LLPoolJ
iMTB Rockstah
That looks fun.
I Rode My Bike Today...
- Thread starter herzalot
- Start date
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
LCWP with @Cougar today.
Parked at Ridge Park drive, dropped into Lizard, then up Laurel, down Camarillo, Stagecoach to Willow, up Willow to the top of the park. Missing Link/Fenceline, Rattlesnake, then up Mach One to No Name Ridge to Ticketron to Redtail Ridge. Then I did another Lizard/Laurel Spur, ML/FL lap.
Craig was on it today. At the Hike-a-Bike on Lizard he asked "Were you a little more cautious than usual today?" Not really. I usually start a little cautiously until I get to feeling my bike, but I had a pretty good run down Lizard. Craig is usually quite a ways behind, but not today. Then on the climb up Willow, I was feeling pretty strong so I was running a gear or two higher than normal. I got near the top where I always turn around to go back to collect Craig, but as soon as I turned around, he was there. Not only was he waaaaaaay closer than normal, but I was faster than usual. Nice pull!
Then, on Rattlesnake, I hit it pretty fast. I had a slight line error after the right turn, but corrected with very little slowing and freight-trained the rest of it. Once again, Craig was a few bike lengths behind, and actually had to pull some brakes where I adjusted. He is typically only halfway down when I finish. I wasn't slow, so he was on it!
Then I had the bright idea to go up Mach One instead of our usual route down Mach One to I Think I Can. It's been 15 years since I was on No Name Ridge and Ticketron, and it will likely be another 15 before I do that again. The first bit of No Name ridge was STEEEEP for a long ways. I made it. My riding buddy didn't. Then we gave away a lot of that altitude down Ticketron (which was mildly fun) with a grind back up out of the campground back to where Red Tail becomes Rattlesnake. Ugh.
My legs were tired but I was unsatisfied at the top, so I suggested one more little Lizard/Laurel lap. It was 10:35 and I had to be home at Noon. Craig was done. We parted company. I had a faster run down Lizard this time, but had to tend to some poor pilgrim who ate Sh!t at the very bottom of the trail. Fortunately, he was not concussed and had no dislocations or broken anything. He was nervous about the rest of the trail, and I assured him it was smooth, low gradient, swoopy fun, with one Hike a Bike. I hope he got out OK.
Then a painful climb up Laurel Spur and back to the top of the park for another run through ML and FL, and back to car - by 11:20. Perfect.
Mostly cool temps with a few bouts of hot sunshine. A few pesky flies when the breeze wasn't blowing, but not bad. 3200'
Bikes (with friends) are fun!
Parked at Ridge Park drive, dropped into Lizard, then up Laurel, down Camarillo, Stagecoach to Willow, up Willow to the top of the park. Missing Link/Fenceline, Rattlesnake, then up Mach One to No Name Ridge to Ticketron to Redtail Ridge. Then I did another Lizard/Laurel Spur, ML/FL lap.
Craig was on it today. At the Hike-a-Bike on Lizard he asked "Were you a little more cautious than usual today?" Not really. I usually start a little cautiously until I get to feeling my bike, but I had a pretty good run down Lizard. Craig is usually quite a ways behind, but not today. Then on the climb up Willow, I was feeling pretty strong so I was running a gear or two higher than normal. I got near the top where I always turn around to go back to collect Craig, but as soon as I turned around, he was there. Not only was he waaaaaaay closer than normal, but I was faster than usual. Nice pull!
Then, on Rattlesnake, I hit it pretty fast. I had a slight line error after the right turn, but corrected with very little slowing and freight-trained the rest of it. Once again, Craig was a few bike lengths behind, and actually had to pull some brakes where I adjusted. He is typically only halfway down when I finish. I wasn't slow, so he was on it!
Then I had the bright idea to go up Mach One instead of our usual route down Mach One to I Think I Can. It's been 15 years since I was on No Name Ridge and Ticketron, and it will likely be another 15 before I do that again. The first bit of No Name ridge was STEEEEP for a long ways. I made it. My riding buddy didn't. Then we gave away a lot of that altitude down Ticketron (which was mildly fun) with a grind back up out of the campground back to where Red Tail becomes Rattlesnake. Ugh.
My legs were tired but I was unsatisfied at the top, so I suggested one more little Lizard/Laurel lap. It was 10:35 and I had to be home at Noon. Craig was done. We parted company. I had a faster run down Lizard this time, but had to tend to some poor pilgrim who ate Sh!t at the very bottom of the trail. Fortunately, he was not concussed and had no dislocations or broken anything. He was nervous about the rest of the trail, and I assured him it was smooth, low gradient, swoopy fun, with one Hike a Bike. I hope he got out OK.
Then a painful climb up Laurel Spur and back to the top of the park for another run through ML and FL, and back to car - by 11:20. Perfect.
Mostly cool temps with a few bouts of hot sunshine. A few pesky flies when the breeze wasn't blowing, but not bad. 3200'
Bikes (with friends) are fun!
Last edited:
Faust29
iMTB Hooligan
What PSI are you running? I’m in the neighborhood of 70.
SingleTrackJB
Well-Known Member
LCWP with @Cougar today.
Parked at Ridge Park drive, dropped into Lizard, then up Laurel, down Camarillo, Stagecoach to Willow, up Willow to the top of the park. Missing Link/Fenceline, Rattlesnake, then up Mach One to No Name Ridge to Ticketron to Redtail Ridge. Then I did another Lizard/Laurel Spur, ML/FL lap.
Craig was on it today. At the Hike-a-Bike on Lizard he asked "Were you a little more cautious than usual today?" Not really. I usually start a little cautiously until I get to feeling my bike, but I had a pretty good run down Lizard. Craig is usually quite a ways behind, but not today. Then on the climb up Willow, I was feeling pretty strong so I was running a gear or two higher than normal. I got near the top where I always turn around to go back to collect Craig, but as soon as I turned around, he was there. Not only was he waaaaaaay closer than normal, but I was faster than usual. Nice pull!
Then, on Rattlesnake, I hit it pretty fast. I had a slight line error after the right turn, but corrected with very little slowing and freight-trained the rest of it. Once again, Craig was a few bike lengths behind, and actually had to pull some brakes where I adjusted. He is typically only halfway down when I finish. I wasn't slow, so he was on it!
Then I had the bright idea to go up Mach One instead of our usual route down Mach One to I Think I Can. It's been 15 years since I was on No Name Ridge and Ticketron, and it will likely be another 15 before I do that again. The first bit of No Name ridge was STEEEEP for a long ways. I made it. My riding buddy didn't. Then we gave away a lot of that altitude down Ticketron (which was mildly fun) with a grind back up out of the campground back to where Red Tail becomes Rattlesnake. Ugh.
My legs were tired but I was unsatisfied at the top, so I suggested one more little Lizard/Laurel lap. It was 10:35 and I had to be home at Noon. Craig was done. We parted company. I had a faster run down Lizard this time, but had to tend to some poor pilgrim who ate Sh!t at the very bottom of the trail. Fortunately, he was not concussed and had no dislocations or broken anything. He was nervous about the rest of the trail, and I assured him it was smooth, low gradient, swoopy fun, with one Hike a Bike. I hope he got out OK.
Then a painful climb up Laurel Spur and back to the top of the park for another run through ML and FL, and back to car - by 11:20. Perfect.
Mostly cool temps with a few bouts of hot sunshine. A few pesky flies when the breeze wasn't blowing, but not bad.
3200' Bikes (with friends) are fun!
Combine No Name Ridge while climbing Big Bend, going down I think I can while missing the turns for Lizard, T&A and rattlesnake will make for one truly epic ride of El moro!
No Name Ride back to Ridge Park is good though if you really have little time. Ride Park to Rattlesnake back up No Name is a good workout. Beats a spin class!
Last edited:
UPSed
iMTB Hooligan
I planned on taking the most direct dirt route over to JRA's new location but when I got to the west end of Simi I ended up running into Gina from All Pro Bike Shop here in Simi. She had a small group with her and asked if I'd like to join. I told her I'd ride with them as long as I could as I had to meet Jennifer around 11.
We rode up Albertson all the way to Tower 45 which is halfway to the east side of Simi. The opposite direction I needed to go. No worries. It was still early and I had plenty of time. From there we dropped down Powerline then connected to Baleen wall which is on the east side of Cheeseboro. From there I had to part company as I did not know how long it would take me to get to the shop. Ended up dropping down into the canyon then going over Modelo to Palo Comado. From there it was basically DoubleTree to surface streets to Hidden Meadow Trail and Falling Star which dropped me back to pavement then it was a short road ride to the shop. I felt really good again today and pushed on every climb and bagged 24 PR's! I don't mean to brag but I'm not sure what has come over me this year. I'm really focused on my climbing. Guess it's time to get a real XC bike! Yeah it's not. I still like to bomb the DH and only have room for one bike.
I got to the new shop in plenty of time. It looks great. It's not 100% finished but it's pretty close. He has a lot of great ideas in the works. It will be a great place to host a ride and hang out afterwards.
We rode up Albertson all the way to Tower 45 which is halfway to the east side of Simi. The opposite direction I needed to go. No worries. It was still early and I had plenty of time. From there we dropped down Powerline then connected to Baleen wall which is on the east side of Cheeseboro. From there I had to part company as I did not know how long it would take me to get to the shop. Ended up dropping down into the canyon then going over Modelo to Palo Comado. From there it was basically DoubleTree to surface streets to Hidden Meadow Trail and Falling Star which dropped me back to pavement then it was a short road ride to the shop. I felt really good again today and pushed on every climb and bagged 24 PR's! I don't mean to brag but I'm not sure what has come over me this year. I'm really focused on my climbing. Guess it's time to get a real XC bike! Yeah it's not. I still like to bomb the DH and only have room for one bike.
I got to the new shop in plenty of time. It looks great. It's not 100% finished but it's pretty close. He has a lot of great ideas in the works. It will be a great place to host a ride and hang out afterwards.
Runs with Scissors
iMTB Hooligan
Nice ride!
I'm weird. I like to climb, then pick my way carefully to the bottom so I can climb again...
I'm weird. I like to climb, then pick my way carefully to the bottom so I can climb again...
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
Had it @ 72, and used full travel on a pretty mellow run. So put it @ 80, and that was silly. Settled on 75 right now. Watching to see if I'm using the full travel. It's really harsh though, I feel it in my hands and forearms. They end up getting sore pretty quick. And that's with front tire pretty low, between 18 and 21 psi. With the pluses on and aired to around 11-12, it's not a problem, but I still wouldn't call it plush by any means, even then. Rebound is a touch past mid-way. @riiz is saying next step is an air spacer, as the lowers were perfectly oiled and lubed when we took it apart. I may drop it back down to 72... I wasn't bottoming out the travel, but using every bit of it.
The Recon on the Sensor feels plusher. 20 miles on it today, and no drama whatsoever. That's with slightly narrower tires and a few more psi.
Which leads into a ride report, apparently!
The original plan was to climb Loch Leven to Angelus Oaks, ride some SART, then drop back down Morton Peak Rd. No takers, and I wasn't feeling totally up for it (20 miles, 3,000 ft) so when an offer to go to Hulda came in over the wire, I was all into it!
I was able to drag the boy out, so got him on a MTB for the first time since he busted up his ribs in Feb. We picked up JB, climbed up and over the hill, and down to Carriage Trail. Great time on what is becoming a crowded trail on the weekends. Jake peeled off and went back home at the end, as was planned. I watered up, as the last two days I have had freakishly dry/cotton mouth. Re-hydrated, we hopped back on dirt, and started heading over to Hulda. On the fire/utility roads there, we decided to take some singletrack we found up the hill. It was definitely some downhill biased singletrack, but nobody else out there, we enjoyed grunting up most of it, and HAB at the 4/5 part of it. Worth it as it was a really beautiful and narrow canyon. Would be a lot of fun coming down as well! I think it is called Outlaw, but not sure.
And the downhill it led to. One of the most fun little trails I've been on:
We took the longer/meandering way back, dropped him off, talked bikes, then headed home, where I was greeted with a Mimosa with freshly pressed OJ. A pretty good day!
https://www.strava.com/activities/1511182074
mike
iMTB Hooligan
Ho man, that 20 miles from Payson to Pine is a beast!!!!! Tons of HAB and super rocky surface. I won’t lie...it sucked!!!!!! Gorgeous country and a beautiful day all the same.
The only person I saw complained about what a horrible trail it is, he was setting up a bivy mid day in protest... I rolled on and hit the brew pub in Pine. Food to go for the next 100 mi to Flag. And two pale ales, first booze on my ride.
Happy Sunday, y’all.
Gorgeous country and a beautiful day all the same. The only person I saw complained about what a horrible trail it is, he was setting up a bivy mid day in protest... I rolled on and hit the brew pub in Pine. Food to go for the next 100 mi to Flag. And two pale ales, first booze on my ride.
Happy Sunday, y’all.
Cisco Roots
Well-Known Member
Break in the rain day so I hit Tiger. It’s been pouring the last few weeks so the trails were pretty slick and sloppy in some spots. Stuck to the lower trails. Still getting used to the Crank Brothers Pedals and clipping system which seems a little harder to get out of then SPDs so I took easy on the tech sections where the roots were wet and slick cuz I didn’t want to crash lol. Still a great ride!
Faust29
iMTB Hooligan
Faust29
iMTB Hooligan
That's funny... I recently went the other way from Crank Brothers to Shimano, and I swear that I can't get used to getting clipped in on the XTs. I feel like I'm fumbling around trying to get my foot in every time.
I'd say it's what we get used to...
And, by the way... You're still killing us with the greenery!
Grego
iMTB Addict
Quick spin at LCWP. Met up with a couple buddies who wanted to try out some new Yeti's at the demo. No demo for me, I'd probably buy it... The climb up Willow seemed easy since I was on fresh legs. Never started there before. Cool run down Missing Link/Fenceline. Nothing fast due to other trail users. All good, all friendly. Had a clean run down Lizard. Only my 2nd time on the trail. Forgot how chunky the beginning was. Good stuff! Over to Camarillo looking forward to clean that infamous chunky right hand turn. New dirt for my buds too. Only time I've been there before I had to stop there because someone crashed in front of me. This time I would lead. Before I knew it I was at the bottom of the trail. Didn't even realize I blew right through it. They must have tamed it down or something recently.
Headed out via Stagecoach back to the demo. My buds were done. I think they were a bit slower on the demo bikes. Probably not used to it. They did enjoy the new to them singletracks. Short ride but still good times!
Headed out via Stagecoach back to the demo. My buds were done. I think they were a bit slower on the demo bikes. Probably not used to it. They did enjoy the new to them singletracks. Short ride but still good times!
Last edited:
herzalot
iMTB Hooligan
At least you recognize you have an abnormality!
Last edited:
da big hills
iMTB Rockstah
the minimum yesterday and today
da big hills
iMTB Rockstah
No road bikes in the rock gardens?
Tom the Bomb
iMTB Rockstah
Wrightwood with TTB, T-2 and Vince. New dirt for the Slayer and I. The Toms were still piecing the route together. We made a couple wrong turns but hey, a little extra credit didn't hurt. Nice singletrack climbs, some fireroad and awesome fast singletrack DH's.
View attachment 38374
View attachment 38375
View attachment 38376
Good to ride with you and Vince Greg, big fun. We will have the route dialed next time. Baaaaaallllz Baby!
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
The sign was warning of an upcoming steep descent with exposure. Roadies, drop your saddles. Oh, wait?
Cisco Roots
Well-Known Member
Haha! That’s funny. The jury’s still out in the CB system. What kind of cleats did you get for the SPDs? Not sure of the exact name but one (black colored cleats) are much harder to get out of than the other (grey). I think also once you break them in they will wear out and make it getting and out easier.That's funny... I recently went the other way from Crank Brothers to Shimano, and I swear that I can't get used to getting clipped in on the XTs. I feel like I'm fumbling around trying to get my foot in every time.
I'd say it's what we get used to...
And, by the way... You're still killing us with the greenery!
mtnbikej
J-Zilla
We had a morning birthday brunch for my bro-inlaw, then came home and took a 2 hr nap. 
About 3:30 Suz and I headed over to Oaks. This time in through the front of the park, and over to Goat. First time in quite a while that I have climbed the lower section of Goat....not a favorite of mine. Down BumbleGoat, up BumbleBee, up Oak, down Yucca, up Coachwhip. Temps were kinda weird. I would go for cold to hold to cold to hot even though it was kinda cool out there. Down Barham Ridge, down Chutes to the wash. Here Suz headed to the barn, and I headed back up. This is where we ran into Boombox.....music too loud.
Back up Chutes, then down Chutes Ridgeline and back up Chutes Trail. Ran into Kearley at the top, so chased him down Cactus, up BumbleBee and over to Hawk. Fun chasing him down Hawk. No PR's today....we stopped to discuss options for closing off some of the "P-Lines" that have evolved and to look at the trailwork that they did Sunday morning. Up Oak and down Peralta.....a couple of fast sections. Met back up with Suz at the bottom for the spin home.
Even after Saturday's ride my legs still felt really good. I took the Hightower as the Chameleon needed a little TLC. Still stoked that I can climb it in 34x24/28/32/36
20/2950'
About 3:30 Suz and I headed over to Oaks. This time in through the front of the park, and over to Goat. First time in quite a while that I have climbed the lower section of Goat....not a favorite of mine. Down BumbleGoat, up BumbleBee, up Oak, down Yucca, up Coachwhip. Temps were kinda weird. I would go for cold to hold to cold to hot even though it was kinda cool out there. Down Barham Ridge, down Chutes to the wash. Here Suz headed to the barn, and I headed back up. This is where we ran into Boombox.....music too loud.
Back up Chutes, then down Chutes Ridgeline and back up Chutes Trail. Ran into Kearley at the top, so chased him down Cactus, up BumbleBee and over to Hawk. Fun chasing him down Hawk. No PR's today....we stopped to discuss options for closing off some of the "P-Lines" that have evolved and to look at the trailwork that they did Sunday morning. Up Oak and down Peralta.....a couple of fast sections. Met back up with Suz at the bottom for the spin home.
Even after Saturday's ride my legs still felt really good. I took the Hightower as the Chameleon needed a little TLC. Still stoked that I can climb it in 34x24/28/32/36
20/2950'
Ebruner
Well-Known Member
@Cyclotourist the 34 rhythm needs a lot of PSI to stay high it's travel and not blow through what it has. You will need some air volume reducers in there to try and lower the pressure required in the fork and hopefully get some small bump compliance back in the process. You also cannot run the grip damper wide open. You need some where around 25-35% of the compression dial (from full open).
Give all that a shot and i'm pretty sure you will find the fork improved.
Derkderkall
iMTB Rockstah
Put in 22 miles at Chino Hills yesterday (Sunday). Been wanting to head out there for a few weeks now while everything is still green. Was hoping to spot some wildflowers but didn't see much apart from the typically 8 foot high yellow ones......
When I got there, paid for parking, go my bike ready, realized I forgot my backpack.. Ok.. I had a bottle of gatorade, and my regular bottle, (glad i put that extra cage on my frame). filled them up at the fountain and decided to go for it. I was a bit nervous because I didn't even have a multitool with me... but... rolled the dice and went for it.
Decided to try going up South Ridge from the adventure center. I love descending Bovinian Delight, but that climb up SR from the East end of the park kills me, especially since it usually comes at the end of the ride. Definitely like going up from the west end more, seems like a gentler gradient for climbing...
Lots of folks out, hikers, bikers, families, a few horses.
Southridge to Bovinian, down Bovinian, (lots of traffic here), mostly at the top. Banged my familly jewels no my steerer tube because I was in the wrong gear going up a short rise near the top. Didn't puke. Took a minute to recuperate. Some more bikes near the bottom, met a couple hike a bikes going up.
Got down to four corners, but I didn't want to end my ride so decided to keep going, with the intention of filling my bottles at the campground. Up raptor, to faultline. Huge crew cutting back the plants on the side of the trail at the beginning of faultline! But down near the end by the windmill was very tight to get through.
Skipped Aliso and decided to climb Sidewinder. Good choice, much better IMO. Top of Sidewinder, getting ready to drop into Bane Ridge... there is a kind of steep section that I usually was wary of, took a breath, said "you got this" and rolled down, no problem. Small victories.
At the tower before the last descent of Bane Ridge, there is another much shorter steep drop in Kind of loose and gravelly, some small rocks, . Usually I have not felt comfortable here either, and ended up half rolling half walking it. Today, with the confidence from the last section, I looked at it and said "that's not bad at all". Looked easy. Took the plunge. Did not end well. I think I may have needed more momentum going in... maybe weight further back.. but before I knew it.. I was flying over the bars. Managed to roll and land pretty smoothly. But scratched up my knee and elbow to get some good blood flow, shoulder, back, hip all scraped... Still finding a few bruises... But I got up right away, no big deal...
Got ready to roll again, wheel was pointed straight, with my bars about 60 degrees off... hmmmm that could present a problem. But I was able to put the fork between my knees and twist them back to almost true..
Rolled down to the ranch, refilled water, headed up telegraph back to 4 corners. Telegraph is basically two rows on this side. Mustard in the middle, and on the sides. Had to hike a bike the steepest part of Telegraph just before the connector from Telegraph to South Ridge, was starting to get some cramping in my quads. Made it back to 4 corners, and had a relaxing cruise back to the car. 22 miles of fun.
Chino hills 4
Derek 0
(i have a few pics but my unlocked sprint phone is apparently not able to use data on other networks)
When I got there, paid for parking, go my bike ready, realized I forgot my backpack.. Ok.. I had a bottle of gatorade, and my regular bottle, (glad i put that extra cage on my frame). filled them up at the fountain and decided to go for it. I was a bit nervous because I didn't even have a multitool with me... but... rolled the dice and went for it.
Decided to try going up South Ridge from the adventure center. I love descending Bovinian Delight, but that climb up SR from the East end of the park kills me, especially since it usually comes at the end of the ride. Definitely like going up from the west end more, seems like a gentler gradient for climbing...
Lots of folks out, hikers, bikers, families, a few horses.
Southridge to Bovinian, down Bovinian, (lots of traffic here), mostly at the top. Banged my familly jewels no my steerer tube because I was in the wrong gear going up a short rise near the top. Didn't puke. Took a minute to recuperate. Some more bikes near the bottom, met a couple hike a bikes going up.
Got down to four corners, but I didn't want to end my ride so decided to keep going, with the intention of filling my bottles at the campground. Up raptor, to faultline. Huge crew cutting back the plants on the side of the trail at the beginning of faultline! But down near the end by the windmill was very tight to get through.
Skipped Aliso and decided to climb Sidewinder. Good choice, much better IMO. Top of Sidewinder, getting ready to drop into Bane Ridge... there is a kind of steep section that I usually was wary of, took a breath, said "you got this" and rolled down, no problem. Small victories.
At the tower before the last descent of Bane Ridge, there is another much shorter steep drop in Kind of loose and gravelly, some small rocks, . Usually I have not felt comfortable here either, and ended up half rolling half walking it. Today, with the confidence from the last section, I looked at it and said "that's not bad at all". Looked easy. Took the plunge. Did not end well. I think I may have needed more momentum going in... maybe weight further back.. but before I knew it.. I was flying over the bars. Managed to roll and land pretty smoothly. But scratched up my knee and elbow to get some good blood flow, shoulder, back, hip all scraped... Still finding a few bruises... But I got up right away, no big deal...
Got ready to roll again, wheel was pointed straight, with my bars about 60 degrees off... hmmmm that could present a problem. But I was able to put the fork between my knees and twist them back to almost true..
Rolled down to the ranch, refilled water, headed up telegraph back to 4 corners. Telegraph is basically two rows on this side. Mustard in the middle, and on the sides. Had to hike a bike the steepest part of Telegraph just before the connector from Telegraph to South Ridge, was starting to get some cramping in my quads. Made it back to 4 corners, and had a relaxing cruise back to the car. 22 miles of fun.
Chino hills 4
Derek 0
(i have a few pics but my unlocked sprint phone is apparently not able to use data on other networks)
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
That's kinda' the direction we were heading, thanks for confirming the suspicions! Did not know about the damper recommendation though, that will go into effect immediately! The volume spacers make a lot of sense, but why the grip damper setting BTW?
UPSed
iMTB Hooligan
I woke up this morning wanting to head over to Wildwood but laziness kept me from loading up the bike and driving over there. So where to ride from home? I figured heading over towards Rocky Peak would be fun and depending on how I was feeling I could plan as I go. At the last minute I decided to make this a "recovery" ride so just headed over to Albertson. Up Runkle, over Albertson and into Cheeseboro of course. I only hit the upper section of Palo Comado then went across Shepard Flats to Powerline. It's a fire road that takes you back up to Albertson. The Sunday before last Powerline kicked my butt. I had to walk a couple of short sections. Granted it was towards the end of a 40 mile 6k ride but still. Today I was able to clean it. At the top I took a quick break at Tower 45. From there it is mostly downhill with some flat and slightly uphill sections. I pushed it a little harder than normal as my legs felt good and I had a slight tailwind. Since not many people ride this side of Albertson I figured I had a good chance of getting into the top 10. When I got home all I had was one second best segment. No worries it was a great recovery ride. Well within a few minutes I started getting notifications of comments on my ride. Turns out the data updates several minutes after you download it. Boom! KOM on that segment and two 3rd place cups and a few PR's. Good times.
Cyclotourist
iMTB Hooligan
UPSed
iMTB Hooligan
Thanks. For the first part of my ride I was really just cruising and enjoying all of the greenery and the contrast of the rocks. It is beautiful right now in the hills around here.
Ebruner
Well-Known Member
It's just that the grip damper sweeps from basically no Low speed damping at fully open, to near lockout (with threshold blow off) at the fully closed (clockwise) setting. To get the best mix of low speed damping that resists small rider movements, (such as braking or subtle weight shifts) you need to have some damping going on or it will feel wallowy. The strategy is to use some volume reducers to reduce the initial harshness and then use some LSC damping in tandem to get the fork to resist small movements so it can stay supportive yet supple, and still blow off on bigger and high speed events.
The grip damper (first gen grip found in the performance series and rhythm) are actually quite good. This is evidenced by the newest top tier forks using a highly upgraded yet related damper (grip 2) which was announced last week. This is by no means a perfect damper and by extension, it is by no means a perfect fork. However, I have found that you can achieve roughly the same performance and tuning ability with the oem adjustemnts that you can in say a pike. You can of course do a bit better with an rc2 damper or an upgraded pike... but for double, if not triple the costs.
Don't give up on the rhythm and grip damper. The first few rides I wasn't in love with it, but after some adjustments I am quite pleased with the performance it provides and the relatively minor trade offs I have to make to get that performance out of it.
Voodoo Tom
MTB Addict
@UPSedzilla
SnakeCharmer
iMTB Hooligan
50 Year Trail today. Super awesome slow speed twisty turny weaving through tight cactus gardens with lots of little tech features to keep you busy. Did The Chutes, too. 11.5ish miles
UPSed
iMTB Hooligan
I'm not worthy of the "zilla". Yet.