Mountain - Plains - First real ride of the year, and a new bike.

I got a new Surly Long Haul Trucker, and the weather was great, for once, on the weekend. Lucky, on both counts, so I got out and played. It's not a fast bike, but wow, it's comfortable. I rode forty miles, and only stopped because it was getting dark. Usually I'm flaky all winter, doing little more than the occasional stroll over to Liberty Park. So I ride twenty or so miles for my first ride, and it makes me want to die.

I mostly rode the Parkway Trail, and miraculously didn't get any goathead flats, and was only run off the trail three times by clueless families that don't understand things like "ON YOUR LEFT" or "EXCUSE ME!!!!"

What a fun, plush ride. I had my camera, and totally spaced taking pictures, so you'll have to use your imagination. And by now, I'm sure you all know what an olive LHT looks like with a honey saddle, anyway.

Now, stop messing around online and get out there!

Oh, and I forgot to mention Saturday Cycles. It's a GREAT little shop up in Centerville. If you're into steel frame bikes, and touring bikes, they're the place to go. In this day of carbon go fast stuff, it's nice to go into a shop and get a test ride, instead of blank stares when you ask about touring stuff. They have things I've heard of, like Hurons and Rivendells, but I had never even seen in person. If you have a free saturday afternoon, they're worth the drive. They really took good care of me.

Good to hear you got in a good ride, yesterday was absolutly gorgious!! I got in a quick 45 with my team and it great!

I rode the JPT yesterday, too. I didn't see you, but I sure saw the clueless peds!
The city finally swept off the goatheads last fall, after spraying them in August. The other entities up and down the trail control them all summer. Stay south of 21st and you won't get many flats.

Have you rode the Legacy Trail yet? It is a really nice rice( if you don't mind the horse crap!)

Oh, and I forgot to mention Saturday Cycles. It's a GREAT little shop up in Centerville. If you're into steel frame bikes, and touring bikes, they're the place to go. In this day of carbon go fast stuff, it's nice to go into a shop and get a test ride, instead of blank stares when you ask about touring stuff. They have things I've heard of, like Hurons and Rivendells, but I had never even seen in person. If you have a free saturday afternoon, they're worth the drive. They really took good care of me.

cool, ive been wanting to actually see a lht in person. maybe i better go to centerville. let me know how you like it!

Yeah, actually I rode it on a Voodoo singlespeed, while Mark was building up my LHT. Fun bike, and a pretty fun trail, from what I saw of it. Definitely worth going back and checking out. There wasn't a lot of people on it while I was there, which was nice.

Nice to see you again uncle waldo. Let's ride again soon. I wasn't extremely active last year, as I had an insane schedule. But this year looks a little slacker.

Yeah, actually I rode it on a Voodoo singlespeed, while Mark was building up my LHT. Fun bike, and a pretty fun trail, from what I saw of it. Definitely worth going back and checking out. There wasn't a lot of people on it while I was there, which was nice.

Nice to see you again uncle waldo. Let's ride again soon. I wasn't extremely active last year, as I had an insane schedule. But this year looks a little slacker.

oh an mike, maybe we can hook up one of these weekends when i'm out riding and you can check it out. I posted a pretty lengthy review of the bike in the touring forum, if you want to check that out.

Al, did you change your email address? I've sent you several emails with no answer.

Yes, I sure did. I'm sorry. I'll email you and then you'll have it. I wasn't ignoring you, just ignoring that old spam trap.

I love the first ride of the season. the LHT's are awesome touring bikes. Got any pictures of the new rig? Do you have any big rides planned this year with it?

Sounds like a nice ride Al. I actually got out Wed. Thurs and Saturday. Did a quick (well, quick for me) 30 miler with about 1200ft of climbing yesterday with a buddy and it hurt. :) I'm working on it. :)

Sure, I'll post some pictures this weekend, after i pick up the fenders, and lacquer up the handlebar tape. it's pretty.

I found Saturday Cycles for the first time today, that is a great store, I live in Sandy, and headed downtown on tracks, then biked the rest of the way up from there, then decided to just bike home... it turned out to be quite a ride...

Anyway they have a few LHT's there, I was looking at them about two month's ago and called all over looking for one in stock somewhere and no one had one, so I ended up getting a Rocky Mountain Sherpa 30 for about 1/2 price... a deal i could not pass up. I wish I had known about Saturday Cycles a few months ago... They are also the only Arkel dealer in Utah...

I was there again today, picking up my fenders. Great guys. I will post some pictures tomorrow.