Daily ride reports
02-02-12, 12:39 PM
#3802
Moar cowbell
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The 509
Posts: 12,481
Bikes: Bike list is not a resume. Nobody cares.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
5 Posts
Of course the cameras are rolling the one time I eat it on that thing 
__________________
RST Suspension | Canfield Bikes | 7iDP Protection | Maxxis | Renthal | Hayes | VonZipper Optics | GoPro
Originally Posted by Mark Twain
"Don't argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
02-05-12, 10:08 AM
#3805
Redheaded Stepchild
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: GA, USA
Posts: 1,912
Bikes: A fat tire & a skinny tire & two others I loaned out
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Went for a short but super fun 8 mile ride yesterday in this magnificent 70* weather. Same weather today, so guess where I'm going after this? I got some decent footage with the gopro, which is especially cool because I had the chest mount on so tight that you can hear my heart beat on the video! It's kind of embarrassing because you can hear how disproportionally fast my heart is beating compared to the difficulty of the terrain
It's kind of embarrassing because you can hear how disproportionally fast my heart is beating compared to the difficulty of the terrain
02-05-12, 03:42 PM
#3807
Te mortuo heres tibi sim?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: East coast
Posts: 3,486
Bikes: hardtail, squishy, fixed roadie, fixed crosser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-05-12, 03:49 PM
#3808
Te mortuo heres tibi sim?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: East coast
Posts: 3,486
Bikes: hardtail, squishy, fixed roadie, fixed crosser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wilton Woods Friday afternoon, local default trials yesterday, Trumbull today with Djembe.
Not been taking as many pics lately. Blue Mtn. on tap for tomorrow. I'm free to ride the rest of the week, through Friday, as well.
Not been taking as many pics lately. Blue Mtn. on tap for tomorrow. I'm free to ride the rest of the week, through Friday, as well.
02-05-12, 04:13 PM
#3809
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Paradise CA
Posts: 442
Bikes: 13' Ragley Marley, 12' Pivot Firebird, 13' Pivot Point, 89' Bridgestone RB-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Demoed a 2012 Kona Operator this morning. Pretty awesome bike. Super short chainstay and low bb makes it rail corners. Will post a full video review sometime in the next couple days.
02-06-12, 02:43 AM
#3810
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,639
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Yesterday had to be the most fun I've had on a bike in years! I took my brand-new Trek Wahoo Disc 29 up to Auburn for some climbing and descending bliss. These are some of my favorite trails from the good old days back in the early 90s.
This was my first real mtb ride in 15 years.
All of these trails have technical sections to keep things interesting.
The first trail is Clementine. It starts at the bottom of the canyon by the American River and climbs up to the next trailhead (Fuel Break). Clementine starts out as doubletrack, narrows to singletrack for a while, then widens to doubletrack again as it climbs.
Fuel Break climbs for about 1/2 mile, descends for 1/4 mile, climbs again, then descends to the next trail, Culvert. Culvert drops down to Old Foresthill Road.
Confluence is the really fun downhill that starts at the OHV parking area. After I finished that one, the real suffering began. I started up the short steep part at the beginning of Stagecoach Trail, but instead of making the left turn at the first switchback, I accidentally overshot it and continued on to the next switchback. When the grade got steeper instead of leveling off somewhat like it's supposed to, I started to wonder if the trail got re-routed in the last 15 years.
I spun out a few times and had to restart. Great fun! Other times my front wheel lifted off the ground, forcing me to stop. I was starting to wonder if I was going to have to walk this one, but I eventually made it all the way up by pedal power.
Where I ended up was the top of the Ridgeview trailhead. I went back down and explored some trails off of the steep climb. Found another short steep climb, and after several tries I made it up that one. Picking the right line was absolutely essential with this one. It was technical and covered with pine needles.
I went back to my truck to get more water (gonna have to get a Camelbak, I guess), and started up Stagecoach again. This time I didn't miss the turn-off. After the steep part, the trail leveled off and there was very little suffering for the remainder of the climb. Near the top I saw a group of hikers heading down. One of the women said "Good job!" (you can hear it in the video), and I thanked her.
After that climb I continued climbing on the pavement on Russell Road, then turned around and enjoyed the descent back down Stagecoach.
I'm going to have to remove the spacers and slam the stem to cut down on the front wheel coming off the ground on steep climbs.
One of the technical turns on Culvert
technical turn on Culvert Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Confluence trailhead
Confluence trailhead by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Middle fork of American River as seen from Confluence Trail
Middle Fork of American River seen from Confluence Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Middle Fork of American River and Confluence Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
American River and Clementine Trail
American River and Clementine Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Start of Stagecoach Trail steep climb
Start of Stagecoach Trail climb by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Ridgeview trailhead
Ridgeview trailhead by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Steep sufferfest climb I wound up on by accident
Steep climb above Stagecoach Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Short steep climb it took several tries to clean
Short steep climb above Stagecoach Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
More pics here: freighttraininguphill | Flickr
This was my first real mtb ride in 15 years.
All of these trails have technical sections to keep things interesting.
The first trail is Clementine. It starts at the bottom of the canyon by the American River and climbs up to the next trailhead (Fuel Break). Clementine starts out as doubletrack, narrows to singletrack for a while, then widens to doubletrack again as it climbs.
Fuel Break climbs for about 1/2 mile, descends for 1/4 mile, climbs again, then descends to the next trail, Culvert. Culvert drops down to Old Foresthill Road.
Confluence is the really fun downhill that starts at the OHV parking area. After I finished that one, the real suffering began. I started up the short steep part at the beginning of Stagecoach Trail, but instead of making the left turn at the first switchback, I accidentally overshot it and continued on to the next switchback. When the grade got steeper instead of leveling off somewhat like it's supposed to, I started to wonder if the trail got re-routed in the last 15 years.
I spun out a few times and had to restart. Great fun! Other times my front wheel lifted off the ground, forcing me to stop. I was starting to wonder if I was going to have to walk this one, but I eventually made it all the way up by pedal power.
Where I ended up was the top of the Ridgeview trailhead. I went back down and explored some trails off of the steep climb. Found another short steep climb, and after several tries I made it up that one. Picking the right line was absolutely essential with this one. It was technical and covered with pine needles.
I went back to my truck to get more water (gonna have to get a Camelbak, I guess), and started up Stagecoach again. This time I didn't miss the turn-off. After the steep part, the trail leveled off and there was very little suffering for the remainder of the climb. Near the top I saw a group of hikers heading down. One of the women said "Good job!" (you can hear it in the video), and I thanked her.
After that climb I continued climbing on the pavement on Russell Road, then turned around and enjoyed the descent back down Stagecoach.
I'm going to have to remove the spacers and slam the stem to cut down on the front wheel coming off the ground on steep climbs.
One of the technical turns on Culvert
technical turn on Culvert Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Confluence trailhead
Confluence trailhead by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Middle fork of American River as seen from Confluence Trail
Middle Fork of American River seen from Confluence Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Middle Fork of American River and Confluence Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
American River and Clementine Trail
American River and Clementine Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Start of Stagecoach Trail steep climb
Start of Stagecoach Trail climb by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Ridgeview trailhead
Ridgeview trailhead by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Steep sufferfest climb I wound up on by accident
Steep climb above Stagecoach Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
Short steep climb it took several tries to clean
Short steep climb above Stagecoach Trail by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr
More pics here: freighttraininguphill | Flickr
Last edited by freighttraininguphill; 11-16-18 at 05:23 PM.
02-06-12, 07:00 AM
#3811
Ho-Jahm
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Manchester, NH
Posts: 4,228
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Northern California is friggin beautiful. If you're not too far away the King Range has some excellent looking trails. I say looking because I saw them but didn't have a bike.
The mechanic at my lbs talked me out of studs so late in the year so I opted to head south for the winter, to Harold Parker forest reserve in Andover Massachusetts...
New trails for me and entirely free from ice, a stark contrast to sheets of ice on the northern sides of hills less than 20 miles north in Southern NH.
They were also awesome, rootey rocky stuff with lots of bedrock exposures and a ledges. I'll have to start taking a camera with me.
The mechanic at my lbs talked me out of studs so late in the year so I opted to head south for the winter, to Harold Parker forest reserve in Andover Massachusetts...
New trails for me and entirely free from ice, a stark contrast to sheets of ice on the northern sides of hills less than 20 miles north in Southern NH.
They were also awesome, rootey rocky stuff with lots of bedrock exposures and a ledges. I'll have to start taking a camera with me.
Last edited by Hocam; 02-06-12 at 07:05 AM.
02-06-12, 09:03 AM
#3812
Redheaded Stepchild
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: GA, USA
Posts: 1,912
Bikes: A fat tire & a skinny tire & two others I loaned out
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Got some footage edited down as much as I could get it. Cross back & forth between helmet & chest mounts...chest is definitely the way to go. Less shaky, less chatter, better perspective. In this one the chest mount is just a little too low, but you can still see down trail for most of the footage so it's not too bad. Maybe next time I can get it pointing up enough to do some anti-shake editing without sacrificing the entire view.
I put a new zip tie on the fork & forgot to cut it just for you, Ed
I put a new zip tie on the fork & forgot to cut it just for you, Ed
02-09-12, 07:57 PM
#3814
Te mortuo heres tibi sim?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: East coast
Posts: 3,486
Bikes: hardtail, squishy, fixed roadie, fixed crosser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Newsflash: tapered steer tubes are quite a bit stiffer than non-tapered.
02-10-12, 12:11 AM
#3816
Chronic 1st-timer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lakehood, CO
Posts: 1,140
Bikes: ...take me places.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Trails were a bit bit ruff tonight after last week's blizzard.
Show-shoers need to get to it & pack it down better!
Show-shoers need to get to it & pack it down better!
02-12-12, 07:06 PM
#3818
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: 01038
Posts: 11
Bikes: Access hardtail custom-build MTB, DK General Lee custom-build BMX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Decided to go for a ride today, I didn't have my cyclometer with me so I don't know how far I went; but I did a solid 3 hours in the woods on some snowmobile trails and fire access roads. Had a great time, found some very fun downhill sections and a lot of ice. Not ashamed to admit that I wiped out 3 times, all ice-related. I don't usually ride in the winter, so I don't have studded ice tires. I run IRC Trail Bear Kevlar's, 26x2.25". Great tire for everything else I've encountered thus far, just not ice. Did surprisingly well on loose and packed snow.
Surprisingly enough, the mesh goggles worked very well at cutting the cold air and sun glare, and didn't impede my vision at all. I've never ridden with them before, but I figured I should add whatever protection from the elements that I could - and I'm glad I had them. While taking a major digger, I rolled into some Mountain-Laurel, which would have gotten me right in the eyes without the goggles. Happy to report no injuries, and no damage to the bike, which is a good thing.
This is the first ride I've gone on in close to a year, and actually; the first winter ride I've ever done, despite living in New England. I'll definitely be going for more winter rides, I had a blast. Hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed my ride.
Surprisingly enough, the mesh goggles worked very well at cutting the cold air and sun glare, and didn't impede my vision at all. I've never ridden with them before, but I figured I should add whatever protection from the elements that I could - and I'm glad I had them. While taking a major digger, I rolled into some Mountain-Laurel, which would have gotten me right in the eyes without the goggles. Happy to report no injuries, and no damage to the bike, which is a good thing.
This is the first ride I've gone on in close to a year, and actually; the first winter ride I've ever done, despite living in New England. I'll definitely be going for more winter rides, I had a blast. Hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed my ride.
02-13-12, 06:05 PM
#3821
Te mortuo heres tibi sim?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: East coast
Posts: 3,486
Bikes: hardtail, squishy, fixed roadie, fixed crosser
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Rode for three hours with my friend Eli this afternoon. Huntington State Park.
From a few days ago, with my buddy Steve.
My XCX guide, plastic bits Dremeled to play nicely with a bashring. Works beautifully. Quiet, no where for the chain to derail to. The uber-Jump Stop, basically.
From a few days ago, with my buddy Steve.
My XCX guide, plastic bits Dremeled to play nicely with a bashring. Works beautifully. Quiet, no where for the chain to derail to. The uber-Jump Stop, basically.