Hardtail Appreciation Week(s)

"Feeling strong today, huh?" asked one of the roadies rolling up to the group gathered for the Tuesday Palm Bay ride.

That gets a chuckle from the crowd, including me.  I have no illusions that I could ever keep up with the Tuesday ride's notorious 30+ speeds.  On any bike.  And especially not on Bruiser. 

But Mother Goose has assured me that there is a B ride.  As a matter of fact, he says, he and another old mountain biking friend, Phil, are the B ride.  (I don't really know why, since they each show up on bonafide, skinny tire road bikes - with aerobars.)

So, why oh why, am I there at the Tuesday road ride on a heavy old hardtail Trek Paragon 29r named Bruiser?  Even with a B version and two good friends to carry me through, it's just silly.  I expect to be off the back as soon as the warm up mileage is over.

Let's face it.  Everyone needs at least three bikes.  A road bike, a mountain bike, and a commuter.

 

Three bikes, I have.  

 

Killer, the full suspension 29r.  

 

The Madone, all polished up for sale at Krafty's new shop (Village Cycle in Cocoa Village).  

 

And Bruiser.   Good ole Bruiser, bell and all.

Killer, the Superfly 100.

Both shocks sent out for maintenance after Croom.

 

 

For Sale

Madone 5.2.

All carbon frame, 54 cm, upgraded wheels.

And yes, actually made in Wisconsin! 

 

 

 

Bruiser at Turkey Creek.

Pressed into emergency service.

 

 

I have been riding Bruiser for a few weeks now. We are coming to an understanding. I work harder and stand up more. He doesn't bop me in the bottom quite as much.

 

And now, after weeks back in the hardtail saddle, I realize, that with a little understanding (and a lot of standing up), old Bruiser isn't such a bad ride.  He may not be the fastest fella on two wheels, or the most comfortable trail machine out there, but he's been taking me everywhere I need to go.   

 

At first, I admit, I avoided him. 

 

 

The AF base. 

Turn around point for my five mile beach run/stagger.

 

 

Seemed like a good time to begin training for the Wickham Park Marathon, 50, 100, and 200 Mile Fun Run.  

 

But let's face it, there really is no good time to start training for Wickham.  To resume training, or to continue training perhaps, but to start training...  That just always sucks.  Especially without the joy of the mountain bike to look forward to on off days.

 

I even skipped a night ride just because it was raining, and went to a Tae Kwon Do class instead.  I love TKD, but it's no night ride.

 

Love those iPhones. 

The guys made sure I knew what I was missing.

 

 

Oh jeese, woman.  Just man-up already.  Bite the bullet and dust off Bruiser.  

 

At first, I took him to the easy places, the paved places.  Tropical Trail.  The river road up to Cocoa Village. 

 

On Rockledge Drive.

 

 

Then, bored with pavement, we started out easy. Who knew that smelly, burned out Wickham park, would end up being the gateway drug back into off road addiction?

 

Do you recognize this trail?

 

 

Then we tackled Turkey Creek.  On my own a couple times, easy does it.  And once in the company of Mr. Wonderful, adding a tour of Grapefruit to the mix. 

 

 

 

Another weekend.  Still no shocks for the Superfly.  We head to the relentlessly rooty Econ.   Biggest group ever.  The Full Moon Riders.  Plus some of Popeye's roadie friends - there for the first time ever.  

 

At the start of the Two Bridge Trail.

 

Semi at WOB

 

 

Back to Turkey Creek.  This time seeking the Malabar Scrub Riders with Just Mike. 

 

Mike - who always rides a hardtail.

 

 

It's the Bob's.

Ha!  Found ya!

 

 

2 weeks after avoiding the Full Moon Ride, Bruiser took the New Moon ride like a champ. 

 

We're The Fugawi?

 

I'd like to say I did the night ride without any whining. Oh well.

 

However, without any wine was easy enough - since the post ride beers at Post Road were 2 for 1.

 

LD's, Post Rd.

 

 

Going on Week Three.  Killer's shock parts delayed.  Bruiser is called upon again. 

 

This time it's a trip to FATS.  At least FATS, the Forks Area Trail System in SC, is smooth and swoopy.  About the best place you can be if you're on your back up hardtail.

 

 

 

Big Rock Trail

This just might be the only rock at FATS.

 

 

So it didn't happen without some whining on my part.  OK, a lot of whining on my part.    (Especially during the sprint finish when I finally fell off the back of the B ride.)  

 

But it did happen. 

 

Heavy old Bruiser, wearing hand me down fat tires, and an I-Heart-My-Bike bell.  Just a plain old back up bike who turned out to be about the best, most reliable, all purpose pony anyone could ask for.  

 

Hardtail commuter, turned mountain-roadbike, turned hero.

 

Who would have thought he had it in him?  Certainly not me.