I love my bike.  It’s a Lemond, I’ve had it about three years, and we are completely bonded.  I’m in an argument with my entire family about whether or not to purchase a new, fancy-ass, traithlon bike for this event.  Their argument:  “When else would you purchase a tribike if not for completing an Ironman?”  My argument:  ”       “.   I know they are right; I just can’t picture breaking it to the old girl that she won’t be making the trip to New Zealand.  But that’s a blog for another day.

Today’s bike-related issue is about yet another bike.  Jesse and I have purchased new trail bikes for an upcoming tip the end of October to the C and O canal.  It runs from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC, and is an old mule path/rails to trails conversion, almost every mile of which is gravel.  Not appropriate for our road bikes, of course, which is why we’ve gotten the new trail bikes.  Nice, fat tires, upright posture, not quite a mountain bike, but not really a hybrid either.

This trip will take place in another two weeks or so, so Jesse suggested we take them out for at least a short spin before we’re out with no bike stand/tools/etc.  So for today’s 25-miler we hit the road (or Greenway in this case) with the new Treks.

yeah, they're even matching
yeah, they're even matching

We were on a paved surface, and did 25 miles, and even so, we were both bitching about them when we finished.  My back hurt, my hands hurt, my wrists hurt, my elbows hurt.  I think most of our issues can be resolved with some tweaking here and there, but miles and miles on gravel on this bad boy does not hold much appeal.

It was overcast and wet in Murfreesboro today, but the Greenway always offers its own brand of beautiful scenery…

by the new Greenway water feature
by the new Greenway water feature
up close and personal
up close and personal

It’s my intention to blog from the trail when we do the trip, but I don’t know about the cell reception for the internet, so we’ll see…

Today also included a strength training session, which, if you are keeping track, is my favorite workout, and today was a great one.

iPod random shuffle of the day:  Chuck Berry, My Ding-A-Ling

Thanks for reading!