Day 203: Single Speeding

It was a pretty grueling work day today. I had no idea that it would be so hectic and stressful. Life isn’t always kind in how it delivers its chaos, and today was an example of that. So I’m left feeling a bit behind on my correspondence, and here I am at midnight writing my daily posting.

Given that I was feeling a little bit tense after a morning of having one thing after another thrown my way, I decided to take out a little aggression on my OS Bike. It’s a single speed 29er that was designed by my friend “M.” I’ve mostly been using the bike to run around town, and I had really intended to use it on rainy days when the simplicity of a single speed is a huge benefit. Well today was just the right kind of day for me to ride the bike.

I’m a real newbie to single speeds. I’ve ridden them in the past, but never when I’ve been fit, and never with enough consistency to get a real feel for them. So today was a bit of a test to see how this one felt underneath me.

I rode over to Railroad Grade where I bumped into a couple of guys that were heading up the hill too. One of them was also on a single speed 29er. We talked for a while about 29ers, OX Brand Bikes, OS Bikes, etc., etc. It was nice to be hanging out with another SS rider. He was quite surprised to hear that I don't ride them often. He cited that I looked really comfortable on the bike. I forgot to mention that I've been riding for almost seven months straight. ;-) I'd probably look comfortable on a child's tricycle at this point!

As we rode and talked I noticed that the guy on the geared bike had fallen off the back. His friend looked at me and said a quick goodbye before heading back to his friend. Before long I was way ahead of them, and soon enough I couldn’t even hear their voices in the distance.

From Double Bow Knot I rode over to the Panoramic Highway and then onto some beautiful trails. It was great to be on a 29er again. It’s been a while so it took me a bit of time to remember how to ride one. They’re so much smoother than the 26ers that I’ve been riding regularly. I fell in love with 29ers in 2000, and saw my first one in 1999. It was being ridden at the time by Steve Potts. I later saw my friend “M” on his green 29er that's a really cool bike.

So today was all about making lemonade out of lemons. Now I’m tired and need some sleep, but before I go, a heartfelt thank you to “M & A, and C” too, for sharing the evening with me. You’re dear friends. I’ll make dinner next time!

Distance: 11.91 miles
Calories burned: 1,419
Time: 1:21:49 hours
Elevation gain: 2,169 ft
Garmin Connect ride details: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/21942917