What Bike for Annandale?

My thanks to whomever wrote in asking my thoughts about if their bicycle might be appropriate to Annandale. They don't have a full suspension and I do not think that is a problem I rode for years on a hardtail,in fact it was an older Trek 750 (?)mountain bike with no suspension at all. When I finally upgraded to a Santa Cruz Light I was amazed at the amount of control that I had.

Back to the question - I think a hybrid would work just great on most of the trails in Annandale. There is a huge variety of trails, single track, double, giant freeways of roads composed of gravel, hardpacked dirt and so on and so forth. A hybrid would be great for this and of course much would depend on how much suspension you have on the bike. There is a trail called Rough Go that you may want to be careful if you go on. It is beyond my skill level except when I get off and walk in many parts of it. I neither have the skill level or the training to successfully and safely make it up and down without walking at some point.

Much of my riding is done on the coast up near Timber Cove on nicely carpeted fire roads and single track and if you fall, in general it can be on softer ground. Up at Annandale (i.e., Rough Go), falling could be dangerous. I carry my Timbercove Fire Dept Radio with me when I ride there . . . for myself or anyone else that may need that extra bit of assistance.

Yesterday at one of our local Emergencey Departments I took care of a rider (road bike) who had been on a 200 mile organized ride. On a downhill about 35 miles per hour the front tire blew out and they endoed (end over end, at least they think so) and was knocked unconscious. It all turned out well, just a fractured collar bone but this individual was very tough and actually considered finishing the race after they woke up - on the road! On her discharge certificate I had the doc put in a sentence that they should receive an honorary jersey for finishing at the Emergency Room - after all, 130 miles of a 200 mile ride! I could not even do a century at this point which forces me to the obvious conclusion that I need to work less, ride more. Or as the slogan on the T-Shirt says, Shut up and Ride.

Thanks to whomever wrote in with that question and I hope you will come back to read it. I can suggest a few cool bicycle shops, place to get work and advice and there is also a group of fairly hard core mountain bikers who ride very Wednesday evening at Annadale. They are too fast for me at this point as they are in great shape. I do alright but need to lose weight, exercise more and work less. Working less is hard to do when the priority is to pay off the debt I have previously mentioned.

And that, is that! Thanks for reading and aloha nui loa.

David