Gears: a love/hate relationship

So there I am yesterday, cruising along and feeling the gear love all the way.  Testing out the conditions for Camp Lynda day 1 things start to get a bit mucky.  Then it happened, that crunchy grinding sound every geary fears.  I stop, look at my rear derailleur, cuss, then laugh and pull out the camera.  Oh the irony.

25 or 30 miles from home this was not a pretty sight.  No phone, long walk.  Or make it a SS?  It took some field service that'd make the boyz at Desert Cyclery cringe, but I got her running again.

In any case, I was so unimpressed with them gears at this point.  Is this how it all begins?  The unavoidable fall into retro-grouchiness?  Not quite yet, but if I had to walk it'd be all over.

How about a roll call for Camp Lynda?  Me first - I'll be there ;)  What to ride is the question.  SS days 1 and 2, gears day 3 is the likely call.  Small gears like 32.18 on the 26er may get the nod, we'll see.  For sure on day 1.  Day 2 may see the 17.  If I was gonna SS day 3 I'd prolly go with the 16 and plan on doing a bit of walking on the steep Smithsonian climb.  It's all downhill except that climb ;)

The weather forecast last time I looked is mid 50s and sunny for the extended weekend.  Can you handle that?

Here's a descent we'll hit day 1.  This is about as close as we'll get to snow.  Snow is pretty when miles away. 

LOL I just realized this is my first post of '08.  A fitting title to frame the season methinks. 

Published Thursday, January 10, 2008 8:04 AM by Dave

Comments

# @ Thursday, January 10, 2008 9:00 AM

+1 for Camp Lynda. Planning on a geared hardtail. Might bring the FS bike if I have room. Does Hotel Harris have a spa?

Jeff Kerkove

# @ Thursday, January 10, 2008 9:13 AM

Can't wait for camp. I'll be bringing my bike style of choice for 2008. :)

plesko

# @ Thursday, January 10, 2008 11:16 AM

Learn to hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate. . .

I sure wish I could make it to the Desert, its a long way for us east coasters.

hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate hate . . .

ExtrmTao

# @ Thursday, January 10, 2008 1:51 PM

I will be there for days 1 and 2. And it is funny, I was planning on taking the geared bike. I drove into my garage earlier and saw both bikes hanging on the wall. I thought..."I ought to take the SS." And then I came into the house and read this post. You just sealed my decision.

SS it is.

Adam L.

# @ Thursday, January 10, 2008 5:30 PM

You guys have fun out there - wish we could make it, but with the move and all we are reeling ourselves in right now.

Ditch all of your gears and just be done with it. It's just better that way. Having the gears vs. ss option makes you think too much and once you ditch the begginer bikes you just ride and really don't have to worry much when on epic enduros.

Matt

# @ Friday, January 11, 2008 9:08 AM

I'll be there, and I'm bringing both bikes.

ionsmuse