0 points (view top contributors)
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
So stoked to see so many East Coast wishlist destinations. East Coast has so much awesome riding!
Also see several Arkansas references. I went to school at U of A a LONG time ago. Planning to get back to the area this year to check out the scene. Plan to knock a couple IMBA Epics off the list too.
Hope everyone makes it to their destination. Maybe I’ll see ya out there!
So I am curious — what is your trail?
Been riding a Reverb for several months now and really liking it. When I first got it, I kept forgetting I even had it. I had to program my mind to remember to use it. I feel like I have it dialed in pretty good now and love getting it out of the way for downhill section, technical sections, jumps & flow, etc. Been trying to fine-tune how much drop for different situations. In addition to the riding advantages, I also enjoy “dropping when stopping”. Can’t really imagine not having one now.
It might depend on where and how you ride, but I’d bet if you rode with disc breaks that you’d find your braking power and control isn’t near what it could be. But if you are happy, then keep keepin’ on!
2015 Santa Cruz 5010 Carbon C
2012 Santa Cruz Nickel
Messed up the ribs a couple of times, but nothing ever broken. Took a nice digger at Rocky Knob in Boone, NC last week on the PB&J trail. Didn’t feel great at the time. Nothing but a few scabs and a bruise left to remind me of it at this point. Need to get back down there for a retribution ride some day.
Bike vs. bike I agree with the rule of thumb that the uphill rider has the right of way. Rule of thumb being the key phrase here as there are a ton of variables.
I saw reference to Karma and common sense above, which are way more critical in my opinion. If I am going uphill and feel like I can easily/safely pull aside then I will unless the downhill rider has already waved me on. They’ve typically already earned their downhill, so let them enjoy it if you can.
I love it when I get in an “argument” with someone else on the trail because we are both trying to let the other one pass. That should be the norm and will prevent user conflict and bad vibes on the trail. I also try to assess the group size as mentioned above, as well as the rider’s skill level. If I can tell they are struggling a bit, I do everything I can to clear a path, let them through, and provide encouragement.
When it comes to hikers or horses, I go out of my way to be way too considerate and nice. I think it’s more important to spread the goodwill of mountain bikers than anything else going on. I cannot recall ever getting anything but positive vibes in return.
So, in short, just be considerate to all fellow trail users. If someone is still a jerk about it, just let it go and go ride your bike!
Full finger gloves all the time. My go to is Fox Digit.
I’d agree with OFF that a medium in most cases would probably work for you. I would recommend visiting some bike shops and just sizing things up from what’s available. Ask the bike shops if they know of any demo days scheduled for your area. I’d recommend test riding as many bikes as possible.
Depending on your budget, you could get a decent entry-level bike from the LBS to get things started or you could start scouring Craigslist for a nice used bike.
I can’t help you out on DH or DJ offerings in NJ, but I would take some time to get your bike handling skills dialed in before diving into that level. Although with your dirt bike background, it might be a quicker learning curve.
Regarding the mechanical side of things, check out Youtube for instructional videos on just about anything you can think of.
Best of luck! Keep us posted.
Santa Cruz!
During wet periods or freeze-thaw is a good time for trail maintenance. In fact, when it is wet is a great time to address drainage issues. The state park where I ride a lot has miles and miles fire roads, so that’s always an option. Or, like CCR noted, higher elevation trails with a rocky base that drain well are a good choice. I’ve had a few memorable wet rides in the mountains.
I primarily ride flats but have ridden SPD and the CB Candy. I agree with Jeff that the Candy is easier to get out of, which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your perspective. On the other hand I also found them easier to get into, which is helpful when clipping in on a climb or technical section. A friend of mine just switched to the CB Mallet, which has more of a platform. He likes them a lot.
I will steer clear on the trademark issue for now, but my buddy broke his Santa Cruz Blur frame and they sent him a new rear triangle under warranty. When he broke that they sent him a brand new Blur frame. Hard to beat a company that stands behind their product like that, and I can tell you they have a customer for life as result.
Five Ten Freeriders are great.
http://www.amazon.com/Five-Ten-Mens-Fre … B008XES5S4
I am currently riding the Danny Macaskills and like them a lot.
http://www.amazon.com/Five-Ten-Danny-Ma … +macaskill
I tried out the Sam Hills, but I think they are very heavy/bulky. Probably a better shoe for DH, which makes sense.
What tire pressure are you running?
So, how’s that Pulaski working out for ya?
+1 on Rogue tools. Good stuff.
Ultimately, it is personal choice. There are going to be some people that are just flat-out not interested and/or can’t be bothered with it. Keep in mind though, we don’t know everyone’s situation.
Maybe that guy that we think can’t be bothered works 50 hours a week, cares for an ill family member, and volunteers at the soup kitchen making sure people in need have something to eat. He may be doing everything he can do to cram a couple hours of riding into his schedule in an effort to remain sane.
Okay, I may be exaggerating (or maybe not), but my point is that I don’t judge. I just continue to try and spread the word and do what I can do to give back to the trails. I am a member of the Friends group and part of the local (volunteer) trail crew at a state park trail system. While there is great support from and partnership with the state park, the trails are built and maintained 100% by volunteers.
There are “Volunteers Needed” signs and flyers up in the park to drum up recruits, but the Friends group support goes far beyond just trail work. In addition to the Friends distribution, any volunteer registered with the state park system receives emails from the state park about volunteer opportunities, including trail work. We also use a website, Facebook, Meetup and local forums as a way to get the word out. If you can get someone to sign up, Meetup is a great communication tool. Overall, response is varied.
More recently, we had business cards made so if we encounter someone on the trails that expresses interest, we can hand them a card that lists the website, Facebook, and Meetup sites making it easy for them to find more information.
With all that, for the most part, it is the same small group of trail gnomes that do the majority of the planned building & maintenance. We are also the ones that are prone to spending a portion of our riding time removing debris, cutting up trees, inspecting wet sections, planning reroutes, etc. Once you commit to trail building/maintenance, it’s kind of hard to let go.
Sure, I volunteer a fair share of hours toward trail maintenance. I think it is fun and important. I don’t waste my energy getting frustrated that not everyone has the same perspective that I have. I conserve that energy for digging and riding. Oh, and partying. Sorry for partying!
Or buy Shimanos
Welcome aboard! I don’t live in AR any more, but still visit Little Rock once a year to see family. I rode Jackfork trail at Pinnacle a couple of years ago. Check out my write up at the link below. Last year, I took my son to ride Rabbit Ridge, which is a beginner trail across the road from Jackfork. It’s less than a mile long, but a fun little loop as well.
This year I rode Burns Park on two days, which was a lot of fun too.
I dug up an old post of mine from March 2013 – my first visit to FH.
http://escapingthedrearyconfines.wordpr … are-sweet/
If you search on Douthat, I am sure you will find more posts.
