Hello again from Manhattan, specifically the Murray Hill area. I am back for another week of meeting at the client site for my current work project. I just finished eating a large BBQ beef burrito at Blockheads, which was pretty good and way more than I needed. New York is great; I would rather travel here for work than plenty of other places.

I do miss being able to ride my new bike, though.

Laura comes in tomorrow, and we will both be here through Sunday night, so that will be good; sort of a working vacation, as it were.

Today I purchased and subsequently rode my new mountain bike, a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo. I love it. Prior to this bike, the last one I rode seriously was a 1987 Diamond Back Ascent EX. For those youngsters who don’t remember, that was before rapid-fire shifters. In fact, that was when SIS, or Shimano Index Shifting, was a big thing. It was basically friction shifting with clicks at the points where shifts should be taking place (and they usually did line up if you had things set up right). Chromoly frames were the stuff, and my 40-pounder was no exception. That was also during the brief and grievous reign of the chainstay-mounted clamp brake whose name I can’t remember. It had great stopping power for the rear wheel, way more than you needed. It was also a great inducer of chain suck, and allowed excellent mud accumulation via the seat post, to the point that it stopped my back wheel several times. And no, front suspension was nowhere near mainstream back then; it had solid forks. Still it was a good bike overall, and I learned lots by keeping it working.

Enter the new era in disposable income and several technology iterations. I had always longingly eyed Gary Fisher bikes since I was 17. Now I know that I had good reason. Riding this new bike has been amazing. I took it down to Yellow River right away with a buddy. I could not believe how you could maneuver over obstacles with such ease. Pneumatic front suspension, a Deore XT rear derailleur, and clipless pedals make for an amazing ride. I was thoroughly pleased, and exhausted. This being my first clipless pedal outing, I had several great falls, but nothing that really hurt.

I haven’t had that much recreational fun in years. It’s been 4 years since I touched a trail, and probably 11 since I rode seriously. This will definitely be my main recreational hobby once again. Compared to my kung fu injuries, the spills I took today are a cake walk! I came home with dried mud all over me. My wife was laughing to see me so enthusiastic and covered with soil.

More entries on mountain biking are sure to follow.