did you ride today?

[mimbresman]

I've been laid up due to a nasty bacterial lung infection (stupid 3rd world). Well, I finally got on the bike this morning after about 10 days off. I pedaled up the local hill...Ugggh! Got to start conditioning all over again.

[pinkrobe]

Yesterday, a buddy says, "Hey who wants to do a quick road ride after work?" I'm thinking quick = short, but no, quick = 60km time trial uphill into the wind followed by hills from hell, then ride home in the dark. There were only 3 of us on the ride, and the one guy kicks the pace up by 4 km/h anytime he takes a pull. Little Scottish bastard. I know it's good for me, but still...

Today was the actual dirt ride. The 3 of us plus 3 more folks with fresh legs did Sulphur Springs. I think the full loop is only 15 km, but it's all climbing. It's not physically possible, but I think there is actually more climbing than downhill on the ride. It's 100% singletrack, with exposed roots, scree and the odd mud bog for good measure. There are very few switchbacks, so it's mostly a straight hammerfest. I made all the climbs, except this one spot I've only cleaned once in 10 years - but everyone else walked it today, so I don't feel too bad.

This afternoon, I'm going to the Ship for 6 pints and a burger. And nachos. And apple crisp with ice cream.

[myron]

And a hookah smoking caterpillar is giving you the call...
Go ask alice,when she's ten feet tall............

[mimbresman]

I did a shroom ride near Santa Fe one time. I remember the sky looking something like this...very cool!

[rockyrider]

It reminds me of my alltime fave Simpson's episode: El Viaje Misterioso De Nuestro Homer (a.k.a. The Mysterious Voyage Of Our Homer) where he ate the Guatemalan insanity peppers.

[mimbresman]

I can't describe the dead pine needles on the ground. They were really wild looking. Then my shoes...I had a pair of blue Specialized and I remember purpleish streaks blurring by at the bottom of my field of view, making a whooshing sound each pass. Very trippy. :p

[rockyrider]

Any epsiodes of being chased by giant elk trees? About 20 years ago I was at a trade show with one of my co-workers who had done some shrooms and kept going on about the giant elk trees along the roads between the hotel and the convention centre. :D

[myron]

Stay away from the mushrooms man........Here man take these.......feeling better???
Oh wait dont take those man..

[mimbresman]

No giant elk trees but we somehow we ended up at a reservoir on some Indian land NW of Santa Fe. An old Indian deliberately sent us the wrong way and we got good and lost.

[rockyrider]

It only looked like an old Indian, it was really just Coyote playing tricks. Here it would have been Raven, the trickster.

[OTBSkinloss]

Had my sorry ass handed to me, by one of my riding buddies. That guy is just good! 18 foot drops with a stoppie and he just laughs when I do a pathetic 4 footer, and yells "You rock!" Super good guy, but just WAY better than me on a big bike. Rat bastard. I wanna be that skilled!

[mimbresman]

Maybe it was Coyote...I lived and worked on the Navajo Indian Reservation for 7 years. I've experienced some weird stuff out there from time to time...:confused:

[OTBSkinloss]

Maybe it was Coyote...I lived and worked on the Navajo Indian Reservation for 7 years. I've experienced some weird stuff out there from time to time...:confused:

Ya te, choy yazzi, Bellagonna. :D
Spelling may be off, but you get the gist.

[mimbresman]

Had my sorry ass handed to me, by one of my riding buddies. That guy is just good! 18 foot drops with a stoppie and he just laughs when I do a pathetic 4 footer, and yells "You rock!" Super good guy, but just WAY better than me on a big bike. Rat bastard. I wanna be that skilled!

Another ride I did today was I tried riding BMX today on my 12 year-old brother-in-law's new Schwinn. My old body just doesn't do that stuff what a 12 year-old makes look easy. All I'm good for is keeping the wheels on the ground...no tricks.

[mimbresman]

I was the crazy beligana [sic] on the bike. :D

[OTBSkinloss]

It only looked like an old Indian, it was really just Coyote playing tricks. Here it would have been Raven, the trickster.

Free advice. Never call a Navajo, a coyote. A coyote will let it's family starve to feed it'self. ;)

[mimbresman]

Free advice. Never call a Navajo, a coyote. A coyote will let it's family starve to feed it'self. ;)

I saw a "Skinwalker" once. At least when I describe what I saw to my Navajo friends, they freak out and say it was a skinwalker. Weirdest thing I've ever encountered! :eek: :confused:

[OTBSkinloss]

I saw a "Skinwalker" once. At least when I describe what I saw to my Navajo friends, they freak out and say it was a skinwalker. Weirdest thing I've ever encountered! :eek: :confused:


Skinwalkers, are scary. Never let them touch you!
Problem is, skinwalkers can be anyone. That's why Navajo's don't like to shake hands, with strangers. You never know who the witch is.
Most Hopi, Zuni and Utes are skinwalkers. Stear clear!
I gotta chuckle. White man thinks he invented racism. :rolleyes: :D
I grew up with Navajo's and spoke it fluently up until I was sent to the belagona school. All my childhood friends were Navajo. Junior and Anna Pool, Ronald and Rondale Anderson. Some of the best families I have ever had the privlage to know. Hell, up until high school, I still introduced my self as being born to the Holyoak clan for the Whitedeer people.

Thanks for bringing up good memories. :D

[davkatreb]

There were some seat post issues with my road bike, a 1980 Motobecane Grand Record. Nice bike, though. Lugged Vitus and 600/Ultegra. Well, It's finally squared away so I thought I'd take it out on my evening ride. It went something like this...

(Audio up, chirping crickets)

It's Prom Night here in The Land That Time F*cked Up. I divined this bit of info by observing that the local youths who drive by and holler "Get off the road, faggot!!!!!" were unusually well dressed. Getting jiggy with their cousins and various other dates for the evening, they were. Blissfully ignorant of the likelyhood that in a year or so they'd be stacking boxes in some hot warehouse, or knocked up and watching Jerry Springer in some trailer park. But I digress.

Like I said, the little pukes were exceptionally full of themselves. So in order to minimize the odds that I would end up administering a beatdown to a few of them before the evening ended (I DO have a conscience.) I powered up and down the railtrail for a while. Damn, I'd forgotten how 52x12 can MOVE you. Woo-hoo!

Then it started getting dark, so I hit some of the side streets, mostly the steepies. Damn, I do love to climb . Wished that I could just keep on going up forever.

But I topped out eventually, so I just sort of rattled around on some of the side streets up there. Jeez, people talk about making the transition from geared to fixed, but no one talks about going the other way. Almost stacked a couple of times until I realized backpedaling don't do shit to slow you down on a gearie.

And hoo-ee, it's a strange feeling when your spider sense (that's what I call it, anyway) tells you a car's behind you, and when you go to the big ring and start hammering, the car just gets quieter and quieter in the background. Goober in the cage is probably sitting there thinking, "Dadgum, Verdine! That there sissy-boy on the buy-sickle is pulling away from me! Pass me the possum gun up here and I'll teach that little faggot some manners."

So where was I? Oh yeah, the ride. So I'm cruizing along these little neighborhood back streets and there are some kids hanging out. About middle school age, I'd say. Couple doodz standing around with their BMX bikes. I slow down, and in my best Grey Poupon voice, I ax, "Excuse me. Which way to Roubaix?" They look at me like little green men just crawled out of my ass and just shrug their shoulders. I stand up on the pedals and start hammering. "Cobblestones?" I shout over my shoulder. "We don't need no steenkin' cobblestones. The Italians! The Italians."

Then I bombed the hill, (practically blew the thing to bits, I did), spun an easy gear down on the flats to cool down and headed for home.

Well, I think I'll have just a wee taste more of this excellent Kentucky bourbon, then beddie-bye.

Ride hard, sleep tight,
Dave

[mimbresman]

Skinwalkers, are scary. Never let them touch you!
Problem is, skinwalkers can be anyone. That's why Navajo's don't like to shake hands, with strangers. You never know who the witch is.
Most Hopi, Zuni and Utes are skinwalkers. Stear clear!
I gotta chuckle. White man thinks he invented racism. :rolleyes: :D
I grew up with Navajo's and spoke it fluently up until I was sent to the belagona school. All my childhood friends were Navajo. Junior and Anna Pool, Ronald and Rondale Anderson. Some of the best families I have ever had the privlage to know. Hell, up until high school, I still introduced my self as being born to the Holyoak clan for the Whitedeer people.Thanks for bringing up good memories. :D


I still miss the rez. I loved living out there. Nice and quiet.

[real_ss_budgie]

ventured off on the dry creek trails today in the cold wet and windy conditions, took a frootloop to numb the rain. checked out some storm damage and some new tracks. choice!! and if i saw mushrooms on the side, i would get off the bike and smash and pound them into oblivion!!!RAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
those mushies have morphed me into a skinwalker.

[OTBSkinloss]

from a quick 10 miler on the fixie.
Now I gotta go to work. :mad:
This whole job thing is really starting to get in the way of my riding.

[halfinch]

i'm stealing this from a post race pick this weekend. tight, twisty singletrack. fun fun

link for the blog can be found here (http://love2ridezzzzz.blogspot.com/)

[real_ss_budgie]

you know i did.

[myron]

A muddy mess it was. I should have started out at lake Henry,but instead I choose to ride the whole trail. Muddy sloppy mess. After I finished the trail I rode back on the paved lake road. Had some roadie pass me on a hill and turn back and snicker at me. Funker!!! Does he think I got covered in this shit from the puddle in the road back there?? Like to see his candy ass do it...

[OTBSkinloss]

I've put a computer on my fixie. In the last two days I've put on 142.6 miles. I love that bike! I'm starting to turn into a roadie. Every time I see someone in front of me I have to reel them in and pass them, or bust a lung trying. It's a sickness I tell ya'! Plus, I sweated off my sunscreen, so my nose is cooked. Racoon eyes again this year. :cool:

[real_ss_budgie]

rode the KM up the hills behind me to check the yahoo's get jiggy on their big bang downhill rigs for the first of the SA winter series.
boring!! you have to be innit to winnit!
so i took of and chucked in a few more k's before bottling down pretty corner lookout track, ****ing fully rigid bikes suck!!!! oooo aaaahhh:p

[mr chris]

its been fun out on the trails... see pics
http://com2.runboard.com/bmbc401.f2

[mr chris]

peace

http://com2.runboard.com/bmbc401

[pinkrobe]

Just had a really good time on Powderface today. Amazingly, there is still ice on the trail in a couple of spots, and you can see snow in the creek. I picked the wrong line again on the little exposed downhill, but other than that, I was pretty dab free. The wife is liking her Racer-X. She was third up the climb on the link. Nicely done!

When I got home, I delayed dinner and drinks until I did some more work on the Shack. The base is square and level. Next up - walls...

[rockyrider]

Just had a really good time on Powderface today. Ooooo, Powderface, the site of my worst crash ever, back in the late eighties. Super dynamic crash and burn on the long downhill runout about 2-3km from the end (with the big exposure right when you ride it clockwise). There's a spot where the trail jogs about 1' sideways to the left. I bit it at about 40km/h when I missed the jog and endo'd. I bounced twice and the bike bounced three times and the guy behind me was busy trying not to run over me or get hit by my bike. Escaped with some scraped shoulders and a few bruises, and deep gouges in my helmet. (shudder). :eek:

There's always snow and ice in places till after the May long weekend, usually if I went riding in Kananaskis on the May long weekend I got snowed on. :D

[mimbresman]

Didn't ride yesterday, but paddled my sea kayak the first time since January. I did a solo circumnavigation of Isla de los Monos (Island of the Monkeys) which is about 7 nautical miles of paddling. I am sore today. Its a different workout for sure!

[rockyrider]

Not yet today, but I did get out for a couple of hours yesterday. Rode a couple of the usual suspect trails, and then explored a little offshoot that I assumed was a dead end and found another little trail network in a wooded area near a power line. A lot of the trails had deadfall and obstacles at knee to waist height so it was obviously used mostly by hikers, but some interesting terrain inbetween the obstacles.

I followed a little trail in the grass under a power line and rode past an area of freshly crushed grass where something wild animal size had obviously spent some time sleeping (or at least laying down) in the grass there. There were some large tufts of brownish/grey fur laying around, so obviously something is shedding it's winter fur. Didn't look like bear fur but you never know. Likely a deer.

[pinkrobe]

Ooooo, Powderface, the site of my worst crash ever... :eek:

There's always snow and ice in places till after the May long weekend, usually if I went riding in Kananaskis on the May long weekend I got snowed on. :D
I have seen so many people crash in that exact spot. One guy super'd right off the side into the ravine. He got VERY lucky. Some blood, but no broken bones. His bike snagged on a tree near the top of his fall, so he didn't have to drag it up the slope.

This is a freaky year for Kananaskis. It's been so hot that there's not much snow or ice left anywhere. I've never been able to ride Powderface this early in the season, and Sulphur Springs was bone dry [except the Bog]. Itz nutz!:eek:

[rockyrider]

I have seen so many people crash in that exact spot. One guy super'd right off the side into the ravine. He got VERY lucky. Some blood, but no broken bones. His bike snagged on a tree near the top of his fall, so he didn't have to drag it up the slope.Everytime I hit the ground and tumbled forward I saw my bike way up in the air, I came to a rest sitting on the edge of the trail with my legs hanging off the right side of the trail. I can't remember where the bike ended up, it might have been in a tree on the upslope side. The other guy retrieved it for me and began fixing the flat tire. Only my upper body hit the trail I had no marks or scrapes on anything below my elbows. The guy who was riding behind me thought we'd be doing a medical evac for sure but I was able to ride out (a lot slower) after I straightened my glasses. :D

[marapets]

yes i rode 5 miles up the pentlands lol

[Teocalli401]

NO!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[mimbresman]

Boy howdy it was windy this afternoon! I did my standard afternoon ride. At the end of the pavement, I rode to a steep trail where I wasn't too focused and nearly went off the edge. I walked to the top where I could start riding again.

At the top is an abandoned hotel now occupied by squatters and a family of street dogs. The alpha(?) male was out and defending his territory. He barked at me aggressively but I ignored him, did my U-turn onto a section of single track that runs along the ridge.

The wind was fierce up there but I kept it going. I accelerated up a little hill to the summit, then down a sketchy, steep, gravelly, rutty decent. I've learned that there is a certain speed which to go down then everthing works. It is about a 30 degree slope, full of gravel, then a 90 degree turn the left, then another dogleg to the right. Cactus and a drop-off to left side of the trail, and round rolly rocks all the way down.

Slide on down, keep the wheels rolling, almost sketch out, but save it. Around the acacia trees, dodge the trash, and hop back on to pavement. Down the hill, turn around at the bottom and do it again. :)

[myron]

I went riding after work with a guy that brings his car in the shop. Never rode with him before,but he was a pretty darn good rider. He had a nice FS bike,but I tried not to hold that against him. I think I may have slowed him down slightly,although he seemed supprised at the pace a SS was able to keep. By the end of the ride he was even asking what gear on his bike would be a simular ratio to mine. Perhaps another conversion in the process. Bwa ha ha ha ha ah.;)
The ride was nice and fast and a rolling single track. I did take a hard hit to the helmet from a broken tree brach that was hanging from the canopy. Damn thing stuck on my helmet and didnt want to let go,nearly took me off the bike then snapped back and nearly caught my riding partner like one of those punge traps. I still feel a little goofy like I had the crapped knocked out of me.

[mimbresman]

Basically repeated yesterday's ride, but on my second go-round, I decided to go down the most technical trail on the hill. I hadn't been down this trail in a couple of years because during the wet season, there is a nasty plant that grows along the edge of the trail that makes poison ivy or oak look wimpy. This plant is like acid. I don't know what it is, but it is to be avoided. Last time I decended this trail, I fell over into some of these plants. :eek: Jeez! Anyway, its still dry season and I go down this trail...

Steep and sketchy! The trail is full of loose, gravelly limestone chunks ranging from marble size to softball size. My front wheel kept sliding around feeling like it was flat, same with the rear. The front wheel would lock up if I even lightly touched the brake. I didn't have a whole lot of control. I finally stopped for a moment to check the air pressure in the tires. OK, so I got going again and made a dogleg to the right, through some ruts, one dab (rats!), and exit. Crazy, slidey, decent! :D

[rockyrider]

I did take a hard hit to the helmet from a broken tree brach that was hanging from the canopy. Damn thing stuck on my helmet and didnt want to let go,nearly took me off the bike then snapped back and nearly caught my riding partner like one of those punge traps.Had the same thing happen on Sunday's ride, only I was moving slow enough that it just sort of pinned me in place, like a track stand without the bother of balancing.... I had to back up to get the stick out of the helmet vent. I've also had my Camelback just about drag me off the bike backwards while going under a low dead fall trunk. :eek:

[myron]

Had the same thing happen on Sunday's ride, only I was moving slow enough that it just sort of pinned me in place, like a track stand without the bother of balancing.... I had to back up to get the stick out of the helmet vent. I've also had my Camelback just about drag me off the bike backwards while going under a low dead fall trunk. :eek:
Yeah I had the stick stuck in the vent too. If it were any longer it might have drawn blood. I might go back to the BMX helmet after this one......

[KDWeb]

Very little excitement tonight, local Ride of Silence on the North Rail Trail outside of Baltimore in a little burg called Cockeysville. About 9 folks, I did not count come to think of it, but from talking to the organizer, this was a much better turn out then last year. About a 15 mile easy roll with a good mix of people and bikes (Roads, Mtbs, a Fixxie and some Hybrids) that felt it was necessary to remember friends that were injured or killed while doing something they honestly loved. Riding a bicycle.

[free spirit]

Last ride was 2 weekends ago, gps mapping trails both days. Since then. . . nothing but lots and lots of rain. did I mention that it's been raining alot?:mad:

[bomberitobrian]

picked up my motobeceane MTB form shop, rode 3 days total of aprox 50 ml and found a 2 inch full thickness crack in frame next to badge. going back to shop for replace so unknown how long till I ride her or her cousin ( at least keep it in the family...) again. I am preparing for my FIRST SS MTB trip Sat. on a loaner. super stoaked...

[mr chris]

worship tiki

http://www.zippyvideos.com/6040879825176426/tunes/

[real_ss_budgie]

had to prise myself away from DR today and get jiggy on the KM with two other blokes on their heckler and juan solo. sniped through the burbs on bike tracks did some cool creek tracks and other slices of bike tracks. a cruisey ride for a change.

[mimbresman]

had to prise myself away from DR today and get jiggy on the KM with two other blokes on their heckler and juan solo. sniped through the burbs on bike tracks did some cool creek tracks and other slices of bike tracks. a cruisey ride for a change.

Me too...just got in from a 2 hour urban ride with my 12 year-old brother-in-law. I rode my Merlin, he was on the K-2.
We rode to a marina and looked at $500,000 small motor yachts for sale, then took a small ferry across the canal for $0.50, and wound up in a sketchy barrio. Rode the long overland way back to our starting point. Along the way, we stopped and drank fresh peach juice to stay hydrated, checked out the finish of a triathelon and rode along the beach for a ways.

[myron]

Me too...just got in from a 2 hour urban ride with my 12 year-old brother-in-law. I rode my Merlin, he was on the K-2.
We rode to a marina and looked at $500,000 small motor yachts for sale, then took a small ferry across the canal for $0.50, and wound up in a sketchy barrio. Rode the long overland way back to our starting point. Along the way, we stopped and drank fresh peach juice to stay hydrated, checked out the finish of a triathelon and rode along the beach for a ways.
We NEED pics Mimbs........:)

[mimbresman]

worship tiki

http://www.zippyvideos.com/6040879825176426/tunes/

Mr. Chris
Back around 1995, we had a tiki theme at our race. Built a small tiki village in the forest (one hut housed our kegs of Fat Tire Ale and another was for hanging out in) and a 4 meter tall Moai (framed with wood, covered with chicken wire, then plastered with concrete). The Moai had floodlights for eyes and a large speaker inside where he could talk. It took some real engineering and a 3/4 ton Chevy truck and a flat bed trailer to get it from the build site and erected at the race site 60 miles away.
We also had a luau of roasted pig the night before the race.
The Moai really messed with the serious racer's heads...:D

[mimbresman]

We NEED pics Mimbs........:)

I need to get into the habit of bringing my camera along. I always space that out...:confused:

[OTBSkinloss]

NO!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
It doesn't look like this applies to you, but I had a friend, who broke his tib, and was casted for 6 weeks. He had the doc put a cleat in his cast and commuted to work from Lenado to Aspen. Not on the road.

Good luck, Heal fast man.

[myron]

Yessum,had a great day too. Rode by myself and had no plan where I was going. Ended up exploring some nice offshoot trails that dont see much traffic. It was nice to look down and see something on the trail other than previous tire prints. Stopped about halfway and had me a rest.......*cough*

[phlatlander]

Yessum,had a great day too. Rode by myself and had no plan where I was going. Ended up exploring some nice offshoot trails that dont see much traffic. It was nice to look down and see something on the trail other than previous tire prints. Stopped about halfway and had me a rest.......*cough*

I see. A "secret" trail.

[real_ss_budgie]

i see a ripe mango waiting to drop out of the tree..man

[Teocalli401]

Yesterday called for another hot lap. Trails are finally starting to open up around here.

[pinkrobe]

Today we did Moosepackers! There were six of us, which is a pretty good number. It's enough that you can talk to different people on the ride, but not so many that you're always on top of each other.

The first section along Sulphur Springs up to Moose Mtn. Rd. was okay, but I still had tired legs from Saturday's hike to Crypt Lake in Waterton Park. I've decided that I don't like hiking, since it seriously interferes with my biking, and it's goddamn boring. But I digress...

The 7 km road section sucked as much ass as it always does, what with the assholes racing up and down the mountain in their Civics and F250's or whatever. One guy got within 12" of a couple of us, throwing huge clouds of dust. We independently [we got fairly spread out on the climb] decided to let all the air out of his tires when we got to the top, but he came back down before we made it up. It was drizzling just a little, so that kept the dust down, but not by much. We saw three sets of FR/DH riders shuttling - probably to do That Whore or Special K.

From the top down, it was pretty sweet, although the small amount of rain that fell had made the rocks and roots pretty slick. Nobody went down, but my back end was all over the place. When we got down the switchbacks, we realized that we had just missed a fairly substantial downpour. The trail had a layer of water on it all the way back to Station Flats. A new section of Tom Snow has been built to go around the eroded part. It has good flow, and should be really fun when it gets broken in a bit. By the time we got back to the cars, we were soiled. Verily.

This is the earliest I've ever done MP, since it's usually got snow on it until the beginning of June. It's a great ride, and we'll definitely be back in a few weeks.

[mimbresman]

Yesterday I took my camera with me as per Myron's request. The stars were not aligned on yesterday's ride however. I had way too many close calls in traffic...even for here. :eek:

I rode up to our local "hill", actually an island that has been connected to the mainland by a causeway. On this island are a bunch of condo developments and old road cuts.

One of the better, more exciting trails is a called "The Aquarium". Its a short and fast decent to the sea. Its full of pointy limestone chunks that can sometimes puncture your sidewall. The last section to the sea is a steep drop off that is rideable but very technical. The views are nice. Usually there are oil tankers in the bay waiting their turn to get filled up and head off whereever. If you look closely, you can make out a tanker in the photo sitting in front of the middle island. Those islands by the way, are about 5 miles off shore...makes for a good kayak paddle. :)

As I was saying, the stars were not aligned and less than 100 meters from my apartment, on a flat city street, I finally succumbed to the universe. Trying to take a final photo of Latin American culture, I pulled my camera from my jersey pocket. I didn't realized I was still rolling and I applied the brakes with my left hand, the front. With the camera in my right hand, and out of the saddle slightly, I ended up endoing and crashing to the pavement, landing mostly on my left side. Damage was minimal, a small rip in my best Pearl Izumi shorts (rats) :mad:, and scratches and a large bruise on the back of my left thigh.

Embarrased I didn't get the shot I wanted to get. :o

[mr chris]

http://com2.runboard.com/bmbc401.f2.t37

[mimbresman]

Today I walked up the trail I usually ride down. Its too steep to ride up so I threw the bike over my shoulder and hiked up. It gave me the chance to look at the trail since a heavy rain and to look at it from a different prospective. Holy SH**! :eek: :eek: Today for the first time I noticed that the first dogleg to the left (when decending) has a sheer drop on the right side of at least 5 meters (17 or 18 feet)! This is less than a meter from the trail and the turn! The first time I tried decending it, I laid it over on that turn but I laid it down on the left. If a rider loses it and goes right, they'll be airborn and probably be killed or severly maimed in the fall. Holy cow!

[XM DUDE]

Yes I pulled my Kid(2 years old) in the trailer up some hills, they suddenly get really steep with 30LBS if kis in back.

[atalon]

After the promotion board, I planned on hitting up some of the fine free singletrack in the Burlington area. But somehow I ended up springing for Catamount Outdoor Center. Six bucks lighter, I headed out with the warning of thunder in the distance. The trails were mostly open and there is a mix of double and single track. There's enough up to make it worth going down. This early in the season, i was pushing the bike a bit :) The thunder was replaced by close frequent lighting strikes, then came the rain. My glasses started to fog up, the trails went in circles. Finnaly figured out the the system and was on my way back to the Jeep. So by this time the storm has passed on by. I decided to do the race loop behind the B&B. And after one loop I was done for the day..

[mimbresman]

Nice morning today. The rainy season has officially arrived and with it, cooler temperatures. The sky was/is overcast, the wind is calm, the Caribbean is flat and clear and could even see the reefs below the surface.

I rode up El Morro, down the Aquarium trail, then around along the coast back to the starting point. There I hooked up with a local, Eugene, and we rode back up the summit of El Morro. Did a hike and bike section, then some single track along the ridge. We then decended a steep paved road. We went on to a roadside empanada stand for some breakfast. I was starving.

After the empanadas, Eugene took off because he had to go to work, I rode along the beach, turned around at the sailing club, turned around, back along the beach, then back home. I'll probably go back out this afternoon to see what's going on. They were setting some stuff up at one of the beaches for some kind of event.

[Ruralakay]

Nice morning today. The rainy season has officially arrived and with it, cooler temperatures. The sky was/is overcast, the wind is calm, the Caribbean is flat and clear and could even see the reefs below the surface.

I rode up El Morro, down the Aquarium trail, then around along the coast back to the starting point. There I hooked up with a local, Eugene, and we rode back up the summit of El Morro. Did a hike and bike section, then some single track along the ridge. We then decended a steep paved road. We went on to a roadside empanada stand for some breakfast. I was starving.

After the empanadas, Eugene took off because he had to go to work, I rode along the beach, turned around at the sailing club, turned around, back along the beach, then back home. I'll probably go back out this afternoon to see what's going on. They were setting some stuff up at one of the beaches for some kind of event.
So, where's the pics, Mims? I'm disappointed!:(

[mimbresman]

So, where's the pics, Mims? I'm disappointed!:(

I thought about taking my camera, but the battery was dead (lost the other battery last summer). It doesn't hold a charge too long anymore. Sorry! :( I have new batteries ordered and hopefully waiting for me when I get to my mom's in a couple of weeks.)

BTW there is really not much to see...I am looking forward to getting back to where there is real single track to ride just a few miles (riding distance) from my mom's house.

[Ruralakay]

Sigh...I gotta find more places to ride. This is getting a bit mundane. I'll be glad when my main riding partner (one of my lieutenants) gets back from the FBI academy in Quantico (one week to go!). No one seems to be willing to go to the Canyon, as a group, till he's here to motivate them...My Capt. goes by himself, sometimes (during the day...when I can't take off from work! Grrr!:mad: Rank has its priviledges.). I'm not that brave yet (going to the Canyon by myself. It's pretty dangerous riding, no cell service, and it could be a while, before someone comes along and finds you, if things go wrong.)

[mimbresman]

Ruru,
Is there riding towards the NM border towards San Jon? It looks promising from the highway. Lots of stair steppy mesas and stuff. You should send a message to Xcaliber. He's in Portales and is in your same situation.

[Ruralakay]

Ruru,
Is there riding towards the NM border towards San Jon? It looks promising from the highway. Lots of stair steppy mesas and stuff. You should send a message to Xcaliber. He's in Portales and is in your same situation.
The terrain you described is exactly what it looks like, here (about 10 mi. away). I live about 40 mi. east of San Jon. Yes, it is PRIME riding terrain, but, like I said on here, before, the land is either owned by ranchers or it's wild, untapped govt. land (complete with mountain lions and wildcats and coyotes, etc). No maintained trails on them, so far as I know. Such a shame. I just KNOW I could make some killer trails out of all that land. There's lots of untapped "wilderness" here.

Yeah, Portales is in the same predicament. As is Adam12. I wonder if Xcaliber knows about the Girl Scout camp, just this side of Amarillo. Most people don't. They have pretty sweet trails of moderate to slightly advanced technicality (pretty rocky). They have races, from time to time, out there. I think they're charging to get in, now, but not much (maybe $5). My lieutenant (the one at Quantico right now) is on the trail maintenance crew there, so he would be good for info. It'd still be quite a drive for him, but it might be good for an occasional change of pace.

[halfinch]

being from the east coast, i dont get much of a chance to visit the other coast. an old cohort of mine decided it was time for a ring on the left hand, providing me and my son with ample oppurtunity stay out on orcas island - roughly 2 hours from seattle.
below is one of the many pics i took during a hike (with my son) of the 2.5 hour ride i was lucky enough to get into. much thanks for the folks at wildlife cycles for providing sweet rentals.

cant wait to head back out there. was amazed, everywhere you looked, snow peaked mountains.

[Ruralakay]

being from the east coast, i dont get much of a chance to visit the other coast. an old cohort of mine decided it was time for a ring on the left hand, providing me and my son with ample oppurtunity stay out on orcas island - roughly 2 hours from seattle.
below is one of the many pics i took during a hike (with my son) of the 2.5 hour ride i was lucky enough to get into. much thanks for the folks at wildlife cycles for providing sweet rentals.

cant wait to head back out there. was amazed, everywhere you looked, snow peaked mountains.
Wow...that's gorgeous. I'm jealous.

[mimbresman]

being from the east coast, i dont get much of a chance to visit the other coast. an old cohort of mine decided it was time for a ring on the left hand, providing me and my son with ample oppurtunity stay out on orcas island - roughly 2 hours from seattle.
below is one of the many pics i took during a hike (with my son) of the 2.5 hour ride i was lucky enough to get into. much thanks for the folks at wildlife cycles for providing sweet rentals.

cant wait to head back out there. was amazed, everywhere you looked, snow peaked mountains.

Two of the best rides I've done were on Orcas! One ride, I left from the campground and rode on single track through the state park. Not sure if its still open to mtn biking but back then it was. It was a good climb through lush forest then started decending! I blasted through a switchback and almost collided with a dog-sized buck! Very cool! The deer ran off, I continued to a nice lake, rode the trail along the lake back to camp. Really nice ride.
The second ride was up to Mt. Constitution. Nice climb, great views at the top.
Orcas is nice!

[myron]

Dial up...................................... ........................................ ........................................ ...:p

[real_ss_budgie]

hi budgie molesters.
rode cobblers creek with a mate. havent done it in years due to the ban on mtb's. but hey i needed a cobbler fix and it was choice! found some new goodies to ride as well, got caught in the rain rode home wet and cold. and then the night time stuff started and finished at 4.ooam..getting jiggy on the 1,s n 2's.
penalty: a cold.
it's either all big day or me pashing myron that i got his cold. bloody drongo!:rolleyes:

[real_ss_budgie]

Dial up...................................... ........................................ ........................................ ...:p
not fuggin wrong!! man i am cooking and typing. call me ole skool

[real_ss_budgie]

poor ruru eggs. re: terrain/riding area

[myron]

not fuggin wrong!! man i am cooking and typing. call me ole skool
.....and you are sick!!

[Ruralakay]

hi budgie molesters.
rode cobblers creek with a mate. havent done it in years due to the ban on mtb's. but hey i needed a cobbler fix and it was choice! found some new goodies to ride as well, got caught in the rain rode home wet and cold. and then the night time stuff started and finished at 4.ooam..getting jiggy on the 1,s n 2's.
penalty: a cold.
it's either all big day or me pashing myron that i got his cold. bloody drongo!:rolleyes:
Budgie molesters...:p

[Ruralakay]

poor ruru eggs. re: terrain/riding area
Yeah...poor me.

[myron]

Budgie molesters...:p
Fark!! Now we're all sick:D

[myron]

dial up...................................... ........................................ .:p

[real_ss_budgie]

.....and you are sick!!
i am a wee bit off, but not as sick as 'ru-ru la kinky'..thats why i love that chick.:D
*lash*

[Ruralakay]

Fark!! Now we're all sick:D
I've been corrupted by an Aussie and a Kansan (Kansassan, Kansasinian, whatever:p )

[Ruralakay]

i am a wee bit off, but not as sick as 'ru-ru la kinky'..thats why i love that chick.:D
*lash*
Right back at ya, babe.;)

[Ruralakay]

Right back at ya, babe.;)
I still want a ciggy...:(

[real_ss_budgie]

make that two ru-ru that was funking good;)
oi!! ive stoked the brazier outside and cleaning the KM in the shed..well i was till i cruised in here

[myron]

I still want a ciggy...:(
Dial up........................
Sorry ru.....

[myron]

make that two ru-ru that was funking good;)
oi!! ive stoked the brazier outside and cleaning the KM in the shed..well i was till i cruised in here
Good thing you dont have dial up in the shed;)

[Ruralakay]

Dial up........................
Sorry ru.....
LOL...that's positively awful. I think that might have cured my ciggy craving.:rolleyes:

[real_ss_budgie]

mate if i was connected in the shed i'ld be utilising a web cam so you guys could see me cleaning the steed in my budgie smugglers..drizzling chain lube on my hot bod and...........easy guvner!:eek:

err yeah i rode today...bloody ride everyday mate!

[Ruralakay]

mate if i was connected in the shed i'ld be utilising a web cam so you guys could see me cleaning the steed in my budgie smugglers..drizzling chain lube on my hot bod and...........easy guvner!:eek:

err yeah i rode today...bloody ride everyday mate!
Uhm...Okay...I need that ciggy again....:o

[real_ss_budgie]

hey chick...cant help you in the ciccy department ruru but ive got a cigar you can sample....oi!!!!!!!!!!!! stop that!!!!!!;)

[Ruralakay]

hey chick...cant help you in the ciccy department ruru but ive got a cigar you can sample....oi!!!!!!!!!!!! stop that!!!!!!;)
I think you're confusing me with a girl named Monica :p

[Ruralakay]

Of course, I HAVE been known to enjoy a good cigar, at times...:D ;)

[real_ss_budgie]

rode then cleaned the bike............

[myron]

rode then cleaned the bike............
next will be...................

[Teocalli401]

You guys are all insane. Myron, are you going to make it to some Rocky Mountain Fat Tire Festivities this summer? Ahhhhh, the single crack.

[myron]

Prolly not to the rockies. I went thru there last fall on the way to Moab. I was thinking about heading down to Ar around beaver lake for their fat tire fest:D

[Ruralakay]

Wooooohoooo! I am so sunburned...I am so sweaty....and I stink....and I love it!!!! I just got in from my ride....weird one...got rained on AND scorched by the sun.

I'm gonna go take a shower, then I'm going to run amok here, so, stay tuned, boys and girls!.....;)

[mimbresman]

Did a 41 miles (65 km) including a climb from ~300 ft (100 m) to about 1500 ft (450 m) in 3 miles (5 km). Steep grade. We also had little up and down stuff on the coast highway on the way to beach where we had a BBQ.

Here's a picture of Douglas with a bunch of mangos he got from a tree along side the road as we climbed. Some kids had a long stick and were hitting the mangos to knock them loose.

[mimbresman]

Our ultimate destination...
We are at 450 meters elevation and decending from a cloud forest.

[mimbresman]

The decent...El Negro's disc brakes failed. He had to take emergency action.

[mimbresman]

At the beach...horrible beer but it was cold.

[mimbresman]

Meat anyone? Blood sausage and chorizo. :D

[Ruralakay]

Wooooohoooo! I am so sunburned...I am so sweaty....and I stink....and I love it!!!! I just got in from my ride....weird one...got rained on AND scorched by the sun.

I'm gonna go take a shower, then I'm going to run amok here, so, stay tuned, boys and girls!.....;)
Okay...I don't stink anymore. Now, I smell like coconut & lime (yummy!:D ).

I always feel so good, after a nice, long ride!!:)

[mimbresman]

The beach....:)

[Ruralakay]

rode then cleaned the bike............
You need to pull your shorts up, Budgie, dear. Either that, or make it to the restroom quicker :p (nice legs, btw.;) )

[Ruralakay]

Prolly not to the rockies. I went thru there last fall on the way to Moab. I was thinking about heading down to Ar around beaver lake for their fat tire fest:D
Aha! So, THAT'S why you were suggesting it...you scamp!:p ;)

Actually, that looked like a blast (esp. the free massages!!!:D ), but I won't be in the area until a few days later (July 19-23). Can't they move it for me??:(

Hmmm...I may have to ask for a few extra days off....

[Ruralakay]

Our ultimate destination...
We are at 450 meters elevation and decending from a cloud forest.
That is breathtaking.

[Ruralakay]

Okay, I know you like sunsets...and I don't have any for you! :p However, this photo appeals to me, for some unknown reason. I like the sun shining over the bridge. Hope it appeals to you, too. ;)

[myron]

Aha! So, THAT'S why you were suggesting it...you scamp!:p ;)

Actually, that looked like a blast (esp. the free massages!!!:D ), but I won't be in the area until a few days later (July 19-23). Can't they move it for me??:(

Hmmm...I may have to ask for a few extra days off....
Nah actually Ive always wanted to go to a fat tire fest. When I was researching for those trails I found out about it. I figure what the heck. I have vacation time and all. Not all that far away either. Sides I need to get out of this area and relax for a while:D

[myron]

We had thunderstorms this morning,so I had to cancel my off road plans. This afternoon the winds got really high,so I decided to roll the commuter. Rode around town for a while then a ways down some 2 lane blacktop country roads. Comming back sucked. High winds...argggg

[Ruralakay]

Nah actually Ive always wanted to go to a fat tire fest. When I was researching for those trails I found out about it. I figure what the heck. I have vacation time and all. Not all that far away either. Sides I need to get out of this area and relax for a while:D
I understand, completely. So do I. I, seriously, would LOVE to go to that. Not sure my daughter would think it was all that much fun (don't know...she may surprise me). She's a teenager, and much too "cool" to sweat. :rolleyes: On the other hand, Mom would think that SHE died and went to Heaven!!:D

Either way, I hope to pop in around the area and find some good trails. Thx again for finding the info.

[Ruralakay]

We had thunderstorms this morning,so I had to cancel my off road plans. This afternoon the winds got really high,so I decided to roll the commuter. Rode around town for a while then a ways down some 2 lane blacktop country roads. Comming back sucked. High winds...argggg
Welcome to my world, Myron. Welcome to hell....smoking or non-smoking section??:p

[myron]

smoking or non-smoking section??:p
yes................:)
.

Thanks for the sunset pic. I will see if I can grab one myself here in a couple

[real_ss_budgie]

mangoes, coconut and lime, chorizo's.......luscious!

[Ruralakay]

mangoes, coconut and lime, chorizo's.......luscious!
Kinda reminds me of Sesame Street...when they did the "One of these things is not like the other" song. Mangoes, coconut & lime, chorizo...hmmmm...:p

Sorry...Budgie's Acid Cookies has me in a "Sesame Street" sorta mood.:rolleyes:

[real_ss_budgie]

ru-ru..i liked you when you smelt of riding. :p

my sesame mood:p

[Ruralakay]

ru-ru..i liked you when you smelt of riding. :p
I can go have a run around the block, a few times, and come back.:rolleyes:

[real_ss_budgie]

I can go have a run around the block, a few times, and come back.:rolleyes:


coi!!!!! while youre out there score me a hazelnut choc bar thanks ruru

[myron]

ru-ru..i liked you when you smelt of riding. :p

my sesame mood:p
I been trying to google an image I saw before,but fark!! I cant spell. Cicamillion street?

[real_ss_budgie]

youve been on the ginger juice thats why myronious:p

[Ruralakay]

I been trying to google an image I saw before,but fark!! I cant spell. Cicamillion street?
Are you trying to spell Sensimilla...as in, the highly desirable marijuana?

If so...you want the following link:
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/180249

No thanks necessary....I prefer cash!:D

[real_ss_budgie]

No thanks necessary....I prefer cash!:D

why, havent you got these new fangled atm's in that town??
easy ruru..chill bubbles....joking man!!! easy.....

[Ruralakay]

why, havent you got these new fangled atm's in that town??
easy ruru..chill bubbles....joking man!!! easy.....
Show me a pic of your calves and I'll forgive you.;)

[myron]

Are you trying to spell Sensimilla...as in, the highly desirable marijuana?

If so...you want the following link:
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/180249

No thanks necessary....I prefer cash!:D
Still cant find that dang pic.Thanks ruru.

[myron]

Show me a pic of your calves and I'll forgive you.;)
can I play too??

[Ruralakay]

can I play too??
Sigh...I know, I know...I should have known better.:rolleyes:

Ask a stupid question....get a stupid answer!!:p

[myron]

Sigh...I know, I know...I should have known better.:rolleyes:

Ask a stupid question....get a stupid answer!!:p
Oh,you meant calves.......:rolleyes:

[rockyrider]

Did a couple of hours of typical North Shore gnarl with some sadistic friends today. I was riding Buffy the Fat Tire Slayer and it always amazes me what that bike will roll over. It wasn't raining when we started the ride but it rained a bunch about 1/2 way through. I hate that, my glasses fog up and get covered in water drops so I can't see dick-all and you really want to see the details on this sort of trail. I have 20/250 vision without the glasses on, so having glasses that work is very very improtant. One good tip off the trail into the rocks (in body armour we trust), and a few new scrapes and brusies where the armour isn't. Topped it off with a great burger at the Black Bear Pub when we were done. A fine way to spend a weekend.

[phlatlander]

Show me a pic of your calves and I'll forgive you.;)

Allow me. Rural might be too young to remember this one...

I wish I had forgot, but my retina has been imprinted. Crack is whack!

[Ruralakay]

Oh,you meant calves.......:rolleyes:
Now, that's what I'm talkin' about!!:D

Forget about seeing a guy's pecs or willies or butts...I'm all about the calves!!;)

[Ruralakay]

Did a couple of hours of typical North Shore gnarl with some sadistic friends today. I was riding Buffy the Fat Tire Slayer and it always amazes me what that bike will roll over. It wasn't raining when we started the ride but it rained a bunch about 1/2 way through. I hate that, my glasses fog up and get covered in water drops so I can't see dick-all and you really want to see the details on this sort of trail. I have 20/250 vision without the glasses on, so having glasses that work is very very improtant. One good tip off the trail into the rocks (in body armour we trust), and a few new scrapes and brusies where the armour isn't. Topped it off with a great burger at the Black Bear Pub when we were done. A fine way to spend a weekend.
Sounds positively perfect, rocky! Post pics!!:D

[Ruralakay]

Allow me. Rural might be too young to remember this one...

I wish I had forgot, but my retina has been imprinted. Crack is whack!
LOL...I understand now...that's hard to forget!:p

[rockyrider]

Show me a pic of your calves and I'll forgive you.;)I had a suspicion that we'd stoop to calf porn with a gal along on the forum :D . When women are along on group rides that's the only time I hear comments on calf muscle shape and definition. Calf muscles are to male cyclists what weenie length is to mere mortal males. I present my fuzzy unshaven calves.

[myron]

I had a suspicion that we'd stoop to calf porn with a gal along on the forum :D . When women are along on group rides that's the only time I hear comments on calf muscle shape and definition. Calf muscles are to male cyclists what weenie length is to mere mortal males. I present my fuzzy unshaven calves.
Not bad for a man over 60 Rocky:p

[Ruralakay]

I had a suspicion that we'd stoop to calf porn with a gal along on the forum :D . When women are along on group rides that's the only time I hear comments on calf muscle shape and definition. Calf muscles are to male cyclists what weenie length is to mere mortal males. I present my fuzzy unshaven calves.
Very, very nice!:D

Calf porn...I like that!

I've always been attracted to a nice set of calves (the legs, Myron...not the bovine kind!!), even before my biking obsession. It's kinda one of those things that a guy (or girl) can have a nice set of, regardless of age, body size, etc, unless you're talking about an extremely obese person. But the nicest, by far, are the bikers'!! Hubba hubba!!;)

[Ruralakay]

Not bad for a man over 60 Rocky:p
Well, that's because calf definition is the last thing on a man to go...:p

[rockyrider]

Sounds positively perfect, rocky! Post pics!!:DI'd have needed an undewrwater camera to take pictures today, but I've borrowed a typical North Shore trail shot from someone else. Vary the number and size of the rocks, drops, and number of roots and that's pretty representative of the whole ride. Oh and add about 600' of elevation change and a few wood slat bridges across creeks and bogs.

[rockyrider]

Not bad for a man over 60 Rocky:pThankfully you're off by a decade, I've just cleared the 50 hurdle... :D :cool:

[myron]

hey Rocky,it's cool that they let you guys ride in the rain. They frown on it here. I so love being in the woods on my bike during a nice summer rainshower

[rockyrider]

hey Rocky,it's cool that they let you guys ride in the rain. They frown on it here. I so love being in the woods on my bike during a nice summer rainshowerThese trails are mostly on exposed mountain rock and roots with a bit of soil mixed in with vegetable matter (fir, cypress and spruce needles mostly). Here's a picture of Buffy after 2 hours of riding in the rain.

[rockyrider]

On less gnarly parts of the trails it can look like this on sunnier days.

[mr chris]

and built a few things...

[mr chris]

more ride in albion hills...

[real_ss_budgie]

yes i did. rode to the city and got down with the local street art scene.............

[mr chris]

and race...

http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i46/sidvid/?action=view&current=albionhill24hours.flv

[rockyrider]

Here's a sunny day shot of the trail I rode in the rain on Sunday. It's much better in the dry...

[rockyrider]

and another shot

[rockyrider]

and yet another shot

[rockyrider]

and more rootsy trail photos

[rockyrider]

and more roots rock reggae

[rockyrider]

more roots and rocks

[rockyrider]

more uphill roots

[rockyrider]

very uphill, and a guy I don't know stopped at the top

[real_ss_budgie]

farkin ell mate!! no wonder you built a kona A.;)
if in aint smooth, packed and with neatly built berms then i dont want to know bout it, ginger:rolleyes:

[rockyrider]

And the Bridal Loop is considered smooth and buff single track on the North Shore. It's beginner stuff from the free-rider's point of view, there's no big drops or steeps or skinnies.

Here's the trail the NSMBA (http://www.nsmba.bc.ca/) bunch built, a very fast flowy bermed and armoured trail that flows from the Bridal Loop to the Old Buck Trail.

[rockyrider]

curvaceous...

[rockyrider]

swooooopy...

[myron]

Damn Rocky!! How often did you stop?? I find that's the hardest thing bout getting ride pics:rolleyes:

[rockyrider]

wooooo hooooo!

[myron]

wooooo hooooo!
Rocky???????????????

[rockyrider]

Damn Rocky!! How often did you stop?? I find that's the hardest thing bout getting ride pics:rolleyes:Too often for a good flowy ride, but I wanted to snag lots of pics to really capture the trail. At least I didn't fall over this time, no new blood and bruises.

[real_ss_budgie]

thats better, there my typer tracks..........

[rockyrider]

Then you want to look for this trail marker (http://www.nsmba.bc.ca/) on the Bridal Loop...

[rockyrider]

Rocky rider indeed...

[rockyrider]

But to be fair there are actually stretches of the trail that look like this too...

[Ruralakay]

Rocky rider indeed...
Wow....I'd be right in the corner of that picture...off the trail...in the green stuff...with the bike on top of me...probably bleeding somewhere...going, "Woohoooo! Did you see that!?":D

LOVE all the green stuff, btw.

[rockyrider]

Wow....I'd be right in the corner of that picture...off the trail...in the green stuff...with the bike on top of me...probably bleeding somewhere...going, "Woohoooo! Did you see that!?":D

LOVE all the green stuff, btw.As a friend of mine visiting from Calgary once said, "There's not enough e's in green to describe this place."

I think Budgie and Myron are more interested in the other kinda green (http://www.marijuanaparty.com/index.en.php3) that BC is known for. Only in BC would we actually have a political party like this.

Here's my weapon of choice for these trails, Buffy the Fat Tire Slayer.

[Ruralakay]

Here's my weapon of choice for these trails, Buffy the Fat Tire Slayer.
Nice! I want your Fox fork!!

[rockyrider]

You really want at least 6" at each end...

hmmm, that didn't come out right. :rolleyes:

[Ruralakay]

You really want at least 6" at each end...

hmmm, that didn't come out right. :rolleyes:
:D Good thing I knew what you meant! (but I do appreciate the chuckle, this morning!)

I guess it's no worse a faux pas than saying "I want your fork". ;)

[real_ss_budgie]

rode the road on the blade via devils elbow, mt lofty and down to home took a few snaps and fuggin left the digi at home.

[rockyrider]

I guess it's no worse a faux pas than saying "I want your fork". ;)Go ahead, take your pick...

Wasn't there a commandment about not coveting thy neighbor's fork?

[myron]

Rode into town for a birthday party.Hoot of a time. Quads are burning since I was trying to hot foot it home before dark(no llights on fixie). No ride pics,only birthday partys and Australion shepard named Rocky..:confused:

[Ruralakay]

Go ahead, take your pick...

Wasn't there a commandment about not coveting thy neighbor's fork?
No, actually, I think it was not to "fork" your neighbor's wife.:p

[myron]

No, actually, I think it was not to "fork" your neighbor's wife.:p
Really depends...had this neighbor one time. Not married,but everytime she got in a fight with her boyfriend,,,,,I felt so used:D

[adam12]

I had a neighbor like that...actually she lived across town, but she would make a special trip, so I enjoyed getting used for awhile. Then they broke up, and I got used all the time. That got kinda old.:D

[myron]

I had a neighbor like that...actually she lived across town, but she would make a special trip, so I enjoyed getting used for awhile. Then they broke up, and I got used all the time. That got kinda old.:D
the worse the fight,the freakier:D

[adam12]

No Schitt!:eek:
What I like to call Olympic trick F*&%#n'

[myron]

No Schitt!:eek:
What I like to call Olympic trick F*&%#n'
Hey speaking of,Peckerwood tony at work told me about the years he spent as a prison guard at the womens pen. You got a womens pen adam?

[adam12]

LOL...Peckerwood tony?
No but we have a womens pod. Fark:mad: what a pain in the ass they are. You get more that 5 or 6 in there, and it's beeoch central. They get to fighting over the gay ones, and all hell breaks loose. A woman scorned and all that. When I went on days off there were 18. You wanna see some freakiness make rounds at about 3 am.

[myron]

LOL...Peckerwood tony?
No but we have a womens pod. Fark:mad: what a pain in the ass they are. You get more that 5 or 6 in there, and it's beeoch central. They get to fighting over the gay ones, and all hell breaks loose. A woman scorned and all that. When I went on days off there were 18. You wanna see some freakiness make rounds at about 3 am.
Yeah everyone has a name.;)
Bout the same story I heard. Somthing bout tied down to a bed and..............

[adam12]

Yeah I've seen that go down. Had to break it up though the tied down one was getting "turned out". She was not a willing participant. Sounded like she was though... for a sec, or 2...:o

[myron]

Yeah I've seen that go down. Had to break it up though the tied down one was getting "turned out". She was not a willing participant.
Fark!! Night adam.........
They get in trouble for that??

[adam12]

Yup rape. 3 of em.

[adam12]

Later man.

[Ruralakay]

Really depends...had this neighbor one time. Not married,but everytime she got in a fight with her boyfriend,,,,,I felt so used:D
Yeah...you act like a victim.:rolleyes:

[Ruralakay]

LOL...Peckerwood tony?
No but we have a womens pod. Fark:mad: what a pain in the ass they are. You get more that 5 or 6 in there, and it's beeoch central. They get to fighting over the gay ones, and all hell breaks loose. A woman scorned and all that. When I went on days off there were 18. You wanna see some freakiness make rounds at about 3 am.
Both my parents are guards at separate prisons, here in Amarillo. My mom's unit used to be a women's prison, when it first opened. Now, they moved all the women downstate and made it another men's prison.

Mom says she'd rather deal with the men, anyday, over the females. She said they were HORRIBLE. All she really ever has to worry about with the men is them "killing" in front of her (prison lingo for slapping the joystick:D ). My mom is this petite, cute little blonde that stands 5'2", and she can put those guys in their places. First time she caught one of them "killing" (they wait till the female guards come by and do it on purpose, just to get a reaction), she didn't miss a beat. She just rolled her eyes and said, "My infant grandson's tallywhacker is bigger than that!" and walked off. After that, they knew it wasn't going to get the desired reaction from her, so they pretty much leave her alone.

...and this is the woman who wouldn't let us say "butt" and "pee", when I was a kid. She thought they sounded "crude". She'd make us say "bottom" and "tinkle".:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Ruralakay]

I....kick....asssssssss!!!!

Who's the be-otch? Cmon, guys...I wanna hear it...I am the SCHNIZIT!!!

I came...I rode...I conquered....Well, sort of.

I did the whole ride solo (except for one guy, but I'll get to him in a min.). However, the GSL trail kicked my backside again. I am getting very frustrated with that trail!! About a mile into the GSL, I fell pretty hard, but got up & dusted myself off. I ALMOST turned back & went the way I came, thinking, "You've gotta be out of your ever-loving mind, coming down this trail by yourself!" But, I didn't. I trod on...

However, I think I had spooked myself, with that first fall, because I got off and walked thru some sections I should have/could have ridden. There's a lot to be said for pride being a motivator. When I'm riding with the guys, I'm too proud to let them know I'm scared to make it through a section, so I plow through, hoping for the best. When I was by myself, with no one watching, it was easier to justify to myself that a particular section needed to be walked, not ridden.

I fell once again, trying to be polite & let this other rider, coming in the other direction, through, but I couldn't clip out in time. I think all that got hurt on that one was my pride.:p

I got to Red Star Ridge, stopped to rest a min., then, here comes this guy...his name was Eddie. Eddie decided I was worth stopping and getting to know.:rolleyes: Eddie wouldn't leave. I was trying to find my "zen," so to speak....wrestling with the GSL demon...and he wanted to have a conversation. After being polite for a bit, I excused myself and continued down the trail....all the while, with Eddie staring at me, from Red Star Ridge (you can see a LONG way from that vantage point). That unnerved me, and I almost crashed another couple of times, because my mind was on this guy and how badly I wished he wasn't staring at me.

I found a huge boulder to hide behind, and I thought, I'll give him a min, and he'll trod on down the trail. He really was nice, but I was not there to chat...I wanted to get through this technical stuff!! After a bit, I continued on.

I finally made it through GSL, and was able to relax and settle my nerves on Cottonwood Flats. Then, on to the Lighthouse trail...my fav. I stopped to take some pics (more on that, in a bit), and lo and behold...who rides up from behind....yep, Eddie.:rolleyes: He claimed that he waited at Red Star Ridge, to make sure I made it through that next section okay, and when I never resurfaced (remember: I was hiding from him behind a boulder!!), he started back down the way he came, to find out if I was okay (so he claims). He tried to strike up another conversation, and I said, "Well...gotta go!"

I rode through the Lighthouse with relatively no problems. That's the fun stuff...stair steppy stuff & roller coaster stuff....lots of just cruising along at warp speed. The last bit of the trail has these delicious little berms, spaced just so....nothing technical...just fun. I actually caught air on those, and let out a couple of little "Weeeee's". Fun, fun! Then, it spit me out into the parking lot where I started.

While I was putting up my bike...Eddie came through, too. Once again...tried to talk. This time, I decided to be nice, and talked with him for a bit, though I was REALLY wanting to relish in the glory of completing my solo ride in peace.

Overview: My bike freakin' climbs like a demon-possessed goat on crack with a bottle rocket shoved up its arse!!! This is the first time I've taken the Klein down there (It's been a while since I've gotten to go). I had always previously ridden the Trek. Anyway, I've never had so much fun climbing. I kid you not...I cannot describe how well it climbs.

Now...downhill. My bike SUCKS on the steep downhills!!! Part of it may be still getting used to the bike, but, damn! Everytime I got into the least bit of technical or rocky downhill, I almost endo'ed. The reviews on the Klein were right about being endo prone. My favorite parts of the ride have completely flip-flopped on the two different bikes. On the Trek, I had great fun on the downhills, but HATED the climbs. On the Klein, the downhills made me very nervous, but I LOOOOOVED the climbs. Weird.

Anyway...I'll post some pics later. I'm tired. I guess the GSL demon didn't want any photo evidence of its abuse towards me, because during one of my hard bounces, the camera somehow deleted all the pics I'd taken, up to that point.:mad: So, the pics I got are pretty much from the other trails, but I'll post what I've got.

Wow...I wrote a journal, here!

[Ruralakay]

Oh...I forgot...Eddie told me I was "one tough cookie," for making it through that ride, completely alone. That made me feel pretty good.

I have a gigantic bruise and scraped spot on my left leg, close to my hip from that first fall. I knew it was tender, but I didn't realize how bad it looked, till I took my shorts off. It looks pretty nasty, but I fared MUCH better than my first time ever to the Canyon, where I was a bloody mess.

Overall, I'm proud of myself.:D Okay...one pic. This is some of the stair step stuff on the Lighthouse. I am looking down, in the pic, on the stair step I just finished climbing. Immediately ahead of me, after that, was an almost identical stair step, going down. That was pretty fun. Not GSL stuff...but just fun.

[real_ss_budgie]

...................

[mimbresman]

Ruru,
Congrats on your first solo ride. I'm sure you'll have many more in the future. That pic looks like a fun section. You think the nitrous helped?:p I think you did the right thing to ride/walk somewhat conservatively the sections where you could have got hurt. Same thing happened to me yesterday on a sketchy section I can ride which I ended up messing up on, so swallowed my pride and walked it. :mad: Anyway, good job! :)

[myron]

Ya good job ruru. :D now get some pepper spray for eddie:rolleyes:

[rockyrider]

Congrats on surviving the ride (and Eddie). I tend to ride more conservatively when I ride alone since mistakes that might leave you broken can leave you as bear food before someone else might come across your broken body. You wouldn't want a ride in the Canyon to turn into a Cormac McCarthy moment out of Blood Meridian.

Kleins have always been short and twitchy with really steep head angles (but really nice paint), kind of like their design was stuck in the late 80's/early 90's, and the FS bikes seemed to just move the hardtail geometry over without considering fork dive and suspension sag. But you appear to have discovered the climbing advantage of rear suspension, keeping that rear wheel on the ground. Replace that puppy with a nice modern Giant Trance 2 4"x4" bike, or go nuts with a Reign 2 for that 6" front and rear and you can ride stairs like it's smooth trail. :D

Oh yeah, yesterday I took the Kona A SS out for a hammer on a trail network I've ridden regularly on the Kona Unit and found that even on relatively smooth trails that rear suspension really helps smooth out the root carpet speed bump parade and the cobble embedded in the trail, not only allowing me to keep pedaling, but to keep pedalling at full speed and turn the corners on the cobble, where the hardtail spends so much time with the rear tire off the ground it's a might skittish. I think Kona is on to something here.

[adam12]

Nice job on the solo ride Ru. :) Your picture made my day. I love that trail. When I first started riding I went there every weekend. Sniff Sniff:( I haven't been there since my wrangler puked its engine. I need a new car.

[Ruralakay]

Ruru,
Congrats on your first solo ride. I'm sure you'll have many more in the future. That pic looks like a fun section. You think the nitrous helped?:p I think you did the right thing to ride/walk somewhat conservatively the sections where you could have got hurt. Same thing happened to me yesterday on a sketchy section I can ride which I ended up messing up on, so swallowed my pride and walked it. :mad: Anyway, good job! :)
Thanks! Yeah...that section is fun. I really wish I hadn't lost the pics from GSL, because you really can't fully understand my reasoning for walking part of it, without seeing what lies immediately to my left (deep ravines) and right (cacti, mesquite, & jagged rock walls). I ride through there, thinking, "If I was to fall, where'd be the safest place..." It'd be the cacti, if I had to ('cuz the ravines could seriously maim you), but that sure wouldn't be very much fun!:eek: I can say I have perfected the art of falling, and always seem to manage to land on something "soft and cushy" (like my butt:p ). Bruises and scrapes heal much faster than lacerations and broken bones.:)

Here's a pic of what you DON'T want to run into, if you can help it. this stuff is everywhere...right along the trail edge. In fact, I had to maneuver around some of it, on the trails.

[Ruralakay]

Ya good job ruru. :D now get some pepper spray for eddie:rolleyes:
LOL...well, in all fairness, he WAS nice, and, if I were single, I might have even spent a little more time talking to him, but I was there to prove a point to myself, not to be picked up.

I don't wear my wedding rings when I ride, for obvious reasons (I'd hate to have to have paramedics cut them off my finger, if something went bad), so he really had no way of knowing I was married, till I told him....not that that seemed to dissuade him.:rolleyes:

Guess dirt looks sexy on a girl.:p

[rockyrider]

Guess dirt looks sexy on a girl.:pHence the long-time popularity of mud wrestling at biker events. :D Or the XC race at Sea Otter this year.

[Ruralakay]

Kleins have always been short and twitchy with really steep head angles (but really nice paint), kind of like their design was stuck in the late 80's/early 90's, and the FS bikes seemed to just move the hardtail geometry over without considering fork dive and suspension sag. But you appear to have discovered the climbing advantage of rear suspension, keeping that rear wheel on the ground. Replace that puppy with a nice modern Giant Trance 2 4"x4" bike, or go nuts with a Reign 2 for that 6" front and rear and you can ride stairs like it's smooth trail. :D


Well, the rear tire isn't usually much of a problem, as my preferred climbing method (unless pushing it over that last bit of a steep climb) is to "sit & spin". I'm telling ya..I've never seen something climb like that Klein. If I didn't know better, I'd swear that thing had a tiny little MX engine tucked away in the rear shock!;)

Funny you should mention the Giant Trance 2. That actually was my first choice, when I was shopping for a bike, and I found a beaut....but the guy had just sold it. :( I, actually, love the Klein. I've just gotta get used to the difference on the head angle, as compared to the Trek. I realize, now, I was trying to ride it like I did the Trek.

Here's another random pic. Ck out the size of the thorns on the mesquite tree in the right foreground of the pic. OUCH! Those cause more flats (and injuries) than just about anything else.

[rockyrider]

Typically a bike that climbs that well does so because its geometry happens to be optimized that direction which will often make it sketchy going down. A steep head angle keep the front wheel from flopping around going uphill, but makes it kinda exciting going down the other side. What kind of front fork do you have on the Klein?

[Ruralakay]

Nice job on the solo ride Ru. :) Your picture made my day. I love that trail. When I first started riding I went there every weekend. Sniff Sniff:( I haven't been there since my wrangler puked its engine. I need a new car.
Well, now that I know that I can, I will be going out there by myself more often. It's hard getting our "usual group" to line their schedules out right, and, understandably, it's a little awkward going out there with just one male coworker (that's how rumors get started, & our organization is BIG on image.), so I like knowing I can go out there, on my own, without having to wait for someone to go with.

Here's another pic for you, Adam, to hasten your attempt to get back on the PD trails...

[Ruralakay]

Typically a bike that climbs that well does so because its geometry happens to be optimized that direction which will often make it sketchy going down. A steep head angle keep the front wheel from flopping around going uphill, but makes it kinda exciting going down the other side. What kind of front fork do you have on the Klein?
Exciting isn't quite the operative word (scared sh*tless is more accurate:p ).

I have a stock Manitou SX on it. I'm not really all that impressed w/it, but it works for now. I'll switch it out later. What would you suggest?
Another pic....

[mimbresman]

Here's another random pic. Ck out the size of the thorns on the mesquite tree in the right foreground of the pic. OUCH! Those cause more flats (and injuries) than just about anything else.

Another reason to run Slime tubes. Also a reason to wear eye protection. There is a similiar (if not the same) plant here along the Ve coast. Nasty.
About your choices to crash, cactus, though unpleasant, offer a better choice than sharp pointy rocks when tumbling down a ravine. I once crashed on the Arizona Trail near Tucson (had to make a similiar choice) and landed chest first on a barrel cactus. I had a thorn in my chest, with about 1/4" showing, so I pulled the rest of it out with my fingers. It turned out to be over an inch long! :eek: It didn't hurt or bleed too much so I figure no big deal and kept ride on riding.

[rockyrider]

If I'm doing my 'membering correctly a Manitou SX was a 68mm travel fork. Or was it a 73mm fork? Hmmmm, anyway, a more modern 85mm travel fork would help slacken the head angle a bit and be better behaved. The rubber buggy baby bumpers in the Manitou forks slowly turn to gummy bears, so it likely isn't what it used to be.

A Marz MX Comp in 85mm, or maybe a Rock Shox Tora cranked down to 85mm would be reasonably priced choices. Even an 80mm Rock Shox SID would be a good choice for a light weight rider. Stretching it out to a 100mm fork might be pushing it too far, although with the Mantra monocoque construction it should handle the stresses of a 100mm fork. That should back off the head angle by about a degree or so, but raise the BB slightly.

[Ruralakay]

Another reason to run Slime tubes. Also a reason to wear eye protection. There is a similiar (if not the same) plant here along the Ve coast. Nasty.
About your choices to crash, cactus, though unpleasant, offer a better choice than sharp pointy rocks when tumbling down a ravine. I once crashed on the Arizona Trail near Tucson (had to make a similiar choice) and landed chest first on a barrel cactus. I had a thorn in my chest, with about 1/4" showing, so I pulled the rest of it out with my fingers. It turned out to be over an inch long! :eek: It didn't hurt or bleed too much so I figure no big deal and kept ride on riding.
But mesquite does make a delicious wood to add to charcoal, when barbecuing!:D

Ouch..your cactus story hurt to hear. One of my occasional riding partners is an undercover narc agent with my dept. He went out riding with a group, one time, and crashed & landed right on a huge grove of cactus....butt first!! The guys did what they could to help him remove some of the thorns, at the scene, but, because of the sensitive (translate: embarrassing) area, a lot of the thorns had to be removed, later, by his wife. He had them all over his backside & privates!!:eek:

[Ruralakay]

If I'm doing my 'membering correctly a Manitou SX was a 68mm travel fork. Or was it a 73mm fork? Hmmmm, anyway, a more modern 85mm travel fork would help slacken the head angle a bit and be better behaved. The rubber buggy baby bumpers in the Manitou forks slowly turn to gummy bears, so it likely isn't what it used to be.

A Marz MX Comp in 85mm, or maybe a Rock Shox Tora cranked down to 85mm would be reasonably priced choices. Even an 80mm Rock Shox SID would be a good choice for a light weight rider. Stretching it out to a 100mm fork might be pushing it too far, although with the Mantra monocoque construction it should handle the stresses of a 100mm fork. That should back off the head angle by about a degree or so, but raise the BB slightly.

Actually, I was looking at the Rock Shox. I will consider that a confirmation. Thanks!;)

[mimbresman]

I dinked around today and actually enjoyed myself. :) It felt like my seat was low so I raised it about an inch and felt better (I must have not tighted the bolt enough after having the bike in the trunk). I rode the beach route to warm up, then rode around and up El Morro and up the Aquarium trail. Though I had fun, I am really ready to for some real riding in the USA where I can ride the single track of the Continental Divide Trail and start from my mom's back door at 6000 ft above sea level.

[myron]

I dinked around today and actually enjoyed myself. :) .
Did you just call me a dink??? Kidding mimbs:D Those are my funnest rides too. No time frame,no plan,jus ryde:D

[Ruralakay]

If I'm doing my 'membering correctly a Manitou SX was a 68mm travel fork. Or was it a 73mm fork? Hmmmm, anyway, a more modern 85mm travel fork would help slacken the head angle a bit and be better behaved. The rubber buggy baby bumpers in the Manitou forks slowly turn to gummy bears, so it likely isn't what it used to be.

A Marz MX Comp in 85mm, or maybe a Rock Shox Tora cranked down to 85mm would be reasonably priced choices. Even an 80mm Rock Shox SID would be a good choice for a light weight rider. Stretching it out to a 100mm fork might be pushing it too far, although with the Mantra monocoque construction it should handle the stresses of a 100mm fork. That should back off the head angle by about a degree or so, but raise the BB slightly.

Hey, Rocky...I got to thinking...Do you think riser bars would also do any good in alleviating the Klein's head angle issues? I don't know that much about them, to be honest, but I haven't bothered to investigate. How would they affect its amazing climbing ability?

[rockyrider]

Riser bars raise your weight and move it back on the bike, so they can worsen climbing performance while reducing the pucker factor for going downhill. But that doesn't change the contact patch on the front tire in relation to the steering axis, only head angle will reduce the speed of the steering while going downhill.

[Ruralakay]

Riser bars raise your weight and move it back on the bike, so they can worsen climbing performance while reducing the pucker factor for going downhill. But that doesn't change the contact patch on the front tire in relation to the steering axis, only head angle will reduce the speed of the steering while going downhill.
Okay...gotcha...back to shopping for new fork, then.

[rockyrider]

My Vertex hardtail with the flat bars and NORBA style race geometry still climbs great because it has a long 120mm stem and I can keep my weight far forward over the front wheel and low, so it stays down and hooks up well, and allows a good leg position for climbing while seated. But it is just plain scary going down anything steep, much like an old Chevy or Dodge delivery van with the driver ahead of the front wheels. My FS bikes, all fitted with risers bars, climb with more wandering and wheelie tendency and I have to work at keeping the front wheel going in a straight line, but they go down hill with much less butt clench. You gots your plusses and minusses.

[rockyrider]

Okay...gotcha...back to shopping for new fork, then.a bargooon....

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=6892&category=94

[Ruralakay]

You gots your plusses and minusses.
True...

Would dialing the front shocks differently help any? I've just left it at the setting the LBS set it at, when they put it together. I've only adjusted my rear air shock to more suit my liking (pretty stiff...almost like a hardtail). The coil shock has been left totally alone, thus far.

I want to be more comfortable on the downhills without having to sacrifice the great climb. What goes up must come down, so I can't just spend all my time climbing....though, what a freakin' good workout!!:p

I'll take a look at that link you posted.

[rockyrider]

From what I remember of the Manitou SX (I had them on a couple of bikes) is the adjustments didn't do all that much.

The Tora can give you the best of both world s with the U-Turn, you can crank it down to 85mm for uphills (the extra 13mm of travel shouldn't be a big issue uphill) and then extend it further for going down steeps. It's also going to be a might heavier than the Manitou SX, which was about 3 pounds if I remember correctly, the Tora is about 4.5 pounds.

If you could find a used 2004 Fox TALAS they had 85-125mm adjustable travel with an air spring, they're light and work quite well, but fairly pricey new. The newer ones have 90-130mm of travel which is likely getting a bit long on the low side of travel for the Klein.

[Ruralakay]

From what I remember of the Manitou SX (I had them on a couple of bikes) is the adjustments didn't do all that much.

The Tora can give you the best of both world s with the U-Turn, you can crank it down to 85mm for uphills (the extra 13mm of travel shouldn't be a big issue uphill) and then extend it further for going down steeps. It's also going to be a might heavier than the Manitou SX, which was about 3 pounds if I remember correctly, the Tora is about 4.5 pounds.
Eh...the weight doesn't matter much to me. I'm not a weight weenie. I'm not planning any races anytime soon. I'm still in the mode of learning what I should and shouldn't do on these more technical trails, so weight is the last thing on my mind. Despite the fact that it is FS, my Klein is quite a bit lighter than the Trek, so adding an extra pound and a half won't affect things much for me.

Thank you so much for all the advice and help. I fully intend to get the Rock Shox. It may have to wait a bit, but I will eventually get it. Right now, family priorities come first. Son has tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy this month ($100 copay). I have to see foot specialist at end of mth. ($40 copay). If he suggests surgery (which, he will), I intend to request putting it off until fall, so I don't put a crimp in my prime riding season. Daughter is about to turn 16, and is deserving of something special for this milestone b-day. Father's day....a whole passel of extended family birthdays (both siblings, a niece, my mom, etc.). Son's MX racing season is in full swing now. Then, on top of it, Hubby decides, today, to get my son a $200 Specialized bike.

Yeah...the fork will have to wait a bit. :(

[rockyrider]

Yeah...the fork will have to wait a bit. :(Mom's are always making sacrifices for their kids. Tell 'em to get a job. ;)

[mimbresman]

Saw the coolest thing today on my ride...a father teaching his tiny son (maybe 2 or 3 years old) to ride offroad. They were both decked in lycra and helmets. The dad was on a new beautiful pearl white FS Klein (like Ruru's?...like Rocky said, Klein's have always had nice paint) and the hijo was on a miniture GT single speed. Way cool! That kid was strong. He didn't want to dab on any section. :cool: :cool: :cool:

[OTBSkinloss]

I rode today!
Slapped a rear break on the fixie, and went for a spin. Broken foot and all! It didn't hurt, unless I tried to stop the bike with my legs.

WOOHOO!

:D I can ride

[mimbresman]

...not technical but somewhat scenic.

[myron]

im gonna head to the liquer store here in a few. Anyone need anything?

[MrTB]

trails are wet here..................

did about 30 on the road this am...........only got passed by 6 cars from 6 to 8 am

overcast and windy but very peaceful..........ifyaknowhatimean

[KDWeb]

Yuppers, rode today and yesterday...granted it was all roadie stuff but putting in 100 yesterday and 50 today left me with one of these on my face!:D
It was the MS150 over on Maryland's flat Eastern Shore ( tellya what, what they don't have in hills over there they make up for in wind! And yes I saw many the fat tires doing it too...made sure I told them how proud and impressed I was. Best part of all, the knees didn't hurt!:D :D :D

[Ruralakay]

Mom's are always making sacrifices for their kids. Tell 'em to get a job. ;)
:D

I appreciate the concern, Rocky, but I think asking my son to pay for his own tonsillectomy is a tad harsh.:p

[Ruralakay]

im gonna head to the liquer store here in a few. Anyone need anything?
Wish I'da seen this earlier. I'm out of Crown. Damn!:(

So, what'd ya come back with?

[Ruralakay]

The dad was on a new beautiful pearl white FS Klein (like Ruru's?...like Rocky said, Klein's have always had nice paint)
Nah, Mims...Mine's a tad older....still nice paint, though. I'd LOVE a pearl white one. But, I look good in black, too.:p

Damn...I was going to post a pic of my Klein, but I just remembered, all my pics of it are on my work computer. Here in a bit, I'll see if I can take a digi of it for ya. I'm in the middle of helping hubby grill outside, right now.

[myron]

Wish I'da seen this earlier. I'm out of Crown. Damn!:(

So, what'd ya come back with?
I wasted too much time. I rode down there about 6:30,thought they were open till 7:00. They close at 5:00 so looks like we are both outa luck:(

[Ruralakay]

Nah, Mims...Mine's a tad older....still nice paint, though. I'd LOVE a pearl white one. But, I look good in black, too.:p

Damn...I was going to post a pic of my Klein, but I just remembered, all my pics of it are on my work computer. Here in a bit, I'll see if I can take a digi of it for ya. I'm in the middle of helping hubby grill outside, right now.
Okay...here's a very hastily taken photo of the Klein.

[Ruralakay]

I wasted too much time. I rode down there about 6:30,thought they were open till 7:00. They close at 5:00 so looks like we are both outa luck:(
I hate when that happens.:p

I live in a dry town, so if we make a "last minute" decision for alcohol, it involves going 15 mi. away for beer/wine coolers or 30 min. away for anything else.

Hope ya had a secret stash somewhere.;)

[halfinch]

had the same problem when i used to live in south cakalaky. no sales on sunday, beer, wine, corn whiskey - nada.
todays ride was nice, 2.5 hours of singletrack, four deer, one pyschotic squirrel.
ended up firing up the grill and made mini burgers for the kids, fresh corn on the cob, sliced strawberries..and several tasty newcastles... gotta work off the exercise somehow..:rolleyes:

[mimbresman]

Okay...here's a very hastily taken photo of the Klein.

Nice! You do have an older one with the "Sweet Spot" type pivot point. :cool: You like it? They're not suppose to bob or bounce when pedalling.
The one I saw today was more of a standard rear suspension lay-out like the one pictured below... It was the first authentic Klein I've seen down here. There are other bikes with Klein decals, but they are not real Kleins. Just like not real Cannondales, Bianchi's, etc. I haven't seen any fake Merlins though. Hard to fake unpainted titanium. :p

[mr chris]

http://com2.runboard.com/bmbc401.f2.t43

[mimbresman]

had the same problem when i used to live in south cakalaky. no sales on sunday, beer, wine, corn whiskey - nada.


New Mexico used to have that law. In college, we'd do beer runs to Arizona or down to Mexico. It'd give us an excuse to go on a mini-road trip.

[real_ss_budgie]

yah yah got loose with a couple of mates at fox creek..fark it was cold!!!

[Ruralakay]

Nice! You do have an older one with the "Sweet Spot" type pivot point. :cool: You like it? They're not suppose to bob or bounce when pedalling.
The one I saw today was more of a standard rear suspension lay-out like the one pictured below... It was the first authentic Klein I've seen down here. There are other bikes with Klein decals, but they are not real Kleins. Just like not real Cannondales, Bianchi's, etc. I haven't seen any fake Merlins though. Hard to fake unpainted titanium. :p
Yeah, I like it a lot. I do a lot of road riding, due to circumstances beyond my control (distance to trails), and that was a concern, when I made plans to buy a FS bike. I didn't want something that was going to have me bouncing like a jalopy down the road. The Klein does not do any of that. It makes for a very comfortable road ride (espec. since some of our roads here are in less than pristine condition). I can especially get on the highways and absolutely fly.

Now, on the trails...you read my experience at the Canyon, right? That was the first time to actually take the Klein on anything technical. Like I said, I absolutely LOVE the way it climbs. There are not enough words in the English vocabulary to describe how well it climbs. It has managed to convert me from a die-hard hill-hater to someone who actually looks FORWARD to the climbs. I never thought I'd ever say that. Last year, about this time, was when I took my first ride at the Canyon, and I sounded like a damn asthmatic at the top of each climb. Now, it was so easy to get to the top.

As I also said, though, I'm gonna have to do some adjusting on the downhills. I guess I was trying to ride the thing like I did my rigid Trek, but a lot of it had to do with the geometry of the bike, too (as Rocky pointed out). The thing makes you feel like the tire's gonna catch on any root or rock you encounter on the downhill and pitch you right over the bars (which, it did, once, last week). Short of changing the forks, which will come in time, I'm going to really have to watch how I ride those downhills. I'm going to have to practically sit on the back tire, for starters. Good thing I'm very limber.:D

Also, I'm going to have to stop getting "spooked". When I do, I find myself hesitating, and hesitation is almost as dangerous as doing something blatantly stupid. You can't start a downhill descent and THEN decide you want to back out.

[real_ss_budgie]

scuse me mimsy...ruru........................:)

[Ruralakay]

scuse me mimsy...ruru........................:)
Yes, love...are you feeling neglected?;)

[rockyrider]

I appreciate the concern, Rocky, but I think asking my son to pay for his own tonsillectomy is a tad harsh.:pIt's a harsh world and they're his tonsils, it'll just prepare him for the need to have an HMO and health insurance when he grows up. ;) :D

[rockyrider]

Okay...here's a very hastily taken photo of the Klein.Holy sheep dip that is an insanely steep head angle. Compare that to the head angle of a current 4" travel bike.

[real_ss_budgie]

Yes, love...are you feeling neglected?;)

not anymore ruru puree, i take it that youre standing on a milk crate pashing me off there....just seen the klein and youre a tad bit smaller than me. mini ruru.:p

i got my riding fix sunday..today is public holiday so it's paintin the house/cook the bbq/create low brow art and other little tid bits around the home..including sneaking into here for a gander and a felch..ooo ruru what firm bunyips (http://members.ozemail.com.au/~mjl1/mangoes.html)you have

[XM DUDE]

Yep I rode today.......

[myron]

Yep I rode today.......
any more details??

[Ruralakay]

It's a harsh world and they're his tonsils, it'll just prepare him for the need to have an HMO and health insurance when he grows up. ;) :D
I'll tell him you said so...:p

Well, I feel I owe it to him, since he DID share all his gum with all the family, friends, coworkers, law enforcement officers, etc. that flooded the waiting room, at the hospital, when they were fighting to save my life. (each person got approx. a 1 mm size piece, because he couldn't leave anyone out.:rolleyes: )

I mean, c'mon! He shared his GUM!! That's generosity...especially for a (then) 5 yr. old. ;)

[Ruralakay]

Holy sheep dip that is an insanely steep head angle. Compare that to the head angle of a current 4" travel bike.
Ahhh, yes...and therein lies my problem. The bruises are beginning to heal, though.:rolleyes: My daughter took one look at them, this weekend, and remarked, "My GOD, Mom! You look like you were hit by a freakin' truck!!!":p

[Ruralakay]

ooo ruru what firm bunyips (http://members.ozemail.com.au/~mjl1/mangoes.html)you have
:o Why, thank you, Budgie. Yep...Hubby's a big fan of bunyips, so he'll appreciate that you approve!:p

not anymore ruru puree, i take it that youre standing on a milk crate pashing me off there....just seen the klein and youre a tad bit smaller than me. mini ruru.

I'm not all that "mini"...I'm 5'4"....average height of the American woman. Hubby's 5'2", daughter's (so far) 5'10". Guess you can figure out she's not hubby's!:p

It's nice having someone tall enough to reach the top shelves of the pantry.:rolleyes:

[rockyrider]

I mean, c'mon! He shared his GUM!! That's generosity...especially for a (then) 5 yr. old. ;)OK, you've pulled my heart strings, but tell him you want 15% of his jello.

[Ruralakay]

OK, you've pulled my heart strings, but tell him you want 15% of his jello.
That sounds like a fair deal.:)

[mimbresman]

Yesssirree! :) :) :)

[real_ss_budgie]

did the old freeway lofty/scenic hotel thing last night with smartpants. 5 hours and many bevvies later.............this morn i felt as crunchy as a cookie. still the ride into 3D snapped me outta that. no pics..every free space in the backpak was crammed full of warm goodies for the pedal down.

[mimbresman]

Yesterday's ride was a spin. I've been experimenting with the single speed concept. I used a 32/18 gear and did my usual road workout of about 10 miles...mostly flat, but then climbing El Morro 3 times. Felt really good, really strong up the hill despite the headwind. Yeeha! :) :)