So I have been attempting to ride two hours of single track while increasing my millage each day. Wednesday I could say that I was quite proud to be at 18 miles in two hours. My lungs and legs feel better each day; I almost can do sections of trail at the pace I used to be able to, yay for progress!
I had an epiphany of a new sport on Thursday. I call it Reverse Bicycling, sounds pretty awesome doesn't it? It is pretty simple, all you need to do is strand yourself several miles from civilization then brake you bicycle and not have to necessary tools or ability to fix it. The more arduous the journey back to civilization the more bonus points one will receive.
So how was my trial run at this new sport; well I think I scored pretty high. I was nine miles in my ride and at the top of Hayden Trail. I was headed downhill when I received a pinch flat on my back tire, not too big of a deal since I had my handy dandy flat repair kit. Apparently at that time I didn't have the actual skills to use it though. After 40 minutes and five failed attempts to fix the tube I gave up.
I was about two and a half miles from the closest bike store and in stiff cycling shoes on the top of a loose rock/bouldery trail. Walking my bike was not an option due to the chance of damaging the rim or tire so I threw the bike onto my back and hiked down. Every couple of steps and I would slip and a pulse of pain would radiate through my ankle. Due to the geometry of my bike shouldering my mountain bike doesnt work so well. Instead I had to put the bike on my back, while balancing the pedal on my camelbak. Though this balancing didn't always go smoothly and the pedal would slip off and embrace my spine in a manor I'm not too fond of. I had to hold the handle bar so it didn't jab me in the face, after about 30 minutes my shoulder went numb.
All in all it was a nice work out.
I am one that believes in equal rights. So it is only common sense to let my bike ride me.
That is the worst feeling, having all the tools but unable to fix the problem at hand.
ReplyDeleteIt is very frustrating. I am now going to start caring around a spare tube so I dont have to even worry about patching until I get home.
ReplyDeleteReverse cycling!!! Nice term for it... I am now going to consider myself reverse working! :o)
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine had a similar situation happen and he filled the tire full of organic matter (leaves, pine needles, etc...) to protect the rim.
ReplyDeleteFilling the tire is a good idea, and even better idea is not to leave home without my spare tube... have one that is in a zip lock bag that is marked spare tube and everything. I had it ready for the trip and never put it back in my camelbak for day rides.
ReplyDeleteHey Man, put up some updates, let the blogosphere know what is going on. Enough of that starcraft business.
ReplyDelete