Sorry, Elton.
I went for a mountain bike ride today…in the mountains. I should say I rode the bike for a bit, walked it up hills, rode the brakes downhills, and generally noticed that my lungs were trashed. I’m not saying I was breathing hard. I was, it’s the mountains, but my lungs actually hurt. Like sore, like damaged. Like the run yesterday must’ve taken me through chlorine gas attacks. When I got back “home” I checked out my trail map and noticed a nice looping trail around the Odgen River to the Weber River. Ya know where it doesn’t loop around? Mountains. Elevation. Yeah, a smarter person would’ve checked out alternate roots BEFORE they went out.
The route I took was a gravel road and single track. The gravel road was flat and no problem. Single track was a challenge. This is not the mid-west. This is not flat, dirt. This is rocks, lots of them. Like skiing, trail running I can now add mountain biking to things I really need to learn how to do before I just head out.
I’m back now to do some work for next week, but this afternoon I’ll check out that loop or head out the other way and ride around the Weber State U campus just to see it. One big reason for the bike is to be able to ride around and see things. I usually do that running, but biking is good too. Especially when I’m already dying.
For the record, today’s music during my “workout” (I put it in quotes because it was all of 23 minutes/2.74 miles and 222 ft) was the same as yesterday’s trail run: Marilyn Manson. Nothing says calming views of the mountains, fresh air and exercise like Marilyn Manson.
I think this afternoon’s ride will be a bit on the mellower side. I can’s see myself riding to Elton John, but for some reason, I’m leaning towards The Guess Who. Why? Who knows.