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  • in reply to: Cracked Cradle – Garmin 60CSx #78487

    [quote="PghDragonMan"]After recent ride, I noticed that my GPS was not sitting as securely as I thought it should in the cradle attached to my bike. I discovered that the small "O" hole that helps anchor the GPS to the cradle has cracked.

    I’m getting a new Garmin cradle, but in conversation with someone else, I hear that this is a reoccuring problem with the stock 60CSx mounts.

    Has anyone else run into this?

    Has anyone found a good alternative to the Garmin mount?[/quote]

    I have the same Garmin and cradle…and have already cracked one cradle. Fortunately, the removable cradle parts are pretty inexpensive(dare I say "Cheap"?!?) – but, if that piece goes it usually means that your GPS is flying off your bike and rolling off into the brush somewhere.

    I think you can buy the replacement cradles at Bass Pro Outlet. I know that "RAM Line" makes after-market GPS accessories and they may offer something better. With the size/shape of that GPS and the banging that it takes on your bar, it’s going to happen.

    Just a suggestion to secure your investment…this may be a little redneck, but take a rubber band and do a couple loops around your GPS(between the buttons and screen) and the cradle to secure the GPS and keep it from bouncing out. This also helps if it rattles a little.

    Oh…and lay off the 20ft drops when you have your GPS on the handlebars – MOST of us don’t want to follow that track ANYWAAAAAAAY!
    😉

    in reply to: Why do I have to spit so much? #77631

    Wow…who woulda thunk that a thread about SPIT would be so popular!?! And furthermore…with alot of restraint and maturity, at that!

    I think I know the ‘sludge’ you’re talking about – I totally agree with the comments regarding allergies. I have a couple other suggestions to try in concert with the allergy medicine:

    1. You’re already doing this, but in addition to hydrating all day before a ride, I sip on a MEGAsize cup of water during the drive to the trailhead.

    2. Use what’s left of your water to do a hard swish and spit at the trail head when you’re getting ready to roll. Make sure to start sipping from your camelback right when you start riding – some people don’t think and ride til they’re thirsty which means you’re already dehydrated.

    3. You may even want to get a travel size bottle of mouthwash like Scope Peppermint that you can swish and spit before your ride that might clear your mouth out.

    4. Make sure that along with all the water you’re drinking, that you are getting some salts and electrolytes to ensure absorption. There are tons of electrolyte sources you can research. Maybe also try Trail mix, salty nuts, etc along with your pre-ride water that may help.

    Hey Mongoose…where are the ‘trail photos’ of all these hot girls riding in bikini tops?!? I’ll be checking the Markham and Oleta trail pages more often now!

    in reply to: looking for someone to ride with near cola sc #77201

    Just posted up a group ride opportunity that I’m putting together in Charlotte at the Catawba – US National Whitewater Center trails. Check in the SE Forum Index and respond if you are interested.

    I checked out your surrounding trails(ie-Harbison)…any chance you could get some photos/videos, maps, etc posted up for your local trails?

    in reply to: How far have you had to walk out? #74952

    Word Brother.
    😢

    in reply to: How far have you had to walk out? #74951

    New bike…2nd trip to the old Reddick, FL Razorback trail(on the new bike, 20-30x overall)…freak afternoon storm comes in from the Gulf – if you’re a Floridian, you know the ones – sunshine/mini-hurricane/then sun again with rediculous humidity. Now I have ridden when stuck in the rain out there before and just made the best of it.

    This was no normal rain…had to have been 2-3" in less than an hour. If you’ve never ridden FL limestone when it gets really wet – it is literally like slimy, greased rock…with the same kind of fate when you fall on it as coral bottom if you were surfing and got drug on it.

    When I was about 5-6mi into the loop and had enough sog, sliding down iced razor stone, when I heard a couple trees crack as the lightning hit, I was not having fun anymore…I saw Paulie(the gatemaster) riding the scooter cross trail back to the lot – I followed him out half walk/half ride. Water got in through my seat post, took about 2-3 days to dry the inside of my frame out.

    That’s my only walk-out…no matter what the circumstances(barring MAJOR mechanical issues), shoring up the problem and riding out is always better!

    in reply to: Keeping ear buds in? #75127

    I’ve recently gone back to taking my satellite mp3 player out on my regular local trail rides…still hold off on trails which I am not familiar.

    Recently, during a ride at the USNWC/"Catawba" which is one of my weekly staples – a funny coincedence occurred. I had my mp3 player set to random – On two separate and very challenging uphills(Carpet Trail and Goat Hill) the random landed on two selections I put on the player for keeping the kids at bay while in the car or whatever.

    Now…you know that when you commit to a particularly challenging climb – to take a ‘dab’ at the foot of a hill and click forward >> on the music is just NOT an option. So I chose to endure…first climb, Carpet option left, just as I start…Oh CR@P: "Barney – If all the raindrops were lemondrops and gumdrops" – Why hast thou forsaken me??!?!? Suprisingly…I think I trolled up with about the lowest heart rate ever. Which is usually the opposite when I hear Barney back in the world!

    Second…Goat Hill…THE ABUSER! Craggy beginning that wants to reach up and eliminate your ascent right from the get-go…then alternating switchbacks that vary from perpindicular to straight-up turns into the hill – followed by a downhill breather back into a straight-up 50-60ft climb. Real fun section, but I always tend to take a break at the old start gate at the top just to get back under 170bpm. I drop in to approach the Goat Hill crags – random strikes again! "Kermit de Frog – Rainbow Connection" – OK you have got to be #$% kidding me. I decided in my O2 deprived stupor to test the theory…rode it out and had one of my top 3 ascents ever on that section – the only one better there was when I kept it on my middle ring all the way(I was in END of season condition, mind you). I had been off almost 6wks prior to this climb due to a cracked frame warranty this year – which in itself surprised me. But there I was…finishing the climb like a champ – passing by my normal stop-point and singing along "THE LOVERS, THE DREAMERS, AND ME"….B!TCHE$!! That last part was my own PG13 version – gave it a little more Phelps Gangsta-tude prep to it.

    I do remember my cousin always saying she listend to classical during her triathlons because it chilled her out and helped with staying in the zone. I don’t know how this theory applies with the Barney and Kermit dimension – but too funny not to share, just the same! The moral…next time you’re having a tough time tackling a real challenging set of ups – load up some "Wiggles" and let the good times roll!

    By the way…back to my original reason for posting… I’m using some Panasonics that are standard hard plastic buds, no foam, that rest just in front of the ear…the most important feature are the attached ‘hooks’ that go over the top and around the back of your ear to hold them in place. I have never had a problem with these moving around during a ride and since they don’t obstruct the ear canal, I can still hear pretty much everything that is not ambient – other riders, people talking, bears licking their lips, etc. They are easy to clean with an anti-bac wipe and they are CHEAP($10-15), so no loss if I break them.

    Here’s an example:
    http://www.panasonic.ca/english/accesso … S33G_D.asp

    Hope this helps….have fun, keep it off Vol 10, and listen for the "RIDER FRONT" because it may be me!

    in reply to: Newbie Here….Please HELP!!! #74822

    One more thing…when you start looking for trails…Singletracks.com has an AWESOME trailfinder tool where you can find trails within a certain radius of your zip code. Here’s an example for Fayetteville, NC using a 50mi radius:

    http://www.singletracks.com/php/zipcode … &radius=50

    I use this all the time when someone asks me about trails in a particular area or if I’m traveling and looking for good trails to ride. Looks like there are a couple real easy trails and greenway types of rides in your area to cut your teeth on!

    in reply to: Newbie Here….Please HELP!!! #74821

    [quote="EZ-E"]Welcome Greene…
    I agree with many of the comments above – you definitely chose the right time of year to shop. I would strongly recommend a reputable local bike shop(LBS) in your area for your purchase, here are some reasons why:

    1. Since you are starting out of the gate, you may not know as well what ‘feels right’ with the fit of a bike. A good bike shop will give you one-on-one service to fit you to a bike, this means they will pull a bike off the rack and put you on it on a spin trainer(back tire on a roller so you can sit on it and pedal in place). They will have you sit and pedal, stand and pedal, etc while they stand back and watch your posture and general body geometry/form to the size and settings of the bike. This will help you build the correct feel and technique right from the get-go.

    2. Being local, the shop will be easy to get to for all maintenance and warranty needs. Going with a bike shop is like choosing a gym, a house, a spouse, etc! It should be considered the start of a long, mutually beneficial relationship. You want this to be a place where you are on a first name basis with the management. If you stick with the sport, you want this place to be the first place you choose to go to with regard to: the knowledge and attitude of the staff, the availability of merchandise/parts, do you think you may branch into other kinds of riding?(if so, do you see different types of bikes in the shop?).
    There are shop reviews on this website…with that said make sure to add your valuable comments on shops, trails, trail status(Open/Closed/Wet-Sketchy), take pictures of trails and post them, any local events upcoming for the trail, and Eat/Stay/Do "Things to Do" topics around the trail – all this can easily be updated on Singletracks.com for your fellow riders. The MORE we communicate helpful information for others, the better this online community serves us all!

    3. Ask around and maybe some folks on this forum will comment on the best companies for warranty service. I’ve had great experiences with Trek for warranty repair/replacement for over 10yrs. Maybe some other folks can provide other options. You want to be confident that if you ever need to go back to your LBS where you bought your bike with a warranty issue THEY should take over from there with the manufacturer. This is a good question to ask when purchasing…don’t accept "Sure, there’s a warranty" ask for details of how they manage warranties.

    4. This is the right time of the year to start. The 2008(and maybe some remaining 2007) models of bikes will start going on sale as the shops are preparing for the winter months(drop in demand) and they are moving inventory to make room for the 2009 bikes inbound. It’s also a great season to start riding, cooler(maybe drier) weather will make for easier commuting and better trail conditions. It will also be easier on you since building "ride stamina" is in a class all its own. Doesn’t matter how in shape you are…you will have some days where you are just hatin’ it – just starting, stop as soon as possible and don’t burn yourself on it. There will be another day and if it takes, you will start to get the cravings for some singletrack. Even after the worst ride, give it three days and most riders have "reset" and are ready to hit it again!

    5. Given the riding I think I understand you’re planning on…I think a "hardtail" is the way to go. No suspension in the rear with a shock on the front. This will be keep cost and weight down. It will also be most conducive to all the riding conditions from commuting on the road to hitting some green and blue trails(see the "Mountain Bike Trail" statistics on this website – similar to ski slope ratings). The hardtail may also help with building your ride technique and learning the feel of the bike on the trail – full suspension and other upgrades(ie- clipless pedals) are things you can move to depending on what type of riding you decide you like best. A mountain bike’s handlebar configuration will also give you more control than a road bike starting out. You may also want to evaluate discussions regarding 26" vs 29" wheel diameters.

    6. Consider some pannier packs if you’re going to be a serious commuter, may take the stress off carrying cargo on your person. There are pannier racks that quickly disconnect from your bike so you can hit the trails after work.

    7. Don’t forget the extras…While you will save $$ going with the hardtail. You will still need to consider the helmet, shoes, water pack, gloves, clothes, accessories, etc.

    Hope this info helps…have fun and if you would like trail recommendations or want to partner up with a fellow Singletracks rider, post up on the forum as I’m sure there are members in your area who’d be happy to show you the ropes. Happy trails! ~~~

    in reply to: Newbie Here….Please HELP!!! #74820

    Error…scroll down…

    in reply to: Newbie Here….Please HELP!!! #74819

    Error…scroll down…

    in reply to: Newbie from NC (Wionston-Salem) area #74602

    Welcome! As mentioned above, you are in a perfect location in which to practice this sport and lifestyle!

    Just a suggestion to mix it up and also maybe save a little commute time instead of heading through WS and GSO traffic all the way to the trails in Greensboro…there are a couple trails on Singletracks up in Mt Airy, which is a few miles closer with less traffic:
    – Fisher River(Easier of the two): http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=816

    – Westwood(appears to have sections which are a bit more difficult): http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=741

    These would make great "work day" rides.

    Another AWESOME trail to help you work up to a ride like the trails at Tsali and it’s only about an 45mi west of you is the Over Mountain Victory ("OMV") trail: http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=1842
    OMV is a perfect trail for a hardtail offering flowing trail with few uphills of any significant length and a great opportunity to improve your cornering and handling at speed along with stamina training(5.5 out-n-back=11mi total lap)

    There are a few more trail networks in the same area as OMV which require more technical skills and endurance, so good goals for a novice rider to work toward…
    Dark Mountain: http://www.singletracks.com/php/trail.php?id=752

    Fish Dam Creek & Warrior Creek: http://www.bmcc.us/kerr_scott.htm

    Have fun and be safe…maybe we’ll see you on the trails!

    in reply to: Charlotte Area Mountain Bike Trail Map #73481

    I had a vm back that the trail coordinator is meeting with Parks & Rec this Friday, Aug. 8th. I know that’s only two days…I just don’t want this one little issue to continue to jam up all of the great work that you have all ready to go.
    I only held on this long because I assume these maps involve stuff going into print and I wanted to have the most accurate info.

    If I hear anything this Friday, I will post ASAP. But…the "Huntersville Freeride Trail" name is not so far off-base that it wouldn’t be recognized.

    Thanks again!

    in reply to: 29ers or 26ers? #74365

    OK – I’ll bite! 😆

    First…there are too many comments that I’ve seen to quote, so I’ll just throw out a general post.

    I remember when I loved my 20", single-speed(hmmm?), BMX bike…building trails in the woods because we all know that the woods and construction sites were some of the key spots where we could get our fix when the BMX tracks were closed and locked. I remember seeing 26" "ATB’s" start filtering into shops in the 80’s and the folks in the shops saying it was the future. I still loved riding my 20" BMX bike too much to even flinch. Funny that many of the same arguments above could be made back then: speed(20 vs 26), gears, center of gravity, along with durability. Remember when some manufacturers even produced 24" BMX bikes.

    Personally, and I think some may agree, I think that the 29 was the birthchild of some engineers behind a shop on a 4:20 break – saying:
    "OK, we go UP 3in. more in wheel diameter, BUT we go BACK to single-speed and a rigid frame! The geometry will take care of itself!"
    Then they woke up the next day and said "You mean they actually bought that?!?" This is not a dig against 29ers or that their riders have bought into a conspiracy…personally I love to see the lifestyle and sport continue to evolve to our benefit! That’s what got us to your 26", fully sprung, disc brake, alum./carbon fiber/Ti bike-du-jour that is now mainstream.

    Any question as to my belief in 29’s being OK…I am really anxious to see the Trek 69er up close and personal! A 29" front and 26" rear hybrid – now THAT’S a real PLATYPUS!!:
    http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/20 … pfuel69er/

    http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/20 … nglespeed/
    The only thing I wonder with these 69ers is with a 26" rear, would that decrease some of the top speed capabilities realized by 29ers since the rear wheel is your pedal-power wheel?

    Here are some of the thoughts around the 29’s:
    – There was a question as to WHY 29’s weren’t the go-to diameter/dimension instead of the 26. I think this is a simple answer of improvements over time in design, strength of materials, production, etc. Designs and materials of the 80’s and 90’s were not feasible or cost too much for the average consumer, the market had to evolve.

    – I agree and believe there is a higher center-of-gravity on 29s varying on geometry of the frame to compensate…but in the end we’re talking about raising the heaviest part of the bike – you…the meat puppet – anywhere upwards around 1.5 inches. That will raise COG or you will compensate with some changes to the frame geometry which then fool with the characteristics of the ride. So..higher COG means a bit more low speed instability, and some instability landing air – especially on unsure terrain. Not saying it can’t be done, you’ll get used to the feel of whatever bike you ride often – just be prepared if you are already unsure of your capabilities on your 26.

    – 29s have a longer wheelbase – both +’s and -‘s here. Another technical control vs stability at speed argument.

    – I think 29s do have better obstacle roll-over capability due to contact angle of the tire. But, if you try to compensate too much for COG(above) – you take away one of the enhancements of a 29" wheel – namely, frame clearance(BB) in some circumstances.

    – 29’s cover more distance per revolution of the wheel, however it takes a little more time and maybe umf to get rolling. I’ve heard "faster acceleration" but I don’t completely buy into that. Acceleration may not seem like a big deal – but this is where you look at WHAT you ride. Do you frequent long flowing ‘track with minimal turns in the 60-90 degree range? Great, this kind of trail would allow you to keep those big wheels turnin…takin you home to your kin!
    But if you’re on trails with technical, hard turns where you are going 20mph and then 2mph over and over, this may tend to wear on you over the distance and your 26" may be the way to go.
    Most of us have a mix of both types of trail options – so that’s where the decision making comes in and you have to decide what you want coupled with what you can spend.

    – As far as the bike doing "my work for me"… I AM ALL FOR IT! Here’s the contradiction of the statement in the forum post above…how many of us have a bike that matches this description: 26", Fully Sprung, disc or V brakes, made with some exotic materials. If you’re riding this kind of bike(or something close to it), then you believe in having THE BIKE do as much work and taking as much abuse SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO! That’s one of the big reasons for technology and innovation – Better, Faster, Stronger! The only image I can think of that would represent a true "purist" would be something like this:
    http://www.louisvillebicycleclub.org/gifs/lwbike2.jpg

    – The bigger the diameter the wheel(ie-from 20" to 26" to 29"), the more chance of the infamous TACO from sideways torsion. However, some of this has been answered over the years in strength of design and materials.

    – Cost…some 29 products/components may be more difficult to find and their price may be a little higher than what you would expect to pay for standard 26" stuff. I think the cost aspect is minimal – probably more the availability that’s the pain, for now anyway.

    – And then there’s the "Windows Effect"…Notice how when a new version of something comes out – there are those bold few who camp out in front of the store, riding the wave, with caution thrown to the wind? Well, that’s where the Windows Effect applies(MAC users fill-in-the-blank with say, "iPhone Effect" here). Now, this effect faults neither party, the fanatic who is on the cutting edge or those of us who laugh at them sitting in the snow as we watch the 11 o’clock news from our cozy dens with a bourbon in-hand and a naked woman massaging our back…What? Isn’t that how YOU watch the news?
    Point being…the pioneer hangs it out there and experiences all that the new technology and design has to offer – along with some of the flaws and cost that goes with first iterations to the market.
    Those of us who follow the bushwhacked path may save some dough and we also benefit in the long-term improvements to designs that have been made due to enterprise competition, shop returns(learning about inferior desings from broken frames/components and such), customer comments/market response, etc.
    The downside there…we the slow-pokes may be missing out on something great and if no one takes that initial plunge the market for the new product dies and innovation dies with it.

    The 29 wave is not for me – yet. I love my current wheels with all the gears I care to flip at the tips of my fingers – I also don’t have the dough to throw around. But…I remember my mindset when I was a kid in the 80’s thinking my BMX bike is ALL I’ll ever need. Peace be to all – 26 & 29 alike!

    in reply to: Charlotte Area Mountain Bike Trail Map #73479

    My mistake! I agree – I think between the two that both maps would give some great coverage.

    I’ve been to Owl’s Roost up there and much of that was because ofmy surfing around on Singletracks.com.

    Anytime you can make it down to the Charlotte area and want some trail suggestions or would like to ride, just shoot me a PM and we’ll catch up.

    Have a good one!

    in reply to: Charlotte Area Mountain Bike Trail Map #73477

    [quote="lmxloco"]Keep in mind, too, that you also have Uwharrie on the Greensboro/Triad area list, and it’s always possible bike shops would want to have lists for both areas since it’s only an 1 1/2 hour drive. I’ve driven much farther than that to ride. 😮[/quote]

    I can understand the point and I’ll be the first to tell you I love roadtrips to trails! I used to drive a 3+hr round trip every weekend when I lived in an area not as "blessed" as ours! Yet, being left with a limited amount of slots for the trail one-pager, I think it’s best to focus on the 15 trails based on proximity to the "Metro Area" since it is an area-specific map.

    While some of the Charlotte trails which are listed don’t compare to Uwharrie based on attritubes such as length or technical difficulty, I think the trails which are listed for the Charlotte area provide:
    1. A wide range to choose from based on rider experience

    2. Some of the shorter local trails have particular characteristics which are important to include more riders tastes, ie- Jetton is designed for trikes, Huntersville Freeride offers more technical trail features(built structures) by distance than any other published trail, Harrisburg is a circuit trail for short-track racing, etc.

    3. More options for the local shop owner to point their customer to great trails closest to the shop. If the customer gets ‘hooked’ then they might go to the Singletracks website for more challenging options farther away or they ask their LBS for more options

    4. I think Singletracks metro area maps should have the most coverage for the areas they summarize. Singletracks.com might even find value in sending some Greensboro maps to Charlotte and vice-versa since our areas are so close. So, if there is double coverage on the two maps that’s one less trail recommendation out of thirty possible trails.

    Good points – not trying to beat down your position, these are just some of the considerations I made when trying to eliminate a trail. Looking forward to seeing the final product!

    in reply to: Charlotte Area Mountain Bike Trail Map #73475

    I’m thinking that Uwharrie NF is the one that gets scratched to make room. Here’s my reasoning:
    1. It is the farthest trail in the group from Charlotte
    2. It refers to the entire national forest and not specific trails there
    3. It skews the map…forces you to draw an arrow pointing to the location

    Hope that info helps…
    I put the call in today(Wednesday) and left a message…will let you know if I hear anything. Thanks!

    in reply to: Charlotte Area Mountain Bike Trail Map #73473

    I’ve made attempts to get the final name to wrap this up, but haven;t had any response. I will make one more attempt today. Otherwise, I would just recommend we go with the most reasonable and descriptive name that relates to the location and style of the trail which I’ve heard: "Huntersville Freeride Trail"

    I’ve already forwarded the location and details. I will post out here later today or first thing tomorrow if I hear any response my phone call. Thanks.

    in reply to: Charlotte Area Mountain Bike Trail Map #73471

    I have the OK from the trail coordinator, he has also since provided the tentative trail name and a description which I will try and get briefed down so that it fits on your map.

    I captured the GPS coordinates which I will forward to you as well.

    One concern I have is the name the coordinator gave me is "Huntersville Mountain Bike Park". He is waiting on the Parks & Rec folks to approve that name. Here’s the deal…there is already a profile out there for a trail at the Huntersville Athletic Park, which is a different location. It is a cr@ppy trail and I’d hate to have a great freeride trail getting confused with a trail which is so-so and somewhat in disrepair. I don’t want to hold you up, but I also would hate for you to publish and have the info be changed.

    The good news is that once this part gets finalized, the Singletracks city map will be the most up-to-date map of which I am aware. I’ll keep you posted.

    in reply to: Charlotte Area Mountain Bike Trail Map #73469

    Good news! I heard from the trail sponsor regarding the new trail in Huntersville. He gave the green light to go ahead and show the trail on the map.

    In fact, he mentioned they should be just a few weeks away from having the county Parks & Rec division out to take a final look at the trail and give approval if everything looks good! He agreed this is good timing for the trail to show up on the map your putting together to get the word out that it exists. I’m assuming that as soon as they have the P&R approval that the trail profile will be created on Singletracks. I’m sure just as with the Poston Trail and Fisher Farm Trail in the area, that this trail may start with limited distance but will continue to grow in length and enhancements.

    I am waiting for an email with the planned name of the trail and a brief description for the map. Once I receive, I will PM the trailhead coordinates along with the other details to you ASAP!

    Thanks for hanging in there!

    in reply to: Charlotte Area Mountain Bike Trail Map #73466

    [quote="trek7k"]Yo EZ-E, heard anything yet on the new trail in Huntersville?[/quote]

    I’ve been on the road the past three weeks…had to travel for a family emergency. I do have a call in to the trail coordinator for the new Huntersville trail and I already have the approximate trailhead coordinates.

    Just need to get the OK to publish from the trail coordinator and what the decision is for the permanent name of the trail.

    I really believe that this trail will be a perfect addition to the map since it is brand spanking new, the trail has received the public blessing from the town government, and it will be the only PUBLIC trail in the Charlotte area with a freeride flavor offering all kinds of technical trail features.

    Thanks for hanging in there….as I mentioned, my life has really been upside down for almost a month now.

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