The first official day of vacation. Went to Isle du Bois, where I last rode in May of 2019.

I took a wrong turn at some point and ended up on the super advanced section. I didn't die on it, but I really didn't want to deal with that.

Took a wrong turn toward the end and ended up riding part of it twice. Good grief, Hoob.

Rode all five loops, was on the bike 2:02 and rode 11.65 miles. Rode the sand hill without stopping, only the third time ever for that.

Even though my ass got thoroughly kicked, I had fun.

Johnson Branch today, was on the bike 1:35. Couldn't climb very well at first, got better as time passed by.

Sweated like a mofo. Had fun.

Just quoting another post that reads like the start of a Penthouse Forum letter.

You know that I imagined it.

Went to Johnson Branch late today, didn't do the advanced trail this time. Was on the bike 1:02, rode 7 miles. Was extremely sweaty this time.

Bridgeport this morning, was on the bike 1:26. I am sore.

Johnson Branch today, sweated more than ever.

Decided to check out YouTube for tips on how to climb rocky hills. I'm a terrible climber.

Yesterday I went to Bonham State Park and was on the bike 90 minutes. Was told I couldn't just show up and work on the trail like I used to. I have to undergo a background check.

Today I rode at Johnson Branch and was on the bike 90 minutes, rode like a sonofabitch. That's three straight days, taking tomorrow off.

This week I have broken the wire that feeds the speedometer, and my GoPro is ruined. I need a cheaper hobby.

Johnson Branch, was on the bike 1:31. It was 102 degrees when I started at 5:30 pm.

Bridgeport this evening, was on the bike 1:01. Only did the 9 mile ride.

Last day of vacation and it rained, closing the local trail. Took the bike out to Jacksboro and rode at the lake, was on the bike 1:38. It's mostly a gravel trail.

After that, I got a yummy burger from the local burger shack there, making today totally awesome. I don't even mind going back to work tomorrow after that.

Got to thinking about gravel bikes and looked up the Giant versions of them. Shit balls of fire, I ain't paying no $6400 for a gravel bike. Looked up Trek gravel bikes and they were even more expensive. Never mind on that.

Aren't bikes one of those items that have skyrocketed in price due to shortages? We bought the kid one a month or so into the Covid ordeal and we had to hit 2 Academy locations before we found one.

Yep, they have. It wasn't long after the pandemic hit that stores were cleaned out of them.

Seems like everything has gone up. I need to rent a car for a couple of weeks and just found out noone offers weekly rates right now. Seems the rental companies sold off their inventory during the pandemic so they don't have enough cars.

I bought a portable air conditioner off Amazon for $295 in August 2020. That same unit is now $479. wtf.

Johnson Branch today, first time to ride in a week, 81st time at this trail. I climbed horribly but still had fun.

My inability to climb stuff is puzzling.

After I got off work, I went to Johnson Branch.

bruh it's too hot for any of that. You should peloton it until it gets cooler.

Heat acclimation and pre-hydration is the key.

We have a new lady principal who called me an "athlete" a few days ago. It was shocking to hear. I walked off thinking about how unathletic I was as a kid.

Decided to get up and go to Johnson Branch this morning, took off at 10:00, sweated like a mofo anyway.

It was one of those days where I drank occasionally whether I was thirsty or not.

Bonham State Park today, was on the bike about 90 minutes and loved it. Saw a couple of fags on eBikes riding around on the pavement there.

Johnson Branch late today. Finally, I did a decent job on climbs. I wasn't close to perfect but at least I made a few of them.

I brought the GoPro, so maybe I'll post a few videos at some point.

A kickass time was had.

Johnson Branch at noon today, did a decent job even though my brain is awash with women troubles. Was on the bike 1:23, which is about 15 minutes less than yesterday. I hauled ass and didn't even know it.

Looked at some of yesterday's videos and there are some funny moments.

Johnson Branch again today. A guy was about to go hiking and he said it was 104 degrees. I told him it was just about right and he laughed.

Was sore when I woke up this morning and didn't think I'd go. Glad I did. Hope I can walk tomorrow.

Friday, July 22. Johnson Branch. Did a better job of climbing. Accidentally bought a Chick fil-a spicy chicken sandwich before I rode and had to deal with wanting to poop the entire time.

Saturday, July 23. Johnson Branch. Did ok climbing, but not as good as the day before. Here's a 60 second random video of me riding over rocks and shit.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DDZDVh ... sp=sharing

Sunday, July 24. Bonham State Park, was on the bike 90 minutes. This is a strange place. A 60 second random video from there:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Ny4TH ... sp=sharing

Looks fun if you like getting punched in the nutsack 75 times a minute.

Dang that looks like fun... too damn hot though

Went Saturday and Sunday at Johnson Branch. I'm sort of getting better at climbing, for an old man.

Teachers come back this week, so I imagine my adventures on the bicycle will be curtailed quite a bit.

Four weeks later I finally get to go again.

Rode at Johnson Branch, was climbing like a mofo and then I remembered it rained recently. This packs down the dirt a little bit and makes climbing much easier.

Still had fun. Was on the bike 1:23. I might be sore in the morning.

The adventures of Hoob.

Went again today, did a pretty good job of climbing. But that's not the story.

Somewhere along the advanced trail I actually said out loud, "I don't feel that great." I had just completed a tough climb. This was about 45 minutes from the end.

After finishing all of the hard parts, I am about 4 miles from the end and the trail isn't too difficult from there on out. But I didn't feel right.

With three miles to go, I realize that I am in trouble. I did make it back but I was very weak and had a hard time.

I don't know if it was overheating, dehydration, a bad meal (I made a burger and fries right before I left), or something else.

At home I took a nap, ate a regular meal, and I'm ok again. So I didn't die this time.

don't die hoob

I got a covid test after lunch today and tested negative.

We have a couple of teachers with it and of course I've worked on their computers.

Maybe you got the long vid... with this weird virus you never know

I ended up with the flu, so I didn't do much of anything last weekend.

Rode Johnson Branch today and I had young man's legs. I don't understand that at all.

Climbing went better today but not great. I did nearly fall down backwards on one climb, putting a bloody scratch on my leg.

Was on the bike 1:22.

Rode at Johnson Branch on Saturday and had old man's legs. After finishing the advanced section, I decided to take it down a fire road and go home. Ended up riding 7 miles anyway, was on the bike 1:07. Fail.

Rode at Johnson Branch, decided to take it at a leisurely pace this time. Was on the bike 1:33.

Solved a few problems while riding. Some friends and acquaintances aren't going to like my solutions. Fuck them.

Johnson Branch today, did a better job of climbing.

However, I had to dismount in a really rocky stretch and I twisted my redone knee while doing that. I was an hour away from being done at that point.

Was on the bike 1:34. I had fun.

It's bike riding weather finally

Double-birded the ISD today and nearly ran over the buses on my way out.

Drove over to Johnson Branch and rode the usual route. Not much skill was had today, but I did have some decent power. Was on the bike 1:25.

Double-birded the ISD again when I drove by on my way home.

Johnson Branch today, was on the bike 90 minutes.

I never counted the big climbs until today; there are 7. I was 4 for 7 on those.

Encountered a hiker who might have had an issue of some sort. He told me that if I got on the black trail, I would go right by the lake. Playing along, I said, "Lake Ray Roberts?" He said yes, then he proceeded to tell me where to turn and other important details. He was still talking when I went over the hill and out of sight.

Had to visit my mom today, so I went to Bonham and went a lap. Also did some unauthorized trail maintenance. Decided that during Thanksgiving I was going to bring a bow saw and cut up a couple of trees that fell across the trail that nobody will do anything about.

Today was a good day.

Hoob ISD is off today, so to Johnson Branch I went. Was 5/7 on the climbs but horrible on the tricky parts.

Was on the bike 1:29.