I think mountain biking would be fun, but I bet I wouldn't last much longer than 5 mins! I tried riding up a slight incline the other day and only managed to go about 0.5km before being so pooped I couldn't ride anymore. I'm unfit

Great site btw! I'm surfing it right now
Beverly | Homepage | 05.28.06 - 4:34 pm | #

Beverly, the first step is always the hardest, and you have taken that step. This is your first bike in adulthood, and as such it will occupy a fond place in your memory, but the future holds much more.

One day, pavement riding will begin to pale, and on that day give thought to "dirt." That's right, big bad mountainbiking! It's not entirely like you see in those videos with guys taking mighty leaps and dropping off tall cliffs. There's also cross-country, my preferred mode of travel.

It's much more sedate and safe, but still gives the occasional fast thrill, no fear. Also you can span vast distances under your own power with ease, at least compared to foot travel, and those toxic critters on the ground never come in contact with you. I like that.

Best of all, it gets you "way out there," far from the electric grid, and that can't be bad. Be prepared to see interesting wildlife that would be scared off by a motorized vehicle or slowly approaching footfalls. I can't tell you how many suprised looks I have gotten from normally elusive critters I have seen, but it's a lot.

I have to say that's a superb self-portrait on your homepage (it is, isn't it?). Just don't let the lack of comments in this blog discourage you, okay? I can see you have real talent and that is a rare thing. Keep pushing and never stop. Do that, and success is unavoidable.

BTW, you may have guessed that I have a yen for bikes too:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~cssj...cssjunkie/KMBC/

Sadly I'm older now, but I still try to keep up. You are young, so don't waste this one chance, okay?
Big John | Homepage | 05.28.06 - 9:34 am | #