Yep, Got out for the longest Mountain bike ride in about 5 years (got road bike in early 2007) 40 miles. Rode the 29'er today with friend for 20 miles where he went the other way to a friends house and I turned back. We started in Keystone Heights at the trail head for the Palatka Lake Butler trail then rode up SR21 to SR16. I think SR21 going north from Keystone is the hilly'est (not a word) road that I have ever ridden on (as an adult anyway). And like you said Linda seemed like I was riding into the wind the whole way... DOH!! 40 miles was for sure my limit today.. I haven't been riding much lately and it sure showed today. At about mile 30 I started thinking what am I doing lol. But at mile 30 I took a good break at the entrance to Goldshead State Park. (first pic) And then with about 3 miles to go (all of which was going to be straight into the wind I found this nice lil gazebo in Keystone heights by the post office. (second pic). Feel really good now glad I got out for a ride.

Love the bike.. the fit just seem really good. Hands are a bit sore but thats to be expected when I haven't ridden a mountain bike that distance in a LONG time.

Linda .. I don't know how tall you are but if your shorter like me the stand over height on the Vertex I got Is about an inch shorter than on the Trek/Gary Fisher that I test rode. That was one of the main reasons I went with the Vertex. That and it had good components for the price. ( I KNOW not the best but good)....

UPDATE: Just before bed got up from messin on the PC... and OMG got the worst leg cramp I have ever had. Thigh cramps suck!!! I almost never get cramps and yep I drank a lot of water before during & after my ride too... I just over did it a bit.....



5 bikes are tooooo many... I'm running out of rooms to put them in hahah. Gonna have to sell a couple of them soon.....