Great Fun

So this morning I got out on the Trek Marlin 29er mountain bike for my first real ride. I'm not counting the little spin around the neighborhood of the bike shop, wobbling around since I hadn't been on a bike in years, trying to figure out how the heck to shift.

Today the ride went much better. Right off the bat the bike took off compared to the trike. I'm not saying I'm all that fast, the average speed for the ride was 14.2 mph, not exactly blazing fast. But I did get up to 20 mph pretty easily on the ride and cruised along much faster than I usually rode on the trike. I had expected to go faster on the mountain bike, but it was interesting to see how quickly that happened. And I didn't have my clipless pedals, I think if I'd switched out the platforms I'd go faster. I actually tried last night but couldn't get the platform pedals loose. I think I'll need a pedal wrench.

During part of the ride I slowed down to experiment with the shifting, trying to get it into my head what each shift of the gears does. With three rings up front and a bunch in the back and four levers it's a bit more complicated than the twist-shift control of a 3-speed trike.

I've 'borrowed' a few things from the trike. The bike computer, bell and water bottle cage. Pedals (but they're not on the bike). I do plan on riding the trike in the future for fun, but I plan to put most of my miles in on the bike. I'm getting a few bags to use as my big plastic bucket panniers won't work too well with the mountain bike and I want to get the weight down that I'm carrying. I'll probably add some fenders as the weather turns wet, but I've looked at types that are quick to take on and off. Mostly I'll want them for commuting.

I've got a goal to commute via bike as much as possible. Some days due to meetings or whatever I'll need to drive still, but most of the time I can ride. Right now I've got a ~10 mile one-way commute, but I'm also applying for a new job which (if I get it) has a ~17 mile one-way commute.

It was lots of fun. Still more to learn. I want to try some cycling shorts, new saddle, etc. All in good time. Eventually I'll build up more miles, tackle longer rides and start working on bikepacking trips. Thinking about the STP ride for next year. Eventually I hope to tackle the AZT, Tour Divide and other races like those. By then it may be on a different bike, but I think the Marlin will get me started!