My bud invited me on an mtb ride today. After 100 roadie miles this weekend, I wasn't expecting it to be too much fun. I've done climbs the day after a long ride and it can HURT! It wasn't more than a mile before I was dripping buckets which is unusaul for me. I felt good though but I knew my metabolism was UP! A short way up the mtn my bud noticed a group of guys coming up. He picked up the pace so I went along with it. I felt good, really good, but really surpirsed too!

One guy came sprinting up so I watched him. As he resumed his pace, I picked it up and went along for the ride. He kept lifting the pace so I went along. I reached what I thought was the top and let him go as the road headed downhill. I slowed to a crawl when the second guy came up and asked how far I was going. I said I didn't know as this ws he first tiem I had been up there. I told him that I was a roadie and only didn't do much mtb. He said really, "you did great!" Ahhh, that was enough for me, made my day!

As the others reached the top, I found out that there was another 100 yards or so. Oh well, I had never been up the mountain. So we all had a little pow wow at the top. Cool guys! I do have to say the guy inthe orange jersey was SUPERFAST! He actually did loops around the rest of us as we raced up the mtn. Must be the bike!

My partner had met Doris on previous rides. Turns out she is some vet downhill racer that has published a book on MTB racing. She was cool and TOUGH! That was one steep climb with some grades over 20%.


Introduced to Doris at the start, author of a book on mtb racing.

Coming down!

MTB partner and his carbon fiber Ibis full suspension

Group of mtb'ers and Doris on the right. Guy in the orange is BLAZING fast!

BF'er Eyemage and Doris at the top

Eyemage coming down

Me