Big Loop

With Christmas and the feasting that goes with it over I felt like it was time to burn off some calories. I have had a long loop in mind for a while, but never seem to be in the mood to go that far by myself. Today I decided to tackle it. From Lyons over Mt. Elizabeth to Big Hill Rd. to Columbia and Italian Bar back. Turned out to be 46.5 miles and 6433ft of gain in about six and a half hours. All on a single speed. For the first time in recent memory I could not pedal all the way up my driveway. The only other time I had to walk was near the tower on Mt. Elizabeth when the snow was just to much. Awesome weather and big hills made it a great day. Wish you could have been there Bobby.

Overtrousers?

Almost the whole month of November realy sucked. Fortunatley December is working out much better. Its hard to find people to ride with when the weather is less than pleasant. Luckily for me I know a guy that is just as stupid as I am. Sean and I got a couple rides in on days when most people wouldn't even leave their house. Their loss! We rode the Olmstead loop on Saturday. That may the wettest ride I have ever done. The creek crossing was almost up to our waist. Today we knocked out 2hrs at Tuttle town. Both rides there wasn't another rider in sight.

The single speed seems to be the perfect weapon for the grit and grime of winter. Its impossible to have mud wreck your shifting or gum up your cables. I can't imagine a better setup for winter; hard tail (no pivots no maintenance), 29er (smooth speed),Single speed (just needs chain lube).

My wife was nice enough to give me an early Christmas present. The day before we rode Olmstead she looked at the forecast and decided that if I was going to be dumb I might as well be prepared. She bought me a pair of Endura Venturi E vent overtrousers. Its only been two rides but those have to be the coolest piece of bike gear I own. There is nothing like riding in a downpour with mud so deep it swallows 29 inch wheels to get back to the truck and have your legs and shorts clean and dry underneath. So far I have not been sweaty or cold in them they breathe so well you forget they are there. Thank you wifey. Now if I could just get that jacket to come off backorder.