Both of these bike are clearly meant for different purposes.  The road bike is for getting from one place to another, on smooth roads, as fast as possible.  The mountain bike is for getting from one place to another, over all manner of obstacles, as fast as possible.  That means that you need to move around on the bike, so it has be more compact, and have the rider more upright.

But, what if you could get the speed on paved trails with the comfort of the mountain bike? 

Recently, I noticed that a local Twitter friend of mine rode the trail through Mill Creek, and completely obliterated my time on Strava.

I'm sure he's a nice guy and all, but if he thinks he can come into my hood, and start riding my trails...  

This will not stand.

I need to take back my trails, with Phase One - Dirt Domination.

The rear derailleur is unchanged as a SRAM X.7 with a SRAM X.9 trigger shifter.  I've got a Mary handlebar, XTR brakes, and a RockShox SID that needs more air pressure in it.

Even at my fittest, I don't think I could ever run with the guys that are fast on Strava right now, so I know this is a fool's errand.  My goal though is to get Top 10 on at least one segment.

I should mention that I am not above creating my own segment to achieve this.

Stay tuned to this blog for results, and for Phase Two - Pavement Domination.

I have very strong opinions with regards to cycling.  A lot of them have very little basis in reality, most of them don't even matter.

But welcome to the Internet!  Every feeling that everyone has is somehow valid, no matter what.

Enjoy.

1. I refuse to acknowledge Bradley Wiggins' knighthood.  The guy is a jerk, period.  Also, not even born in the UK.

2. I refuse to acknowledge Chris Froome's knighthood.  Oh wait - he doesn't have that.  I just wanted to mention him because he was also not born in the UK.

3. I really don't care about Lance Armstrong.  Wait!  I saw the TV documentary Stop at Nothing, and I see now that he's a clinical psychotic.  This is actually pretty rational, and shouldn't be on this list.

4. Trek's president, John Burke, is a jerk.  He forced Greg Lemond to apologize for claiming that Armstrong was doping.  And yet, when Lemond turned out to be right, what did he do?  Nothing.  He did nothing.

5. Treks are the most boring bikes made on this planet.  Also, Specializeds are the most boring bikes made on this planet.  If I see you riding either one, know that I am secretly judging you.

6. I will not name my bikes nor will I refer to them as "rigs," "steeds," or "whips," because doing so is silly.  (it's cool if you name your bike though, I don't mind) Bicycles are damn cool on their own and do not need to be compared to other vehicles.

8. The following modem technology is dumb and does not work; lockouts on suspension, tubeless tires, super wide handlebars, press fit bottom brackets, 3D printed frames.

I bet you expected to see Strava on this list didn't you?  I actually like it.  Not because I need to be the quickest on any stretch of road - I know that's not going to happen - but because I love looking at maps of where I've ridden, and where everyone else rides.

That should do for now, but I may need to add things in the future.  Right now, it's beer:30.