 |
 |
|
|
|
June, 2007
Spring Ride
By Deb Moulton
Rage-On Portland
Oh the Pain!!!
The snow has melted, the rains subsided the trails are dry and here we are on the first group ride of the season. I always look forward to the first group ride in the spring. Fellow bikers who have scattered for the winter show up. Some have veged for the winter, others skiing, snowboarding, or whatever winter sport. Then there are the hard core riders who were able to find ways to bike throughout the winter
Many of us have our winter weight gain we are anxious to lose and are ready to start burning it off. Burning being the key word here. Without fail, no matter what I have done through the winter, the first ride is a butt burner.
I can feel my lungs wanting more air than I can take in and I swear I am working harder and falling further behind. Maybe this is the year I am going to be so slow it is going to be too long for people to wait at the corner. However everyone still waits and the old familiar obstacles are taken on one by one. The bike, not being tuned up yet, has squeaking brakes. The chain is skipping a little. Maybe I should have cleaned off the layer of protective mud I left on it from the last ride. I could try and blame the bike for my mediocre performance.
Oh! Here comes the plank bridge. About 50 feet of 1 by 10 boards lined through the marsh to keep out of the water. Actually I spend more time walking or riding off the bridge into the water than on it. I have to cross about a 10 foot bridge, drop off about 3 inches, lining the tire in the center of the board, and then try and keep steady and mostly straight for the distance of the planks. Oh what the Hell, just go for it. What have I got to lose? So over the bridge and onto the planks, so far so good, I coast over one, two, I’m half way, I have to pedal now, and...another 25 feet or so and . Wahoo! I made it.!!!! I never make this plank bridge. Maybe this year isn’t looking so bad. The adrenaline had taken the tired feeling out of my legs. I’m not feeling quite so slow.
It sure feels good to be back on the trails, back on the mtn bike, riding with friends. Oh and there’s beer at the end.
Deb Moulton is an emergency room nurse with an adrenaline jones… She lives in South Portland with her Springer Spaniel Charlie. Email her at sherpachick59@yahoo.com and visit www.ragemtb.com/mainiacs for more info on group rides in the Portland and Waterville areas.
Email nick [at] noumbrella [dot] com with your questions, comments and concerns.
Design and Content © 2002 to 2006 No Umbrella