Steve's Mountain Bike Page
Turlock, California

Auburn, CA
February 16, 2008

It's now been 53 weeks since my knees went out, and I've done 5-6 easy rides at New Melones since Christmas. I had a "commemorative" one year anniversary ride planned for last week with Cohenfive, but I was hurting too much to try it. It's been pretty frustrating because the knees generally feel pretty good while riding, and often even the next day. But a few days later they really get hurting and I have to take it easy for 1- 2 weeks. But given the weather lately, and the fact that it's pretty boring trying to get much time in at New Melones, I figured it was time to try a real trail with some climbing and rocks. So I did the Foresthill Divide Loop at Auburn today. I finished that in about two hours so I did some out and back on the Connector to bring it up a bit over three hours. Although I certainly feel I could do much more, I'm trying to act responsibly for a change. However, I'm terrified of falling and I almost wish I would get the first fall out of the way so perhaps I'll relax a bit and be able to go faster on the downhills.

The pace was pretty slow, but much to my surprise, I made most of the climbs, except some of the longer ones, on which my shriveled up lungs gave out. Regardless, the weather was spectacular and the trails were in great shape. I started out wearing my 4th new set of knee pads (Dainese - 3X), but within a few minutes they really rubbed me the wrong way. So I had to go back and put on my flimsy old Fox Standards. I stopped for a few photos here and there. Most are below.

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