Comments on: First And Last Mountain Bike Rides http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/ Mountain bike news, trails, travels, and dirt. Sat, 18 May 2013 09:43:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: MtbJeffSteet http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-151007 MtbJeffSteet Thu, 02 Aug 2012 08:06:42 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-151007 Good story man! Influences alot of other riders out there to commit to the sport they l Good story man! Influences alot of other riders out there to commit to the sport they l

]]> By: arizonaglider http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150988 arizonaglider Thu, 02 Aug 2012 02:39:42 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150988 Great article even though I've heard most of your history first hand I really enjoyed your writing. Great article even though I’ve heard most of your history first hand I really enjoyed your writing.

]]> By: brianW http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150947 brianW Tue, 31 Jul 2012 22:29:13 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150947 First ride on a mt bike, Birch Hill Dam in MA on the same bike I rode FATS, SC yesterday. 20 years later the Antelope has been reborn as a ss. First ride on a mt bike, Birch Hill Dam in MA on the same bike I rode FATS, SC yesterday. 20 years later the Antelope has been reborn as a ss.

]]> By: XCTolen http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150946 XCTolen Tue, 31 Jul 2012 22:02:53 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150946 Great article!! It's never without a heavy heart when the time comes to put an old "paint" out to pasture. We've had great thrills, loved, learned with them, cursed them, spilled blood together and risen to great challenges together. They were always there for you and helped you become the mountain biker you are. My first "mountain" bike was a Huffy in 1995 direct from Wal-Mart and was my 1st "adult" non-bmx freestyle trick bike like I had in the 80's (Schwinn Predator). Although the Huffy never really saw any single track, it got me to fall in love with bicycling in general and I enjoyed long days in the saddle exploring streets and county roads. In 2001, I decided it was time to upgrade to a "real" mountain from a real bike shop. I bought via lay-away a Giant Rincon from a LBS which had advancements over my previous bike such as an aluminum frame (not steel) and a front suspension (really just a spring covered in accordian-like rubber)...but still a big step forward. For years I continued to stick to the bike paths, more like a roadie, except for a smattering of singletrack that had develped from foot traffic off the bike paths. A vacation to Vail, CO and a bike I rented one day there finally flipped the switch. No longer could I stand to be just a zoned out rider taking in the scenery...I had to be A PART of the scenery, experiencing it first hand...ONE with nature!! The terrain of choice for my Giant Rincon then quickly became the single track, full of rocks and roots, learning from the school of hard knocks and me and my bike graduated with the scars to prove it. The Rincon became a travel map covered in stickers from various places we'd gone (Crested Butte, Telluride, Boulder), outfitters and rock concerts. I learned SO MUCH with that bike, my eye never strayed to other bikes and I believed we would never part....until, I saw a 29er with big, beautiful...tires! I knew it was it was time to move on and after one final wet, muddy mtn bike race in 2010 I picked up a new Giant XTC 29er and the Rincon has now retired to pulling kids trailers and groceries. My 29er has taken me to new personal levels and highs I never imagined. It's a hardtail and I never felt the need to have a fancy full suspension ride and once again I believed we would never part...Until, one day this spring while my ride was in the shop and I was determined to ride, I happened to demo a Trek Superfly, full carbon, full suspension 29er. I liked it, I liked it a lot. Much like in the movie "Inception" the idea has been planted in my head that I need a full suspension 29er. My Giant XTC 29er and I are still going strong for now and we'll always have great memories with more to come...but, I know the day's coming when it will be time to "start seeing other bikes." Great article!! It’s never without a heavy heart when the time comes to put an old “paint” out to pasture. We’ve had great thrills, loved, learned with them, cursed them, spilled blood together and risen to great challenges together. They were always there for you and helped you become the mountain biker you are.
My first “mountain” bike was a Huffy in 1995 direct from Wal-Mart and was my 1st “adult” non-bmx freestyle trick bike like I had in the 80′s (Schwinn Predator). Although the Huffy never really saw any single track, it got me to fall in love with bicycling in general and I enjoyed long days in the saddle exploring streets and county roads.
In 2001, I decided it was time to upgrade to a “real” mountain from a real bike shop. I bought via lay-away a Giant Rincon from a LBS which had advancements over my previous bike such as an aluminum frame (not steel) and a front suspension (really just a spring covered in accordian-like rubber)…but still a big step forward. For years I continued to stick to the bike paths, more like a roadie, except for a smattering of singletrack that had develped from foot traffic off the bike paths. A vacation to Vail, CO and a bike I rented one day there finally flipped the switch. No longer could I stand to be just a zoned out rider taking in the scenery…I had to be A PART of the scenery, experiencing it first hand…ONE with nature!! The terrain of choice for my Giant Rincon then quickly became the single track, full of rocks and roots, learning from the school of hard knocks and me and my bike graduated with the scars to prove it. The Rincon became a travel map covered in stickers from various places we’d gone (Crested Butte, Telluride, Boulder), outfitters and rock concerts. I learned SO MUCH with that bike, my eye never strayed to other bikes and I believed we would never part….until, I saw a 29er with big, beautiful…tires! I knew it was it was time to move on and after one final wet, muddy mtn bike race in 2010 I picked up a new Giant XTC 29er and the Rincon has now retired to pulling kids trailers and groceries. My 29er has taken me to new personal levels and highs I never imagined. It’s a hardtail and I never felt the need to have a fancy full suspension ride and once again I believed we would never part…Until, one day this spring while my ride was in the shop and I was determined to ride, I happened to demo a Trek Superfly, full carbon, full suspension 29er. I liked it, I liked it a lot. Much like in the movie “Inception” the idea has been planted in my head that I need a full suspension 29er. My Giant XTC 29er and I are still going strong for now and we’ll always have great memories with more to come…but, I know the day’s coming when it will be time to “start seeing other bikes.”

]]> By: Bubblehead10MM http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150930 Bubblehead10MM Tue, 31 Jul 2012 03:27:01 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150930 Nicely done. Great nostalgia, I'm a sucker. I'm only on my second MTB, and do remeber the firsts and last of the old one. :) Nicely done. Great nostalgia, I’m a sucker. I’m only on my second MTB, and do remeber the firsts and last of the old one. :)

]]> By: mtbikerchick http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150928 mtbikerchick Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:58:50 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150928 My first Colorado mountain bike was a light blue Rocky Mountain Element 30 that we bought used from one of the stores here. That bike went all over Colorado and Utah and then, sadly, on one of its first rides of the 2011 season just as I reached the top of a hill, the frame broke right at one of the welded seams. Teary eyed I walked Ellie back to the car and took her home. We had some great rides together though! Great article. My first Colorado mountain bike was a light blue Rocky Mountain Element 30 that we bought used from one of the stores here. That bike went all over Colorado and Utah and then, sadly, on one of its first rides of the 2011 season just as I reached the top of a hill, the frame broke right at one of the welded seams. Teary eyed I walked Ellie back to the car and took her home. We had some great rides together though! Great article.

]]> By: Jared13 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150922 Jared13 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:18:34 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150922 I had a first off-road ride much like yours. I was in decent-ish shape but in terrible mountain biking shape. The ride was a killer but I was hooked. I had a first off-road ride much like yours. I was in decent-ish shape but in terrible mountain biking shape. The ride was a killer but I was hooked.

]]> By: mtbgreg1 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150917 mtbgreg1 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:43:01 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150917 Great progression... I really want a 29er FS too! Great progression… I really want a 29er FS too!

]]> By: Spartan http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150916 Spartan Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:11:48 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150916 I love how all your bikes have a second life.. I'm still on my first bike and don't think I could ever let it go when I upgrade.. Never forget my first ride on it though.... Endo and bruised from my knee to my armpits...I had never ridden a bike with front suspension before and had all my weight over the wheel....doh! I love how all your bikes have a second life.. I’m still on my first bike and don’t think I could ever let it go when I upgrade.. Never forget my first ride on it though…. Endo and bruised from my knee to my armpits…I had never ridden a bike with front suspension before and had all my weight over the wheel….doh!

]]> By: jeff http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/first-and-last-rides/comment-page-1/#comment-150915 jeff Mon, 30 Jul 2012 14:44:10 +0000 http://www.singletracks.com/blog/?p=23769#comment-150915 I love that sign-off line--words to live by. I also love that you sold your car to pay for your new bike. That's what I call dedication to the sport! Cars are only good for getting you to the trail anyway. :) I love that sign-off line–words to live by.

I also love that you sold your car to pay for your new bike. That’s what I call dedication to the sport! Cars are only good for getting you to the trail anyway. :)

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