...But today was a great last prep ride before departing to Spain, and Andalucia Bike Race. The gift of last week's mega-chinook was icy trails and pathways threatening to take us down on moment's notice. On the flip side, the warm weather and race anticipation drove me to take on risks a little more than conservatively appropriate each day. I think fate flashed before my eyes a few time per hour during near-misses on ice over the last three days.
Pictured above is not Spain - but it is "dirt", and on the fleeting moments where exposure and gradient colluded, the thrill was well worth it. Block out the snow, ice crystals, and freezing wind and you can easily let your mind be tricked into thinking you were elsewhere...
It feels like home to be back on the Mountain Bike. This weekend also marked the death of the Monster-cross, resurrected as flat-bar rigid. If the thought of a 19-pound trail bike (or less) sounds skittishly fast in theory, It also is in practice. The extra precision of the rigid fork gives instant steering response and rewards any effort with a quick acceleration. This much speed makes me a little scared, but big tires and front suspension are in store again for next week. Maybe later this summer...
Death of the monster cross? Nooooo!
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