This past weekend I was a ride leader for a training ride for Bank of America employees who are riding in the MS150. The ride was sponsored by the Trek Store of Charlotte. I was asked if I could help out and of course I was happy to do so. Hats off to these folks who are doing something fun for a great cause!! There were a few first time bike riders, which made for an interesting "B" ride which was 36 miles. The "A" group did 55 miles at a stronger pace - I think they averaged 17-18mph and the "B" group was suppose to be 15-16mph. Since we had some first timers the "B" group got broken up a bit and the sweeper said the back of the group averaged more like 11mph. I was impressed with folks who made this their first ride and rode 36 miles. Good luck to all of you in a couple weeks during the MS150 ride!!!

This got me thinking about my involvement in riding a road bike just 18 months ago. I had originally purchased a used bike to help me get better prepared for mountain bike racing. My wife laughed at me and stated that "I'd ride it once or twice and hang it up in the garage". I believe she said something about a waste of money too? Well, the jokes on her - I've put probably 2,000 miles on the road in that time period and I'm on my second road bike. A beautiful Trek Madonne 6.9 - thanks Trek for the hook up, I cannot believe how great the bike rides. All that carbon just feels like butter underneath you, but at the same time it's so flippin' stiff that it's unreal. I have come to enjoy riding on the road. It's nice to open the garage door and hit it right out of the driveway. Don't get twisted though - mountain biking is still where it's at for Jonnynails. If I don't have some roots, rocks, and some 2 wheel drifting on dirt every once in a while I start to get like a hungry bear. So just remember folks, it's ok to ride on the road and drop some of the leg shavers, but always remember that sometimes you gotta let the bear eat!