Ridenfool

I recall seeing a video while researching flats that showed a rider trying to climb a slickrock dome and thinking that the flats were keeping him from cleaning it (after several attempts) when his clipped-in friend could. Then, his clipped-in friend rode the bike with flats up that hill. After that, the rider was able to clean the climb on his bike with flats. We all play mind-games with ourselves. Some of us know this and look for more repeatable, science-based answers before reaching a conclusion. Some don't.

Seth seems to think that ego plays a factor in this. I agree with @Gotdirt's assessment that there is nothing conclusively supporting Seth's claims. It is mostly about personal preference, and just because his preference is different doesn't make it accurate for everybody else. If we were to base such decisions upon Seth's prowess then we'd have to also say how riding clipless results in broken handlebars, frames, and other things. Which wouldn't be any more of a rational argument than the one he has posed.

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=electric+off+road+motorcycles&t=h_&iax=images&ia=images

If it doesn't have pedals it isn't a bicycle, it's a motorcycle. Zero, KTM, and others have had electric motorcycles for some time. The folks who put on the 24 hours of Rocky Hill have used a Zero for event prep work on the trail for many years.

If you look closely, you might see a brake pedal. Does that count? Thanks for the clarification on the origin of the park, and of the trails. Quite a diversion from the lore I'd heard for years. The first time I rode there was in the early 80's on an RM400. It was a grunt then. My buddy broke a case cover on his bike and we never went back. It was at least twenty years before I finally returned on a MTB. Still a grunt.

That was some beeyouteaful prose there RedRider3141. It was touching, but, I slapped it as soon as that happened and the touching stopped. Thank goodness. Maybe it was the medz ....

I didn't know there were such a thing. 'bout time! Still, I'm diggin' the flats, and seeing videos of riders doing the things I like to do, or want to do, while riding flats tells me that it is only me holding me back and not the pedals.

I've heard a rumor that AustinBike will inspect the trail tomorrow. But, it is just a rumor.

My confidence in sketchy shit went up considerably with the ability to get off the bike no matter what. I've had too many instances with clipless where I wish I could have unclipped, but the circumstances didn't allow it. These usually ended with my spilling blood or otherwise experiencing pain. It made me less likely to try something. Instead, I'd unclip, stop, and walk it in many cases, rather than play the odds. The realization of how this latent concern about getting unclipped gets in the way of developing skills, for me, was the most significant reason for moving to flats. I broke a wrist ten or so years ago because I was unable to get out of the pedals and fell down slope. Not something I want to repeat.

For me this aspect of "better" was more a matter of developing technique than anything else. The more I ride the flats the less I miss clipless. I like the analogy of skateboard vs. skates to paint the picture of flats vs. clipless. I always preferred riding skateboard because in a pinch I could step off, and I couldn't get detached from the skates in a moment. Granted, clipless is better than toe clips, but flats with the combination of pins and the right shoes seem to be more grippy, offer a larger platform for my foot, and provide that critical "I gotta get off this thing RIGHT NOW!" option that wasn't always there for me with clipless.

You may want to consider some shin and calf protection, at least during the familiarization phase. Those pins will eat flesh and bone at the slightest provocation. Like while stopping and putting a foot down, walking the bike through a section that stopped you, etc. Early on after moving to flats I had an endo and was able to easily step over the bars and walk on down the trail as the bike crashed behind me. After that I realized I would have added another OverTheBarScarClub scar had I been using clipless. That sold me on flats. Still getting the hang of jumps, hops, etc with them. Too many habits left from being attached that just don't work with flats.

Considering how Emma Long has been a motorcycle trail for decades longer than it was used as a MTB trail, probably not much. Other than the lines will revert to being preferable for a motorcycle, and maintenance work applied by that user group will further reflect this bias, as those trails were specifically designated for motorcycle use when the park was donated to the city.

Looking at DarkSky weather forecast and it tells me things will be drying out quite nicely all week, then, ... ... we will receive 1.4 inches of rain on Friday, just in time for the weekend. How nice.

That's too much like riding road. What if somebody recognized me? The embarrassment would be too much. Though that 4 mile loop around the block does have a gravel section. It is just so boring for me to ride on roads. Maybe now's the time to spend a few hours in the yard working on hops, wheelies, and that sort of thing. 😎

FRR is too far for me to drive to tomorrow, so, looks like another weekend without a ride, unless I do the 4 miles of paved and dirt "around the block" here on the border of two counties. Hope the Excruciation Exam riders made it out of RHR and back to Bluff Creek Ranch today without too much of the trail stuck to them. Got the pedals and tires installed, along with a MuckyNutz fender up front just in case rain becomes a permanent thing. Now looking for a Binford handlebar mounted trail dryer attachment.

Anyone got the low-down on: Pace Bend (Edit: Got it straight from the Wookie. Too wet.) Madrone (Thanks Natas1321 for the update. Too wet.) Flat Rock (Edit: Jimmy posted on his site that "things are mostly dry this afternoon" on Jan 3. )

Werd? Anyone checked the depth of the mud?

What is this "ride" word of which you speak?

Seemed timely to put this thread back on top. Just sayin'

Oh, good to see I wasn't the example ...

Oh yes, replacement set as I converted early last year. My trainer flats are being retired. Now that I mention it, so is the bike. It will be re-tired when I put the pedals on. Have some fresh tread to install as well.

The damage the accumulated grit from riding in the wet causes to suspension seals, chain, derailleur, dropper, etc. might be reason enough, even for someone who might disrespect the efforts of trail builders without a second thought.

This could be a Pivotal moment for you. Maybe you could get them to reimburse the lift fee if you buy a bike. (or, do you think they might be ponying up for lift rides on their demos?)

So, you think paying for a lift ticket while being exposed to known carriers of newbikeitus is some kind of fun, do ya?

If Pace Bend is rideable on Sunday I might bring them out there to play. (keeping fingers crossed that anything might dry well enough to ride)