A quick trip to PA to have more Christmas with my parents. My parents swear they’ve scaled back their Christmas efforts, but their houses were still packed with cookies and candy and crap. I resisted as best as I could and planned to get a couple of good singlespeed rides while I had access to snowless terrain.

climbing the fire road into the bleak winter Trexler landscape

Actually, this was the first time I’d been back on my singlespeed (excepting the ride in TN) since the great groin bruise crash of mid-september. For three and a half months I’ve been riding gears and full suspension, taking it easy, trying to help that groin strain heal up. I’ve mostly succeeded. So, this week was a triumphant return to the singlespeed.

Niner One9

Wednesday was chilly, but the wind was way worse than the cold. Windy, as in the kind of wind that stops all forward progress. I felt sluggish and struggly on the bike and didn’t understand why it was so hard, after all my 22t cog was still on there from the summer. Or was it? Nope, turns out it was a 20t. It didn’t just feel harder because I’m out of shape, it was harder.

Thursday was much colder, not even 30 degrees but no wind. Back over to the trails. Everything felt better and I found my groove. Great ride before packing up and hitting the road back to VT and away from all those cookies. My mom snuck some in my bag, but I’ve got a plan to use those to bribe the bike mechanic later today…