Herniated Disk

So the ride was great last night. I rode the geared full squish for the first time since October and we enjoyed relative dryness, given that it had rained all day as well as it being fairly warm. The only thing wet were the many roads that we seemed to ride, especially the one at the apartment complex that we cut through to get to the Kirkwood neighborhood to get to Alligator Alley. This was devil black-top, the type that when it's wet, you can see your reflection. You can only fo one of the three on this surface, accelerate, brake, or turn. You cannot do a combination of two or more, unless you want to pay the price......

I paid as well as Jamie and Tobin. We were clipping along at a moderate pace when we came to a slight turn, I was leading, I saw a car approaching so like any sane person I cut the turn a little tighter and dabbed on the brakes to scrub some corner speed. (Anyone notice anything wrong with this? <-------I tried a combination of turning and braking. Ha well I wiped it out pretty good, but managed to keep bare skin from hitting slick asphalt. As I was sliding across the asphalt, I managed to spin around and see as I was sliding, Tobin and Jamie sliding too. We all wiped out at the same time!!!! It was kinda humorous to me so I was laughing all the way until I stopped sliding, then continued laughing as I got up. I managed not to hurt myself, at least at the time I thought I was uninjured. So we all got up and back on our bikes and started riding again when I noticed that my neck and back felt sore. I figured I just tweaked them when I busted so I did'nt think much of it, figuring it would buff out over night.....

I ended not being able to sleep because it just kept getting worse and worse. I got up early this morning not rested and figured I should get it looked at by a Doctor. I went and got it X-Rayed and come to find out I have a Herniated Disk and need to take it easy the next few days, which sucks because I really want to ride. It hurts like hell and I can barely turn my head, I think its time for more pain killers. I just want to ride.

Moral of the story: When on wet asphalt, remember to pick one, or you'll crash and herniate yourself!!!!

Sketchy Looking Bridges

I was informed the other day of some new bridges being built at the Creekside trail. I was also informed that it was rumored that I was making these bridges. Well I went and searched for them with Dan and Joe and was unpleasantly suprised to come across a very shoddily build wood A-frame bridge over a very rotted fallen tree. This sketchasaurous bridge was made with a pained door which would'nt ever be slick and the other side was pieced together with all sorts of wood scraps. I don't think anyone cold ride this and I hope would have enough sense to stay away from it. This bridge looks like a time bomb before it collapses.

So we ventured on along the trail when we came to some new pressure treated 4x4's laid in the dirt used to mark the trail (hmmm I sure could put those posts to way better use than as trail markers....) Well then we saw the swamp bridges being built. They are all build out of nice new pressure treated 2x4's and screwed together. The bridge is built over a old fallen tree in a swamp. Wonder if whoever is building these bridges realizes that as soon as it rains the bridges will be under water and unrideable? Well Dan and Joe were scared to ride this bridge of some sort, but I tempted fate and successfully rode it only to get to the other side which was definitely swamp. I was thinking, "hmmm ok this has potential, a new trail is always good...." when I realized that there was no continuation of trail, but a turn around an uprooted tree to recross the swamp across more dead fallen trees half submerged. Once again these guys are going to be covered up with water the first time it rains. This bridge was not yet completed and there were tools scattered about, which makes me wonder if whoever was building them was still back there.

All I have to say is that I have nothing to do with these bridges, but if whoever is building them wants to put his or her resources to better use on bridges and trails that will always be rideable and dry, talk to me. I'm broke, out of wood, but would like some help finishing my trails. It would be a shame to see all that good wood and work go to waste on a trail that will not be rideable most of the year. To whoever is building these, I'm willing to show you a thing or two about building a sustainable trail, quit wasting all these resources on something that will go to waste and not be enjoyed by Gainesville's large mountain bike community.

And to everyone who might be motivated to start building trails: get with someone who has been doing it for a while<---all the guys who do the Goodbike Tues/Thurs rides. By working with someone who knows how to properly build a trail you will learn a lot. Just going out there and cutting trail without thinking it through first or slapping together some sketchy bridges is not good. It hurts the land, is no fun to ride, and the shoddy bridges could end up hurtuing someone. When building on public land, make bridges that most everyone can ride without worrying about getting hurt. If you just put a little more time, effort, and design into trail building, they will last for a very long time and will be enjoyed my many people.

Hope I didn't offend anyone..........

Ride Tonite

Well we're going to start up the Monday night beginner night ride again. We will be meeting at Chain Reaction at 8:00 PM. Bring lights, and be prepared to get muddy muddy muddy!!!!!!! This will be a casual paced ride which is perfect for a beginner or someone new to mountain biking. Be sure to borrow or bring decent lights.

Any questions, email me at mitchhal@ufl.edu...

See you tonite.

Roadie Pain Time

Ok, I've stooped to the roadie level right now, I admit. Though I feel I have some sort of justification for my actions. I don't want to get my butt kicked in the races. My breathing and heart felt fine all weekend, but I just didn't have legs that could sustain an effort for long. I'm all motivated now to get some legs so that means I have to ride the stupid road bike. I rode like three hours yesterday, pooo. I'm not quitting on the MTB, so don't fear. The twelve hours of Santos is this weekend and our mission if to crush Juicekablueski, who thinks he can sololy beat our team of four, possibly even lapping us. MUHAHAHA!!!! Yeah right!!!! We'll bring it buddy!!! Anyways, there is the Goodbike ride tomorrow night and Kelli might be doing something slower tomorrow night. It's bed time..........

Pain and Suffering

So today was a bunch of pain and suffering. Yes I did the roadie thing today and did an Individual time trial and a team trial. It hurt, I still have MTB legs, not the dumb roadie legs, but I'm sure they will come.

But anyways, tomorrow will be the action packed ride in circle uptight roadie crit. Dan will kill Joe and go for the win. Race action starts at, well early, I'm not sure of the exact time. It's downtown.

Epic Tonite, Maybe.......

So there might be an epic ride brewing for tonite with me and possibly Dan saddling up at 4 and riding until it's time for the Goodbike ride, then we'll hit that up, should be about a 4.5-5 hour ride, it'll be fun. Today might also be a good day to work on the trail, we'll see. I have a stupid time trial and crit roadie stuff this weekend=no fun, lot's of suffering. But the ride tonite is Goodbike at 6:30 or epic around 4.

Holla

Ride Tonite

I'm in the J-ville today, but the ride tonite will be with the Goodbike crew leaving Pat's house at 6:45. Have good lights and good legs, or else you had better have a good knowledge of Gainesville's trails because you will get dropped. Anyways, be there it'll be a blast like usual, and as for tomorrow's ride, Goodbike has a nice easy ride at 6:30 and it's much slower than the Tuesday/Thursday ride and they take off from the shop. I'll be taking a Marketing test while everyone gets to ride, I'm not afraid to say that I'm jealous.

So who wants to go dumpster diving with me to find some wood. I really want to finish my trail and get people riding on it.