Fifty Plus (50+) - The maiden voyage on the Orange Crush with pics

Wow! What fun!

I took my maiden off-road voyage on my Peugeot today. The weather was perfect: 72 degrees. No wind. Sunny skies. When trying to figure out where to go, a quick internet search brought Florida Canyon to mind. I don't know why I never thought of it - it's only 2 miles from home. This is an off-road series of trails that is very typical of Southern California desert terrain. There are few trees and no shade, not a problem this time of year.

There are lots of little trails going this way and that, so it makes for a perfect place to practice my very beginner MTB skills. The trails consist of very hard packed dirt, and many of them have millions of small rocks, loose and not loose. There is some sand every once in a while.

Here's what I learned:

It's a lot harder than it looks!

I have to really concentrate to (hopefully) find the best part of the path. I can see how you can really clear your mind on the trail, because I had to keep focused on what I was doing, and couldn't really think about the usual clutter in my brain.

Harder doesn't mean less fun!

I did feel like a kid again (with the occasional moment of terror and flash about whether my insurance would cover a nasty fall!). It was a blast, especially on the switchbacks and little ups and downs. The path ahead wasn't always very clear around a corner because of the vegetation.

My hands were a little sore from time to time...

I had to grip the bars pretty hard to maintain my balance. Not a big issue, but way different from the smooth, silky ride on Ruby Roubaix. :)

I have to have a talk with my Bike Butler

He forgot to pack the water bottle. The trail was dusty and I got plenty thirsty.

The bike done good.

For a twenty-something bike, it handled well, I didn't flat (thank God!) and it was so much fun riding over all those bumps and rocks and such. It's such a different mind-set from trying to avoid potholes and road trash. On this bike, you just plough through the rocks and it keeps on taking it.

I'll need a neckerchief in the summer.

Hardly any bugs today, but in the summer they're going to be out in droves. Or whatever they are out in. I'll need some protection over my mouth or I'm going to be eating a LOT of bugs.

This spot is perfect for training.

It's so close to home, I can ride out the front door, take a couple of miles on the street, and be there. There's enough choices in trails that variety is easy. I do wish there were some trees for shade, however!

So here's some pics:

http://www.pbase.com/digitalgee/image/93670791/original.jpg

A typical shot of the trails:

http://www.pbase.com/digitalgee/image/93670920.jpg

A fork in the trail. Which way did I go?

http://www.pbase.com/digitalgee/image/93670925.jpg

One of the easy sections:

http://www.pbase.com/digitalgee/image/93670877.jpg

And last, but not least. Florida Canyon is adjacent to the San Diego Velodrome. After my ride I paused to check out how the big boys do it. This is a tiny crop that I shot into the sun, without a viewfinder, just before my camera's battery failed. Ain't the best shot, but it will have to do!

http://www.pbase.com/digitalgee/image/93670568.jpg

What fun, DG! I sure enjoy your posts, especially when you include photos. Thanks! And I like the name of your new bike. :)

You'll need to learn mountain bike lingo now.

One of your trail shots showed death cookies and baby heads. They are not so easy to travel on. And wait until they get a little wet :eek:

Sounds great! Just what the doctor ordered.

Nice alternative to when you don't want to take the Roubaix out. I love riding out in the fields and woods.

My Bike Butler has screwed up a couple of times in the same way that yours did. Had to cut those rides short - but still did some riding.

DG, I fear that if there are many more posts such as yours my
laziness may vacate the premisis and I may actually get back on the
The Beast.

Great post, thanks for sharing.

DG, the art of using the bod as a shock absorber ala Ned Overend style.

Glad you got out and as always the pic's are great. Now I know why they are so pixel rich!

Ah, Grasshopper, you have learned much. Notably, that when it comes to bicycles, orange is the true color.

You'll need to learn mountain bike lingo now.

One of your trail shots showed death cookies and baby heads. They are not so easy to travel on. And wait until they get a little wet :eek:

Death cookies? :eek:

Baby heads? :eek:

Mind 'splaining?

Death cookies? :eek:

Baby heads? :eek:

Mind 'splaining?

http://www.singletracktreks.com/slang.htm

That's great to be able to ride to the trails.


From the Urban Dictionary (http://www.urbandictionary.com/):

Baby heads:
From mountain biking: A roundish rock, about the size and shape of a baby's head. Avoid running over it, or risk crashing.

Dude, did you see all those baby heads back there?


Death cookies:
Mountain biking term
Fist-sized rocks that knock your bike in every direction but the one you want to proceed in. Smaller than babyheads, but still annoying

"That trail was covered with death cookies. I think i bent my rims"

Great pics! That's a great-looking bike. I'm glad to see you're back in the saddle again.

DG, I fear that if there are many more posts such as yours my
laziness may vacate the premisis and I may actually get back on the
The Beast.

Great post, thanks for sharing.

Do it!

Ah, Grasshopper, you have learned much. Notably, that when it comes to bicycles, orange is the true color.

You know, it's funny. I've spent a few hour in the LBS looking at MTBs. I don't like 'em in white. I like 'em in bright colors, like yellow, or woodsy colors, like olive green. But right now, orange rules in my house, at least in the MTB category. :D

You know, it's funny. I've spent a few hour in the LBS looking at MTBs. I don't like 'em in white. I like 'em in bright colors, like yellow, or woodsy colors, like olive green. But right now, orange rules in my house, at least in the MTB category. :D

Make mine BLACK.
Agressive, determined, defiant black.

The Beast is black and if I ever replace it, the replacement will
be black.

What a great place to ride. I wish I could find something like that around here.

What a great place to ride. I wish I could find something like that around here.

Beverly, have you tried Ceasar's Creek or John Bryan state parks? They aren't too far from you, I think.

You know, it's funny. I've spent a few hour in the LBS looking at MTBs. I don't like 'em in white. I like 'em in bright colors, like yellow, or woodsy colors, like olive green. But right now, orange rules in my house, at least in the MTB category. :D

I'm sure that we could get Solveg to tell us that orange is really white with a bit of a different tint to it ;)

Oh, this makes me want to get out on my MTB again! You know, if you never do anything more technical than the trail you rode today, you can still have a ball. It really is a lot of fun.

Welcome to the dark side! :D
You're off to a good start. Watch out. It can be addictive and expensive if you let it.

Better give that bike butler a good talking to. MTBing can be strenuous. You'll need all the water you can drink. A camelbak might be a good idea if you start doing longer rides. There aren't too many convenience stores out on the trails.

BTW, unless you actually plan to ride that bike on the road in the dark, get those reflectors off those wheels before someone sees them. ;)

A wise choice Gary.The old guy in the hooded black cape with a sickle loves geezers who give up cycling.
Don,t forget that moutain lion repellent while tooling around those hills.
Moutain lion repellent=a geezer partner who rides slower than you.

sorry Dee(mountain)....to muchOhio hockey playoffs clouding my mind now

Gotta admit the bike is pretty cool looking. Just the right amount of desheveled devil-may-care j'nais se quois. Thanks for posting.

Glad you had a good time. You are lucky to have such a great trail so close to home.

About the bug droves. You're looking at it the wrong way. First, any bug that you bite before it bites you is one less bug to worry about. And that's a good thing! Secondly, bugs are great protein. Eat enough, leave the power bars at home. It's all part of the wilderness experience. Watch a few episodes of Survivorman and you'll start to come around.

Congrats on taking your biking to another level.

Beverly, have you tried Ceasar's Creek or John Bryan state parks? They aren't too far from you, I think.

I've been to the new MOMBA trails here but haven't been to the other parks. I'm hoping to get to them this year.

Gotta admit the bike is pretty cool looking. Just the right amount of desheveled devil-may-care j'nais se quois. Thanks for posting.

As women swoon and young girls sigh. The bike is simply a reflection of the man.

"A fork in the trail. Which way did I go?"

Nice pictures, but for a second there I thought your bike had disintegrated!

I've been to the new MOMBA trails here but haven't been to the other parks. I'm hoping to get to them this year.

What did you think of Momba? I get up to Dayton on occasion and was thinking about checking it out.

I just find it amazing that people think riding on those rocks is fun!

Is it fun to try and keep your balance or is it fun to bump around? Or is it fun just because you can't do that on a road bike?

I just find it amazing that people think riding on those rocks is fun!

Is it fun to try and keep your balance or is it fun to bump around? Or is it fun just because you can't do that on a road bike?

Yes, and yes. And yes. :D

I just find it amazing that people think riding on those rocks is fun!

Is it fun to try and keep your balance or is it fun to bump around? Or is it fun just because you can't do that on a road bike?

It's just fun.

What did you think of Momba? I get up to Dayton on occasion and was thinking about checking it out.

We only checked out the beginner trail and it was great. Since this was my first mountain bike ride I have nothing to compare.

One of the riders with me has done quite a bit of mountain biking and he was impressed with the trail. The trails were a joint effort of the local park district and IMBA. I know a lot of work went into building the trails.

We plan on riding it again as soon as we get some warmer, dry weather.

As women swoon and young girls sigh. The bike is simply a reflection of the man.

A Bike like that shows how hard you are. Have to admit I whimped out 7 years ago and got front Suspension, But a bike like that will show you how much fun you can get with a bike (And not get arrested)

BTW, unless you actually plan to ride that bike on the road in the dark, get those reflectors off those wheels before someone sees them. ;)

My Gawd...what was I thinking??? Thanks for the head's up. They come off today. I'm glad I didn't see anyone I know out there!!! :D

If you thought White was fast before, you are in for a real treat now. It will help if you chant, "GO BIG ORANGE!" Try to stay out of jail!!

The one color bike I will never own.

Make BD's pink steel

My Gawd...what was I thinking??? Thanks for the head's up. They come off today. I'm glad I didn't see anyone I know out there!!! :D


Don't forget the front and rear ones and especially the cute little pedal reflectors.

Sold my mountain bike last year, these pics make me regret it, wonder if the fellow would sell it back? Gotta love the Crush though........

I'd leave the pedal reflectors on. Well, I do leave the pedal reflectors on. 3 of my bikes still have them on.

I'd leave the pedal reflectors on. Well, I do leave the pedal reflectors on. 3 of my bikes still have them on.

:eek:

I'd leave the pedal reflectors on. Well, I do leave the pedal reflectors on. 3 of my bikes still have them on.

What a fred. (Apologies to the real Freds on the forum!)

Hey I've owned my Bridgestone CB-1 for 21 years and it still has its original platform pedals with reflectors.

Oh, and it still has its wheel reflectors on too! As well as the headtube reflector and the one under the seat.

I'd leave the pedal reflectors on. Well, I do leave the pedal reflectors on. 3 of my bikes still have them on.

My gosh man.........do you have any idea how much extra weight you've been carrying around. Especially since its rotating weight. Accelerating all that unneeded reflector weight pedal stroke after stroke for years. You may have moved tons of reflectors around and around. Have you no sense of rightness and proportion?

What a fred. (Apologies to the real Freds on the forum!)

I'll say it in front of the world! I think dork disks and reflectors on pedals and wheels are a GOOD idea. I think not liking them is like people who don't wear hats in the winter because it gives them hat hair.

The only reason they're not cool is because somehow they became associated with low end bikes. If they updated the concept, and made cool metal dork disks like they used to, and spokes with a thin reflective strip you could attach to several of them (on both sides) maybe they'll turn cool again. But it's just weight and "coolness" that make people take them off.

I don't think anyone should take off a dork disk if they can't tune their own derailleurs!

Yeah Solveg ... go get them.

All of my bikes still have their dork discs on too!

I'll say it in front of the world! I think dork disks and reflectors on pedals and wheels are a GOOD idea. I think not liking them is like people who don't wear hats in the winter because it gives them hat hair.

The only reason they're not cool is because somehow they became associated with low end bikes. If they updated the concept, and made cool metal dork disks like they used to, and spokes with a thin reflective strip you could attach to several of them (on both sides) maybe they'll turn cool again. But it's just weight and "coolness" that make people take them off.

I don't think anyone should take off a dork disk if they can't tune their own derailleurs!

There are many high end wheels that will have problems with cassette location and random motion due to the presense of a dork disk. Some parts are just an affront to proper design. Like chain guards on the saws used in lumberjack competitions.

There are many high end wheels that will have problems with cassette location and random motion due to the presense of a dork disk. Some parts are just an affront to proper design. Like chain guards on the saws used in lumberjack competitions.

THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!!!!!! THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!!!!!!

I'm going to start up a business making carbon fiber dork discs, reflectors, kickstands, and platform pedals.

Maybe some handlebar-mounted carbon fiber mirrors too.

I'm going to start up a business making carbon fiber dork discs, reflectors, kickstands, and platform pedals.

Maybe some handlebar-mounted carbon fiber mirrors too.

You know how you could make a million dollars with that business? Start with two million. :D

Seriously...if they're putting spokes cards on bikes again, if someone came up with a really cool* reflector, they'd make a fortune.

Reflectors are so high tech now. You should be able to peel and stick them everywhere. Pedals are a great place for them.