Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Tired Legs

Training has been going well, but today my legs felt like lead. I was really just dragging ass. I mountain biked for the first time in 10 years yesterday and it must use some different muscles because my legs are sore. The temperatures are creeping up in Texas. Today at riding time it was 90 degrees. Soon enough I will be racing in cozy 100 degree temperatures. Fun fun. I am racing the Thursday Crit this week as well as the Peel Out Criterium in San Antonio on Sunday. It should be fun and I hope for good results.


The town I live in, Dripping Springs, had their Founder's Day festival over the weekend. We took the kids down for a few hours on Saturday. It was the typical carnival type event with plenty of hillbillies and rides most caring parents would never let their kids near. Angelo did ride the ponies though. We had some lunch at the festival and I came across this beauty I am gnawling on above. I spared you the pictures of the funnel cake and waffle fries.


I didn't think the train could be too big of a hazard given that it only goes 3 mph so we rode it.


This is the bike I rode yesterday on the trails near Phoenix. As I said, I haven't mountain biked in 10 years. I have also never ridden a mountain bike with full suspension. THIS THING WAS AWESOME! I had a blast. I couldn't believe how you could just float over rocks and washes and ruts with this bike. It makes me want to go out and buy a full suspension mountain bike and get back into it. We didn't go that far, maybe only 1.5 hours, but it was cool. I especially like how you can lock both the front and rear shocks out so you can hammer the roads on the way home. Since I stopped mountain biking, technology has come a long long way.

17 Comments:

Blogger Zach said...

Sounds like you had an interesting weekend. I used to mountain bike a lot with my friends, whether it's on this dirt trail down the road from my house or just around town as usual. I missed riding on a mountain bike, I had a nice Orange Mongoose, but I'm more accustomed to speed now. I'd go crazy not being able go fast.

Yes, MTB Technology has come a long way, even in just the last few years!

I think I might get a MTB this summer now, along with a track bike...

4/22/08, 8:18 PM  
Blogger ~ lauren said...

90 degrees! AWESOME! i love that kind of weather.

and you're looking might slim in those pics.

glad you got out on the trails. it's good for you!

4/22/08, 8:41 PM  
Blogger Here and there said...

I spent most of the decade of '92 - '02 riding the trails at South Mountain and elsewhere in AZ. It's so beautiful there. That bike looks sweet!
Waffle fries, yum.

4/22/08, 9:31 PM  
Blogger Fat Lad said...

I mountain biked for the first time in 10 years yesterday and it must use some different muscles because my legs are sore.

Funny you should say that, got myself a road bike a few weeks ago and the first few times on that my legs were absolutely toast. Now I'm reguarly riding both they are really complementing each other

Fat Lad

4/23/08, 1:34 AM  
Blogger Groover said...

So you are taking your arm- and leg warmers off while we start pulling out our winter gear. I even had to wear knee warmers this morning for the first time this year.

Heavy legs - vividly remember how it feels. Get a massage!

4/23/08, 3:10 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

You sure you were'nt at a Texas renaissance festival? That leg o' beef looks pretty gnarly dude.
Go choice on avoiding the carny rides; I still remember looking down from the local ferriswheel to see the operator asleep! That does not inspire confidence.
Hey if it is getting so hot down there, maybe you should go looking for a place a little further north to do some riding (hint, hint). Temps are pretty darn nice right now!
Sure, now you get into MTB! Where were you when I was selling my Titus Racer-X last year? I'm sure if you sweet talk Danielle, she can get you a discount. :^)
We will have to hit the trails here when you come up next fall; I might actually be able to keep up with you on dirt!

4/23/08, 5:29 AM  
Blogger Chris said...

Zach - the problem I have is that I don't have time to do both and be good at both, so I choose road. I still like the idea of a new mtb though :)

Lauren - I think 70 is a much better number.

Cyndy - I am not sure what the area we rode in was called. It was a little south of Phoenix in the burbs.

Fat Lad - I have a sore ass too. I haven't had a sore ass in a few years doing road riding.

Groover - I forgot you are coming into winter. It is not too brutal in Brisbane, right?

4/23/08, 5:32 AM  
Blogger bluecolnago said...

that choo-choo looks damned fine on you, brother! :)

4/23/08, 5:52 AM  
Blogger jahowie said...

Sounds like a great weekend!! I've never been mountain biking. I may have to give it a try sometime. That train didn't really look big enough for the both of you. ;-)

4/23/08, 6:37 AM  
Blogger Chris said...

Oldman - it would be cool to get up there to do some mtb. Do you have a shop where I can rent a nice rig? And Carny people in general scare me. They don't even need to be operating a ride.

Blue- thanks brutha.

Jahowie - give it a try. It is a blast.

Cyndy - I did check and it was South Mountain where we were riding.

4/23/08, 5:19 PM  
Blogger Lily on the Road said...

Nice bike!

I have a big old iron pig mountain bike and it is just great for where I live. I'd love to try a speed bike, but Kaching....maybe one day....as I'm signing up for a tryatri that's taking place in August/September....

glad you had fun with the family!

;^)

4/24/08, 6:50 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Chris: We can find you something to ride if you want; I have two bikes as well. Ada Bike would probably let you demo a bike, so let me know.
I'll need some lead time so I can get over to the beer store and put an order in for the Blueberry Ale too! :^)

4/24/08, 11:23 AM  
Blogger chatterbox said...

Well, after our one big heat spell (just in time for the stage race), our weather has turned back to winter. The vintners are all freaking out because we have had morning temps below freezing all week. My toes were froze on the ride this morning.

Anyway, MTB is great skills + anaerobic endurance training. You should get one to mix it up with!

4/24/08, 11:29 AM  
Blogger Eclectchick said...

When I saw that leg o' whatever, I thought it was a big chocolate waffle cone fulla ice cream.

Huh.

4/24/08, 3:15 PM  
Blogger Chris said...

Lily - if you aren't going to ride it often, stick with what you have. Prices on new bikes are crazy.

Oldman - now you are talking. You should try to lure some other bloggers to the race in September.

Chatterbox - I would like to get one, but I think I only have enough time for one kind of biking at the moment.

Eclectchick - it is a turkey leg. A waffle cone with a gallon of icecream would be better though.

4/24/08, 7:39 PM  
Blogger allan said...

Ah. Welcome back to the mtbing fam.

4/26/08, 6:17 PM  
Blogger Ron George said...

obviously, mtb'ing is something I've missed on too. hopefully I'll get into it later this year after i earn some moolah.

4/27/08, 5:49 PM  

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