ridin' to work is cool!

I've been digging the commute to work....it's about 2hrs and 45 minutes, 50 miles and pretty cool. I go through golden gate park while it's still dark. It's cool to see so many people out and running in the park even at that early hour.

I make my way over to the great highway and turn left. Roll that till I hit the sketchy Skyline junction...you have to cut across one lane of freeway traffic to get to skyline, then cut across two more to stay on skyline! As long as you take your time there is usually a break in the traffic.

Any who, here's an example of the spectacular morning views....


So a 3 hr ride or 50 miles isn't really a big deal on the weekend, but during the weekday it seems like a big deal. Not sure why really, maybe just because I'm expected in the office and I actually have to be productive the rest of the day. In any case, the other day I had the feeling that riding into work wasn't as epic as it used to seem. I guess that's a good thing?!

29 inches of rigid steel love

So i've deliberated over getting a 29er for quite sometime now. Any how, with the loss of my 700c cross steed I felt a void in my life...that the other 5 bikes in my stable could not fill ;-( Anywho, I'd been trolling CL for cheap old road bikes(for my "City" bike fixed gear conversion) and cheap 29ers.


I did a scan last monday, got a hit on a 29er and by the end of the day I'd setup a date to check it out. Weds I rolled into Saratoga, test rode it, sized it up and said "aight I'll take it!" And that's how the love affair began.






Needless to say I was anxious to get it out on a ride. That day would be sunday. After quite a few drinks and stuff the night before, making the 9am ride time was a chore, to say the least, but with a bit of espresso and some toast I was ready to roll.

The plan was to ride from my house, across the bridge and into the Headlands. I'd done a loop out there before but was not entirely familiar with leading the ride alone. Fortuitously, Darren and I ran into OMD(mouse team mate) on the bridge. He knew a loop and so we followed.

I don't remembered exactly what we climbed but it was labor intensive. I found that turning the pedals was easy on the 29er, but my cardio was definitely feeling more taxed than when I ride my 26" singlespeed? I've got a 32/20 on the 29er and a 32/17 on the 26er. I'll have to crunch out some numbers to see if that makes sense. I tried thinking about it on the way back, but after 4 hrs of rigid single speed love I was too fatigued to think clearly about it.

As we rode back home we passed by Velo Rouge cafe on Arguello and decided that would be a perfect place to stop for a post ride meal and beer. They have awesome panini's with salad and they have Chimay! We sat outside, the sun was shinning and it was alllll good! What a way to finish a killer ride!

Aside from a very strict diet ....

of over eating and binge drinking I discovered XC and skate skiing. Holy Crap what a frick'n technical workout. Skate skiing is especially technique driven. A few times I cursed aloud and stomped on the ground in frustration at getting the V1 skating technique down. My inner quads, hip flexors, back and calves were crazy sore!

Given that skate skiing was such a workout I can't wait to incorporate it into my winter training regimine. Hopefully it will help me to come back bigger and stronger for next year cycling season!

Other news is that I got into the SSWC08 race! Woohoo! So I guess that means I have to fix the rear wheel on my SS. I was doing a nite ride a few months ago and a small fricken tree got wedged into my rear wheels. Fortunately for me my reflexes were quick enough to stop before I broke any spokes, but still the wheel wobbles back and forth enough not to be rideable. However! I'm also considering getting myself a 29er!
I've been debating it for a while now and think I may just pull the trigger in time for the SSWC festival.

Hope everybody had a good holiday!