Climbing, climbing, climbing …

This morning I meant to spin up Sugarloaf Road and rip down the Boulder Link Trail a couple times. Lingering snow and a forgotten helmet changed that plan.


Stumpy vs. Enduro cont’d: I buzzed the 2007 Stumpjumper Expert up semi-steep pavement to the trail head. I usually grind this climb on an Enduro, and it usually takes about 15 minutes. Today I rolled the same climb in 13:45. There are plenty of variables, but an XC position, five fewer pounds, faster tires, front lockout and a rear Brain can’t slow me down. (And walking up hills with heavy objects can’t hurt either. I swear I’m stronger overall in the off season.)

You know I thought about ripping the rocky singletrack descent without a helmet, but snow and ice made that an even worse idea than usual. So I kept climbing.

30 degrees Fahrenheit. The shadows bit cold, but the sun shined warm. Storm clouds rolled across the blue, and a whisper of snow rode the wind. The backlit flakes sparkled like crystals.

But never mind that, because I’m getting tired. An hour and a quarter of climbing — from 5,800 to 8,000 feet with no water — will do that to you. I alternated sitting and standing, focusing on different aspects of my pedal stroke, and I let my wind wander.

It came back with some cool ideas about work and Life, and it reminded me how lucky I am.

The descent was very fast and very cold. I called The Wife and asked her if she had a couple things of mine there at the house, because I couldn’t find them where they normally hang.

Everything thawed out just fine, then I was off to run errands and do some work. All in all, a great morning.


7 replies
  1. Patrik says:

    Hey Lee, so stoked to hear life is treating you well!!!!! SUCH and important thing!!!! Keep it up, cant wait for my boarding season to really start…then be on the board almost every day of work, plus my days off, gonna be a good season!!! See you in the spring!!

  2. leelikesbikes says:

    Yeah. You know I love Enduros!

    My Enduro SL is really an Enduro with the FOX on there.

    The Specialized suspension does make a huge difference.

  3. Lor Riihimaki says:

    Good reminder of how good we have it!!! I just got an Enduro SL expert and love it. It climbs better, is lighter, and handles better than my older Kona cross country bike. What fun.

  4. mackai says:

    Hey Lee,

    I was looking to put $300-500 in my new SL 08 comp and would like to lighten it up a little bit. I have already upgraded to x-9 shifters and an XT cassette…any suggestions?

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