Snow in Paradise?

 I took the family north to a little town called Shelter Cove this last weekend. The BLM has done some amazing work out there for us mountain bikers. 2 years ago they had a 14 mile loop trail called Paradise Royale. Now they have a pump track and freeride park. Wouldn't you know it, the day we rode the loop was the only day it rained. Brad and Eric are trying to look happy in this shot after climbing for an hour and a half (I think this is where Brad said he hated me). You can't tell but it just started to snow on us (Is it supposed to snow on the coast?). Unfortunately the skies opened up and changed the downhill from a super flowy jump run into a freezing rush to the truck.  Eric's lips were still blue 2 hours after his hot shower.

 We took the kids back up the next day and let them play on the jumps. Gage wasn't to thrilled with leaving the ground.

 Brianna was clearing this table before we left.

Ashton was having so much fun he didn't want to leave, even it was dark. He got his first air and can't wait for more.

Good Test

 Finally got a proper "All Mountain" ride in for my new all mountain bike. Chuck at Solstice sent me a loaner set of cranks to fix my shifting problems. What other frame manufacturer is going to do that? This guy has gone so far beyond what would be expected form an owner it crazy. He talked me though setting up the front derailleur from his house on a Saturday!  I was able to use my original front chain rings on his cranks and everything lined up perfectly. 

 The snow did melt enough for Sean and I to get up to Crandle Peak and ride down some lava in perfect weather. 16miles, 3hours, 2064ft gain, 1938 calories, 2 flat tires

The Solstice has some big shoes to fill. My Firebird was the best all around bike I have ever ridden. I think this one might be that good. I need a little more time to know for sure but so far I am very happy with my choice in frames, and certainly in terms of customer service.

Old friend new bike

 I finally got my Solstice and the parts to build it on Friday. I built it on Saturday. It snowed 4 inches here on Saturday night. I was so grumpy I wasn't going to ride it. But the only person I would have bet money would not go riding, (Brandon) set up a ride. We went to Tuttle Town for some easy XC trails after all the rain. 

They conditions were perfect. The Solstice didn't really get a proper test though. The trails are super smooth and easy. This worked out because I had to ride 1X10. It turns out that you can't run a 10 speed set up with old 3 speed cranks, at least not with the front derailleur I am using. So I am going to have to buy a new set of cranks (budget killer). So far I am very impressed with how well the bike climbs though. Because I did the whole ride in the 36 ring I had to stand and climb a lot. It had almost no noticeable pedal bob. Hopefully the snow melts a bit and I can show it some rocks.  

New mistress

My new frame is on its way. The owner of Solstice couldn't have been nicer to deal with. He must have answered 50 questions for me. He was very patient and concerned that I got the right frame and the right parts. It's amazing how different it is to deal with the owner/designer. Thanks Chuck.

One track mind

My wife says I have a one track mind. She might be right. I'm not sure what the problem is. My Jack o lantern has more teeth than anyone else's.

Variety

I love bombing downhill on a big bike. Thats all I have been doing lately. My Uzzi benifited from a little canabalization of the Firebird parts tub. It has full Shimano XTR shadow drive train now and shifts flawlessly. The weather is perfect and the dirt is tacky. Best time of year for mountain bikers. For some reason my single speed has started calling to me though. Every non mountain biker I know can't understand why I have multiple bikes. I rode 42 miles on Friday morning with Bobby and my dog Katie on the SS. About 90% was on fire road. That kind of ride on my Uzzi would have been miserable, but the Lynskey just made me want to go farther. I have tried the one bike to rule them all thing and it just doesn't work for me. Every bike has different capabilitys, they all ride in the dirt but the having the right bike on the right trail is awesome.

Katie and I played around on the shore of Lyons while we waited for Bobby. The view reminds me why I live out here.

2 days of downhilling

The last two days I have been getting out some aggression on some of Pinecrest's finest downhill. I didn't think I would ever enjoy Hemlock. After a second run and with the addition of the lower trail Juniper, I have to admit I had a blast. It is without a doubt the hardest stuff I have ever ridden. After those two extremely demanding trials Lucas and I finished off with Dome and lower PCP. I was so tired I could barely hold on. Katie got to try out her new Intense on the lower stuff with us. After freezing her ass off for an hour waiting for us to stop sliding down granite. She worked that bike on Dome's worst and cleared some new sections. Its amazing what the right bike will do to your confidence.

Today I took Sean and Bobby down Sunrise and PCP. I found out that Sean had only ridden PCP once and never Sunrise. Unfortunately I was still pretty worked from the day before. No speed records today. Killer ride none the less.

I don't think Bobby's wife is going to let him ride with me anymore. He seems to come back bleeding a lot. A simple crash in the sand and he's off to the hospital for 8 stitches. Never slowed him down though.

Lucas and I posing in front of the trails name sake on Juniper.

Lucas is going to be mad at me for this but its not often I get to see him make a mistake, especially on camera. We filled that whole in so maybe next time it wont eat his wheel.

This blog was originally started to track the use and destruction of bike parts, so I have to spew a little about Avid Code disk brakes. I put these brakes on my Uzzi not long after I bought it. When they work they are incredible. Unfortunately it seems like they demand constant attention and bleeding. Now I can't even bleed the front one. There must be something stuck internally. I searched online and I am not the only one having this problem. The rebuild kit retails for $55, Lame. Both levers are now touching the bars so I am out of options.