I didn't want to come back to school today. It meant that I had to deal with 6th graders all day long as well as their parents (their parents are always emailing about this and that). A lot of people think teachers make way too much money for the time we spend teaching and the amount of time we get off. Well, if people think that, then they need to come and stand in my shoes for a day. I think teaching would be 70% better if parents would parent their children, if parents would not question our authority, if parents would let us teach and do our jobs, if parents would realize that sometimes their "perfect child" isn't at all perfect! Crazy....I have been called to parent conferences with two principals in the room because I was "so mean to their kid"....I'm like, maybe your kid is a HUGE disturbance and pretty much deserved to be called out! It is just crazy. I love teaching though don't get me wrong. It is a great PROFESSION and I am so glad I went into it. I have some really great kids and I look forward to watching them succeed in life (hopefully right?).
So, Sunday Smap and I went out to Norris with Larry Creech, Tim Rogers, and Craig Rogers (Tim and Craig are not related). It was Craig's first time out to Norris ever and he was on his new Fisher Paragon 29'er. It was a day full of climbing. Smap and I were on our single speed 29'ers. I love mine. Smap asked me what bike I intended on riding due to the guys we would be riding with, and I just said, "my single speed". He kind of looked at me like, "don't you know we are riding with Larry and Tim?"....but, he just said, "okay, we're doing a lot of climbing"... The climbing part wasn't so bad until we went up to climb up to the water tower. I had to walk that part....just so steep and so LONG. I did it last summer, but right now I am just not fit yet. I also had to walk up the Lake Loop climb, but dang it is steep too. Plus, Smap reminded me that he changed out my rear cog from a 22 to a 21, so it is going to be harder for me for a while until I really get use to the ratio. I am fine with that. I just love riding that bike.
So, it was pretty cold and the sketchy descents were made sketchier because all of us were having trouble with our eyes...it was also very windy, so it made everyone's eyes water and blurry. It was a great day though. Smap took a photo of us on top of the last climb, but it was really too dark for me to post. I may try to lighten it up. All it is, is me standing with a bunch of tall fit guys. I did feel priviledged riding with them though. They are super strong riders and if I can continue to increase my fitness with them, I will be ready for the racing season this year! I can't wait.
After the ride Larry and Smap shared cold beverages with us as well as Larry's homemade guacamole... Mountain biking is great because we always drink cold beer after good hard rides. I never feel guilty indulging in a nice cold beer. It makes the ride even sweeter in the end. Actually, after Tuesday night rides, we usually enjoy frosty beverages at the bike shop. Trust me, after a Tuesday night road ride with some of the fastest dudes in Knoxville, you deserve a beer. Sometimes I pass though and go straight home to drink more water. More on those rides after the time changes.
Peace out!
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