As this trip approaches, I'm starting to get a bit nervous. I know that most of you guys are seasoned MTB folks, and I'm not even a rookie. I'd hate to be "that guy" who derails this trip or makes it not fun for the remainder of the group. So any advice or help you can give me now will be very beneficial. Here are my main concerns:
1) I am not familiar with the kinds of supplies or equipment I need to have on me when riding. The research I've done shows this is about a 14 mile round-trip ride, does that sound correct? I literally have nothing but a bike and a helmet. If someone can give me some pointers about what to bring with me, that would be great. I do own a hydration backpack that I will bring, but what about bike repair supplies? Should I bring an extra tube? Extra tire? Extra chain? I have some basic tools I can bring (multi-tool, etc.), but don't really own any bicycle specific tools (for chains, tires, etc.). The previous owner did have a small pump which he left on the bike for me, so I guess I do own that as far as tools. I'm ok with buying whatever I need, I just need to know what I need.
2) I'm horribly out of shape, and I haven't done any more than riding my bike around the neighborhood within the past couple of years. And I haven't been on it AT ALL within the past 4 months. I've been trying to get on it and get some riding done so I can be confident in my endurance again, but long days at work and cold, dark evenings have put a damper on those plans. I guess I just need some reassurance that I won't be the guy who's holding up the group or making this trip a real bummer for everyone. If it's more of an advanced group or advanced ride, I'm perfectly fine with being told it's not for me. Just let me know that now so I don't make it a bad day for everyone. If you guys are ok with me being the fat guy that never rides who is tagging along and making you all wait for me, then so be it.
My bike is a Specialized Hard Rock, I'm pretty sure it's a 2000 year model (it looks exactly like this one: https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/searchlistingdetail.aspx?id=45643).
Joe...how tall are you?
I'm not making this trip, just too much going on. However, I'd be willing to loan you my Specialized Stumpjumper FSR (full suspension) rig for the weekend, which would make your ride much more manageable. It fits riders from 5'9 to 6'1 tall.
It runs tubeless tires, so that limits your risk of flats as it is a self sealing style of wheelset when it comes to punctures. Since I'm not rolling with this trip, I'd also be willing to loan you my Dakine 3L hydration pack, that is already styled with an extra tube and tools to fix stuff.
We would need to swap your pedals off of your bikes, as mine sports clipless Shimano style pedals. That's easy, I have a pedal wrench at my house...we could set up a time to swap pedals/bikes before the trip.
We are back in town next Monday, text me if your interested and we can set up a meet time.
You would want comfortable riding shorts, a pair of gloves, sunscreen, and possibly some CLIF bars for the ride.
Anything else I'm missing Jordan?