A pal suggested we take a little ride in the State Park since we're both retired - nothing too strenuous, you know. LOL. Fortunately I had my 1992 Trek 930 Singletrack overhauled in '16 but its just been gathering dust since. I did brush it off but didn't even take it around the block before loading it up and heading to the park.
Bottom line, I'm very out of shape but the bike was great and I definitely made it for the whole ten-mile trail with lots of ups and downs. I was huffing and puffing going up the grades but I never got off the bike. We did stop a few times on crests to drink water.
During the overhaul I had the original larger tires swapped out for some more narrow ones thinking I would ride it only on the streets. Those tires are not making it on these trails so I will be ordering some knobbies later today. It got hairy a few times on the downhills when I hit the sandy/graveley patches. I was also riding the brakes to keep the speeds down for that reason so I couldn't fully enjoy the downhills.
My legs were a little rubbery right after the ride but now I'm ready for more already. My seat seems to have weathered the storm too and I really am not feeling anything unusual. In fact, my wrists don't hurt and neither does my neck - in the past my neck would bother me from holding my head up. I have no idea why its better now but it seems to be. I'm also using my Shimano mountain bike shoes with no cleats but I do use the clips with loose straps. I used to have trouble with toe numbness but I think the Shimano shoes must be helping with that.
As great as the Trek was today, I can still definitely understand the allure of at least shocks on the fork for these trails, but I won't be making any changes to the little singletrack except for the tires. Maybe I'll just get a whole new bike. I'm fortunate in that unlike 40 years ago, I can now buy a bike without going into debt. First though, I'll see how it goes with the new tires - I think it'll probably be okay.
