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Gotta Love Cross-Training


I love autumn for many different reasons.
One of them being the chance to cross-train!
I had not been on a mountain bike
since the XTERRA last year,
when Jennifer invited me to hit some trails
a few weeks ago.

Of course I could not say 'No'.

I love mountain biking.

BUT

I have no skills on a mountain bike.

I made sure Jennifer was aware of both.

on top of Mount Elden

I must have faired pretty well
since Jennifer agreed
to take me out again
last Saturday.

(I attribute this to the fact
that I can run rather fast
while pushing the bike.)

I'll go out
on a road bike
by myself
any day.

When it comes to
biking on trails,
I like to just
follow the leader.
Especially
in a new place,
I guess.

But
this time
things did not go so smoothly.
I ended up with
a handful of issues.

Issue #1:

My trusted mechanic
and babysitter
was out of town.

Karl thought it would be fun
to do a double crossing
of the Grand Canyon.
So he was busy running
from the north rim
to the south rim,
and back to the north rim.

Jennifer's kids to the rescue.
They are super nice and agreed
to play with Noah and Max
while we rode our bikes.

Jennifer on her new 29er

Issue #2:

Karl took the car with him.
Jennifer lives 3 very hilly miles away.

Chariot to the rescue.
I'll do anything for a nice, long ride.
Even pull a fully-loaded, 100+ pound
trailer across town.

Friday night,
when I finally had the kids in bed
and the house somewhat decent,
it was time to get the bike ready.
Karl's bike, that is.
I don't own a mountain bike.

So I ventured outside...

Issue #3:

...and found the bike locked up.
With Karl's lock.
To which only he has a key.
Which he took with him on his trip.

Craptastic!
At this point
I am contemplating defeat.
Maybe I should just go to bed,
sleep in, enjoy a slow morning,
take the kids to the gym,
and run on the treadmill?
Tempting.

Jennifer to the rescue, again.
There is no shortage of bikes
at her house,
and she offers one of her bikes to me.
I am hesitant, but I take it.
Like I said,
I'll do anything...

See? There IS snow in Arizona.

The ride itself was beautiful
and, luckily, rather uneventful.
(Not that there were not any issues,
but I'll spare you.)

Jennifer showed me a lot of
really neat trails in our backyard.
We rode up Mt. Elden on one side,
cruised down the other,
and then made our way back
around the mountain.

At times
I was almost proud of myself
for staying on the bike.
Sometimes
I was pretty frustrated
with my lack of skills.
Overall
I had a great time!

Jennifer was having fun
on her brand new 29er.
She tried to tell me
that the reason she is way better than me
is her new bike.
Of course, I know better than that!

When the kids and I
finally arrived back home,
everyone was happy.
And that is how I like it.

Huge thanks to my new
biking buddy.
I definitely owe you.



Comments

Leslie said…
Aw, friends and adventures in your new place! I'm glad!
November 17, 2010
wilson4 said…
Fun! I bet you are going to end up with your own nice mountain bike very soon.
November 17, 2010
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