Biking

This could have been incorporated into my last post, but I wanted to make it separate. I need to vent.

SIMBS has done it again. Another trail at the dump is drastically changed, and in my opinion, not for the better. Snakes and Ladders has been a favorite trail of mine for a very long time. It is a downhill trail full of switchbacks. There have been a couple Dh races on it, and I know that trail like the back of my hand. It is my go to trail when I want to show new people the dump, or I am just looking for a fun trail to ride.

Today I was railing the trail grinning like normal when all of a sudden the trail turned left when it should have went straight. A new trail had been cut and the old one was blocked off. The bottom half of Snakes and Ladders is gone. SIMBS was revamping a trail called Torpedo Run, and I think they rerouted Snakes and Ladders as a byproduct.

The new section links to an older trail, and makes Snakes and Ladders way shorter. Also, the new section is not nearly as fun. Finally, I am left wondering what happened to the old school trails called Shar's choice and the Gay Terrace that lay below the blocked off section. I'm hoping they are reachable from Torpedo Run, but I fear they are no longer able to be ridden.

I know SIMBS must maintain the trails, but it angers me when something this drastic is done. I'm hoping there is a sound and scientific reason for the changes. I also know that unless I get involved in SIMBS, I probably shouldn't complain too much, but I really felt the need to vent. One of the reasons I no longer join SIMBS is that I don't feel they represent my interests as a mountain biker. This is just another example of that. No, I don't want to join SIMBS and try to change them from the inside. I know it is a difficult thing to do because of their relationship with the CRD.

I've been wanting to ride for a while now. The timing this weekend for me to go mountain biking just didn't work, and I wasn't feeling up to a road ride. Instead I popped the road bike on the trainer and stayed home for a spin.

There are some things about riding a trainer that I forgot since last time. First, no matter what, get a fan blowing across yourself. A constant spin like that generates a lot of heat and without actual wind blowing over you, there is no heat dissipation.

Second, don't wear a jersey. This just traps in the heat even more.

Third, a headband would be a good idea for keeping sweat from running down your face.

Fourth, wear gloves. This may sound odd, but I have never worked up a sweat like I have on the trainer. Everything gets soaked quickly and gripping bars with slippery wet hands is not easy. Gloves give traction.

My workout today was 5 minute warmup, 30 minute hard ride, followed by a 5 minute cool down. It was a good workout, and I think I will try to get back into the trainer once a week again.

In the new house, I have a space downstairs to ride which helps keep the noise down. Downside is no TV to watch, but I will just have to create some good playlists for my ipod.

I should have ridden to work today. I wanted to ride, but as I was on my way out the back door bike in hand, I decided to investigate a strange metal on metal sound I heard on my last ride.

I found the source. It was another broken spoke. If you recall, this happened pretty recently already.

Frustrating. I had a quick shower, got dressed and jumped in the truck. Disappointing.

I had my road bike in the shop yesterday to get a broken spoke replaced. They cleaned it up real nice. The wheels were pretty dirty, and the frame had lots of road grime. I love Straight Up Cycles, Gerry is awesome.

I rode the bike to work today. The road bike always feels so sleek and fast. One thing I noticed was the seat seemed extra slippery. It almost feels like it had gotten waxed. Weird. Is this a normal thing for roadies?

Another wicked video to watch. The camera setup is pretty rad and makes for a nice effect. Plus it just looks hilarious at some points when the rider is really leaning the bike over.

CR-Helmet Cam from http://coastalcrew.blogspot.com/ on Vimeo.

via the Coastal Crew on vimeo