Don't get me wrong, I love riding singletrack and have enjoyed many miles of it in my 11 years of being a recreational mountain biker. I still remember my first helmetless ride in bluejeans on a blue '97 rigid Hardrock on Stewardship. I road about four miles and packed my bike back up clueless that there were more trails to be ridden.
Tomorrow I will ride Lost Creek several times in attempt to learn to ride singletrack at a respectable speed. I'm going to swear off brakes for the most part. It's become obvious to me that I can ride "harder" and go much slower than I do when I just cruise while holding on to the big Mo. The "harder" I push myself, the more poorly I ride and the slower my times become.
I am going to purchase a computer tonight with built in average too, I'm tired of doing the math after a ride. Maybe the painful truth of another 10.xx average speed flashing across the computer will help.
UPDATE:
Road Lost creek with a 10.5 average once. I was fighting not using the brakes, but did better just holding momentum. My average HR was in the 160 range. That means I road it at about the same speed with 20% less effort than on Wednesday night. Ended up changing plans due to lack of a breakfast and hit the big loop out. Caught Monty and Jim on the switch back on Midlands and road with them for a few miles. Nearly 19 miles on two packs of Gu and two bottles of heed with no breakfast had me feeling bonkish.
Stats:
165 HR average
10.56 Average Speed
18.88 miles
4 comments:
Alright now, lets see them wheel sizes posted, wouldnt want you making the same mistake I did :), I know you have the low down on the kiddy bike tire sizes now, lol. Well, I guess it does make for a good short lived confidence boost. Now that I have an acurate settings Im ready for my reality check too.
Man I don't know how you rode with out anything this morning. I have to drink 3+ cups of coffee if I don't eat anything before riding.
I even skipped the coffee this morning. I got caught up with the little one and the dogs this morning, next thing I knew it was 8:00. I loaded up and headed out on empty.
I think exhaustion must of been affecting my thinking, I had an engergy bar in my pack and didnt even think about it, next time if I cloud out again and dont offer, dont think twice about asking if anyone has any reserves and I'll be glad to share. I would of been fine as long as I didnt have to cut my lifeline I.V. of my goo bottle. For me I cant do them morning rides without the coffee, banana and energy drink let alone empty of all three.
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