Ok, not exactly a huge mountain, but for the OC MTB folks, it’s the Luge. Three friends and I decided to take a quick night ride tonight up STT. One of those friends unfortunately got his full suspension trailbike stolen last week, and was left with only his rigid singlespeed to ride. So being a singlespeed sympathizer, I brought out my trusty rigid pink Surly 1×1.
I really haven’t had a chance to ride my 1×1 on too many trails that have extended climbs. I’ve taken it many times on the Fullerton Loop as well as Peter’s Canyon, neither of which have a lot of climbing.
Like I expected, it was painful going uphill. I kept dreaming of a bigger freewheel as I cranked away on my 32×18 drivetrain. I only felt like throwing up a few times, and walked the bike only a little bit. My lower back was screaming for most of the uphill.
Eventually I make it to the flag pole, signifying the start of the Luge. It was my arms and hands’ turn to start screaming. Being on a rigid bike, you don’t have the luxury of just bombing down the mountain (well, you can if you’re suicidal). So I end up being on my brakes for most of the downhill as I carefully pick my way through the rocks.
Finally we reach the bottom and we start the climb back out. My cell phone starts to ring and thoughts start racing through my head, wondering who could be calling me now? As I’m distracted, I don’t notice myself veering into some brush. My wheel catches a rut and over the bars I go (whee!!). I landed (mostly) on my feet so no harm, no foul, save for some brush abrasions on my neck and a little patch of skin gone from my knee. For going over the bars, that’s not bad, I’ll take it.
Would I do it again on my singlespeed? Sure, as soon as my body’s stiffness goes away. I’m sure one day I’ll be able to ride this sans the nausea and screaming body parts.
Oh, and of course, the wildlife report - no mountain lions, but we did see a dead possum on the side of the road.
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