Just bought my first mountain bike!

[bobja]

Gary Fisher Tassajara, for those up on this. I've had a 10 speed road bike (the same one) since 1977, so this off pavement stuff is new to me. Been thinking about it for awhile, but last month 2 friends and I went on a hike one morning at Crystal Cove State Park near Laguna Beach. Those bikers looked like they were having so much fun, and the trails there were wide and fairly smooth and went on for miles and miles - not to mention the scenery was stunning! So I figured what the hell. I'm laid off, got the cash, got a beer belly, love riding and need the exercise and I deserve to treat myself. I think I made a good choice. I plan on using it on local pavement too, since I live in a hilly area, and the combination of my road bike gearing and my advancing age, kinda kisks my ass on some of these hills around here.

Besides, auto traffic sucks - it gets old dodging idiot drivers.

[soleft]

1. I thought I bought a mountain bike

turns out it's a sport comfort bike. Oh well, I'm just going to ride in the city and Central Park. I just went for my second ride and I learned a valuable lesson. Know which direction the wind is blowing before you decide how far to go. I'd gone 86 blocks and felt like I could go another 20, but I decided to turn around and when I did I relized what it had seemed so easy. I had been riding with the wind the whole way.