Today I planned to do a lap at Mid plus some extra miles. Instead I ended up taking my hardtail bike for one last spin in an attempt to confirm that my body and the frame were not longer getting along.
I wish that I would have not done this today for two reasons: 1. I always ride singletrack better, faster and more comfortable on my Superfly and I would have rather stuck to my original plan and got some quality miles in. 2. Riding the El Mariachi today only confirmed my fears and suspsicionns–my body and the frame are no longer getting along. I could use a million excuses for why me and the frame are no longer getting along, but I am almost certain that it comes down to the facts that my body is older, fatter, less flexible and more crap than it was five years ago. Where once my body could adapt to various positions and deal with it fine, now it does not. Such is life.
I tried various stems, seat posts, saddle positions, etc., but each and every attempt has been a fail. This sucks because I always loved this bike and have a ton of sentimental attachment to it. Way more than I ever imagine having with my Superfly.
To me, the E.M. represents a time and place in my life. It reminds me of friends, of races and of past rides. As much as I love my Superfly, it seems like a tool for a job and nothing more. That’s not to say I don’t dig it, but I also know that if a better bike came around tomorrow and I had the means, I would part with it with little heartbreak. With the El Mariachi; not so much.
I didn’t get the ride I wanted in, and I didn’t get the confirmation that I wanted, but it needed to be done. Now I can set about selling the frame and parts and try to pay off some other bike debt. After that I only have two other bike I’ll need to sell. I’m not through with hardtails, just this one. I think at this point I need one size larger to make my bike fit better. Sigh…
All was not a total loss on today’s short loop. I spied an owl that I see quite frequently in the woods up at MMCC and this time it was very cooperative in letting me snap a pic of it (seen just above). It’s not the best of pic and I REALLY wish I would have had my DSLR with me, but I’ll take what I can get when it comes to Mr. Owl.
After I finished up my loop, I got out of my chamois, in to street clothes and headed down the road to do some fishing at Herrick Recreational Area. I have NEVER had good luck at this place (aside from catching tiny bluegill), but that changed today when I did some nice materbassing…
After a few missed strikes on the torpedo, I finally got one. It put up a nice fight and I was thankful for the opportunity to get hold of a nice bass. After a quick photo it was back into the water for it. Hopefully it can bring someone else the same joy someday.
I somehow caught few small bluegill while not even trying and then called it a day, but not before plucking some other little critters from the water!
As for this fun (but to be honest shit) week, it’s pretty much over. Tomorrow I head back to PA for some visiting with friends and family. I may sell a bike while I’m there, I may not. I may go for a ride, I may go for a hike, I may go fishing. Or I might just do my visiting bit and get back home to do all of that here.
Later.