Monday, the 22nd, I finally got the bike I purchased. Assembled it, tuned it, adjusted it.
Being excited to get back on the saddle, I informed Fonty and Mike that my bike is ready, as they promised to bring me to the Claremont Wilderness Park (CWP) to pop its cherry. We set a ride for today, Saturday.
Discovering that a few other friends at church also ride mountain bikes, I sent out invitations for Saturday’s ride. The final head count we had as of Friday afternoon was 4: Fonty, Mike, Raymond, and myself. Good.
Pass
Then, a little after 7:00 P.M. Friday, I get a text from Fonty saying, “Guys, I’m going to have to pass on tomorrow’s ride. Both my tires are flat. Let’s do it next week. I apologize. I couldn’t repair it.”
I stared at my phone, wanting it to be a joke. After our text conversation, he really had to back out. Oh, well. It happens. We’re down to 3.
The morning of the ride, with my mind still groggy and my eyes still not able to focus, I sent a text to Mike and Raymond, telling them I’ll them later.
Next casualty
Got a response back from Mike, “I thought it was canceled? Fonty has flats,” to which I replied, “He’s the only one who canceled. Are your tires also flat?”
No amount of convincing worked. He has decided. We’re down to 2.
I also realized Fonty’s text looks like he sent it to multiple people. After checking, he told me he didn’t text Raymond. Good, as I was the one coordinating with him.
When he finally responded to my text, he said he’ll be running late. Alright, then it means he’s still a go.
Not having been to CWP, I didn’t want to ride alone.
Finally, we meet.
Can’t stop, won’t stop
But in this context, it’s not good. I noticed Raymond’s right brake lever touches his grip when he squeezes it. What?! He said one of his brake pads needs replacing.
It turns out he has hydraulic V-brakes. Uh, oh. Then I noticed some fluid on his lever. Uh, oh. Well, it leaked a bit when he tried fixing it himself. Uh, oh.
After a while of still trying to fix it, he fairly satisfied. So finally, we take off.
Since the road to the closest parking lot was blocked by a police car when I arrived, we were directed to park on a street a few blocks away. No wonder a lot of people were walking and pedaling along the road towards CWP when I arrived.
I just looked at the slight uphill road as a warm-up before we hit the actual trail.
As we passed by the entrance to the walking/bike path, I motioned towards it, letting him know it’s an easier option, but we didn’t come here to ride the easy option.
Off-pavement
Finally, the pavement ends. There are a lot of people hiking, a few biking, and, as before, I shake my head in disappointment at those who choose to pedal the trail without a helmet. Tsk.
We start the trail and I see it starts to climb immediately. Being off the saddle for almost a decade, I experienced mixed emotions: excitement, because I remember the satisfaction of reaching the top after a hard climb, and dread, because I haven’t done this in a long time.
Though, I’ve psyched myself up to do a repeat performance of winning against Shotgun Hill. The spirit is willing, but will the flesh be able to do it?
Thank God there are small areas where the trail flattens and would give us a bit of reprieve, but not too much!
I look back at Raymond and tell him, “We could always stop to rest if you need to,” I remind him (and inwardly, I’m trying to will him to ask to stop.)
And it worked! We stopped to take a breather.
And again.
And another.
Then I learned this is the steepest uphill he’s done, having only discovered the joy of cycling a few weeks ago.
The easy option
After a few more attempts, rests, and chatting, we decided to go back down and just ride the easy path. We’ll conquer this next time.
Naturally, the downhill part to get back on the road was fun, and we pedaled quickly going down, continuing fast as we entered the walking/bike path, choosing the rough trail that runs parallel to the pavement.
Passing walkers one by one going in opposite directions.
At the end of the bike path, we decided to backtrack as it’s the safer route as opposed to riding through the main roadways.
The path seemed like it was stretched longer, now that we’re pedaling back uphill.
It was a fun Saturday ride. Looking forward to when we can ride as a bigger group.