I Rode My Bike Today...

Was able to get my son out on a ride today, we did 6 miles and he said he was tired, worn out, and exhausted but he loved it and can't wait to go again

WP_20160118_12_18_18_Pro.jpg


WP_20160118_12_18_26_Pro.jpg


InstagramCapture_a03b3715-15fa-4fa1-93e8-acc633c829b1.jpg
 
I had MLK Day off, so hoped to do some much-needed research for the upcoming RSR (March 19!). The sections of trail we want to confirm are pretty far out of the way, but can be linked to easily enough for some of the longer routes. Anywho, I pestered @riiz into coming along. Tried for a few other locals, but they had some other commitments. Figured it would be a couple hours of good time checking some new areas out.

Low and behold, I get a PM this morning from @bigringrider101 saying that he would be in the neighborhood fetching a trailer w/ a friend. Would I want to ride Crafton Hills with them? Well of course we had to do that, as they were driving 90+ miles to come ride in the area! And approximately at that point things started falling apart. Eric and I left at a good time, but the super-secret back route I wanted to take appears to have been blocked off. Or I took a wrong turn. Either way, we ended up going up another canyon, into someone's property by some groves. Beautiful as it was, it was a bit nerve-racking to be out there. Ended up getting back on track after portaging up a canyon wall, and circumnavigating a fence or two.

So we start up the hill, and notice about 500 goathead punctures in someone's tire. Not mine. Texting ensued to find alternative meet up points several times. Trail side repair putting in a new tube and filling it w/ Orange Seal. Finally met Bernie & Hans at one of the trail crossings. Hans is actually the guy that built the trails! Awesome-sauce! We rode a bit, then split up, as Bernie and Hans had to get back to their car and work on the trailer situation.

Eric and I headed to the back roads we wanted to explore all. Success, but about 30 miles at that point, and we were getting done. At least I was! Trails are awesome, head into the wind and head back home. What's actually a pretty nice back-road for five miles was a bit of a burden heading into the wind at the end of a long ride. But we survived, hit some more trails, and one last hill to home!

All's well that ends well, and am glad Bernie took the time to get hold of me, we at least got to enjoy a bit of trail together! But yeah... I'm tired! Didn't get many pics, as too busy trying to keep pedaling. I seem to take a lot more pics on solo rides!!! Here are the few I grabbed.

B+ flat repair:
24387015681_5a153cc9e1_b.jpg

Only pic of B&H:
24362130252_208d703c4f_b.jpg

Clean the lens, already!
24102626799_2b9f8b8cdf_b.jpg

Going down Woodhouse Rd... pretty much my favorite stretch of dirt:
24470422325_36d1a2d4d5_b.jpg
 
@BeckTrex Thanks for showing me CHSP I had a blast going down on the ST and those fun climbs were doable... Stats for the ride were.. 23 miles 3 hrs 20 min. 2700 ft and lots of smiles. this was my second big ride. We had a great weather all day and the dirt was perfect, it my second ride on my new wheelset and got to say.. I gained more confidence on the set up !! Here are a couple pics and a little video hope you guys like it !!

IMAG0109.jpg


IMAG0116.jpg


IMAG0113.jpg
 
Last edited:
I normally ride my Kona for everything, no matter what type of riding the days bring and my poor neglected lonely old aluminum hardtail has been hanging on a hook for well over a year, only coming out for an occasional family putt. I’ve considered selling it many times but realized it’s not worth much and besides it was the bike that got me hooked on MTB’ing. Decided to recommission it and mix things up a bit. I commute to work by bike at least a couple times a week and decided to throw some skinny-ish gravel bike type tires on it. My commute has some smooth blacktop, chunked up blacktop, and dirt roads to it. Went with a 700 X 35(clement x'plor ush) with a little tread and have started out with 65psi.

IMG_3622.JPG



IMG_3624.JPG


So far here’s my findings in no particular order:
1) Bike is really funny looking.
2) Any prior dental work I’ve had done is well glued in place. I had a feeling that it would be a bit rougher ride than I was used to.
3) Tires roll well and silent
4) Riding skinny tires with 65psi on dirt is real sketchy
5) Feels way faster but really isn’t (saves less than a minute over 7.5 miles)
6) I’m glad I tried this relatively cheap option before buying a gravel bike.
7) Avid elixir brakes still suck
8) I won’t wear out the knobs on my Kona as quickly if I ride this bike instead.
9) Bikes are fun
 
Last edited:
Voodoo Tom said:
I normally ride my Kona for everything, no matter what type of riding the days bring and my poor neglected lonely old aluminum hardtail has been hanging on a hook for well over a year, only coming out for an occasional family putt. I’ve considered selling it many times but realized it’s not worth much and besides it was the bike that got me hooked on MTB’ing. Decided to recommission it and mix things up a bit. I commute to work by bike at least a couple times a week and decided to throw some skinny-ish gravel bike type tires on it. My commute has some smooth blacktop, chunked up blacktop, and dirt roads to it. Went with a 700 X 35(clement ush) with a little tread and have started out with 65psi.

View attachment 13034


View attachment 13035

So far here’s my findings in no particular order:
1) Bike is really funny looking.
2) Any prior dental work I’ve had done is well glued in place. I had a feeling that it would be a bit rougher ride than I was used to.
3) Tires roll well and silent
4) Riding skinny tires with 65psi on dirt is real sketchy
5) Feels way faster but really isn’t (saves less than a minute over 7.5 miles)
6) I’m glad I tried this relatively cheap option before buying a gravel bike.
7) Avid elixir brakes still suck
8) I won’t wear out the knobs on my Kona as quickly if I ride this bike instead.
9) Bikes are fun
Click to expand...
I love your MTB hard tail conversion to an urban battleship!
 
I got off work late yesterday, and it was drizzling....so I didn't ride.

So I headed out this afternoon for some redemption. About 1 hr in, my legs disappeared. I pushed on hoping my legs would come back. Never happened. Very indecisive about where I wanted to go.

So all in all, 27 miles / 4000' ascent

Screenshot (187).png
Screenshot (189).png
 
Rode Marshall Canyon today with Rob and Daniel. Met them today for first time. Rob is my boss' son. We managed 8.5 miles in just under 2.5 hours. One broken chain and borrowed power link reinstalled twice due to mis-feeding through rear derailleur pulleys, one sidewall tear and borrowed 29er tube reinstalled twice because gravel got inside tire from being hasty, one light battery gone empty so we rode the Rob sandwich, and one little tail whip ending with a rider down just before the tunnel. Gotta laugh.
image.jpg

Oh yea, I saw RedWoods, T2, Ian, and Joel (I think) along the way.
 
DangerDirtyD said:
Rode Marshall Canyon today with Rob and Daniel. Met them today for first time. Rob is my boss' son. We managed 8.5 miles in just under 2.5 hours. One broken chain and borrowed power link reinstalled twice due to mis-feeding through rear derailleur pulleys, one sidewall tear and borrowed 29er tube reinstalled twice because gravel got inside tire from being hasty, one light battery gone empty so we rode the Rob sandwich, and one little tail whip ending with a rider down just before the tunnel. Gotta laugh.View attachment 13054
Oh yea, I saw RedWoods, T2, Ian, and Joel (I think) along the way.
Click to expand...

Sounds like an adventure.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top