whamoo---- pile drived a rock and endo geard.  In my head I told myself "Self I think you can still make this if you- nope better bail!"  I did not hurt anything but scraped a little of the top of the ol' SS.  From there, we rode on untill it happend---- the first rattler I ever saw on a bike or hiking.  It was bound to happen.  I have been lucky not to come across one so far.  I almost fell over when I saw a flash and a very distingtive rattle.  I don't think he struck at me but I did see him move.  I know what you are thinkin, and I was to.  Wow, I can use this for a wildlife photo opportunity.  So I got out the camera, walked back and around to him, and snapped me a picture.  Would have been better if Billi could have been in the photo too, but I wasn't ready to suck on any venom.  So all in all, we had a small ride, lots of fun, and found a name for my new sweet trail.  Rattler Trail.

Thanks for readin.

 

          

 

"My brakes were squeakin, so I lubed them, that worked out really FAST"

Brad

Brad and I went to a trail building class in Durango on Saturday.  Brad was not as enthusiastic about the class as I was, so he tried several tactics to get us out of the class. 

 

Number one tactic was to appeal to my feminine shopping side-- we could go to Durango but let's get out of class early and do some shopping, since all of the shops will be closed by the time the class ends. 

 

Second tactic-- I had had a long week due to a work project deadline and passing kidney stones, so lhe says to me ---let's just stay home altogether, sleep in, maybe take a few leisurely bike rides, if I feel up to it.... you know, just have a nice realxing weekend at home.

 

Third tactic--- I bet the class really won't be worth the drive.  I am sure we won't learn anything.

 

So #1-#3 tactics did not work and we get through to Thursday night still registered for the class when I receive an email from the Executive Director of the sponsor, Trails 2000.  We had thought the class was free when in fact, we had to join Trails 2000 (and pay membership fees) to attend the class.  Talk about about jumping at the opportunity--- the membership was only $15 for both of us.  So I will call this Tactic #4 even though it was not of his own making.

 

We make it to Durango and attend the "classroom" portion of the class, eat lunch (provided for free) and are finishing up the last portion of the classroom part, when Tactic #5 is used-- I bet no one else is going to go to the actual work part of the class this afternoon, we should just head out after this and do a little shoppng before heading home....but of it's up to you.  So I decided we would go to the actual trail work part of the class.

 

So we are in the car, following all of the other participants (all of them did go), to the new trail site.  So out of desperation, here comes the last tactic, tactic #6--- a full-blown temper tantrum like a little school girl, with every excuse known to mankind.  I didn't say a word and just let him go--- good thing it was only about 10 minutes before we joined the group again.  We joined the group, started working on building a new trail, and all tactics ended.

 

I learned a lot, met new people, and had a great time.  Despite himself and all of the tactics, Brad had a great time and thought the class was well worth it-- he learned a lot as well and is ready to get back home and start using his new knowledge.  However, I think he spent so much energy on trying to get out of the whole thing, that he was exhausted the next day....... but in a a much better mood.

 

Until the next time,

Toughen up, buttercup.

 

Billi

 

 

We decided to share a few little known facts and preferences.  See if you can guess who--- Brad, Billi, or both of us.  Answers are at the bottom of this blog.

 

1.  Doesn't own or use a hair brush.

 

2.  Has been on television.

 

3.  Always counts stairs while going up/down them.

 

4.  In 7th grade, jumped off house roof anf broke a foot.

 

5.  Has Australia and New Zealand as a top vacation destination.

 

6.  Drinks coffee black.

 

7.  Can hold heart rate at 200 bpm for 30 seconds, before becoming sick.

 

8.  Favorite thing to clean is the shower/tub.

 

9.  Keeps air pressure in mountain bike fork at 50 psi.

 

10.  Does not like chipotles.

 

11.  Loves to quote movies.

 

12.  Favorite current TV show is NCIS.

 

13.  Favorite current cycling pro is Tom Boonen.

 

14.  Sleeps with pillow over face.

 

15.  Usually the first one to get out of bed in the morning.

 

16.  Carries the tent on backpacking trips.

 

 

Probably more than you wanted to know---

Brad & Billi

 

 

 

 

 

Answers-- 1.Brad & Billi   2.Billi   3.Brad   4.Brad   5.Billi   6.Brad   7.Billi   8.Brad   9.Billi   10.Brad   11.Brad   12.Brad & Billi   13. Brad & Billi   14.Brad   15.Billi   16.Billi

 

 

 

  

This weekend we did our first group rides for the season-- Saturday at Penitente with two other couples and Sunday at the Lime Kiln area with one other couple.  We had a great time and got in 40 miles in the two days.  The couple we rode with both days are on our team for the 24 Hours of Moab in October.  They both are good riders and for those that are thinking you are getting old-- they are both in their early 50's.  They kick most 20-year-olds when it comes to spinning the mountain bike tires.

 

So here's Billi's perspective of the weekend.  As the newbie of the group, I was at the back of the pack for most of the rides.  You have to have some endurance to be a newbie with these guys.  They go so far and then wait for all members of the group to catch up before heading off again.  So by the time I catch up to the pack, it is time for the group to head off again-- no rest for the last person, you get your rest after the ride.  No complaints though, I am just glad I can even keep up.  I have made quit a bit of progress though-- I am faster, I can climb more, I can descend more, I can get in and out of my clips (most times) and I can clear more obstacles.  More importantly I don't get as nervous before a ride, expecially a group ride.  Last year, before every ride, expecially if we were riding with someone else, I had to fight hard to keep my last meal down.   So far this year, mountain biking is actually fun.

 

My weekend was I guess the same with a couple of different thoughts.  Group ridin is all right for fun.  Everybody has a role in any kinda group that pacs together.  The funnest part is you can watch the Animal Planet to watch a wolf pack and relate that to humans.  The group worked really well and everybody has to ride at top notch when other people can make fun of you for pullin through endo gear.  There were several good hammer smashes and some grannie crusin also. 

The trails I really like were on the second day, but we laughed and smiled all weekend.  Billi as she said got alot better through the winter and is tossin some dirt around.  Tired we got, sore we will be and fun we had.  Mountian bikin is always about the journey and never about the destination.

 

"dirt your shoulder off" Sean Carter

Brad

 

Toughen up, buttercup.

Billi