Do a skid! Do some jumps!

So, due to the fact that I'm currently between serious training bikes, I have been riding my "jump" bike a lot lately. It's a small framed 26 inch Giant STP 0 that goes by the name 'Popeye 2.0' (The original Popeye was a car who left myself and a carload of models stranded on the motorway during rush hour one day) and is really more of an oversized BMX than any kind of serious mountain bike.

I do admit to having tried to use Popeye 2.0 as a serious training bike once or twice by raising the seat and locking down the suspension but it just felt wrong, kind of like using a dune buggy in a Formula 1 race - it was never going to work.

It was then I realised that this isn't what it's all about - you don't HAVE to be a serious Sam the whole time and treat every time out as a hardcore training ride. Sure, I am in training for a very serious event and am required to do a large amount of "proper" riding, but I feel it's also important to just be out there, raising my heart rate, working different muscles in my legs/back/stomach/arms and above all, having a great time doing some jumps (and the odd skid).

In fact, this is all so much fun that I am seriously contemplating my next 'grown-up' bike to be a 29 inch mountain bike (complete with a spare set of slick tyres) rather than a serious road bike. Sure, I know in a few years time I will have to be dragged down to the bike shop to purchase a bike suitable to compete in Ironman but in the meantime I think a bike that, if I feel the need to leave the road and commune with nature, is still going to be up to the task. As always, I'll keep you all updated!

Also, if you haven't had a chance to visit my personal Ride To Conquer Cancer page please take a look here, and perhaps while you are there make a donation towards Cancer Research by sponsoring me to ride.

Until next time - see you round, like a rissole!

:Doug