Old Faithful

Yesterday was the warmest day we have had in Central Oregon in many weeks. I felt compelled to take out the Salsa, my oldest and hardiest and most reliable mountain bike, for an afternoon ride on the local trails. I looked "old school" as I donned my plum-smuggler Castelli riding shorts and a super thin racing jersey, threw a tube and an inflator in my back pocket, and rode out Century Drive towards the new COD Trail. I felt almost naked without my 25lb guide pack and baggy shorts. This feeling, coupled with the fact that the rigid bike is almost 10lbs lighter than my Santa Cruz, gave me such a weightless and unfettered feeling. I made a couple bonus loops and rode longer than I had intended. I didn't notice until I jumped out of the singletrack and onto the road at Phil's Trailhead that I had even forgotten my water bottle.