A Ride To The Cabin

We are still in Montana.  I had a great ride on Saturday, almost 60 miles, four hours plus, and about 4,000 feet of climbing.  Hamilton to Skalkaho to Stony Creek.

View Untitled in a larger map

I rode the new bike.  The one with gears.  Yeah, I know, it's heresy.  But, I must admit, I forgot how to spin, and that is bad.  When on a singlespeed, you do whatever it takes to keep from bogging down.  Stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down.  What ever it takes, just keep spinning.  I stayed in 36x19 for a while.  When I tried to just sit down, I bogged.  No problem.  Cick.  36x22.  Did I say it was steep?  Again, I could not just sit and spin like I once did, 12 years ago.  Click.  36x25.  Float, toes forward, high cadence, use the hamstrings, calves, and ankles, and just spin.  Yeah, I remember this.  Not as fast as 36x19, but a lot less effort on a long, steep, 4000 feet climb.  Yes, a singlespeed will make you a better rider.  If all you ever do is singlespeed, so will a geared bike.  Yeah, I know.  Heresy.