M
Mattb
Guest
The weather looked a little threatening as I away from work last night. The wind was picking up and
I could see these little micro cells cruising through the basin dropping rain and maybe a little
hail as they passed. I picked up my bike from the LBS. I just had them put a Stan's Tubeless System
on my bike. I've been thinking about going tubeless for a while and heard from some reputable local
pros that this was the way to go. I still have my Mavic 517 (I think - I often botch that model
number for some reason) rims, and the beauty of the Stan's system is you can just retrofit your
current setup. After hearing what a pain it is to get them to seal, I decided the LBS could just do
it for me. I set up a home network for the owner so I redeemed a little of that credit for the TTS.
After getting ready and wiping down my chain (also getting set up with a nice dry lube system) the
wind was really ripping and I could see a cell dropping it's payload on Hartman Rocks, my intended
destination. So I changed my plan and headed up towards Signal Peak, where a lot of singletrack that
the wildlife and livestock have made is being linked together for some fine riding. I saw one other
rider on the way up, our local SS pro, Ken. We exchanged pleasantries and some discussion of good
routes in the area. He said he heard I'm the guy to talk to about connecting up all the pieces to
make a good loop. Maybe I am, but I'm not doing the connecting, I'm just following others' tracks
and trail markers. Running my tires at 35 Lbs. felt great. I also just got a new Intense XC
2.25 tire on the front and that might be helping as well. Whatever it was, the combo made the Epic
hook up in turns like never before. So I was zigging, zagging, and having a great time in the cool
evening air. The fields in the Ohio Creek Valley are beginning to flood, so that meandering water
was reflecting the light sky, contrasting with the shadows from the clouds and snow-capped peaks
to make a wonderful view. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me so I'll just have to savor
the memory. I did a smaller version of the loop I've recently discovered, totaling 18 Miles or so
and ~2000' vertical. I did it in about two hours and it felt great. I really felt strong for the
first time in a few rides which was extra-nice. So the tires held, the new Intense front hooked
nicely (although it threw rocks at me the whole time), and the trail and evening were fantastic. I
came home to my wife and new son, cracked open a 90 Schilling and concluded (like the Old
Milwaukee commercials - but with good beer) that life doesn't get any better than this.
--
Matt
"Gravity. It's not just a good idea, it's the law!"
I could see these little micro cells cruising through the basin dropping rain and maybe a little
hail as they passed. I picked up my bike from the LBS. I just had them put a Stan's Tubeless System
on my bike. I've been thinking about going tubeless for a while and heard from some reputable local
pros that this was the way to go. I still have my Mavic 517 (I think - I often botch that model
number for some reason) rims, and the beauty of the Stan's system is you can just retrofit your
current setup. After hearing what a pain it is to get them to seal, I decided the LBS could just do
it for me. I set up a home network for the owner so I redeemed a little of that credit for the TTS.
After getting ready and wiping down my chain (also getting set up with a nice dry lube system) the
wind was really ripping and I could see a cell dropping it's payload on Hartman Rocks, my intended
destination. So I changed my plan and headed up towards Signal Peak, where a lot of singletrack that
the wildlife and livestock have made is being linked together for some fine riding. I saw one other
rider on the way up, our local SS pro, Ken. We exchanged pleasantries and some discussion of good
routes in the area. He said he heard I'm the guy to talk to about connecting up all the pieces to
make a good loop. Maybe I am, but I'm not doing the connecting, I'm just following others' tracks
and trail markers. Running my tires at 35 Lbs. felt great. I also just got a new Intense XC
2.25 tire on the front and that might be helping as well. Whatever it was, the combo made the Epic
hook up in turns like never before. So I was zigging, zagging, and having a great time in the cool
evening air. The fields in the Ohio Creek Valley are beginning to flood, so that meandering water
was reflecting the light sky, contrasting with the shadows from the clouds and snow-capped peaks
to make a wonderful view. Unfortunately I didn't have a camera with me so I'll just have to savor
the memory. I did a smaller version of the loop I've recently discovered, totaling 18 Miles or so
and ~2000' vertical. I did it in about two hours and it felt great. I really felt strong for the
first time in a few rides which was extra-nice. So the tires held, the new Intense front hooked
nicely (although it threw rocks at me the whole time), and the trail and evening were fantastic. I
came home to my wife and new son, cracked open a 90 Schilling and concluded (like the Old
Milwaukee commercials - but with good beer) that life doesn't get any better than this.
--
Matt
"Gravity. It's not just a good idea, it's the law!"