Daily ride reports
#4377
got the climbing bug
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Diego
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from last weekend's 12 hours of temecula race @ Lake Vail. Did solo sport. Finsihed up 9th with 58 miles and 7k ft vert before legs were locking up really bad. Had 3 good laps and 3 laps fighting cramps. Til next time!!
#4381
Two-Wheeled Aficionado
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
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Bikes: Santa Cruz Blur TR, Cannondale Quick CX dropbar conversion & others
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Thunderstorms were moving in yesterday, and it looked like my after-work ride was going to be rained out. I held out hope, kept my eye on the window somewhat nearby my cubical, and refreshed the hourly weather forecast several times through the day. 60% chance of rain at noon slipped to 2pm, then 4pm, then 9pm. Clouds were moving to the northeast, away from us.
I called my brother-in-law and we agreed to meet at a trail on the west side of town, closer to him. He had some homework to do for his MBA evening program, but could spare 90 min to go ride. I like his priorities.
I got loaded up and noticed the wind had shifted. It was now coming out of the north. The temperature was dropping and purple clouds loomed. Could we get in a ride just before a drenching rain? I hoped so.
Driving west on the highway, I encountered a few sprinkles, but no real rain. Until suddenly, with a white cloud overhead no less, it started raining pretty hard. It only rained about 2 minutes. Great! ..Except, then some pea-sized hail came down. I kept driving to the trailhead, thinking maybe it was localized. A few years ago we had a hailstorm that dropped baseball-sized hail on a 1/2 mile area, quarter-sized about another mile out, and nothing at all farther away. It was a faint hope, but I was already in the car with a bike on the roof, so what the hell.
Arriving at the trailhead, I saw that they got the same brief but heavy rain I just drove through. Touched the trail and yep - it was sticky mud. Hard underneath, as it had been quite dry for a week, but the top 1/4" was soupy. I called my BIL and he said he was still at home 5 miles away and it was raining hard and hailing.
I started going back to the east and called my wife. She said we got pea-sized hail for about 1-2 minutes, and no rain at all. Hmm! There's another trail about 7 miles east of our house, could it be rideable? I drove 20 minutes and when I pulled in, I saw a small puddle of water by the entrance road. Not a single car here. Hmm, that's not a good sign. But I got out of my car and walked to the trailhead, and felt the earth like I'd done a half hour before on the other side of town.
Dry hardpack with slightly damp dust on top, like from dew in the morning. No mud. I could see a little hail here and there, but 95% had already melted. It was 47 degrees now, and 20-30 mph wind from the north. I threw on my camelbak over my rain jacket, donned my helmet and gloves, and dropped in.
It was 10 miles of heavenly "hero dirt." Unbelievable traction, no mud, and rolling fast. I would've rode longer, but I didn't bring lights, and the drive across town cost me valuable daylight. Still, I really appreciated what time I had. The trail is a pretty basic XC loop 5 miles long, but I had the most fun I've had so far this young riding season. I just took one pic, but you can see the clouds and the lack of mud on my bike.
I called my brother-in-law and we agreed to meet at a trail on the west side of town, closer to him. He had some homework to do for his MBA evening program, but could spare 90 min to go ride. I like his priorities.
I got loaded up and noticed the wind had shifted. It was now coming out of the north. The temperature was dropping and purple clouds loomed. Could we get in a ride just before a drenching rain? I hoped so.
Driving west on the highway, I encountered a few sprinkles, but no real rain. Until suddenly, with a white cloud overhead no less, it started raining pretty hard. It only rained about 2 minutes. Great! ..Except, then some pea-sized hail came down. I kept driving to the trailhead, thinking maybe it was localized. A few years ago we had a hailstorm that dropped baseball-sized hail on a 1/2 mile area, quarter-sized about another mile out, and nothing at all farther away. It was a faint hope, but I was already in the car with a bike on the roof, so what the hell.
Arriving at the trailhead, I saw that they got the same brief but heavy rain I just drove through. Touched the trail and yep - it was sticky mud. Hard underneath, as it had been quite dry for a week, but the top 1/4" was soupy. I called my BIL and he said he was still at home 5 miles away and it was raining hard and hailing.
I started going back to the east and called my wife. She said we got pea-sized hail for about 1-2 minutes, and no rain at all. Hmm! There's another trail about 7 miles east of our house, could it be rideable? I drove 20 minutes and when I pulled in, I saw a small puddle of water by the entrance road. Not a single car here. Hmm, that's not a good sign. But I got out of my car and walked to the trailhead, and felt the earth like I'd done a half hour before on the other side of town.
Dry hardpack with slightly damp dust on top, like from dew in the morning. No mud. I could see a little hail here and there, but 95% had already melted. It was 47 degrees now, and 20-30 mph wind from the north. I threw on my camelbak over my rain jacket, donned my helmet and gloves, and dropped in.
It was 10 miles of heavenly "hero dirt." Unbelievable traction, no mud, and rolling fast. I would've rode longer, but I didn't bring lights, and the drive across town cost me valuable daylight. Still, I really appreciated what time I had. The trail is a pretty basic XC loop 5 miles long, but I had the most fun I've had so far this young riding season. I just took one pic, but you can see the clouds and the lack of mud on my bike.
#4382
Moar cowbell
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The 509
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Good on you getting out. Sometimes it pays to take that gamble .
We had full-on rain yesterday. Met the other guys at the bike shop for the Wed. night group ride and they were talking about just convening at the watering hole for a beer instead. I still kinda wanted to ride though, so conned most of them into a short trail ride over the hill to at least semi-'earn' a beer elsewhere. Well, we set out, arrived at our destination and by then everyone was warmed up, loose and kinda pumped to keep going; so we did. We all had lights and the rain stayed a pleasant drizzle and . . . well . . . 3 hours later we came in, pooped, muddy and drenched but all agreeing it was one of the best rides of the past couple years.
We had full-on rain yesterday. Met the other guys at the bike shop for the Wed. night group ride and they were talking about just convening at the watering hole for a beer instead. I still kinda wanted to ride though, so conned most of them into a short trail ride over the hill to at least semi-'earn' a beer elsewhere. Well, we set out, arrived at our destination and by then everyone was warmed up, loose and kinda pumped to keep going; so we did. We all had lights and the rain stayed a pleasant drizzle and . . . well . . . 3 hours later we came in, pooped, muddy and drenched but all agreeing it was one of the best rides of the past couple years.
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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."
#4384
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 120
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So back to the singletrack after a few months of only gravel riding!
Bright day, only a bit too much north wind, which made some parts a bit stressful.
The climb was a a mixture of fire roads and singletrack, which ended in the Puig del Cargol (The Snail Hill, 340 m high - 1,120 ft give or take). Nothing too difficult.
The descent was a really fun, rocky singletrack. Not too technical, but no cakewalk either. This area burnt down last spring, but now bush is growing again, and a few oaks are sprouting new leaves.
The return home was on a MUP, crowded and windy, so it was rather anti-climatic, but then again, I enjoyed the ride.
So what did I notice when getting back on a mtb after riding gravel?
1) Getting used to a bigger crankset helps, I noticed I was spinning a few gears above usual without much effort.
2) Using cantilever brakes has really taught me how to break properly. Before, I just yanked the brakes and hoped to stop soon. Now, even if it took me a bit to get used to the feeling of hydraulic disk brakes, I felt a lot more in control. (NOTE: I've found out I prefer the better modulation and feeling of cantis for gravel, but nothing beats disk to give you a safe, close stop on a difficult track).
GPS Track
Bright day, only a bit too much north wind, which made some parts a bit stressful.
The climb was a a mixture of fire roads and singletrack, which ended in the Puig del Cargol (The Snail Hill, 340 m high - 1,120 ft give or take). Nothing too difficult.
The descent was a really fun, rocky singletrack. Not too technical, but no cakewalk either. This area burnt down last spring, but now bush is growing again, and a few oaks are sprouting new leaves.
The return home was on a MUP, crowded and windy, so it was rather anti-climatic, but then again, I enjoyed the ride.
So what did I notice when getting back on a mtb after riding gravel?
1) Getting used to a bigger crankset helps, I noticed I was spinning a few gears above usual without much effort.
2) Using cantilever brakes has really taught me how to break properly. Before, I just yanked the brakes and hoped to stop soon. Now, even if it took me a bit to get used to the feeling of hydraulic disk brakes, I felt a lot more in control. (NOTE: I've found out I prefer the better modulation and feeling of cantis for gravel, but nothing beats disk to give you a safe, close stop on a difficult track).
GPS Track
#4385
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: adelaide, australia
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After kayaking yesterday I rode across Mulga Island and along side the Murray River and back along the Old Mail Route, approx 30km. Not where I planed to ride but to boggy to drive anywhere Lindsay Island, Kayaking was awesome.
It was the first ride on the Carbonal Titan. Fork is still set at 100mm, should be 120mm.
From a few nights ago.
Last night.
It was the first ride on the Carbonal Titan. Fork is still set at 100mm, should be 120mm.
From a few nights ago.
Last night.
#4386
Senior Member
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Trail pic's from Fox Creek today. Don't think I could go back to hardtail after riding FS.
There was track maintenance in progress.
Nice and loamy.
Anyone for dinner ?
There was track maintenance in progress.
Nice and loamy.
Anyone for dinner ?
#4387
Moar cowbell
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: The 509
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No actual ride pictures yet but one post-ride shot - - Says Cat 2 but it's really the 50+ Open (a combined Cat 1/2 class). I believe I was the only 60+ in our field of 16; I'm very happy with 7th on the day.
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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."
#4388
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Rockies
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Really great shot
#4389
Two-Wheeled Aficionado
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wichita
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Nice result, congrats!
Last edited by ColinL; 04-29-15 at 08:34 AM.
#4390
Moar cowbell
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^^Thanks! Photogs are starting to get their NW Cup shots uploaded now. Credit to Phil Beckman / PBCreativePhoto.com for this one:
Raundy Albisurez credit:
Raundy Albisurez credit:
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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."
Last edited by dminor; 05-04-15 at 12:53 PM.
#4391
Senior Member
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Finally hit the dirt today...I can feel so confident about my road riding and then I go out on the trails and realize just how slow I really am.
#4392
Senior Member
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Did 2 solid days mtbing at the Aust. Off Road Championships in soft sand, great workout riding taking photos.
Some photos here > https://www.bikeforums.net/foo/709379...l#post17834586
Some photos here > https://www.bikeforums.net/foo/709379...l#post17834586
#4393
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Welland, ON
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Bikes: '90 Bianchi Grizzly, '91 Look mi70, '99 RM Hammer Race
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I took my very first "mountain" ride today on my recently purchased used mountain bike. I put mountain in quotes because although I rode up and down an actual mountain I did not attempt any trails and stayed on the gravel pathways. My bike has slicks on it for now but I wanted to check out what the petit mont royal had to offer for my future rides with knobbies.
The view from my balcony (point A), notice the cross (point B)...
Took me about an hour to climb to the top. Approx. 200 metre ascent. Now I'm not religious but that cross has been taunting me ever since I moved to Montreal 3 years ago. I finally made it there.
The descent was fun and fast!! 20 minutes!! I tried to upload other pics but they kept failing. I'll try and take more next time.
The view from my balcony (point A), notice the cross (point B)...
Took me about an hour to climb to the top. Approx. 200 metre ascent. Now I'm not religious but that cross has been taunting me ever since I moved to Montreal 3 years ago. I finally made it there.
The descent was fun and fast!! 20 minutes!! I tried to upload other pics but they kept failing. I'll try and take more next time.
#4394
Chronic 1st-timer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Lakehood, CO
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Escaped the non-stop rain of Denver a few times recently.
Overnighter down south to hit Rhyholite bike park, Oil Well Flats, Pueblo reservoir, and Captain Jack's:
Another overnighter out west to check out the trails in Avon & Eagle (they are winning! Kudos to MTC):
View on the way south to Angelfire for some DH-time:
Back to the backyard trails, which are extremely green in June - unreal for CO!!:
Overnighter down south to hit Rhyholite bike park, Oil Well Flats, Pueblo reservoir, and Captain Jack's:
Another overnighter out west to check out the trails in Avon & Eagle (they are winning! Kudos to MTC):
View on the way south to Angelfire for some DH-time:
Back to the backyard trails, which are extremely green in June - unreal for CO!!:
Last edited by lubes17319; 06-16-15 at 11:14 AM.
#4395
Don't really have a bike.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Wenatchee, WA
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Nice photos.
I got out to Hall Ranch today and had a sweet endo onto some rocks. Only a couple bumps so the ride continued and fun was had. The green is really odd.
I got out to Hall Ranch today and had a sweet endo onto some rocks. Only a couple bumps so the ride continued and fun was had. The green is really odd.
#4397
Too Much Crazy
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NY
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First ride out on the new frame last weekend. Took a few tours at STAB.
Mission 1 was to scout out some riding areas for my son to take a few mtb trips this summer.
Mission 2 was to get a few nice rides in. Both accomplished I am happy to say.
Mission 1 was to scout out some riding areas for my son to take a few mtb trips this summer.
Mission 2 was to get a few nice rides in. Both accomplished I am happy to say.
#4398
Member
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Location: Seattle, Wa
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#4400
Brown Jersey Winner
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Location: The Bad Woods.
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in a similar vein;
22 miles on the ECR today before most people were at work. had some #coffeeoutside , great morning.
pretty sure mtb's are the best thing ever.
22 miles on the ECR today before most people were at work. had some #coffeeoutside , great morning.
pretty sure mtb's are the best thing ever.