. . . even if you're not willing to admit it. Discuss.

I do.

No. But I also sold off my my alpine skis for some XC stuff. I think I'm done with paying for "outdoor" experiences at lift serviced areas. Flame on.

I prefer XC skiing too but do enjoy downhill. I'm a very leisure downhill skier, though. My daughters just started skiing and I really enjoy going down the hills with them.

Lifts? Who said anything about lifts?

Hm, maybe the only thing less appealing than resorts is the thought of having to push my bike every time I want to go up a hill.

What I really want is a trials bike.

I love it all. But you don't have to ride the lifts for an alpine skiing experience. Just get some alpine touring bindings and some climbing skins. Then you can ski where YOU want, and every day is a powder day!

i love going super fast down a hill, but climbing the other side of the hill to get you up to that is a much better expedience on a bike

I agree, besides the fact that you are the smartest person on this forum and anyone that doesn't share your interests needs to get a life. I can't imagine why folks don't post here with the likes you dominating the forum with excellent threads like this one

Priceless

I wish i could have 8"

really why stop at 8" though?

maybe i can petition Obama to build some mountains in texas so i can use an 8 inch travel bike instead of all the money for health care.

I've earned, the hard way, many descents over the years, and I don't have 8" or even 6" of travel.. but the most fun I've had on a bike is on long distance (over 10 miles), mostly down hill trails, shuttled with an extra car.

Fixed.

What you really want is a motocross bike.

I never understood the DH thing.

What I really want is a <20lb carbon hardtail.

That's the spirit .

I've had that. And a flat track bike too. However, I get most of the adrenaline rush, get to ride more places and keep my wife happier not racing the engined hardware anymore.

I have 10 inches and love it! And the bike is worth about the same as a MX bike too.

And not all DH has to be at a resort (though resort riding is a ton of fun and I'm very spoiled with lots of great places in my vicinity)...look for shuttle opportunities and hike-a-bikes build a lot of character.

I typically measure my rides in miles (those are longer than kilometers, for those of you north of the border). It seems to me that 8 inches isn't very far to travel. Will I be excited about traveling 8 inches when I get as old as dminor??

Then you should try it. Just about all of my riding is "earn your downhill" type stuff but spending all day riding downhill stuff is awesone as well. I'm really bummed that our local lift assisted spot closed down.
So yeah,what I really want is a long travel bike to go along with the hardtail and the trail bike. If I lived next door to never I would have one for sure!
D makes the best threads on bikeforums!

Hm, well, I'm a downhill virgin, but being that other types of mountain biking get me hot and bothered, and snowboarding never leaves me frigid...mmm...I'll take a Shocker.

living in northeast florida there really isnt any place to use more than about 5" of travel unless you go to santos where they have some 20' drops which i am no way going to try....

all the cross country guys need the 8 inch travel bike to train in the off season pedaling a 30+ pound bike so when you get on the carbon racer you are speeeeeeeeeeeedyyyy

I was looking HARD a few years ago at a VP-Free, but I'd rather have a Nomad.

Aside from the better suss design, it won't be all that different from my present Dakar XLT, though. "Baby" has 5.7" f/r right now! Built as I would have it, the Nomad would have 7f/6.5r. Probably weigh close to the same, too.

Place to ride? Hell, earth is enough... for now.