There Is No 'Try'--Imagine and Do!

So I imagined myself on my new single speed (see last post!) doing an epic ride. There I was, leaving the house in the late afternoon. I headed straight for Almaden lake which would take me to the Camden single track that we all know and love. From there I cut across to Old Almaden Road and headed out to the Hacienda entrance of Quicksilver.

Once here, I imagined myself having second thoughts. Three miles up in one gear! Am I insane? Granted, my single speed is geared pretty low, since I am just a beginner at it. But still! Well, I rode the ten miles to get there so I might as well try it. Up and up I went. By the time I reached the picnic table I was pretty hot and my heart was booming in my ears. Nevertheless, I felt pretty good! After a brief rest (I imagined, because that is what I always do anyway) I headed UP! Many novices and pedestrians were hanging out and although I had my headphones in I could hear their gasps of astonishment as I headed up the hill. (This is imaginary, remember!)

The second mile was tough! The third was easier. I made it all the way without walking or stopping. Yeah! Anything can happen in your imagination. Reaching the top was a great reward. I had a quick rest at the picnic table and headed down to the reservoir. I wondered what it would be like without my beloved 44 tooth big ring. It was slower in the flat sections, but I had so much fun that it did not matter. I did not realize how much flex a full suspension bike has until I went down a long run on a fully ridged bike! I sure am glad it was a smooth fire road though.

After the downhill I contemplated taking an illegal trail and exiting the park. I decided against it and went to finish the loop instead. A good call since I felt really good and my muscles were warm. I passed countless riders and hikers and even horses on the way back around the front of the hill. Though I was pushing hard I still had enough breath to sing aloud some verses of "Mr Tambourine Man" and the "Song to Woody" as I drove hard through every dip, corner, and hill--to the great delight of those I was passing (imagination, remember!).

Finally reaching the table I was starting to feel tired and the fear of cramping set in. Should I go down back to Hacienda or head off to Mockingbird where I would have to face a series of short climbs again. Then the immortal words of that great Jedi master came to mind: There is no Try. I went for Mockingbird. The downhill was delicious and the climbs were climactic. I did not walk once, to my surprise. I heard a gasp (or sigh?) come down from the sky, which I could only take as a sound of surprise coming from Olympus. (Hermes was jealous of my speed, I take it!)

From Mockingbird I headed back to the Camden single track and back to the lake and back home. My guess is 30 miles total, and well over 2000 feet in elevation gain. I had never done that line before, even in imagination! When I was done imagining it all, I thought to myself, "Hey, self, let us go and do what we have just imagined! It will be recorded in the annals of mountain biking history as one of the greatest rides in two-wheeled history. And you will be remembered by generations. And when a Bible of cycling is finally recorded you will surely find yourself a partriarch in a chapter in its book of Genesis!" After such encouraging words from myself, how could I possibly refuse?

In short, I went and did it! Today I am a little sore. But I am glad I did it. Join me some time!