Ridenfool

Why not? Went for a short ride today, rode out to the 6-mile bail, picked up Leaping Lizards and on the way back looked forlornly at what used to be Y-Knot. This is a trail I built, twice (long story), as an alternative to riding the fenceline. It never seemed to catch on and not enough traffic means it grew over without bikes to keep the tread established. I had some time, so flipped a U on fenceline and took off to see what was left of it. There was enough of it left to follow in most places, but in others I'd have to stop and look around for ribbons, reflectors, or other markers. There I was picking my way through, embracing visions of bringing a rake and some tools for trimming in order to reclaim it. I got to another of those spots where I couldn't find where it went, and I wandered this way, then that way, knowing I would find another clue. As I stopped to look around I put a foot down, sitting calmly looking through the woods for evidence of the old trail. What's that? Ouch! Did I lean into a cactus thorn? Pick up a Fire Ant? OH FUCK NO, nothing that benign, I had stopped my bike on top of a fucking SUBTERRANEAN YELLOW JACKET MISSILE BASE, and they had gone to DefCon 1. I hurriedly abandoned the bike and trotted off, then rolled on the ground thirty or so feet away trying to lose them. The little bastards hit me hard. Between fifteen and twenty confirmed hits to my legs and a couple to an arm. It hurt. Badly. Some were still stuck to several places attempting repeated strikes, as their weapons deployment system allows for that ability. Looking back I see how they are holding my bike hostage, as its rear tire was still sitting just beside the entrance to their secret lair. They were trying to sting the tire, the pedal, the frame, and taunting me to come back and join their fun. Boy were they pissed. Clearly, they don't entertain often as their manners regarding guests were deplorable. Creeping slowly and carefully toward the bike. Watching the enemy movements, waiting for them to head back in for iced tea, or to reload their stingers, or whatever they do once the threat has passed. After five minutes or so I felt things were at an acceptable level of risk and I inched closer. All the while asking myself if it might be worth it to just let them have the bike in order to avoid further attack. No, I've got to get the bike, but must sneak in, slowly, slowly, then grab the handlebar and try to avoid hanging the seat on the tree it had fallen into and in a fluid motion move away briskly to a reasonably safe distance before turning to look and see if they were headed my way again. Somehow I managed to evade further injury, but they had walloped me pretty good already. The trail archeology expedition was abandoned, and I pushed the bike through the woods toward a road or pipeline ROW I could use to get out. Once this was accomplished, I wandered over to the fenceline trail I had left earlier and headed on back to he parking lot via Black Trac. Which I had planned on riding as I hadn't been on that trail in a few years. It had been much improved and sported several re-routes to avoid some fall-line trail sections that were problems in the past. That really ugly climb out to the road was no longer part of the trail and I won't miss it much. I limped on back to the van without further drama. After loading up, I administered a Ruby Redbird, for medicinal purposes, then headed home. Once there, I got a shower and attempted to become as relaxed as I could while suffering the aftermath of the onslaught I had endured. At this time, relaxed, safe in the confines of my home, the pain seemed to ramp up, ... to eleven. Maybe twelve. The effects of the chemical agents employed by those vicious winged devil-creatures was so severe that I was twitching and groaning in spasms as the waves of searing pain wafted through my nervous system. This got the Mrs. a little worried. Even the air conditioning blowing on my legs was incredibly painful. Here I am now writing about this thirteen hours after the event and the stings still hurt like hellfire itself has been poured onto my legs, though the level of pain has subsided from wildly excruciating to, maybe, "fresh honey bee swarm stings" at this point. I don't expect to sleep very well. At least I have an answer to "Why not" as it seems that nature provided a good reason for me to have just pedaled on past it and up the fenceline instead of looking into reviving this fading trail. BTW, the trail surfaces at RHR were in great shape a few days after the rains. Update: 21 hours later and the stings are at the point of feeling like day-old fire ant bites. Next comes the itching.

The most important thing to improve is smooth flow down the trail. Regardless of speed. Regardless of technicality. The skills and techniques, as folks have attested to, apply to both bikes. On FS you may not "need" some specific skill, but it doesn't prevent you from learning it. "Being forced to" on the unsuspended frames sounds a lot like the stereotypical Catholic School nun who is always ready to whack you across the fingers with the ruler in order to teach you something. 😱 There is no doubt in my mind that those riding hardtails have to focus a lot more in order to navigate the same trail than a FS rider will need to. I can also understand how riding one of those bikes can raise awareness to alternate lines, obstacle avoidance, and scanning ahead for the features that will be more of an issue for that rider it they want to be smooth through that section. With that knowledge the same rider can take those lines with the FS and often realize an improvement in smoothness and flow too. The rider on the FS can do that anyway, without riding a bike with no or only front suspension. It is wonderful that riders can choose to go to the school of hard knocks, or, to the school of this bike rocks to work on their lessons. 😎 Either way, there will be a test that includes both multiple choice and practical elements.

Full Suspension is easier, no shit. So is 29 and 27.5, 1x11, the list goes on. This "easier" technology allows the rider to focus on developing other skills BECAUSE they aren't having to compensate for the shortcomings of a hardtail, fixie, singlespeed, blah, blah, blah. Sure, I get how riding these less advanced technologies is a challenge (century old tech), and I'm all for people pursuing challenges, it builds character. That's how I think of the people I see riding bikes like that. Good for them! The fact remains, skills can be developed on any bike. Some bikes these skills are developed because you have to. Others you may develop a skill on because you want to. Adding skill and technique are necessary to improve the riding experience. This is more about the rider than it is about the bike.

I just figure if it can support the mass of a rider on the saddle on bumpy trails, hanging thirty pounds of bike on it in the stand should be a cake walk. (taking care to avoid scratching the surface that the seal slides on)

Is it only a matter of time before E-bikes with dead batteries litter the trail, reported stolen and covered by insurance because the owners didn't want to carry it out from where it gave up the ghost?

As I had worked very hard for many, many years to achieve that particular level of, as you call it, lack of conditioning, atrophied muscle groups, and lifestyle habits that make it worse, there had to be a way to achieve MTB happiness without squandering that treasure trove of blessings. With all of the accumulated time, money, and effort put into gaining those attributes, it seemed obvious that moving to a full squishy (a used Giant NRS, back in the day) was the only way to ride more often with no more pain and suffering than absolutely necessary. (keeping in mind the mantra of "If you aren't bleeding, you aren't having fun") I've never thought twice about it since and wouldn't ride a hardtail on anything but a sidewalk.

Caveat, if riding a hardtail often results in pain in the lower back, tailbone, etc. that prevents you from riding as often, consider a full squishy as a welcome and needed upgrade.

Get a line on BSS's rental fleet. When they refresh there are some good deals to be had there. Also, look for closeouts online for models from previous years. Great deals can be had there as well, and you are buying new.

This is something I did earlier this year and so far am pleased with the change to 27.5+ as the traction and overall handling is much improved, particularly in the technical stuff. I do notice a slight difference on the climbs, but am getting used to it and would not go back. Running 3.0 front and rear, though I could probably go skinnier on the back. I'm not a fan of clicky/noisy rear hubs (most people like that sort of thing it seems), but other than that the wheels are doing the job nicely. The wheelset I found are the Spank Oozy Trail 395+, purchased from JensonUSA during a sale. This might be a backup plan if you can apply one of Jenson's discount codes, or, can find the set on sale somewhere.

I do it like CrossPlane describes, keeping it clean and clamping to the dropper post, or just hanging the bike by the seat like AB for quick work. Clamping to the frame always seems rather awkward with a higher risk of marring the paint.

C'mon, it's a frame, cassette, and derailleur for 3-4K Euro, This is a $1000 Hammer, pliers, and screwdriver set.

Only after Giant, Specialized and Trek start putting them in frames will we begin to see the lower prices that only competition and high production numbers bring. Until then, I'll watch for these boutique Pinion equipped bikes on the trail and learn what I can from those who are the early adopters. Rohloff seems to have the greater following of any of the sealed gearbox choices.

I've been following these sorts of drives for a long time. DeVinci and Rolloff in the rear hub, and others like this one. Still waiting to see the development of a gearbox in this location attached to a full suspension frame. I would like to see a DeVinci type drive in that location rather than adding unsprung weight to the wheel. Set the torque level and go, no shifting evah. Once such a beast is in production I'll still have to wait a few years and try to pick one up on the used market as the price will likely be a whopper ...

Sometimes a banana is just a banana? In all honesty RidingAgain, you do sometimes come across as a little thin-skinned and tend to respond defensively whenever someone points out how something you posted was perceived by them. When I get consistently aligned feedback from multiple sources I'll take an honest look at myself and try to understand how I left that impression. Not everyone will respond to feedback the same way. This is merely another unbiased observation. I've got no dog in this hunt and merely offer another opinion from the peanut gallery. You seem like an okay fellow, except for possibly having a chip teetering precariously upon your shoulder from time to time. Happy Trails

Based upon experience Rocky Hill should be dry with the possibility of a few puddles. It dries quickly in all but a few places, and with no rain for several days the surface ought to be in fine shape for the weekend.

Upon completing the story the thing that came to mind was that of missionaries in spandex robes bringing the gospel of the Church of the Knobby Tire to the unwashed masses. Then, I started reading the comments, and the whiny-assed, self-centered downhiller writes about how they think somehow in their perfect world everyone would always just get out of their way. That all uphill riders should be forced via a twisted version of trail etiquette that caters to those in a position to do the most harm to be sure to get out of their way, or else! Clearly, the people championing this in those comments are either trolls, or, they simply aren't "big picture" thinkers by any stretch of the imagination. The mere aspect of physics involved, alone, if grasped by these riders should be enough for anyone, with what used to be basic education, to understand the safety aspect of the downhill rider being the one required to yield. If the downhill rider is unable to yield on a public two-way trail they are riding too fast for the conditions. Pure and simple. Easy to grasp, once Ego is removed from the thought process. Save that shit for places that cater to providing that kind of riding, unencumbered by trail users moving in the opposite direction. Instead, use the public two-way riding environment to take advantage of the opportunity to practice braking, slowing, stopping, while sharing the public trails with other users. Such riders who rang in supporting this bozo are the very people the author was writing about who are taking the heart and soul from the mountain biking community. It isn't all about YOU, it is about US. May the blessed Knobby Tire redeem the body and soul of these blasphemers to be re-purposed as trail armoring, or maybe as a rolling grade dip(shit), Fool Disclosure: I like going downhill as much as the next guy, and, I'm very likely when riding uphill to clear the line and wave them through when I see someone enjoying themselves coming down. I can hope that someone else will do the same for me, but I would never demand it. We are all ambassadors, all trail users, and are all riders sharing the time and space we find to play.

I get up off the couch to get another drink from the fridge several times each evening. It sometimes makes the wife cross with me when I pause the show. Does that count as "cross" training?

Austin Mountain Biking's first annual "Fajitas in Lajitas" event?

Interesting strategy. I wonder if the car bombers will buy in?

The green twists the presentation just right. Kinda like how scrambled eggs are rather blah to eat, but toss in some fresh jalapenos and Wowza!

I hope it has a toy-hauleresque folding ramp/door in back for easy loading/unloading of rocks, concrete, and such. It seems a very practical choice over the limited storage offered by a large hydration pack.

Oh, and a seat post can make a creak that sounds like it is coming from "down there" somewhere. A little grit in there can cause this. Pull the seat post, wipe it down, clean out the seat tube on the frame by stuffing a rag into it and twisting it around, getting to the depth the post will extend down to, Then lightly grease it and install it back. If you have had the bike fitted, measure or mark the present height of the seat/post/ whatever, so you can put it back to that height. Likewise, the place where the seat attaches to the post can be noisy too. Even where the seat rails go into the body of the seat can squeak, though usually easy to tell it isn't from farther down. All of these can make a noise that can seem related to pedaling.

Check the bolt or bolts that hold the crank arm (arms) to the bottom bracket. Often that is the source of the noise. Different brands have different configurations. You may have to decide whether you want to buy tools or pay a mechanic. If you bought the bike new, and locally, check with the store as purchase may have included some service.

This site might offer some useful info. https://www.imbacanada.com/resources/trail-building/designing-and-building-sustainable-trails

Maybe it is actually some kind of a bicycle euthanasia facility. Homicide, patricide, suicide, bicyde