I Rode My Bike Today...

Mikie said:
That was actually directed more at herzy. The worry about boutique bike patronage. I remember when we considered Santa Cruz boutique. Apparently for success is the kiss of death! :geek:
Click to expand...

My first and only Santa Cruz was a 2000 Superlight, awesome bike for the time. I love smaller bike companies and have many of them. But Santa Cruz hasn't been boutique for along time.
 
Beat the rain today. Forecast showed no rain until 1:00pm in Ripperside so off to Sycamore I went. 10:00am start. Hero dirt, of course... Hit the usual trails - Rattlesnake, 3 bridges, Mini Moab, BFR, etc. Hardly anyone around.:cool: Weather ended up being perfect. Cool, but no jacket needed. Ventured south of Alessandro. :eek:!!! 2 new huge warehouses have been built since I've last been here. Ride it while you can folks. Started to rain on the drive home.

ss1a.jpg


ss1b.jpg


ss1c.jpg
 
Last edited:
DangerDirtyD said:
Except this one CAN’T climb a vertical mile in a day, ever; nor will HE grind gravel for any considerable distance.
Click to expand...
Fixed it for you.
I couldn’t climb 5000’ if I wanted to. My quads cramp solid somewhere between 3 and 4000’ of climbing. But thanks for pointing that out. :thumbsup:

@Mikie I think you were the 2nd Hightower (on this forum), so that makes you a trend setter, not a follower.

As I've said before NOT getting a bike because it's trendy is just as bad as getting a bike because it's trendy. Get what floats your boat. For me, I need to look at my bike and think "What an awesome bike - let's go ride!" I think the present crop of Santa Cruzes might do that. Every bike I've owned to date has done that. :thumbsup:

@Faust29 yes, the Meg might be more compliant with aluminum wheels. I actually got it set pretty well by the time I was done with it. Maybe some test runs on some of my favorite test tracks would be in order - but I'm going to try other bikes and try the Hightower XXL in Aliso and LCWP. See if it's too big for Camarillo's switchbacks, or too hard to climb the parts of Stairs that I can climb, or if it eats up CarWreck, or smooths the chatter on 5-Oaks. If it passes those tests, can it climb San Juan's switchbacks?
 
Last edited:
herzalot said:
Fixed it for you.
I couldn’t climb 5000’ if I wanted to. My quads cramp solid somewhere between 3 and 4000’ of climbing. But thanks for pointing that out. :thumbsup:

@Mikie I think you were the 2nd Hightower (on this forum), so that makes you a trend setter, not a follower.

As I've said before NOT getting a bike because it's trendy is just as bad as getting a bike because it's trendy. Get what floats your boat. For me, I need to look at my bike and think "What an awesome bike - let's go ride!" I think the present crop of Santa Cruzes might do that. Every bike I've owned to date has done that. :thumbsup:

@Faust29 yes, the Meg might be more compliant with aluminum wheels. I actually got it set pretty well by the time I was done with it. Maybe some test runs on some of my favorite test tracks would be in order - but I'm going to try other bikes and try the Hightower XXL in Aliso and LCWP.
Click to expand...
There are so many great bikes out there, if you are indeed in the market, I have no doubt you will choose wisely and love what you get!
I have been so happy with my Hightower, it’s hard to imagine what the next bike will be. :)
 
herzalot said:
Fixed it for you.
I couldn’t climb 5000’ if I wanted to. My quads cramp solid somewhere between 3 and 4000’ of climbing. But thanks for pointing that out. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Point what out?

Oh, the cramps...well, since you mention them, I’d like to figure out what in hell is wrong with your physiology that you can ski/snowboard, surf, and even ride a bike, but bonk after 4K of climbing. Something is amiss, and I’m wondering if there are any kinesiologists in the house with ideas to set you free.
 
DangerDirtyD said:
Point what out?

Oh, the cramps...well, since you mention them, I’d like to figure out what in hell is wrong with your physiology that you can ski/snowboard, surf, and even ride a bike, but bonk after 4K of climbing. Something is amiss, and I’m wondering if there are any kinesiologists in the house with ideas to set you free.
Click to expand...
I don't bonk - I cramp. My understanding of bonk is running completely out of energy/fuel and damn near falling asleep on the side of the trail. I've seen that happen to a few people. @Bill says he bonks, but doesn't cramp.

I would guess my cramping has to do with my lousy diet. I imagine if I stopped drinking alcohol, cut back on dairy, added in tons of leafy greens, maybe some apples, perhaps I would be better off. It's not a huge deal to me because I rarely have the time or desire to do 5000' plus days anyway.
 
Mikie said:
There are so many great bikes out there...
Click to expand...
Too many! It's interesting to see what people gravitate towards and why. I doubt very many people really do a thorough test ride of the bikes they buy, any more than people do a thorough test drive of the cars they buy. I wonder how many just read a little, find something that floats their boat for whatever reason (brand, color, image, price, friends) and just buy it. Maybe I'll start a thread - "How did you select your bike?" See how honest people will be.
 
herzalot said:
I don't bonk - I cramp. My understanding of bonk is running completely out of energy/fuel and damn near falling asleep on the side of the trail. I've seen that happen to a few people. @Bill says he bonks, but doesn't cramp.

I would guess my cramping has to do with my lousy diet. I imagine if I stopped drinking alcohol, cut back on dairy, added in tons of leafy greens, maybe some apples, perhaps I would be better off. It's not a huge deal to me because I rarely have the time or desire to do 5000' plus days anyway.
Click to expand...
Consider pounding 20 McNuggets before your next ride.
Old&InTheWay said:
I've gone up Motorway, it's a piece of cake compared to going UP Yeager Mesa and Coldwater Trails. :confused: :eek: :gag: :oops: o_O :stop:
Click to expand...
What happend? Did you go OTB on Yeager and Coldwater and leave your bike 100 feet upslope?
 
On my previous ride I realized that it was time to get a new helmet light because the battery was no longer charging well enough. Had to act fast with there only being a few days left of everything on sale. Decided to get a Glow Worm X2 from Jensen. Took it for a test ride this evening. Went up Maple Springs ( gate still closed ) to the first guardrail. 7 miles and 1350 feet. Wow much impressed, the X2 throws a long well lit spot beam from one bulb and a nice flood pattern from the other. Makes a great combination with my Light and Motion Seca 2200 full beam handlebar light. Also found the soil condition to be favorable. 39 degrees but felt colder with all the moisture in the air

20191209_180343.jpg


Both lights set a low ( 1/3 power ) about 600 lumens each. Using dim/flash modes going uphill will be able to go long night rides. Also have a new battery with the handle bar light. :thumbsup:
 
Chantry
IMG_20191210_080230.jpg


The San Gabes got hammered by this last storm system. Every trail I have been riding up there has significant damage from rockfall and downed trees. It's still great out there right now...
Get some!

Oh yeah, the road was down to one lane due to a rock slide that occurred while I was riding. I was lucky to get out.
 
rossage said:
Chantry
View attachment 60088

The San Gabes got hammered by this last storm system. Every trail I have been riding up there has significant damage from rockfall and downed trees. It's still great out there right now...
Get some!

Oh yeah, the road was down to one lane due to a rock slide that occurred while I was riding. I was lucky to get out.
Click to expand...

It kind of blows me away that more people don't regularly ride Chantry. For me, its the best on the San Gabe's. Nice tree cover, tech trails, not too many people, pure natural beauty. I guess for your sake though, and those that appreciate Chantry, its probably better that way!
 
Cisco Roots said:
It kind of blows me away that more people don't regularly ride Chantry. For me, its the best on the San Gabe's. Nice tree cover, tech trails, not too many people, pure natural beauty. I guess for your sake though, and those that appreciate Chantry, its probably better that way!
Click to expand...

Yeah, it gets zooed out on the weekends and the loops are short so it keeps some riders away. Not to mention the rock gardens, switchies and exposure.
 
Nice Rossage!

rossage said:
Chantry
View attachment 60088

The San Gabes got hammered by this last storm system. Every trail I have been riding up there has significant damage from rockfall and downed trees. It's still great out there right now...
Get some!

Oh yeah, the road was down to one lane due to a rock slide that occurred while I was riding. I was lucky to get out.
Click to expand...
 
Connie and I did an easy paced ride with our dogs this morning. It was super chill, kind of a nice reminder to slow down sometimes ;)
But I gotta say, the dirt was so friggin pristine (like the heroist hero dirt ever!)I was a little bummed on the DH, with the dogs in tow we had to go super slow.
Life is rad, bikes are rad, dogs are rad, time with friends is radderer

3D766F64-8663-49DB-95D7-EC69214C201B.jpeg


3835F0B6-02B4-4E8B-B543-D8D5826FCF98.jpeg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top