Just call me Gonzales, speedy Gonzales

I'll be happy to note that I haven't "lost it" completely speed-wise. Over the ride tonight I had the highlights of averaging 13mph, and a top speed of 25-ish mph on a mostly flat MUP stretch with a slight decline. Felt so much better Than last night's ride, and in retrospect I'm glad I didn't take the roadie tonight. I would have been even faster and saying "OMG THE HARDROCK SUCKS" when really, yeah, just low psi. Tonight's stats and a pic from the trail:

Calories: 1822
Bike Miles: 13.5
Saddle time: 65 minutes
Bike total miles (Hardrock): 726.5
Weather depart/return: 50 and sunny/38 and dark



If you notice that's more miles (by a hair) than last night, and like 25% less saddle time. Saddle time is even counting the two water stops, and the picture stop. Of course waiting for traffic is in there. I'd bet my moving average is right up around 15mph, which makes me happy. Not bad for a big guy on a mountain bike with big knobby tires. So what'd I do different?

First, HELLO AIR PRESSURE. It's amazing the difference. A stretch I usually fly on last night I could barely push up to 20mph, and had to struggle to maintain 15. Tonight I flew down it at a peak of 25mph, and a average of 20mph. Note that this is all GPS speed, aka I'm not just saying this based off a possibly inaccurate bike computer. My "bike computer" is as accurate as it can get.

Second, water? What water? I stopped slowing down for water and stopped caring that I got dirty. I stopped caring that the bike got dirty. Instead I just kept pedaling, kicking ass and taking names.

Remember the first picture of the Hardrock I posted on flickr? If not, here's a refresher:



Look at how clean and shiny it is. At that point it had about 10 miles on it, now it's over 700. In fact, look at that saddle bag! It was like, black! And the reflective strip was like.. White! Nowadays that bike still looks like that. Except, umm, with lots of mud. And dirt. And leaves. And.. you get the idea.

Back then that bike also had this magical thing called "lube" that made it so all the rotating parts moved without friction or noise. At some point that lube decided the battle against Mr Water was for naught, and admitted defeat. Over tonight's ride, with every puddle, it became increasingly verbally angry with me.

I think that's my hint to give it a bit of a rest until I can give it some love with a bottle of wash, a toothbrush, and a healthy dose of chain lube.

Tomorrow I look forward to taking that lunch ride I had planned for today. I'm going to throw the Trek in the back, and see what it's got. That will likely be my only chance for a ride tomorrow, probably just 5 miles, but something is better than nothing!

Anyway, feels great to be back in the saddle. I almost forgot how much fun cycling can be.