Hello from the Midwest
 

Hello from Topeka, KS.
I just got into mountain biking last spring (2006). I had a rigid Schwinn woodlands model that I put spd clips on with Kenda Klaws. This didn't last too long. My biking bud, chelboed, lined me up with a 2001 Trek 8000 that came with a RockShox Judy and Rolf Satellites. I did little things throughout the season - Race Face headset, etc - Then I changed the front fork to a Rock Shock Tora 318, new bars of a Race Face Deus XTC, Race Face Evolve stem, Brooks B17 seat, and a Cane Creek Thudbuster LT. Presently, I've added an Avid BB5 front mechanical brake and am fighting to place an Avid BB5 mech in the rear - more on that later - plus Avid flakjackets. I bought chelboed's Mavik Crossrides and sold the Satellites. I'm not a small guy and the Satellites 'gonged' too much when I went over jumps. Haven't tried the Maviks yet due the brake issue and the weather although last time we rode, it was a balmy 16-18 degrees. In this whole process, I've had a lot of fun, got in better shape - although I have a long way to go - and had a lot of fun. I separated my shoulder in September riding right behind chelboed - someone always gets hurt riding with him. His other moniker is 'the GOP' - the giver of pain. Anyway, thanks. Later.

Greetings fellow Midwester! I live in Salina Kansas.

Hello HarlieJ, sounds as if you're enjoying your mountain biking, and having a good (although painful) time with a fellow member, so

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Thanks all. Madoner - do you ever get towards Topeka way? Just wondering, we usually ride Tuesdays and Fridays at the Govenor's Mansion.

Sounds like fun. Where is the "Govenor's Mansion". Cause I'd like to ride it sometime.

The Gov's Mansion trail network has been also called Menningers, but is technically named Maclennan Park. It's at the North end of Fairlawn by the Governor's Mansion (house).

Here is a link to it.


By the way...the reason we call HarlieJ "Thud" is because that's the sound he made when he hit the ground and seperated his A/C lig. at the Mansion trails.

They're not too bad, but a little tricky in places, eh Thud?

:D

Always tricky when you're following chelboed AKA GOP (giver of pain). Injuries I've seen since the beginning of last season riding with the GOP - separated AC (shoulder), rib contusions, fractured elbow, heat exhaustion, open wounds that should have been sutured, and the typical scrapes. But all in all, I'M HAVING A BLAST!! I'm very lucky to have the opportunity to ride with a bunch of guys - and sometimes gals - that enjoy going out and having fun on the trails.