Lake Lurleen, Oct. 20, 2007

The name of this post should be "Rules I Learned While Riding My Bike"

I arrived at Lake Lurleen about 1:40 pm. Shayne was already waiting on me. I got my gear together as we saw Jim (Fattire) drive by. We hoped on our bikes and rode over to Jim as he got his bike ready for the ride. We said our hellos and got introductions out of the way.

We hit the trailhead about 1:50 pm. The first section was the Lakeside Trail, a relatively fast easy section. Shayne told me he was the slowest in his riding group and that I should have no problem keeping up with him. Those who have riden with me know my riding name should be Sluggo and I always pull up the rear. This was no exception. Jim and Shayne quickly out distanced me. They were polite enough to wait at the end of this section for me.

We were now at the begining of the Tashka Trail, a 9 mile altitude changing beast. This trail started off with a nice downhill decent to a bridge that overlooks a small dam on the lake. Here is where my workout began. After the bridge the trail turns sharply left and begins an ascent up a couple of switchbacks. RULE 1: Nutrition is key. I began to cramp in my stomach, I only had a cheeseburger before the ride and no breakfast. I need to learn everything I eat (or don't eat) will affect my ride. I once again caught the other two waiting for me on the other side of a fallen tree. I took this opportunity to pull ahead of them for some nice downhill riding. Unfortunately for me they qucikly caught up with me and passed me.

Thanks to some gels and a cliff bar I had eaten at our little break I was feeling better and riding stronger. at the 5.8 mile mark on the trail we had a decision to make, split off onto the Five Oaks Loop Trail or continue straight. Shaynes ankle was giving him trouble from an earlier accident so he decided to go straight. Me and Jim tackled the Five Oaks Loop. This 3 mile section started off with a terrific decent that was a lot of fun. However I caught a flat at the bottom of this hill. Rule 2: Know how to do maintenance on your bike before hitting the trail. I have been riding for 7 months now and this was my first flat. Jim was a lifesaver at this point. He gave me tips on how to change the tire. I had a backup tube which I put on and it ended up having a flat as well. Jim went to work patching one tube while I did the same on the other. I reinstalled my patched tube only to create a tear in the valve. Jim then installed his patched tube which ended up holding air. I am very thankful I didn't have to do a six mile hike a bike out of there.

We then continued on the trail where a very large tree was obstructing the trail. I am thankful of the size of this obstacle, otherwise I may have run into it for I was admiring the lake at this point. Jim had already pulled way ahead of me and I was trying to figure which way the trail went (the downed tree was that large). I saw his tracks in the pine needles and followed. Thankfully he chose the right direction. Rule 3: develop a fitness routine when not riding. I had another very large hill to climb after this tree. I need to get into better shape as I had to push my bike most of this hill.

Jim waited for me at the top of the hill where we reconnected to the Tashka Trail. We had another 4.6 miles of trail and 1.3 miles of roadway waiting for us. I was informed the next time I saw Jim was going to be at the cars. I was good with that. This section had lots of downhill. A few swampy sections and some nice boardwalks over stream crossings. The most notable section of this area was a very fast rollercoaster section. I was at the top of this section and was able to view a lot of the trail and remarking how fun this was gonna be. Off I go with a full head of steam when I come up on a hairpin turn. This turn had a nice berm on it and I was going to try and catch the banking for a fast smooth turn. Rule 4: Physics always wins. My idea of a fast turn wasn't a very good idea. Somehow my line took me to the top of the berm where I was then launched into the air and into the woods. My left foot became unclipped and my left knee then came down on the top bar of my bicycle. I had to shake this off and then finish this section at a much slower pace.

I am almost thru with the trail and I am exhausted. Rule 5: Shocks loose all travel as the rider becomes tired and looses focus. Roots are jumping out at me from all sides and I swear by bike is no longer absorbing these obstacles. I am being bounced around like a ball in a pinball machine. Luckily I reach the end of the trail with no further obstacles. I get back to the cars and Shayne is gone but he left a nice note. Jim has only been waiting for me about 15 minutes (he may just be being polite for my benifit). We say our goodbyes and wait for the next ride.

distance traveled: 15.13 miles
ride time: 2:22:41
actual trail time: 3:37:15