Good to get out.

Sometimes I have a specific aim for a mountain bike ride. It may be a particular route or to achieve a time on a preplanned ride. Often I like to go to a trail and repeat a short section to practice riding skills. Yesterday, though, I just wanted to get out on the bike to enjoy the fresh air and a certain amount of exertion.

I was diagnosed with a heart valve problem over a year ago and now cannot engage in vigorous exercise. Fortunately I was able to add electrical assistance to my Trek Fuel EX8 bike to enable me to still ride many of the same trails. I also use the bike for utility purposes. It’s usefull to get to town with non of the parking problems you experience with a car. You must, of course, have a suitable lock. Yesterday was a trail ride up our local hill, Healey Nab. The purpose built MTB trails are rather overgrown but apparently the owners, the town council, have put some money aside to invest in the trails. Hopefully next year will see some improvements.

I’m reluctant to ride my E bike nearly as hard as I would a non assisted bike because I refuse to believe that the motor in particular can take the forces generated by bumps and jumps. This makes riding a relatively tame affair. I rode some of the more obscure routes around the top of the hill before riding down the twisty trail. I can’t wait to be back on a lighter, conventional bike to test the limits of speed and grip.

From the bottom of the hill I rode along the canal bank where I needed to slow down many times for walkers. I returned home via Duxbury Park which was the grounds surrounding a large country house, until it was demolished in the mid 20th century. I covered 11 miles with nearly 800 feet of ascent. It was good to get out.