No, I am not talking about Greg's status and wondering how many cute girls he could realistically rent out rooms, closets, and bathrooms to in his house. Rather, I rode a Single Speed Mountain Bike for the first time last night and was curiously aroused. Hmmm...TMI? All of my past forays had been short lived attempts that didn't really result in getting the fire going. And each one left me shaking my head..."I just don't get it" which I think is EXACTLY what single speed riders LOVE when a geared guy hits the lone chain line.
However, yesterday something was different. It wasn't necessarily any easier, but maybe I just had a different mind-set. Now that the big bad Anthem is up for sale (I guess, I will have to do another post on that here shortly) I didn't really have any options for riding other than my original $400 Marin Indian Fire Trail to ride. So in some ways I didn't have a choice. But, what happened is that during the ride I figured out a way to actually relate to this sort of riding and that was all it took.
When I used to ride dirt bikes on a regular basis, I absolutely loved 125 two strokes. For those of you who don't know, NOBODY loves 125 two strokes! They are under powered, demand precision, and with one mistake you are at the back of the buss. Essentially, every time I got on the bike I thought to myself "Ride this sucker until IT breaks OR YOU Break". That was really the only way to do it. All out. Absolute war with the machine and the surroundings. That's what I found to be the case pushing one gear. Sand Pit? Attack or walk. Hill? Attack or walk. Flats. Attack...coast...thank god, the "easy part" :)
Much like a SS, the advantages of a 125 come almost exclusively from their lighter weight, flickability, and ease to maneuver. Even the mental sensations were the same. Pass someone on a 450 or geared bike and think "I own that biaatch!" Get to the top of a hill on a 125 and people just stare at you with a dumb look on their face. It's awesome.
So basically, I KIND OF get it now. However that could all change when I have to actually ride up a hill lasting longer than 15 seconds...
Mr. Todd Park, you were once again correct. 1st with the circus hoops and now with the gearing or lack thereof. Perhaps you could share some other advice that will be more pertinent to my bank account rather than just my riding activities :)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
La Grange Fall Classic / NorCal FINAL ROUND
Wow, could you ask for a more perfect day? Rain from earlier in the week left the trail soft and slow on the way up, but the "downs"...UNBELIEVABLE! I don't think I have ever ridden downhill as fast as I did today, the dirt was just amazing! With a day like this, why hold back, here's the juicy juicy:
Bri: Earned 1st Place Beg. Woman for the NorCal series and her results at earlier races. Today she got 2nd place only a few minutes back of first and in front of 3 or 4 other sport girls. She is really getting this whole "Sport" thing down! She went from about 3.5 hours to 3 hours, to 2.5 hour finish times in her last 3 sport races. Pretty good progress! Today her most impressive feat was her ability to pass 10 people on the last 7 miles of descent/flats to the finish!
Brett: Despite a nasty crash that left a good sized welt and bruise on his back early on, he was able to pedal back and make some key passes to end up with the big "W" today. Nice work! He also ended up 2nd in the series...only 2 points out of 1st, that is too close!
Shelly: In motocross it's a good day when you go 1-1. Well, Shelly did that today by winning the race (Fastest girl there!) AND winning the series! Doesn't get much better than that right? Nope! Plus, this is smack dab in the middle of 'cross season! Shows when you are good, you are good!
Chris M: Goal time of 2:00. Finish time: 1:59:52!!! How's that for military grade precision??? Chris had a good battle with our pal "Orbea Oliver"...that is until the trail turned downhill and then he unleashed the aggression that pays the bills! Nice ride Chris!
Brian: Lucked into a similar 1-1 for the day. Spent most of the day alone and behind the "fast guys" and in front of the rest. Biggest feat was not crashing on the descents after throwing down some pretty tricky (read: DUMB) line selections...Feels good to top another series!
And of course, we have to give credit to Joselyn's for helping us out along the course of what has turned into a pretty incredible year on the pedals! Good luck to Shelly and Brett who I heard are going to be gluttons and hit up the www.CCCX.org 'cross race tomorrow at Toro. I will be sleeping in and looking for some motorized two wheeled fun. I hope there's still wet dirt to be found at Hollister...
Bri: Earned 1st Place Beg. Woman for the NorCal series and her results at earlier races. Today she got 2nd place only a few minutes back of first and in front of 3 or 4 other sport girls. She is really getting this whole "Sport" thing down! She went from about 3.5 hours to 3 hours, to 2.5 hour finish times in her last 3 sport races. Pretty good progress! Today her most impressive feat was her ability to pass 10 people on the last 7 miles of descent/flats to the finish!
Brett: Despite a nasty crash that left a good sized welt and bruise on his back early on, he was able to pedal back and make some key passes to end up with the big "W" today. Nice work! He also ended up 2nd in the series...only 2 points out of 1st, that is too close!
Shelly: In motocross it's a good day when you go 1-1. Well, Shelly did that today by winning the race (Fastest girl there!) AND winning the series! Doesn't get much better than that right? Nope! Plus, this is smack dab in the middle of 'cross season! Shows when you are good, you are good!
Chris M: Goal time of 2:00. Finish time: 1:59:52!!! How's that for military grade precision??? Chris had a good battle with our pal "Orbea Oliver"...that is until the trail turned downhill and then he unleashed the aggression that pays the bills! Nice ride Chris!
Brian: Lucked into a similar 1-1 for the day. Spent most of the day alone and behind the "fast guys" and in front of the rest. Biggest feat was not crashing on the descents after throwing down some pretty tricky (read: DUMB) line selections...Feels good to top another series!
And of course, we have to give credit to Joselyn's for helping us out along the course of what has turned into a pretty incredible year on the pedals! Good luck to Shelly and Brett who I heard are going to be gluttons and hit up the www.CCCX.org 'cross race tomorrow at Toro. I will be sleeping in and looking for some motorized two wheeled fun. I hope there's still wet dirt to be found at Hollister...
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Sideways Rain!!!!
WOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! It's raining and storming like the Dickens!!!!
This of course means...
MAJOR MOTO TIME...or CX TIME, as the case may be!!!! Let me ask you this? How in the heck am I supposed to focus when...
A. It's raining out and we should be motoing?
B. The ISDE just started (super cool off road dirt bike race) that I need to follow online every minute of the day
C. Weaverville is calling my name "Briiiiiiiiaaaaaaan, the trails are getting more treacherous and technical by the minute!!!! I hope you are ready"
HECK YA' I'M READY MOTHER TRUCKER!!!!
In the name of the cinemantatic master piece I will,
BRING IT ON!!!
This of course means...
MAJOR MOTO TIME...or CX TIME, as the case may be!!!! Let me ask you this? How in the heck am I supposed to focus when...
A. It's raining out and we should be motoing?
B. The ISDE just started (super cool off road dirt bike race) that I need to follow online every minute of the day
C. Weaverville is calling my name "Briiiiiiiiaaaaaaan, the trails are getting more treacherous and technical by the minute!!!! I hope you are ready"
HECK YA' I'M READY MOTHER TRUCKER!!!!
In the name of the cinemantatic master piece I will,
BRING IT ON!!!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Monday Morning Thoughts
Sorry for the lack of posts this last few weeks, between my shoulder and some really exciting things coming on the horizon, time just seems to be slipping by a bit quicker than usual! How about a quickie of exciting news to keep you salivating though?
1. RACES! I know, I know, everyone is crossing it up right now, but if you are still wanting MTB FUN, then hit up the Hollister Hills MTB race this weekend or if you are feeling like a drive then go to NorCal for the final round of the series in Weaverville. Either way it's pretty much a win-win situation! We will be heading to NorCal as Bri, Brett, Shelly and I are doing pretty darn good in the points, so why not try to wrap up another title before years end right? I think Nathan and some others are staying local and giving the "new venue" a run at Hollister.
2. Cross! Over the weekend, I heard that Shelly Won, which is not surprising. In her first year she is pretty much killing the B class and would be real close to the front of the A class, too. Just shows that Fun Size is not a limiting factor!
Also, apparently there was some trash talking between Erik E and Aaron for grand supremacy of the CX track (perhaps more being shoveled by Erik since Aaron seems to only speak occasionally to infrequently). Regardless, Erik showed up in corduroys and a t shirt. Aaron showed up and took off from the field in his OnSite kit. Erik cramped. Aaron gaped the field and finally battled with some vacuum cleaner guy who by nature of his sponsor is obligated to clean up. In the end Aaron narrowly lost to said Bissel rider (Andy Jacques-Mayne) which I think is an admirable defeat. Well, certainly more noble than trash talking, cramping, pulling out and muttering something about "needing to train"...Don't worry Erik, we all still love you and your sweet custom bikes!
3. For the readers that know I love dirt bike racing, the ISDE (International Six Day Enduro) started today and it's basically the Olympics/world championships of off road riding. 7-8 hours a day on the moto over some of the most treacherous and gnarly terrain you can imagine. Two of my friends from NorCal are doing great and I don't know how I will be getting any more work done today between blog posting and following the international websites that track the race...Oh well, at least it only lasts for 6 days and unlike my baseball fanatic friends I don't loose a whole "season" of work!
Lastly, it looks like rain is on the way! YES! Perfect trails, "Belgium like training rides" on the road bike and maybe, just maybe a little motorized scooter fun on the Moto's! YES! 
Saturday, October 3, 2009
My Tall Boy Obsession....
No, not a post started by Bri, but rather by Brian and his new found affection for the latest 29 offering from Santa Cruz. Mind you I have been riding, researching and educating myself about all aspects of this "29er platform" for the last several months. I've come to a few conclusions:
1. Every HT 29er I've ridden FLIES. Super fast.
2. My back gets hammered on hard tails. Super fast.
3. Would a Full Suspension 29er be the cure or just a marketing ploy?
Well today, I found out. Way too soon to be riding after my horrific (but incredibly stupid) crash a few days ago, I put the sling in the closet downed a few pain pills (doctor prescribed!) and flew in the face of the doctors advice as the normal crew (Bri, Shelly-Smurfette, Brettster,Pro Joe, Travis and the Birthday Boy GARY) all conviened at Wilder Ranch park to check out the hoopla over the Santa Cruz Bike Demo day.
First things first. The guys at Santa Cruz ROCK! They did a stellar job of putting on this event after what I can only imagine must have been a hangover of extreme fatigue from Interbike. They were helpful, answered questions, and got everyone onto bikes for some serious(?) testing!
My sole purpose was to test my tendencies and check out the hype surrounding the new Santa Cruz Tall Boy 29er. Long story short: THE BIKE IS THE REAL DEAL. After fitting myself on an XL Tall Boy, I took off and noted the following tid bits:
1. No pedal bob. We are talking rocket ship responsiveness. Wow!
2. Climbing: TINY bob, but totally acceptable and less than many 4" XC race bikes I have ridden. Not quite a hard tail, but I also didn't get a seat up my butt over every bump in the road either. I'll take a tiny bit of movement.
3. Single Track: Roots? Rocks? Trail hack? Not a problem. The bike rolls over everything and keeps forward momentum going great.
4. Momentum: This is the 29er "meal ticket" and this bike did not disappoint. It pedals quickly up to speed (remember, zero to very little bob) and once there just goes F A S T!
5. Out of the Saddle: No different than my 4" XC Bike and the big tires bite better, so overall, a great feeling when out of the saddle sprinting or climbing is on the menu.
6. Cornering: Personally, I don't understand the whole "It's hard to turn a 29er" whiners. The bigger tires bite and instill more confidence for me. This bike hooks corners like an Indy Car.
7. Here's the kicker-the ABSOLUTE WORST PART: I had to give this amazing machine back.
Having ridden the Santa Cruz Tall Boy, I can say without question if I were looking for the elusive "one bike that does it all - but is particularly good at going fast" then this is it. XC races that are smooth? You've got the big wheels turning in your favor. The rough ones? The big wheels smooth that stuff out. What about a 100 mile adventure? What can I say, the bike is comfortable and I could see doing Tahoe or all day epic rides and just asking for more!
Thanks Santa Cruz, my girlfriend is now extremely jealous of one particular Tall Boy.
1. Every HT 29er I've ridden FLIES. Super fast.
2. My back gets hammered on hard tails. Super fast.
3. Would a Full Suspension 29er be the cure or just a marketing ploy?
Well today, I found out. Way too soon to be riding after my horrific (but incredibly stupid) crash a few days ago, I put the sling in the closet downed a few pain pills (doctor prescribed!) and flew in the face of the doctors advice as the normal crew (Bri, Shelly-Smurfette, Brettster,Pro Joe, Travis and the Birthday Boy GARY) all conviened at Wilder Ranch park to check out the hoopla over the Santa Cruz Bike Demo day.
First things first. The guys at Santa Cruz ROCK! They did a stellar job of putting on this event after what I can only imagine must have been a hangover of extreme fatigue from Interbike. They were helpful, answered questions, and got everyone onto bikes for some serious(?) testing!
My sole purpose was to test my tendencies and check out the hype surrounding the new Santa Cruz Tall Boy 29er. Long story short: THE BIKE IS THE REAL DEAL. After fitting myself on an XL Tall Boy, I took off and noted the following tid bits:
1. No pedal bob. We are talking rocket ship responsiveness. Wow!
2. Climbing: TINY bob, but totally acceptable and less than many 4" XC race bikes I have ridden. Not quite a hard tail, but I also didn't get a seat up my butt over every bump in the road either. I'll take a tiny bit of movement.
3. Single Track: Roots? Rocks? Trail hack? Not a problem. The bike rolls over everything and keeps forward momentum going great.
4. Momentum: This is the 29er "meal ticket" and this bike did not disappoint. It pedals quickly up to speed (remember, zero to very little bob) and once there just goes F A S T!
5. Out of the Saddle: No different than my 4" XC Bike and the big tires bite better, so overall, a great feeling when out of the saddle sprinting or climbing is on the menu.
6. Cornering: Personally, I don't understand the whole "It's hard to turn a 29er" whiners. The bigger tires bite and instill more confidence for me. This bike hooks corners like an Indy Car.
7. Here's the kicker-the ABSOLUTE WORST PART: I had to give this amazing machine back.
Having ridden the Santa Cruz Tall Boy, I can say without question if I were looking for the elusive "one bike that does it all - but is particularly good at going fast" then this is it. XC races that are smooth? You've got the big wheels turning in your favor. The rough ones? The big wheels smooth that stuff out. What about a 100 mile adventure? What can I say, the bike is comfortable and I could see doing Tahoe or all day epic rides and just asking for more!
Thanks Santa Cruz, my girlfriend is now extremely jealous of one particular Tall Boy.
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