Training Log Archive: AC

Picked up the MTB rental (nice Giant Anthem 29er dualie, but a size too small for me) and headed out to The Camel Farm where there are some 40km of purpose built single track in a lovely forest. Superb riding which showed up my lack of technique on such tracks and in rocky terrain. The dry gravelly tracks were also a real challenge after so much European muddy and firm terrain. Had a couple of spills at slow speed, mostly going uphill through rocks and a couple of times on gravelly berms where the front wheel slid out in the gravel. Really enjoyable though and would love to spend a heap of time on such tracks to get better at them. Will have another couple of rides here before heading back to Paris. Very hot this morning and am glad I had a Camelbak.

Scott bikes were lending out new bikes to test ride and so I headed off on a $4000 carbon fibre, dual suspension, 29er for a quick spin (Spark I think was the model). Although I was quite tired after my previous ride, it was great to get out on this new bike which is a step up from anything I have every ridden before. THis bike had some real zing and could roll over the terrain very easily and quickly. Will be hard to get back on the Giant tomorrow, and even the Specialised back in Paris! I guess that is why they have these test ride days - to sow the seeds of discontent and to make people poor!