Monday Night Post-Work Ride

[MMcG]

How many forum members got out for a ride after work tonight?

I took the Balfa 2Step DH out for a post work ride this evening and had a total blast out on the trails (which were in great shape despite all the rain we've been getting here in CT)! My legs are tired as hell from pedaling this FR/DH rig for a good hour and a half or so, but it was most definitely worth it.

This is one fun burly badass bike! The downhill stretches of the trail were just fun as hell tonight!! In addition when I got the bike going at a good clip it just ate up rock gardens and allowed me to just rip through stuff sucking up big and little rocks like nothing!

Definitely a fun outing on this rig. But I also can't wait to get out and rip it up again on my Belair (which will seem that much lighter and nimble when I hit the trails on it again!).

So how were your Monday night post work rides?

Take care,

Mark (GO DUCKS!)

[I Are Baboon]

Glad to hear you were able to take the tank out, Mark!!

MBC and I rode West Hartford. I took it easy, so it was a fun, mellow ride. There are some very wet and muddy spots there, but nothing too bad. Mostly surface water. It actually is very cool to see the streams flowing strong. I can't tell you how many times I have ridden there and it was bone dry. It was great to get out there after the washed out weekend.

I rode Ft. Rock.

Also rode it this morning at 6:30. That is a weekly ride if anyone has interest. Obviously have to be local or crazy to get up. Mellow 1.5 hour ride to get the day going. It is a group of 2.

[Phresh]

I knew I would have to work late on Monday night so I rode during 'lunch' at Huckleberry. The weather was perfect and I was back in my home office by 2:00pm. I don't think I will ever be able to work in an office setting again. Too many people watching what you are doing.

[Sci Teach]

I go to ride in Bear Brook after work Monday...trails are in great shape despite the rain....the portions of Little Bear and Carr that link to Hayes field are CLOSED due to current logging operations. The biting flies are HUNGRY right now!


Hey Noo..... do you do your morning rides at Ft Rock on Mondays only, or do other days work too? The school year ends soon, and I might be able to work in an early ride.....would be a blast.

[MMcG]

Glad to hear you were able to take the tank out, Mark!!

MBC and I rode West Hartford. I took it easy, so it was a fun, mellow ride. There are some very wet and muddy spots there, but nothing too bad. Mostly surface water. It actually is very cool to see the streams flowing strong. I can't tell you how many times I have ridden there and it was bone dry. It was great to get out there after the washed out weekend.



It was fun riding the tank! You are welcome to give it a try anytime, although you may be a little tall for it as it's a regular frame vs. the long that would fit you better.

Sounds like you and MBC had a great ride. Next time I'll be sure my bike and my gear go into work with me.

How is Thursday night looking for you?

Take care,

Mark

Hey Noo..... do you do your morning rides at Ft Rock on Mondays only, or do other days work too? The school year ends soon, and I might be able to work in an early ride.....would be a blast.


Sci Teach-

I can ride almost any morning at Ft. Rock. Post or PM me. What does your schedule look like for say Friday late afternoon or Sat am rides?

NOO

[I Are Baboon]

It was fun riding the tank! You are welcome to give it a try anytime, although you may be a little tall for it as it's a regular frame vs. the long that would fit you better.

Sounds like you and MBC had a great ride. Next time I'll be sure my bike and my gear go into work with me.

How is Thursday night looking for you?



I'd be happy to take the tank out for a spin!! ;D

Thursday is a go for Soapstone!! Mike can't make it. JT and Lisa are probables. If JT and Lisa can't make it for any reason, you and I could just ride West Hartford.

[MMcG]

I'd be happy to take the tank out for a spin!! ;D

Thursday is a go for Soapstone!! Mike can't make it. JT and Lisa are probables. If JT and Lisa can't make it for any reason, you and I could just ride West Hartford.


Sweet! I'm in. Around 6ish it looks like. Do you still have those directions to the Hopkins Road entrance? If so can you email them to me.

I should receive my new stem today so it'll be a good chance to try it out tomorrow!

Mark (hoping for no rain!)

[I Are Baboon]

Sweet! I'm in. Around 6ish it looks like. Do you still have those directions to the Hopkins Road entrance? If so can you email them to me.


Check your e-mail muchambo!!! 8)

[Jisch]

Can I join in on the Soapstone ride too? I'm not 100% sure I can make it, but I might be able to...

John

[I Are Baboon]

Can I join in on the Soapstone ride too? I'm not 100% sure I can make it, but I might be able to...

John


Sweet!!!

[MMcG]

Can I join in on the Soapstone ride too? I'm not 100% sure I can make it, but I might be able to...

John


Awesome John,

Looking forward to finally meeting you and seeing you rip it up on that HH 100X of yours!

Hope you can make it.

Shall I prepare the cooler for post ride beverages!? ;) ;D

[Jisch]

Post ride beverages - yes! I'll contribute if I go...

I gotta see if I can get out of a semi-committed engagement. Have to do some negotiations with the board of directors (wife) tonight.

50/50 at this point.

John

[I Are Baboon]

Shall I prepare the cooler for post ride beverages!? ;) ;D


Mark, I'd be happy to keep drinking all your beer.

:'(

[MMcG]

:'(


What's the matter Bill?

Come join us! I can email you directions in the morning if you can make it! :)

Its not that i cant go. I am sure that my wife would say go. She is wonderfull that way. The well of kindness within her is deep but i do not wish to draw it dry. The Bear brook weekend will leave her home with the 4 kids (2,5,8,11) and my conscience will not allow me to burden her unduly regardless of her willingness for the task.


see you on the 13th

bill

[MMcG]

Its not that i cant go. I am sure that my wife would say go. She is wonderfull that way. The well of kindness within her is deep but i do not wish to draw it dry. The Bear brook weekend will leave her home with the 4 kids (2,5,8,11) and my conscience will not allow me to burden her unduly regardless of her willingness for the task.


see you on the 13th

bill


Bill,

I hear where you are coming from and I value and appreciate your sentiment and decision. Sounds like you have a very healthy and happy marriage! That's awesome in my book.

See you on the 13th too! Keep me posted on the menu as it develops! ;D And bring some shoes to ride a bike with flats on it as you are more than welcome to take a spin or two on the 2Step DH...I'd love to see what a ride or your caliber can do on a bike like that!

Cheers,

Mark

...I'd love to see what a ride or your caliber can do on a bike like that!



change the pedals for one thing. Fall at a higher speed for another

[Jisch]

I'm still not 100% one way or the other on this ride. I've got an appointment this AM and I'll be working from home this afternoon - its going to have to be a last minute decision. Like Justbill, there's only so much I can ask of my wife (even with just two kids!).

If I'm not there by 5:45 or so, I won't be there...Keeping my fingers crossed.

John

[I Are Baboon]

The Bear brook weekend will leave her home with the 4 kids (2,5,8,11)

Great crimony!!!! :o That just SOUNDS like a lot of work! I have a hard enough time remembering to feed the two cats every day.

[MMcG]

...I'd love to see what a ride or your caliber can do on a bike like that!



change the pedals for one thing. Fall at a higher speed for another


We can change the pedals out for ya! As for falling at higher speeds, well I think you don't give yourself enough credit for your riding abilities.

Mark

[Jisch]

Clearance Clarence. . ..

I'll be there...

John ;D

[MMcG]

Clearance Clarence. . ..

I'll be there...

John ;D


Ahhhh..........Jisch......do you know Soapstone well enough to host? JT is a no go so without confirmation that you'd be there, we made plans to ride the W. Hartford Reservoir (we being IAB and me) but we could change gears and hit the soap still I think, unless IAB has already left work.

[Jisch]

Dang. Yep. I could definitely lead a ride at the Snip. Since I'm working from home, I wouldn't drive to the Res. Let me know.

John

[MMcG]

Dang. Yep. I could definitely lead a ride at the Snip. Since I'm working from home, I wouldn't drive to the Res. Let me know.

John


I sent an email to IAB and to your hotmail account John........haven't heard from IAB yet though.

[I Are Baboon]

D'oh!!!!!!!! :P :-\

I already invited the wife to join us at the Reservoir (she can not get to Soapstone for a ride). Her plan was to do a road ride, but has ditched that idea because of the chance of rain.

Mark, is that your little red light blinking on my voicemail?

[Jisch]

Just like a guy to put his wife ahead of some stranger from the 'net... ;D

enjoy your ride. West Hartford actually is not a bad place for me to ride if I'm coming from work, not so cool from home.

John

[Jisch]

Just got back from the Snip. I'd be lying if I said it was dry. The trails were in good shape though for the most part. A couple of muddy spots, but nothing unusual. I avoided the trials I know are muddy. The rocks were very slippery. I avoided a lot of rock stunts I usually ride, just too risky when alone.

It was an awesome ride though, I took it easy and did about 12 miles at 6.5 mph, I did 14.5 miles on Saturday at 7.0 mph for comparison. Saw some bike tracks (including some motorcycle yahoo who felt compelled to spin his back wheel at every opportunity) but no people. Did see a green truck with a NEMBA sticker on it parked at the entrance (anyone I know?).

Heard three or four coyotes howling not too far off in the distance at one point. Some nice light fog gave most of the ride a kind of eery effect.

I'm glad I went, I'm so much more relaxed. Work - humpf - why do I work again? Oh yeah - the money thing.

I'll try and ride through any stream if I know there's a hard bottom. Looks like my Bottom bracket has paid the price. Time for a new one, got a little creaking action happening.

John

[knucklebuste]

I went for a post work ride after I heard my neighbor tell me there is 80 acres of woods with trails at the end of my street :-X
I had no idea. I did a 3 hour triathalon. I rode, hiked with the bike and waded through a 3' deep swamp/river with it. I really kicked my ass tonight. Legs are all bloody, covered with ticks, 1 of which was a deer tick :-X
The trails are awesome, but very very brutal. Worse than nam, but not as much rocky terrain, but prime stuff for building all kinds of shite to crack my head open on. I don't know who owns it but it parallels RT 190. I couldn't believe all the shite out there. I totally brutalized myself. My wife diddn't go as she tried a huck last night and did a face plant. I told her "NO MORE HUCKIN"
She's got a softball sized black and blue swelled up welt on her thigh and she's hurtin. I said "just imagine if it was pavement instead of dirt"
I'll post up some pics of my findings next time I go, hopefully it will someday be dry out there, but whew, what a brutalization of my body. I'm frickn stoked.
knuck

[I Are Baboon]

Just got back from the Snip. I'd be lying if I said it was dry. The trails were in good shape though for the most part. A couple of muddy spots, but nothing unusual. I avoided the trials I know are muddy. The rocks were very slippery. I avoided a lot of rock stunts I usually ride, just too risky when alone.

Sorry we missed you yesterday, but there will be other days!!

The Reservoir was a frickin' mud pit. EVERYTHING was wet and muddy. It makes for very slow riding. We were slipping and sliding all over the place. We got very muddy.

Mark began his quest to huck. 8) He hit the same drop three times, and he got better each time.

[Jisch]

I haven't ridden at the Res in a while, but I remember that a lot of the interior trails can get pretty bad when it rains. I've found there are good and bad places to ride even within CT. Depends on the composition of the trails, I guess.

I'll never be a big time hucker. I'll do some small stuff, but the big stuff is just not worth the risk to my nearly 40 year old body.

John

[knucklebuste]

I haven't ridden at the Res in a while, but I remember that a lot of the interior trails can get pretty bad when it rains. I've found there are good and bad places to ride even within CT. Depends on the composition of the trails, I guess.

I'll never be a big time hucker. I'll do some small stuff, but the big stuff is just not worth the risk to my nearly 40 year old body.

John


Come on dude, your only in your 30's. Why is everyone afraid ta huck? Age is a number, youthfullness is a mindset, only it takes 2x the energy to do what you did 20 years ago that's all. Get out there and throw it down. Your not old man. I don't even know how old I am 1/2 the time. Um, 32. I have to actually think for a second, caus I forget because I don't give a ****. I just hate to hear people limit themselves because of a frign number. I spent my 20's as a schlump out of the military, boozing and drugging it up. Now I'm all about the health and the mtb and the huck. I wish I had started this when I was 20. Then I might not suck. But I wont for long. John, I know you've been itchin ta huck, haven't ya? Throw it down buddy, and forget about stupid numbers. knuck knuck

[I Are Baboon]

Come on dude, your only in your 30's. Why is everyone afraid ta huck? Age is a number, youthfullness is a mindset, only it takes 2x the energy to do what you did 20 years ago that's all. Get out there and throw it down. Your not old man. I don't even know how old I am 1/2 the time. Um, 32. I have to actually think for a second, caus I forget because I don't give a ****. I just hate to hear people limit themselves because of a frign number. I spent my 20's as a schlump out of the military, boozing and drugging it up. Now I'm all about the health and the mtb and the huck. I wish I had started this when I was 20. Then I might not suck. But I wont for long. John, I know you've been itchin ta huck, haven't ya? Throw it down buddy, and forget about stupid numbers. knuck knuck


Yeah, I am 30 and just started hucking a few weeks ago. Getting over the iniital fear was the hard part, now I look forward to trying new things. The biggest one I have done so far was about 5 feet, but that's not bad for a beginning hucker. ;D I just hope my Mavic 223 rims and my Fox Float shock don't crumble out from under me. I really don't feel like paying $300 for a set of tougher rims.

[knucklebuste]

I hear ya man about the fear. My only fear is A. Death and B. Being laid up for the summer in a cast
Other than that, IDGAF
However the fear thing is kick-ass. I do a lot of riding at Green Hill Park in Woosta. It's not huge there, but you can definitely keep yourself busy for a few hours after work. I set up the ramp atop a sewer cover on a hill and I've got close to 6' high off that. Not bad for a wimp. Anyhow I show up and there is always a bunch of people there and I feel like an idiot getting out a 6' long 1' wide ramp with 2x4's to prop it up about a foot or so. I don't like doing stuff in front of people as I'm afraid of eating it. But there is another drop that is eating me alive out in the woods there. I've spent about an hour and a half out there so far scoping it out. It's perfect, it has a flat-rock launch about 4' off the ground and as the tranny goes out away from it, where you would land is about 6 - 7 ' or so. It's just in a way that when you ride up to it, you cant really see the landing too good so it looks like your going to jump off a cliff into oblivion. I got a bud comin there on Sun and he says he'll throw it down. We'll see. However this hucking thing is driving me nuts. I am plagued by this drop. I say to myself, "If I clean this, I'll be happy"
I know in reality though that wont happen. I have the urge to go bigger and bigger, and hopefully I wont crack my head open. But I always wear a FF helmet no matter what and knee pads and elbow pads. So what could happen besides breaking my neck, back, ankle, ribs or getting a compound fracture. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGG GGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Where'd my balls go? If anyone finds them, let me know. I'll throw up some pics of this drop. I know after I actually do it I'll be like "pfffhhh, that was nuthin" but it's the initial fear that is ass kicka. And I use to race MX with the big boys, goin like 20' in the air or whatever. I don't know what happened to me. NO BALLS
knuck

[MMcG]

Sorry we missed you yesterday, but there will be other days!!

The Reservoir was a frickin' mud pit. EVERYTHING was wet and muddy. It makes for very slow riding. We were slipping and sliding all over the place. We got very muddy.

Mark began his quest to huck. 8) He hit the same drop three times, and he got better each time.


It was indeed muddy and very slippery out there yesterday. But I had a blast. Thanks for all the helpful tips IAB and that little huck was fun! I'll try to watch out for those little trees a little bit better next time. :o

Looking forward to getting back out to the Res. in a little less muddy conditions!

Mark

[Jisch]

I've started down the huck trail before. In fact I've built some huck spots in my yard - I'm working on it. I'm just saying that I don't see myself going over 3 feet. Old or not.

Actually the old thing doesn't slow me down - come see my band sometime... that's just an excuse for no guts.

John

[MMcG]

I've started down the huck trail before. In fact I've built some huck spots in my yard - I'm working on it. I'm just saying that I don't see myself going over 3 feet. Old or not.

Actually the old thing doesn't slow me down - come see my band sometime... that's just an excuse for no guts.

John


John,

What I considered a little huck last night was something you would have most likely just ridden over or caugh air over as rumour has it you are a pretty damned good and fast rider.

What kind of music does this band of yours play and do you play out at all? If so, let me know. I often have free evenings on my hands these days.

Mark

[BrianK]

I do a lot of riding at Green Hill Park in Woosta. It's not huge there, but you can definitely keep yourself busy for a few hours after work. I set up the ramp atop a sewer cover on a hill and I've got close to 6' high off that....


Hey, I'm gonna have to check GH Park out. I had heard people bike there, but didn't think there could be anything worth riding there. Sounds like maybe its a good place for me to start learning how to take some drops. Right now my record is 0.1" so I could use some work. I just need a place that has some open space with different size drops (starting small) to practice on. That way when I come to a drop in a trail, I won't wuss out. My wingman, MountainDnk showed me up Tuesday by taking a cool drop at Great Brook (Nice job Matty!).
So did anyone find the store where you can buy ballz yet?

-BrianK

[Jisch]

I'm part of a rumor - great!

I'm in a band called Version Larry -

www.angelfire.com/myband/versionlarry

We play what I consider to be punk/funk/hard rock. Some have said that its heavy metal. A friend I consider knowledgable in music says its a cross between Green Day, David Bowie and the Clash - I suppose that's not far off.. We play mostly originals. Our next (and final until we get a new drummer) is June 13th at Mixers pub in South Windsor.