new bike!!!!

There's nothing quite like getting a new ride to get you excited about getting out there for a ride. It was tough, but I parted with the Blur yesterday. Today, I headed down to the Bike Shop to pick up my new ride.

Rocky Mtn ETSX-70. I had an ETSX before and have regretted selling it ever since. Love the ride. And this one has a carbon rear triangle. Rode it back to work and not-so-patiently watched the clock the rest of the day.

The opening chords of "Dancing on Your Grave" by Motorhead are playing as I hit dirt for the first time. The bike tracks like I've owned it for years. There's a fun little singletrack carved into a hillside near my home. I fly through that and head home to grab a water bottle, I've got a group ride with the Deadgoats tonight.

I pedal uphill and into the wind to the top of Nose Hill where 15 or so people are gathered. I see a few familiar faces. Tim is there, Devin, Erik, Dominik, Gerry, Lloyd, Maz, Ivan and a number of others.

We head north and rip some steep stuff, my brand new brakes aren't working well and I almost hit the guy in front of me. Oops. I always forget there's a little break in period. We wind our way down into the valley, it's still a little sloppy. We then have to go back up. Damn, these guys are fast. I'm not used to this bike and it shows. I manage to make it up and we head back down. My brakes are working a little better. The next climb is a killer. I don't do so well on this one. My two hours of riding are catching up to me. I walk a little, we get to the top and drop back down. We take a sharp turn and I blow a shift, instant calf cramp. I'm forced to stop and stretch it out a little.

I get back on the bike and pedal hard to try and catch up. There's little rest as we're climbing an even steeper section this time. I make it 80% up, which I'm happy with considering how far I've ridden already. We play around a little on some cliffs and then head out on some more singletrack. Whoever says Nose Hill is boring simply isn't looking hard enough. I'm exhausted and bid the gang adieu and pedal towards home. One last rip down the hill...

I get home and can't even get my shoe off I'm so tired. Great first day on the new bike. I figure I did about 45km. Can't wait to get in some more, but the weekend is doubtful due to snow in teh forecast. Bummer.