My bike, like me, is a Minnesota native. As a coworker called it - “a flat-land bike.” I’ve always known it’s had its issues with hills, but I’ve managed alright - from Minnesota to Jackson Hole to the Salt Lake Valley… everywhere I rode was relatively flat (and I could handle a hill every now and again). My bike treated me well on the way home yesterday, but I didn’t realize I was actually going downhill most of the way. The grade is so mild, you don’t really notice, especially not in a car. I just thought it was flat, and I was riding with the wind yesterday. However, before leaving this morning, my roommate informed me to allow a few extra minutes, because it’s an uphill trek back to town. I didn’t believe her… but 15 minutes later, I sure did. The increase in elevation is so slight, it would be no problem on any other bike, but on my flat-land bike, it was a nightmare… a slow, horrible, gut-wrenching, on-the-verge-of-puking, hour-long nightmare. Did I mention I can’t change my gears? I wanted to kill myself.
A biking co-worker of mine, who has rode Hwy. 224 many times, couldn’t believe I made it the whole way on that bike. I really can’t believe I did either. I was ready to kill myself after only a mile. It’s an incredible bike, capable of infinite distances, but it’s a flat-land bike… and it just can’t go uphill (especially not for 8 miles, no matter how slight the grade). I will never, I repeat NEVER in my entire life, ride my bike south on 224 in its current state again. Up here in the mountains, my flat-land bike is in serious need of reconstructive surgery. I’m taking her to the bike doctor later and we’re giving her an extreme makeover. She needs it. I need it.
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Wow. Can’t believe you did that.
Makes foragreat story, though.
Comment by Fly on the Wall 03.15.07 @ 1:17 am