I got a small warm-up on the road before the trail head which helped. It was pretty chilly (50 degrees)when we started and I need time for my lungs to warm up, and I got some spinning time with the SS to get used to it. We start and they send me out in front... one I don't usually like to lead because my pace is quickened because I know someone is behind me and, I don't want to hold them up. 2... I like to take it easy! So anyways, I start out, they give me a head start to be nice. I get almost to the top of the first section......and here comes Andy, he is most impressed! It took him quite a bit of time to catch up to me. Once at the top, we determined this was the quickest I had ever made it up that section. I said "I was just pedaling and found the groove."
At the top however I did think I was going to die... my lungs were on fire and I had to stand up a couple of times to pedal. I am not used that, so it took quite a bit energy. We start out and now it is down hill and I let the guys go ahead, they have more weight and it carries them fasted. I did however notice that I didn't get a much speed going down hill with my SS as with my geared bike. But the funny thing is, Andy thought I was faster on the down hill than normal.. I said that it was because I was at a comfortable speed and didn't have to use my brakes as much.
We get to the Pond and now it is time for the hardest part of the trail. I start off and get to a rocky patch of trail... I wasn't sure how this bike would do, so I lost some momentum, I made it over the rock, but then had to stop because I wasn't pedaling. The SS is a hard tail and my geared bike is full suspension. I am used to the rear suspension soaking up the bumps as I go over and not really losing any speed.. not so much with the hard tail. As I continue I so wanted to stop a couple of times, but Brady was behind me, so I knew I couldn't stop without hearing about it, so I sucked it up and just pedaled as best I could.
Once we start going down I noticed I really like this bike... I felt very confident on it, I was able to make turns with more speed and steering was easy. I think this is due to the wider handle bars and the "meatier" tire on the front.
We went down Feldmier and that was a challenge. One, there are lots of obstacles, but I made all of them. Yay, and then on to the rock garden. I made it over, but I had some extra speed and almost ran into a fallen tree, but I saved it at the last minute. I noticed I had to let some air out of the front fork because it is set for Andy and there was no give at all! It was like I had no suspension on the front.
We finished in the dark... the last section was really dark and not my cup of tea, but we made it safely to the cars. It was fun and I really enjoyed the bike. I can't wait to try it again and see if I do as well now that I know how it rides.
Thanks everyone for the build! Andy took some pictures but I haven't downloaded yet due to the battery being dead. I will add later.
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