Ive only seriously started riding this season. Im going through a deep anger phase in my mourning of my wife and that and kayaking is keeping me from doing something REALLY stupid out of anger. My short term goal is to hit a 100km or 63 miles. I figure, Im only 2 more tries from reaching that goal.
The bike is a Bianchi Project2 which is a hybrid bike, good for groomed trails (95% of what Im riding now) and road.The bike is older than dirt. Im looking at a Trek Dual Sport 4 which must be close to being 10lbs lighter than the Bianchi, has only one chain ring and 11 gears at the back, disc brakes and lockable shocks. Like everything up here in Canuckistan, everything is in short supply so I will wait until next season to get one.
I completely understand! I lost my Dad a couple months back, and the middle of June happens to be fathers day, my dad's birthday, and the time that my mom passed several years ago. Tough times, and 100+ degree weather and 70% humidity in TX now.
I was really feeling down earlier this week. I forced myself to get in 7 miles biking towards dusk when it is "only" 90 degrees, and even halfway through I was already feeling much better. Been toughing it out every day to ride since then, it reminded me that biking isn't only for my physical health. I have also gotten to the point that I enjoy working on my bikes too. When I'm working on my bikes, I tell the wife "I am training for my retirement"
1x drivetrains are great for offroad! Disc brakes are a must, way better performance than rim brakes, esp in poor conditions. As far as a suspension fork, I personally only use air-sprung forks now. I would rather have a rigid fork than a mediocre coil fork. But, I'm also a heavy weight rider, and I ride rougher trails than you.
