I Rode My Bike Today...

[AKAKTM]

Isn't the horst link not very efficient with climbing? That's what I've heard, I've never ridden that type of rear suspension.

Generally long link bikes like Horst aren’t as efficient, but that’s not absolute. New suspension geometry and shock designs are closing the gap such that it doesn’t make much difference. I’ve done more than 60 miles on this bike and about 5000ft of climbing in the past four days on this Stumpy and it climbs as well as my SB140 (29) which is great climbing bike.

I love my SB140 and the new Ripmo, but this bike edges them both out for the overall trail bike crown in my book. It’s a stunningly good bike and the single biggest part of that is the rear suspension.

 

[AKAKTM]

I'm anxious, though a little scared to hear your detailed feedback on the Stumpy. The siren song of the Pro build is strong, though the price is hard to stomach. And Pinkbike classifieds are rife with languishing large Sentinels, so I feel like unloading mine wouldn't be automatic.

Give me a call if you want. There’s a killer deal on a new Stumpy on Pinkbike in the classifieds. It’s a fantastic bike. I need to resist because I love my 140!

 

[Lost Kiwi]

Tried to beat the heat with a 6:30 start, it didn't work.
Dropped into Concourse to check out Whiting, it was a dust bowl so I just headed up Whiting to 4 corners and then went for the Luge. Ran into old mate riding his Ti seven at the start of STT on his usual jaunt to Old Camp. He'd had the same idea of starting early and agreed it was a bit of a fail.
Had one of those ridiculously fit guys with muscles on muscles come past me on FU hill. Pretty sure I've seen him before heroically piloting an old '80s Stumpy down Joplin.
This time he was on a gravel bike (definitely the reason he caught me and not my staggering lack of fitness right now ) I asked if he wanted to swap machines but he laughed and disappeared. I caught him halfway down the drop to the flag. Maybe I was on the right machine for the job after all...
A runner at the flag, he looked suspiciously like he was going to run down the Luge, (with earphones in ) 2nd time in a week I've come across people dumb enough to venture on there walking. I got out in front and had a cruisy run down. I kind of figured if gravel guy was going to head down the runner would probably beat him and act as a buffer.
Headed down to the Monastery road and popped up and over Live Oak before struggling up Ridgeline back to the house. Legs didn't feel to bad so plan is to try again tomorrow. Probably the first time I've managed back to back rides in over a month if I do.

 

[Obsidian]

I started early this morning and decided on Laguna. I left at 6:15 and was on the bike by 6:45. It was pretty cool for most of my ride, and only started getting warm towards the end.

I got to Ridge Park just in time as it was filling up fast. On the way to Lizards, I got passed by two eBikes on the climb and they of course dropped into Lizards. No problem, I just waited 1 minute and 30 seconds. Perfectly timed, as I caught them at the hike a bike, and since my bike does not weigh 50 pounds, I scooted right past the soy boys and had Pt 2 all to myself.

I decided on BVD for a change, and that was all clear right until he drop where there were 5 people trying to scramble up it, all in different spots. I didn't really know what to do, so I rolled it which was an experience. I never did that before and was not even sure it was rollable, but I made it at an uncomfortable angle. Monster truck wheels FTW. BVD is in great shape right now.

Then down Emerald Canyon to the end which is an absolute blast. Fast, narrow singletrack all the way? Perfect.

On the way back, I climbed Ol' Emerald with the intention of riding back down, but there was a group of about 15 eBikers just standing on the trail about 30 yards from the top. I thought someone crashed or something, but no, they were just standing there. WTF? I fully started mocking them as I climbed past. No need to post those juicy comments, but they were good. I usually walk that last steep part ... but can't walk after making fun of a large group of eBikes, so I just powered up it.

Anyway, I figured if those idiots stopped on the trail once they would probably do it again, so I headed over to TnA instead. Pretty loose, but good fun. I started feeling it on the way back to Willow and that climb was a struggle (also when it started to get warm) so I decided to call it a day and headed back to the car.

The bike is starting to feel really good. It has developed a crazy creak though ... I think it might be the headset, so will need to tighten all that up.

Great morning on the bike ... I love it when a plan comes together.

 

[bvader]

Solid ride!!

 

[DangerDirtyD]

Perfectly timed, as I caught them at the hike a bike, and since my bike does not weigh 50 pounds, I scooted right past the soy boys and had Pt 2 all to myself.

 

[herzalot]

I started early this morning and decided on Laguna. I left at 6:15 and was on the bike by 6:45. It was pretty cool for most of my ride, and only started getting warm towards the end.

I got to Ridge Park just in time as it was filling up fast. On the way to Lizards, I got passed by two eBikes on the climb and they of course dropped into Lizards. No problem, I just waited 1 minute and 30 seconds. Perfectly timed, as I caught them at the hike a bike, and since my bike does not weigh 50 pounds, I scooted right past the soy boys and had Pt 2 all to myself.

I decided on BVD for a change, and that was all clear right until he drop where there were 5 people trying to scramble up it, all in different spots. I didn't really know what to do, so I rolled it which was an experience. I never did that before and was not even sure it was rollable, but I made it at an uncomfortable angle. Monster truck wheels FTW. BVD is in great shape right now.

Then down Emerald Canyon to the end which is an absolute blast. Fast, narrow singletrack all the way? Perfect.

On the way back, I climbed Ol' Emerald with the intention of riding back down, but there was a group of about 15 eBikers just standing on the trail about 30 yards from the top. I thought someone crashed or something, but no, they were just standing there. WTF? I fully started mocking them as I climbed past. No need to post those juicy comments, but they were good. I usually walk that last steep part ... but can't walk after making fun of a large group of eBikes, so I just powered up it.

Anyway, I figured if those idiots stopped on the trail once they would probably do it again, so I headed over to TnA instead. Pretty loose, but good fun. I started feeling it on the way back to Willow and that climb was a struggle (also when it started to get warm) so I decided to call it a day and headed back to the car.

The bike is starting to feel really good. It has developed a crazy creak though ... I think it might be the headset, so will need to tighten all that up.

Great morning on the bike ... I love it when a plan comes together.

View attachment 94780

Impressive ride. Sorry it was sullied by standers-by.

Creaks suck. Good luck tracking it down and fixin' it!

 

[RIGID]

Beat the heat and went to Snow Summit for some bike park action. Overcast all day with a faint whiff of smoke, not good. Left at around 2pm since the lifts were off and on due to the thunder. On the way down 330 it poured but unfortunately not low enough. Found where the smoke smell was coming as we were escorted to get off the 330 and use the 18 instead. Just heard the folks of Highland need to be evacuated, thought and prayers for the residents.
Took a quick pic from the car.

 

[scottay]

Give me a call if you want. There’s a killer deal on a new Stumpy on Pinkbike in the classifieds. It’s a fantastic bike. I need to resist because I love my 140!

.
the greenish one?
.

 

[AKAKTM]

.
the greenish one?

Yes, that one. That's a deal on a great bike.

 

[Y-not]

Met up with @blixet for a morning ride in the mountains. We did the Central Camp dirt road clinb to the 1st section of 007. Weather was better than it has been the last month.
I did warn him of the boring ride up. It was a nice comfortable pace going up and good conversation.
Going down 007 was a recon ride showing him the lines and what to expect. My first jaunt down this trail was about 18 minutes. I'm guessing this run was a sub 15 minute run. Not bad for his first time. Next time he can get his game on and have a blast.
I hope @blixet understands the fireroad climb is 1460' gain in ~4.5 miles. It's a nonstop grind, which he now knows........lol
We ended the ride at the dirt parking area and went our ways. I expect a report on the jerkey..

I called the spousal unit and she was headed to Fresno for errands, so what am I supposed to do ?
I did another lap. The second one, no mechanicals or crashes, just beat me up. I felt every rock, root, and divot all the way down. I have no idea why, but I'm sore.

 

[scan]

Met up with @blixet for a morning ride in the mountains. We did the Central Camp dirt road clinb to the 1st section of 007. Weather was better than it has been the last month.
I did warn him of the boring ride up. It was a nice comfortable pace going up and good conversation.
Going down 007 was a recon ride showing him the lines and what to expect. My first jaunt down this trail was about 18 minutes. I'm guessing this run was a sub 15 minute run. Not bad for his first time. Next time he can get his game on and have a blast.
I hope @blixet understands the fireroad climb is 1460' gain in ~4.5 miles. It's a nonstop grind, which he now knows........lol
We ended the ride at the dirt parking area and went our ways. I expect a report on the jerkey..

I called the spousal unit and she was headed to Fresno for errands, so what am I supposed to do ?
I did another lap. The second one, no mechanicals or crashes, just beat me up. I felt every rock, root, and divot all the way down. I have no idea why, but I'm sore.
View attachment 94876

Need some selfie pics of you two! Action shots if available.

 

[Y-not]

Need some selfie pics of you two! Action shots if available.

I usually don't take pictures, maybe @blixet did, he had his phone out at the 007 trailhead. There's always tomorrow's ride.

 

[Tom the Bomb]

Hodges miles with the Joser.

 

[Tom the Bomb]

 

[blixet]

The only picture I stopped to take was of the trailhead (crap ass picture). Had a blast running down 007, this is an honest to goodness mtb single track, spicy jerky is awesome. Bug bonanza on the crawl up. I tried unsuccessfully to find a bug net later, talked to a fishing guy who said he lived at Bass Lake and that there was only 1 bug to be seen at that moment. Did I really think I needed a bug net? Dude, seriously, the most bugs I have ever seen on my bike. My arms got almost as much work as my legs swiping the little suckers away. Maybe I smelled good to them?

 

[scan]

I usually don't take pictures, maybe @blixet did, he had his phone out at the 007 trailhead. There's always tomorrow's ride.

You know...........pics or it didn't happen

 

[Rumpled]

Not much to report. I do this ride most Tuesdays and Fridays with a coworker on his bike commute. I do most of his commute, we stop for a tall boy and I ride back and he rides on home.
He gets about 15 miles each way, I get 19 and about 800 feet of climbing.
My stretch is Heroes Park to Crown Valley Park mostly along the Aliso Creek Trail. We take whatever dirt options we can. Not much of real MTB riding but it's some miles on dirt.

 

[SnakeCharmer]

Set off from homebase this morning for a combo road spin/ El P special. Felt good to turn the cranks again. The recent heat kept me off the bike almost completely and I'm embarrassed to admit that I have a mere 42 miles on the bike for September including today's 20 miler. I climbed up Fern TT well considering my time off the saddle. I didn't even stop (from home) until I reached the benches at the junction. That might be a first for me. The blast down Brown Mtn FR toward El P TH was interrupted by hikers as usual on a weekend. My pass through El P left something to be desired as well. I will blame that on too much time off the bike. My legs felt good and so did my lungs but I couldn't get my body to sync so I dabbed more than I should have. At moments I felt like a monster. Other times I was a wavering fool. I guess the important thing is that I made it through without incident. Tonnage of hikers out today but very few riders for a weekend. The skies were far too ugly today (but that ugly marine layer kept me in a comfy temp zone) to take pics for sharing. 20.37, 2067'

 

[blixet]

Solo ride at Goat Mountain this morning.

Uphill trail slapped me with access denied! Log is humungous. Looks doable but only crawling commando style on the belly and pushing the bike laying down with the handlebars turned 45*. Not for me.

Tried climbing up the Goat Mtn Trail from the exit. Not practical so turned around after 20 minutes of fighting flies and hike-a-biking and at least got some single track downhill in to go along with the fire road riding trying to figure it all out.

 

[scan]

Solo ride at Goat Mountain this morning.

View attachment 94883

Uphill trail slapped me with access denied! Log is humungous. Looks doable but only crawling commando style on the belly and pushing the bike laying down with the handlebars turned 45*. Not for me.

View attachment 94884

Tried climbing up the Goat Mtn Trail from the exit. Not practical so turned around after 20 minutes of fighting flies and hike-a-biking and at least got some single track downhill in to go along with the fire road riding trying to figure it all out.

Nice! Headnet for the win! I always carry one

 

[scan]

The recent heat kept me off the bike almost completely and I'm embarrassed to admit that I have a mere

Heat and terrible air kept many of us from riding, you weren't the only one.

 

[scan]

Great getting out today after>10 days not riding due to terrible air and heat! CHSP today with @trmn8r . Love the 3M downhill! Flowy goodness!! East fence line was a little messy with some erosion and many holes (likely hoof prints ), made it fun and challenging at times! Cloud cover made for nice temps. 14\1800ft

 

[Y-not]

Solo ride at Goat Mountain this morning.

View attachment 94883

Uphill trail slapped me with access denied! Log is humungous. Looks doable but only crawling commando style on the belly and pushing the bike laying down with the handlebars turned 45*. Not for me

Trail maintenance (YSGTC) have been notified and this will be taken care of within a couple of weeks.
Thanks for the heads up.
This is called the X4 trail.

 

[Walleye]

Rode Santa Ysabel and Volcan Mtn yesterday. Gorgeous views, decent temps, no smoke - @scan, you've got to give it another shot!

 

[SnakeCharmer]

Bark Park/LVDH/Grasslands with Matt this morning in perfect conditions. I forgot how much I enjoyed this short loop. Matt has a little gem right there in his back yard. On the climb up, we stopped at the Kobe Memorial for a moment. There is a huge section of the hillside beyond that which has slipped downward a bit. So much so that the trail had to be rerouted in a few sections. It looks to be at least 100 yards long and maybe that tall.

Enjoy the ride back down...

 

[blixet]

Today was Waddle Ranch Preserve. A few miles from home base and ass kicking single track that surprised me.

lots of rock gardens and HABs

 

[blixet]

Today I rode Big Chief. Felt like the longest day, but was 3 hrs. in reality (Tahoe never ending rock garden hours). Got a bit beat up after snagging a pedal on a rock drop off and then flying forward almost OTB. but only ended up with a scuffed up leg. Hopefully, the blood sacrifice appeases the mountain spirits.

big chief sidewalk

 

[CBone]

Today I rode Big Chief. Felt like the longest day, but was 3 hrs. in reality (Tahoe never ending rock garden hours). Got a bit beat up after snagging a pedal on a rock drop off and then flying forward almost OTB. but only ended up with a scuffed up leg. Hopefully, the blood sacrifice appeases the mountain spirits.

View attachment 94907

big chief sidewalk

Nice rick work on that trail. Lots of effort went in to that section for sure.

 

[DangerDirtyD]

Today I rode Big Chief. Felt like the longest day, but was 3 hrs. in reality (Tahoe never ending rock garden hours). Got a bit beat up after snagging a pedal on a rock drop off and then flying forward almost OTB. but only ended up with a scuffed up leg. Hopefully, the blood sacrifice appeases the mountain spirits.

View attachment 94907

big chief sidewalk

This is one hell of a recovery from a year ago!