At age 36 I've "been back" about 4 weeks. While living in Raleigh, NC I rode from '87 thru '92. Moved to western NC in '92 and rode 'til probably '95 and quit due to women, Harleys, the gym and WORK. Rode a Miele (something) until it was stolen on campus, replaced w/ a Specialized Stumpjumper and lastly a Bridgestone MBZip. Rode most every day after class and before work, averaging prob 40-60 miles/week.

One of my old roomies (and best riding bud) talked his wife into letting him buy a Kona Dawg about two months ago. He's been hard at it and all the while bugging me to get the Zip out of the mothballs. About 4 weeks ago (exactly this coming Sunday) he talked me into a 7 mile singletrack ride at a local State Park. I had a blast but learned a few things; 1) even though you may work-out and run regularly, it ain't the same as pedaling, 2) FULL suspension is awesome!!! and 3) I am prob the only guy in the woods running XC Pro top-mount shifters!

Man, how things have changed. For those of you unfamiliar w/ the MBZip, it is a factory "custom" steel bike. Bridgestone made a series of mountain bikes that began w/ like a MB6 and went up to an MB1. Then they made the MB0 or "Zip" which was a tig welded sub-25lb hardtail, a first as a factory 25lb steel bike. We used to really "trash" the guys riding w/ front susp, much less full. Now you can buy a FS bike w/ 5" of frt and rr travel and if similarly equiped to my Zip will weigh in the 26-30lb range! That's crazy and the suspension actually works!!! Man, what about hydraulic disc brakes! They are incredible, especially being a clydesdale at 260lbs and not used to stopping very quickly!

Sorry about the long post but if you couldn't tell, I'm a little excited to be riding again. After several training rides on the road and a couple of times in the woods my butts getting tougher and my quads aren't screaming as bad after 10 minutes of hammering! And yes, I am researching and shopping the likes of the Hecklers, Ids, Dawg Primos!!! See you on the trail.