Go forth and ride, then bring back pics

[ridinshockgun]

Awesome pic with the greens/browns and shadows. Who knew N. Carolina could be so lush.

Pisgah/Dupont is a temperate rain forest

[milestogo]

It was definitely hot, but we rode in the morning, swam and hung in the hammock midday, and then rode again in the late afternoon. DuPont is an amazing place for family riding, too. A little too hot for my dog, but she still managed a good 10 mile ride. Had to leash her for this bit because the man was around

[plugboots]

Suntop, Skookum, L & L.

First day it's really felt like summer this summer

I didn't know it, but Cliff Mass said that during the last week of July and the first week of October the PNW is the driest region in the US. http://cliffmass.blogspot.com

[ridinshockgun]

I didn't know it, but Cliff Mass said that during the last week of July and the first week of October the PNW is the driest region in the US. http://cliffmass.blogspot.com

Shhhhhhhhh. Rains all the time, nothing to see here

[klar]

I rarely wear the tradition padded bike shorts these days

My jaw sort of dropped at this.

Unless I am going up a big climb where I will be sitting on the saddle for awhile (like up teton pass which is sitting in the sddle for 45 min +) I

But I guess that "unless" bit makes sense. Do you people all just have these rolling trail options everywhere and don't have to go up first? I think I wouldn't be sitting down for a week if I tried any of the rides I've done so far without padded shorts.

Also, does every one have a 'good' foot that goes in front when you go down? Is it worthwhile to practice with the other foot in front? and, uh, how do I turn? Is there some kind of magic trick to get around tight corners or do you keep trying till you don't fall over?



Cows blocking the way are turning out to be a recurring issue.

[adrenalated]

Also, does every one have a 'good' foot that goes in front when you go down? Is it worthwhile to practice with the other foot in front? and, uh, how do I turn? Is there some kind of magic trick to get around tight corners or do you keep trying till you don't fall over?

I definitely have a good foot. Trying to practice with the other foot forward more, it's useful sometimes.

Here's a really good video about cornering:


And another one about switchbacks specifically. The biggest thing is that all the same fundamentals about body positioning, weight, leaning the bike, etc. all still apply to switchbacks, even though you're going slower and will have to do more turning with the handlebars vs. leaning the bike. Don't skid like he does though.

[mtngirl79]

I totally have a "good foot" that wants to be forward and I try to switch if only for even muscle development.

The instructors on the lady ride told me to look around the corner to make it which helped me a lot. I can now turn most switch backs now, but its scary and you just have to look ahead where you want to be and trust that the bike will go there and it does.

[plugboots]

I always go left foot first, and I have to think about it to switch, and I do once in a while, but it feels weird.

Try dragging the rear brake a bit on tight switchbacks while peddling against the brake, this gives you better speed modulation. When that works, you'll start to know when to brake, and when to let the momentum take you, or peddle against the natural braking action of the turn. Practice on any flat road making a tight u-turn, and then decrease the diameter of the turn, then take it to the trail.

The videos seem great for somebody that is pretty advanced, plus the dude skids like a mofo, which blows. Boo on people who skid!

Jesus, I just watched more of that vid. He sucks!!!!!!!! I would say he has no idea how to do a switchback. Don't fucking skid!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[toast2266]

But I guess that "unless" bit makes sense. Do you people all just have these rolling trail options everywhere and don't have to go up first? I think I wouldn't be sitting down for a week if I tried any of the rides I've done so far without padded shorts.

Chamois is great. I wear it on pretty much every ride, regardless how short or how pedally.

Also, does every one have a 'good' foot that goes in front when you go down? Is it worthwhile to practice with the other foot in front?

yeah, everyone has their preferred foot forward. It doesn't really matter which one it is. The only people that I know that practice with the other foot forward are people who are trying to do tricks that involve spinning - they want to be able to spin both ways

and, uh, how do I turn? Is there some kind of magic trick to get around tight corners or do you keep trying till you don't fall over?

Keep your weight over the front whenever possible. Weight on the front tire = traction on the front tire. For flat corners, practice leaning the bike over, but not your body - the bike should lean under you, but your torso should remain upright. Outside pedal should be down, inside pedal should be up. If the terrain allows it, enter the corner on the outside edge of the trail. Apex the corner on the inside edge of the trail, and exit back on the outside. It can also be worthwhile to go to a parking lot and practice doing tight, slow speed turns inside the painted lines.

[adrenalated]

The videos seem great for somebody that is pretty advanced, plus the dude skids like a mofo, which blows. Boo on people who skid!

Jesus, I just watched more of that vid. He sucks!!!!!!!! I would say he has no idea how to do a switchback. Don't fucking skid!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah I should have mentioned the skidding, edited my post. The body positioning stuff is pretty spot on though.
I also think it's worthwhile to practice the cornering techniques mentioned in the first video though even for newer riders. I'm pretty new and figuring out how to get my weight low, leaning the bike with outside foot down and weight to the outside, etc. helped me immensely... to the point where I'm actually cornering better than a lot of folks that have been riding for a long time.

[babybear]

My jaw sort of dropped at this.
But I guess that "unless" bit makes sense. Do you people all just have these rolling trail options everywhere and don't have to go up first? I think I wouldn't be sitting down for a week if I tried any of the rides I've done so far without padded shorts.

Also, does every one have a 'good' foot that goes in front when you go down? Is it worthwhile to practice with the other foot in front? and, uh, how do I turn? Is there some kind of magic trick to get around tight corners or do you keep trying till you don't fall over?

I wore the chamois for yrs but one day they were in the wash or something so I just wore the sports undies and really liked it. I also put a bit of time and money into finding the right saddle (the specialized body geometry is what I dig now) but yea I guess most of the rides I do are somewhat rollie or sit down climbing for less than 30 mins.
I just prefer the less padding= less sog. now that I think about it the only padded bike shorts I use now are actually triathalon shorts which have less padding so you can also do the running portion in them.
Regardless of wearing chamois or not though the first ride or two of the yr always sting

Another cornering/ switchback tip is to also steer with your hips (or some people say your belly button) but if you really exaggerate pointing your hips in the direction you need to go, it brings your bike around nicely.
and as others have no doubt mentioned, go with whichever foot feels the most natural being forward.
Ride on!

[raisingarizona13]

My balls hate the summer and they hate chamois/diapers even more.

Like anything you get used to it, it just takes a few rides to build up the strength and then you don't notice it.

[babybear]

[buttahflake]

One from today in central VT

[gravitylover]

You folks do realize that all of the cornering advice you're giving is essentially the same as you'd give for skiing right? Klar - Do what you already know how to do and it will seem effortless and you'll wonder why you were confused in the first place.

[mtngirl79]

^ that is true, also for not looking at shit you don't want to hit... lol look where you want to go, not where you don't want to go.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

I didn't know it, but Cliff Mass said that during the last week of July and the first week of October the PNW is the driest region in the US. http://cliffmass.blogspot.com

It usually feels like the driest place around, around here.

[babybear]

Is Cliff Mass the guy's name? if so f'ing awesome

[biggins]

Just finished 6 days riding in North Carolina. Awesome. Newton--Bent Creek--DuPont State Forest. Will definitely be back for DuPont. Killer network and great locals.

I can't wait to go back: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...hia?highlight=

[dtown]

Hayward WI yesterday, some great trails

[The Gnarwhale]

Spent Sat and Sun riding some of Crested Butte's most-loved trails with a friend who was visiting for the first time. Our CB highlight reel included Strand, Dyke, Doctors, Lower Loop, and 401

[mtngirl79]

I got new handle bars!

[evdog]

Next get a dropper post. They get my vote for the best money you can put into your bike. Kind Shock e-ten can probably be had for $100.

[evdog]

Went up to Mt Laguna this weekend for some sub 24 hour beat the heat fun.

Evening ride on Saturday as things were starting to cool down


Had the trails mostly to myself except for this guy, and a couple douche bags who decided it would be a great idea to throw up some hammocks next to the trail and light a campfire. It's only been 4 months since we've had rain, what could possibly go wrong?....


Finished my ride in the dark.


Dawn ride the next morning


Some Indian Creek goodness


My other beat the heat strategy... Can't wait til fall and winter to get down into the desert and do some exploring.

[grskier]

This morning was nice.. From the top of stage two of the EWS