Mountain Bikes

[ScottyB]

thought i'd dig this up from the abyss. since moving from Atlanta i've started to rekindle my love of mountain biking. as a teenager i used to bike everywhere, all the time and loved it. i didn't previously have much time for the hobby in Atlanta and there weren't many decent trails within the area even if i did (that is changing now though). now i'm surrounded by nice singletrack only a few minutes away and in the past 2 months i've probably put about 200 miles on the bike, most of it on the trails.

it's been fun getting reaclimated. i can't climb worth a damn and although i don't like to blame equipment my bike is pretty busted and obselete. the plus side is that it's forcing me to work with a pretty limited performance envelope and push it harder to keep a good pace. i also like knowing that if i make rookie mistakes in this stage and bend the bike i won't feel bad about it.

this thing was a classic in 2002 baby :bow: v-brakes, a hideous but comfy DJ saddle i got for pennies, non-adjustable air shock, platform peddles...


i went on my first group ride today with the local TORC (triangle off-road club) chapter. wow was it humbling. also hilarious pulling up to the pack with my POS and wearing regular shorts, a t-shirt, and running shoes :lol: when everyone else looks like their about to qualify. i had been to the local trail system quite a bit but could only keep with the back half of our group. after we were done i was wrecked. speaking of which, i had a close call shaving a tree with my forearm when i leaned in too much, and eventually did catch my bars on a tree, crossed up, and got dumped on my ass at about 15mph. thankfully into leaf litter and not the rock garden about 100 ft. up the trail.

anybody wear forearm guards? i have an issue with overheating/dehydration so i hate to cover up any exposed skin for airflow, but i'm getting sick of pouring hydrogen peroxide on my arm wounds after every ride. i know its nothing compared to the skin removal tactics that most of you guys possess but it's cool to show off riding scars right?