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Where in SC? Harbison State Forest, in Columbia, SC is a really fun place to ride, there are a few hills, but nothing too bad. K2 in Manchester State Forest, near Wedgefield, SC is a fun place to ride without all of the climbing. Aaron already mentioned Paynes Creek. The US National Whitewater Center is a fun place to ride up in Charlotte, NC. Also Lake Norman State Park in Troutman, NC is also very fun. There are a few trails a Kerr Scott Reservoir near Wilkesboro, NC is an IMBA Epic. Maybe I will hit one of these this weekend too.
I am gearing up for the 9th day. It has been a blast riding every evening during the work week. One thing I have noticed though is that I am so geared up from the ride after I get home that I have trouble sleeping. That has been a challenge, but I am hoping that a switch will get thrown in there that says "This is how it’s going to be for a while, I need to figure it out." I am glad I signed up for it.
First day: Rode Sick…. Slow 6.5 miles easy trail. Sadlers Creek in Anderson, SC
I got an X-Fussion Velvet for my Santa Cruz Chameleon. Mine was about $400.00 at the time. I would say about 6 months ago. Mine is for a 27.5 wheel size, but overall I have been very happy with it. I am about 250 lbs, but once I set the sag and rebound and it has worked great. It probably isn’t as smooth as my Fox on my other bike, but it is still very good and it was a lot less costly.
The Velvet doesn’t have a model for the 29er wheel size, but there are other models that do in X-Fussion’s line.
Hope that helps.
I saw this article in WIRED the other day and it looked interesting. These guys want to use GPS and an accelerometer to electronically lock a bike. They are clear that it doesn’t take the place of a lock, but if someone does get away with your bike, it will send you a message. I thought it was an interesting idea. I don’t have anything to gain, I just thought it was interesting and thought I would pass it along.
http://www.wired.com/playbook/2013/03/b … s-tracker/
Their kickstarter page
That is great to know that they opened up the Grand Gap Trail! I am five hours away and I had to find a day, vacation or holiday, to go ride out there. It really is a great ride up above the river next to the cliffs.
Last time I rode in Big South Fork, Grand Gap was only open during the week days. It is open to hikers and equestrians on the weekends. Have they changed that. If they haven’t it is worth noting that Grand Gap Trail is a big piece of the whole experience at Big South Fork is only available Monday – Friday. Of course I haven’t ridden there since last May (Monday of the Memorial Day Weekend), so things could have changed. It is a great place to ride though! When I rode Grand Gap, parking is kind of limited at the trail head so I parked at the swimming pool and rode the forest roads up to the trail head. I think it adds about 3-4 miles to the ride.
I’ve been lurking for a few years and I’ve learned a lot. So here’s my first post on the forums.
Does anybody need an $8000 bike, nope. I have heard this expression dozens of times, but I think the question is phrased wrong. A need, at least expressed monetarily, is things like food, health, or shelter. So in that sense, no one needs a mountain bike at all, whether it is a $98 dollar big box bike or an $8000 bike. Bikes all fall into the category of WANTS as opposed to needs.
Personally, I think it is equally irresponsible to get a $98 bike you can’t afford as it is to get a $8000 bike you can’t afford. I saved for 18 months to get the bike I wanted. I put money away every week and I got a decent bike, it wasn’t an $8000 bike, but it was in Maddslacker’s more money than brain’s category in his article. I know it doesn’t make me a faster rider, better rider or any of those other things. Heck, I don’t even deserve it, because I don’t ride up to its potential. It does have quality components and hopefully will last a long time. I looked a long time, rode a lot of bikes at all price ranges, and rented the one I ended up with in California while on a business trip before I bought it. After that ride, I was sold. It was the best bike for me and what I like to do.
I read and followed a lot of you guy’s advice, except the one that said don’t spend $XXXX on a bike. I am as happy as I can be. I don’t need it, but I worked hard to get it and I enjoy riding it every day I can!
