March Madness, and I'm NOT talking basketball
Last Sunday AM on a cold and frosty morning J#ffing Cheng, Poho, and Kent joined me to knock off a little piece of Dragon's Back. Others were invited, but didn't show - you know who you are - sorry you missed out... Losers!
We climbed the one mile singletrack from the Dragon's Tooth p-lot and up onto the mountain. Everybody felt the big hurt, Kent especially - with the 5+" travel couch he was on. Guys that can ride those heavy bikes have an advantage on the descents I guess - but I am not sure it is worth the pain penalty on the climbs. I'd be too smoked to enjoy the ride down I think... and I DEFINITELY like to enjoy the ride down. I'll stick with the XC bike and get as much travel out of it as they can design into a 25lb rig.
So then as we climbed through the bushes things warmed up. It was a beautiful day with the birds singing, the blue sky peaking around the clouds as they blew past overhead. The trail was in great shape too, no storm damage or trees on the trail. We grouped up on top of the mountain and rolled on toward 'Deer' trail where we buckled everything down and Poho led the way down. I figured if he went first he'd clear the spider webs, downed pines, rocks and bears for me. He did a great job and it was fun chasing him down the mountain. I have to give him some props - Poho showed me some tricks on switchbacks that were amazing to watch. I have some work to do.
After bombing Deer, burning through 'The Ring of Fire', surfing up the fireroad to 'Grouse' we fueled up for the climb and once again Poho let the way. The trail on the way up was soft with frost heaves, which slowed Poho down a bit. I tried riding on his line and this helped. He was taking it easy though and we all stayed pretty close together at a methodical pace. At the switchbacks the fun began.
Everyone took a shot at cleaning them with Poho and Jeffro definitely showing some mad skills as they hopped around and made sweet moves. I gave'em the ol' college try but I definitely have some work to do as I said. The trials techniques these guys were using are something I need to add to my repertoire.
It was another great day to ride - is there any other kind?
--dB
We climbed the one mile singletrack from the Dragon's Tooth p-lot and up onto the mountain. Everybody felt the big hurt, Kent especially - with the 5+" travel couch he was on. Guys that can ride those heavy bikes have an advantage on the descents I guess - but I am not sure it is worth the pain penalty on the climbs. I'd be too smoked to enjoy the ride down I think... and I DEFINITELY like to enjoy the ride down. I'll stick with the XC bike and get as much travel out of it as they can design into a 25lb rig.
So then as we climbed through the bushes things warmed up. It was a beautiful day with the birds singing, the blue sky peaking around the clouds as they blew past overhead. The trail was in great shape too, no storm damage or trees on the trail. We grouped up on top of the mountain and rolled on toward 'Deer' trail where we buckled everything down and Poho led the way down. I figured if he went first he'd clear the spider webs, downed pines, rocks and bears for me. He did a great job and it was fun chasing him down the mountain. I have to give him some props - Poho showed me some tricks on switchbacks that were amazing to watch. I have some work to do.
After bombing Deer, burning through 'The Ring of Fire', surfing up the fireroad to 'Grouse' we fueled up for the climb and once again Poho let the way. The trail on the way up was soft with frost heaves, which slowed Poho down a bit. I tried riding on his line and this helped. He was taking it easy though and we all stayed pretty close together at a methodical pace. At the switchbacks the fun began.
Everyone took a shot at cleaning them with Poho and Jeffro definitely showing some mad skills as they hopped around and made sweet moves. I gave'em the ol' college try but I definitely have some work to do as I said. The trials techniques these guys were using are something I need to add to my repertoire.
It was another great day to ride - is there any other kind?
--dB
posted by doubleB at 4:47 AM
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