First Ride on the GT

Our Friday morning ride took us out to the Hawes Trail, perhaps my favorite trail in the Valley. Spencer's brother-in-law, Drew, was in from San Diego and wanted to join us. We were delayed at the start when we discovered that the bolt on Drew's seat-post clamp was stripped and his seat wouldn't stay up. A trip to Ace Hardware and a quick jerry-rig got us on the trail a half-hour later. But then Mike's rear shock wasn't properly functioning. Rather than holding us up further Mike sent us on and said he'd meet up with us somewhere along the trail.

This was my first real ride on the GT and I found myself needing to adjust to the new bike. The geometry is a little different and I am sitting a couple inches higher and in a more upright position. While the bike handled the downhill sections beautifully I'm still trying to figure the best climbing position.

I drew blood while coming down the Mine Trail. I rode into a corner a little too fast and had to lock up to avoid sure and sudden death. I managed to stay upright but the skid took me off the trail and I slammed my right fist and shin into a cactus. I stopped to de-thorn myself and pulled out one thorn that was buried 3/4 of an inch deep into my leg. I still have a piece of thorn embedded in my fingernail that I can't seem to get out.

The incident also resulted in a flat front tire. Fortunately, however, the tire held up for the rest of the ride. I didn't discover the flat until I was off-loading the bike at home.