Northstar = Gnargnar

**ridefree** · 07-02-2007, 11:12 PM

I miss Northstar for that reason. Instant, repetitive access to the goods. How much volume can you handle in a day? Like I said, practice!

**Arty50** · 07-02-2007, 11:23 PM

Fuck practice.

Just go that way really fast, and when something gets in your way...crash...

...hmmmm...that Calstar membership might come in handy tomorrow.

**rideit** · 07-02-2007, 11:43 PM

Woo, the little yellow man just told me, ten minutes ago, to tell you to call him for a riding lesson.

Offer good anytime.

Man, I wish I could ride the crap you guys do.

**ridefree** · 07-02-2007, 11:50 PM

I know my Calstar is current!

**Arty50** · 07-03-2007, 05:08 PM

That fucking ruled!!! Way better than Mammoth.

Favorite trail of the day was Sticks & Stones. Nice rock gardens, some fun little airs and I managed to nail both of the tables at the beginning. Also, the dirt was really good on that trail. Karpiel was fun too, but the loose soil in the gnarly rock gardens at the end killed me. Not that I would have cleaned those sections anyway, but boy did that sand collect up in there today.

Boondocks was really fun too. A little loose, but not too bad. Sadly it was the only trail open off the Zephyr lift. Gypsy and Live Wire were both closed for trail work.

Big Trees/Flameout/Woods/Competition was fun too, but a little too much pedaling. I mean this is lift served damnit. Who wants to pedal...except to go really fast...which I didn't do...cause I suck...like you didn't know this...

I'm definitely going back there. Me likey. Me likey very much!!!

**Tyrone Shoelaces** · 07-03-2007, 05:11 PM

No crash stories?!?!

and I waited all day.....for what?!?!?!

**Arty50** · 07-03-2007, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

and I waited all day.....for what?!?!?!

For your new bike to get built so that you can bring it up there.

Oh and I almost forgot. My pass worked today. Yay!!!

**Tyrone Shoelaces** · 07-03-2007, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by Arty50

For your new bike to get built so that you can bring it up there.

true true. it is coming! prolly done thursday (damn holiday)

**Arty50** · 07-03-2007, 05:53 PM

In other news, I'm out for Thursday. I had a feeling I'd get some good news today.

**lph** · 07-04-2007, 10:16 AM

what Arty said, we started with some warm ups, but man, anything less than a double black and you got some pedaling to do!

boondocks was fun, but after we did it twice, I told arty, "I think this is the token 'easy' double black."

I was right, Sticks and Stones was a bit tougher, but a blast fun riding, some technical, lots of small airs.

Karpiel was a bit of an ass kicker for both of us. Some of the lower rock gardens are going to take some practice to get them dialed. Seems like you need to roll into them at just that speed and know your line ahead of time. They are so loose and sandy, that if you try to correct and use a little extra brake you are skidding out.

In general, I thought the place was a blast and can't wait to get back, hit more of the drop to flat and really learn the trails a little better.

**freshies** · 07-05-2007, 03:14 PM

can I ride most of the blue and lower black stuff on my 4.5" travel Blur w/100 Fox up-front, or am I gonna be in a world of pain?

i am an old man now and love stuff like HIG, Toads, D'ville (yeah, I climb it, no shuttle pussies allowed),etc, but me thinks that the DH-specific stuff @ N'Star might be pushing it (and I don't want another broken collar bone this summer, thank you).

**lph** · 07-05-2007, 05:01 PM

yeah, you can.

there seemed to be a pretty big jump (no pun) when you went from blue/single diamond to the double diamond.

In fact, from my very little experience, i would say that the blues and single black runs would be more fun on a bike that pedals and accelerates quicker.

that being said i would probably opt for putting some high volume tires on your rig. it is LOOSE!

**kidwoo** · 07-05-2007, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by lph

yeah, you can.............

.......try

Just make sure I'm there to watch

**lph** · 07-05-2007, 06:17 PM

awww, come on Kid, he is talking about the blues and single diamond. they aren't that gnar. he can do it.

I'm likely going up at least one day next week. but I will be 'practicing'.
kid you around?

**kidwoo** · 07-05-2007, 06:25 PM

I'll be up there this weekend but I'm a 9-5er during the week unfortunately.

Freshies......you'll be able to ride a lot of the stuff there..........but seriously.....stay off the double blacks. Not only will you break your bike, you're VERY likely to get run over. The best way to make it through the sections you're likely to be stopped at is go into them fast.......and the people that know this can't always choose their line or stop.

Like lph said, stick some dh tires on your bike. I can loan you some if you want.

**freshies** · 07-06-2007, 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by kidwoo

I'll be up there this weekend but I'm a 9-5er during the week unfortunately.

Freshies......you'll be able to ride a lot of the stuff there..........but seriously.....stay off the double blacks. Not only will you break your bike, you're VERY likely to get run over. The best way to make it through the sections you're likely to be stopped at is go into them fast.......and the people that know this can't always choose their line or stop.

Like lph said, stick some dh tires on your bike. I can loan you some if you want.

i always run a 2.3 Nevgal up-front and a 2.24 MotoRaptor on the back of my Blur....that is all she can handle (in the back the clearance won't take a 2.3). biggest concern is that i ride clipless (egg beaters), would think i would want platforms and my Vans vs my Sidis

I wouldn't even think about hittign thr gnar trailson that rig, was just wondering if there were any fun single track off the lifts that would make it worth going to. Or, I guess I could rent a DH rig one day and try it...that might be fun.

**Spats** · 07-06-2007, 02:05 PM

freshies: I would consider renting a bike anyway. N* is so rocky that it beats the hell out of everything, and you'll be covering about 5x more ground than you would on a non-lift-served day. You'll probably put about $50-60 of wear on your Blur even if you stay off the double blacks. Just my opinion.

Are you driving up this weekend? I would love to get a day up there but carpooling would help a lot.

**freshies** · 07-06-2007, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Spats

freshies: I would consider renting a bike anyway. N* is so rocky that it beats the hell out of everything, and you'll be covering about 5x more ground than you would on a non-lift-served day. You'll probably put about $50-60 of wear on your Blur even if you stay off the double blacks. Just my opinion.

Are you driving up this weekend? I would love to get a day up there but carpooling would help a lot.

good point (on the rental) Spats, just might do that. Hey Kidwoo, you still work @ the shop up here? Do ou guys rent some fun freeride/DH rigs?

And Spats, I am already in Truckee, been up all week. But in the future, I am all about the car-pool thang.

**LegoSkier** · 07-06-2007, 02:09 PM

If anybody is riding there tomorrow, I may be convinced to join in and punish myself further.

**kidwoo** · 07-06-2007, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by freshies

good point (on the rental) Spats, just might do that. Hey Kidwoo, you still work @ the shop up here? Do ou guys rent some fun freeride/DH rigs?

Olympic doesn't have anything this year that would be appropriate. They had a hard time selling the rentals in the past because they get so beat to hell from northstar.

N* is teamed up with giant and they've got some glory 8 and some Faith bikes. It's expensive to rent a big bike but I can assure you, you'll have more fun on one.

**Spats** · 07-06-2007, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by kidwoo

N* is teamed up with giant and they've got some glory 8 and some Faith bikes. It's expensive to rent a big bike but I can assure you, you'll have more fun on one.

Since he's already in Truckee there are several options for rentals besides N*, though I don't know if they are any cheaper (N* is 55 or 75).

My opinion: a Reign is fine for your first time, especially if you normally ride a Blur. Anything you need 8" for as opposed to 6", you had better also have body armor. A fullface is a great idea for any bike given that if you fall, you're likely to fall on rocks, and you're not going to be climbing so the heat isn't so much of a concern.

**boobookitty** · 07-06-2007, 02:39 PM

Probably no more expensive than fixing his little bike. I spent $ on my Glory after exploding my derailluer housing and driving to Truckee to get a new cable and housing. It'd be cool to just turn the rental bike in and not stress about all the bumps and bruises he'll find later on his smaller rig.

**maniloff** · 07-06-2007, 02:44 PM

I rented a Faith at Northstar (would writing N* make me cool?) last weekend. Brand new, well put together, sweet rig.

It was stupid expensive, and renting a full-face and armor was something like 60 bucks more.

**kidwoo** · 07-06-2007, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Spats

Since he's already in Truckee there are several options for rentals besides N*

.....just cyclepaths..... They might be cheaper, I don't know.

Freshies (please change your handle I hate typing that

)......I've got plenty of pads I could loan you including a fullface.

**freshies** · 07-06-2007, 05:14 PM

ok, thx for all the beta guys (and gal) - much apprecriated. but i didn't think it would cost that much to rent a bike??! + the day tix = forget it.

i am just gonna take my Blur and clipless-ass out to HItG tomorrow and ride some sweet single track for free