40 lbs to Fulldom

[Kid A]

[FONT=Arial]Well ride #2 coming of DL complete with bike and body still in working order. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Was looking for a "tame" ride and perhaps something new. Typically ride local parks or SA’s. Anticipating I am the only person in SoCal to still be a virgin to the loop and with so much "excitement" of late I figured I had to join in for a STR group ride one of these days but was hoping to hit it once before riding in mass. Hearing it can be a bit "confusing" the first time to pick up some of the "joined" trials and aware of the recent carnage there I thought it might make sense to ride it with someone in the know. Who could I reach out to, We all know George is the godfather, but appears Chris (SAR Boats) is certainly a knowledge keeper of all STR bubbs and events as revealed at the BBQ.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]In any event hit Chris up with PM requesting a private tour of the loop and responds he is more than willing to ride. Try to confirm a day ahead of ride and he acts like he doesn’t know me nor recalls the plan. Later he tells me he didn’t recognize the number as it appeared on his cell and connection was bad so didn’t hear who it was. Yes, Chris number was from work (not my cell) and believe it or not I do work on occasion (although appears that has limited life these days). [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Anyway, Chris rolls up rockin' his STR team jersey and we start rolling a bit after arrival, Chris knows I am still a bit apprehensive just getting back on rig and starts a slow roll. Think plan was to pick up [/FONT][FONT=Arial]pace a bit but since I brought the Stinky was only able to keep pace up on flats (sort of) but found myself just creeping along in granny on the climbs. Chris was an excellent tour guide waiting up for me atop each small hill as my wheels kept spinning with just enough speed to stay moving. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Chris was even kind with his words of motivation "hey, your doing great, you definitely would not be the slowest person on the Thursday rides". WTF, Chris. Confirmation i'm not the slowest??? Try not to sugar coat it so much next time. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Additionally all along the ride he pointed out all the "extra-credit" spots. While most spots seemed not too tech, with the plan to just finish ride with no "events" I elected to keep them in mental inventory for future rides. Chris also revealed insight into the carnage spots of recent STR folks including the tree he kissed that did him in (healing vibes to all my STR bros!)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]In any regard, while no records were set it was great to be back on bike, hitting a new trail and riding with Chris (my first time riding with him on dirt). Was able to ride without any real stopping and no walking on the climbs with big rig so all in all another big smile [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]Big thanks to Chris and see you all soon on da’ loopy loo!![/FONT]

[FONT=Arial]btw- as we had minimal stops (except aforementioned Chris waiting for me atop the "hills") and didn't take any pics (besides everyone knows the loop, right?) merely posting pre-pre ride pic of truck and rig in my work parking lot as I daydream about dirt and one of my most excellent tour guide -Chris - post ride[/FONT]

[bjammin]

It's always a scary feeling of relief when you first get back on the bike. A year and a half ago I tore the poop out of my shoulder and was off the bike for 4 months. I remember the sh!~tty feeling of my body not doing what my head wanted it to do on the first post injury ride. The worst part was getting passed down Rock-it by a hardtail (I was riding a 5.5)! The best part of that ride was when I got back to the car and said to myself "ok, I'm back!"
Here's to being back!

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by bjammin

It's always a scary feeling of relief when you first get back on the bike. A year and a half ago I tore the poop out of my shoulder and was off the bike for 4 months. I remember the sh!~tty feeling of my body not doing what my head wanted it to do on the first post injury ride. The worst part was getting passed down Rock-it by a hardtail (I was riding a 5.5)! The best part of that ride was when I got back to the car and said to myself "ok, I'm back!"
Here's to being back!

Ya, what he said. Congrats on your first ride back bro. I know that's got you feeling good.

[OMR]

Welcome back to the trail, Adam... climbing back on the horse that threw you can be scary, scary... but ya gota do it... which you did. What most don't remember is that the mental aspects of a risky sport like mountain biking sometimes far out weigh the physical. Its like the body is saying "Yeah, dude let's get back in and go for it!"... while the mind is saying, "Whoa!, you not ready yet..."

Congrats on getting over the first huddle and back into it ... it will take the mind a little longer to really trust the body again...

OMR

PS: Good call on picking Chris as your tour guide.

[xhuskr]

Glad your back in the dirt Adam....beer to you!!

PM or call me for a ride sometime, eh?

[J_Sims]

[SIZE=6]BACK.... [/SIZE][SIZE=3]Congrats[/SIZE]

[Burner]

dude, that takes balls to ride the Loop de Carnage when just coming back from injury. glad it went well

[SAR_boats]

First off, it was an honor to be selected to show Adam around the loop. I had a great time and Adam is always a blast to ride with.

Adam, don't think I was blowing smoke when I said that you would hang just fine on the thursday night ride. I offer this as evidence:

We only stopped to rest twice, once at the top of cardiac hill (where the concrete drainage ditch is) and once at Laguna lake.

Adam cleared every climb. All of them. Including railroad ties. On a 7" travel 40lb Kona Stinky.

If this is Adam when he is out of shape then he must be an animal when he is in shape.

[guero]

right on adam! glad to hear you are back on the bike, more importantly, back on the KONA!

[carbonman]

Right on, rolling the Stinky on the Loop. Good Job!

[Kid A]

Originally Posted by xhuskr

Glad your back in the dirt Adam....beer to you!!

PM or call me for a ride sometime, eh?

just hit u with PM regarding...

Ride like a Kid, eh (Maples springs - mid week early afternoon ride)

[project_d]

Good to hear you're riding again. I had a bad crash earlier in the year (but not as bad as yours from what I hear), I know what you mean. It sucks being out of shape and not being able to ride how you want to, but it still kisks a$$ to get back on the bike! See you on the loop!

[Innes]

Glad to hear you're back on your bike again. Take it easy. It will all come back slowly, but surely.