[mesjulia]

"TheHammer" wrote

SUCCESS! Let it be known on July 8th 2011, I cleared the rock garden going up the trail!

It is funny because of all the times I’ve tried, this time seemed the least likely to clean it. It was during the last mile or so of a 20+ mile day. I had bent my derailleur hanger and had to stay in low gears because the chain would shift under heavy torque. Cramps were creeping into my legs. Once I got to that section of trail I pushed all of that out of my mind and starting spinning like crazy. It seemed like my front tire would hardly touch the rocks as I turned between big rocks keeping as smooth of a line as possible. I got up it and alone in the woods I had my fist in the air shouting hell ya!

Thanks for all the good advise! I should be back on Monday, hopefully the confidence and experience will get be back up that damn mess.

That is too funny. That’s what I love about mountain biking–it’s full of challenges and it feels great when you over come obstacles you couldn’t before 😃

[mesjulia]

I was riding in Keystone when a bear ran out in front of us! He just ran into some bushes and hung out there for a while 😮

[mesjulia]

Do you have tubeless? They can be ridden at a lower tire pressure than tires with tubes 😀

[mesjulia]

"longboarderj" wrote

He cracked big time on a ride yesterday and was completly bummed out, he puked three times and we had to walk most of the way out (except the downhill portions). He said he would never ride again, but after being reassured that everyone has had it happen at one point or another he seemed fine, we will see later in the week.

Poor guy–just keep it fun so he doesn’t get burned out 😀

[mesjulia]

"fat_billy" wrote

I stay in the saddle as much as possible to save energy but standing on a short climb is the best way to stay on top of the gear. I stand during decents for control of the old hardtail. Long, rough and steep climbs I granny in and spin. Did I tell you fat people are aided down hill by the Polish Astronaut Moe Mentum. Just saying. 😄 Later,

Cute Fat Billy 😆

[mesjulia]

"longboarderj" wrote

My son Jake has been riding for about two months now and can already rip, beats me up hills, has taken 17th out of 30 in an xc race, and has apparently become a riding instructor to other beginners.
I rode with a buddy today and he told me a little story that happened on our Sunday group ride (set up through our local mtb website) last week, it was the first I have heard about it.
Last week on our weekly group ride we had some new faces (as we usually do) and 2 of them were a married couple who had bought their bikes the night before. The bike were so new that the first time they had rode them was in the parking lot at the trail head. Neither of them had ever rode off the pavement before. The Sunday group has several regular riders who are there every week and many who show up occasionally, but we also get a lot of newbies so there is usually a big gap in skill level. This is always ok because it is a very casual ride and is there to teach the new people. The trail is somewhat odd in that there are several ways around any obstacle so you can make your ride as easy or as technical as you want, the only exception to this is one down hill that while it is not very long (maybe 200′ in length) it is very steep and turns sharply at the bottom but it looks harder than it is.
The wife from this couple was having a hard time with any hill up to this point and her husband was getting frustrated, the rest of us all men and all fairly experienced were firing off advice but she was intimidated. I led the charge on the downhill so I was not at the top with her,but my buddy said she was refusing to go down it and her husband was even more frustrated. This is where Jake stepped in he came up next to her and apparently explained like a pro how to feather her front brake and lightly use the rear brake to control her decent. The guys were blown away. He then told her watch me and showed her then climbed back up and rode it down with her. This was the last hill she had a problem with. Some times he can really surprise me, he is only 11.
The moral of the story is if you are a beginner ride with groups because you never know who can help you.

Neat story–I can see why you are proud of him 😃

[mesjulia]

"Dorado" wrote

I hate high altitudes, just saying. Ok, So I made a trip to New Mexico and took my bike. I picked out an easier and shorter trail than what I usually ride. I’m used to about 20 miles and some fairly difficult stuff. So, 3 miles in I’m about to pass out. Stupid altitude and its lack of oxygen. 😆 What do y’all do in this situation?

WE REST! 😆

[mesjulia]

"tonkota" wrote

So last Wednesday, I raced for the first time ever. It was really fun, a little stressful at the beginning. I didn’t have enough sleep, I worked 42 hours Monday to Wednesday at 4pm. I didn’t have enough food that day either.

First mile – I was stuck in the pack, didn’t feel like I could let up without getting run over
Second mile – pack thinned out, started with my pace
Third – realization that this Dart II fork sucks ass
Fourth – maintaining pace ok
Fifth – can see the start/finish line….one more lap, feeling loose and energetic
Sixth – left calf cramp….pedaled with one leg for a bit
Seventh – passed a couple guys
Eighth, Nineth – lower back is taking a beating from the HT and the craptastic fork
Tenth – Right calf cramp….
Finish – relief from all the stress of my job and finishing and knowing that I did my best.

Me: 5′-8", 215 pounds (down 30# from the previous year)
Bike: 30# Kona HT with Dart II (I changed it out for my Tora U-Turn from another bike on Friday) (WTB Velociraptor front, Maxxis High Roller rear)

I did ~11 miles in 1:10:08 I guess. Which seemed ok for me.
Video from one of the faster guys….points if you spot the Vintage Klein.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXjFnmWZXFk

How the hell do these guys go so fast uphill? I’ve been training on hills for awhile it seems and I can’t seem to get much faster. I’ve tried fast spinning in a lower gear, mashing a tall gear, in between…..I dunno, just am not getting faster.

I have another race tomorrow….I can’t freakin wait!!

Enjoyed reading your post & watching your video–looked like they were going at a pretty fast clip! Congrats on your weight loss. I’ve been thinking of racing short track XC. I used to race on the road and track–mountain biking is new to me. Where was this race and what race are you doing next?

[mesjulia]

"fat_billy" wrote

Guess you’ve decided how we need to feel. 😕 Later,

Just think you look at the obvious! 😀

[mesjulia]

"fat_billy" wrote

Never tested positive. It is funny that years later "team mates" come forward years later. Book deal? Movie deal? Who knows. Lance won 6 TDF. Drugs? Don’t think so or they would show on the tests. New drugs that don’t show? Who knows. He won 6 in a row and his heart didn’t explode in the Alps. Good lord let’s let this rest. John Tomac drank colas with caffeine. What does that indicate? Just asking. 😄 Later,

Sorry Fat Billy–I don’t agree with you. I know too many athletes who blood doped, took roids etc., There were a lot of people in this together and a lot of people who benefitted from Lances performance. There will always be a way to decieve and get away with things. The cat is out of the bag and the writing is on the wall! Don’t be so naive 😉

[mesjulia]

Welcome–what part of Wisconsin are you from?

[mesjulia]

Is this post for "Guys" only? 😕

[mesjulia]

"BUDDAH" wrote

[quote="steve32300":skb7m6xl][quote="maddslacker":skb7m6xl]Speaking of Falcon Trail, we should put together a Singletracks 24 hours of CO Springs team for this fall

Just an Idea but you could call it the "MADDBUDDAH" team,,,,,hahahhahaa.I’ll shut up now. 😄[/quote:skb7m6xl]
Hey madd I second that idea.. Im down for that…
@ Steve I can dig the name of the team 😆 😆 😆 😄[/quote:skb7m6xl]

You go ahead–I’ll cheer you on 😆

[mesjulia]

"BUDDAH" wrote

[quote="mesjulia":2nd0y4h1]I’m spoiled–since I live here I get to ride those trails all the time 😃

I think we are all spoiled in our own way causse we all have our little gems close to home…
But I could loop Joe’s Ridge and kessel run all day long or even some of the Kokopeli’s trails..
Next time I get stranded in Fruita I will give you a shout!. I had no internet access.. You might have to take a sick day 😄 😆 😄[/quote:2nd0y4h1]

I agree–Colorado Springs has some great trails too. I love Falcon’s Trail. O.K.–shout loud! 😆

[mesjulia]

I’m spoiled–since I live here I get to ride those trails all the time 😃

[mesjulia]

"maddslacker" wrote

It’s the weirdest thing, I’m back at work, and they’re making me do stuff! I haven’t had a chance to touch any raw video yet.

Lifes a beach! 😄

[mesjulia]

"maddslacker" wrote

Neither did I…woke up to a flat tire on the car and had to limp to Grand Junction on the Temp spare to get it replaced.

Bummer! Well this week looks like awesome weather! 😃

[mesjulia]

"mikedm" wrote

You can sure say that again. I spent all winter going to spin class at least twice a week and I thought that I was in really good shape. Then last week I headed up to Michigan to ride Stoney Creek and totally got my ass kicked! I guess there is a major difference between spin class and real riding…

Ya–what’s up with that? 😕

[mesjulia]

"maddslacker" wrote

Hurry, we’re riding Slickrock in the morning and then headed back to Denver. 😃

Darn–I didn’t make it 😢

[mesjulia]

"Funrover" wrote

[quote="mesjulia":2fmfap4l]
That looks like an awesome trail. Where is it?

Just up from Morrison, CO Where I-70 and 470 meet[/quote:2fmfap4l]

Cool–thanks 😃

[Author]

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