First off road ride in 11 years....
Discussion
"Back in the day" I was a bit obsessed with bikes - there is a pic in the show of your bike thread of my old Amp Research that I still have, and it took me all over the country, and on a few occasions I rode from Preston to Windermere, had a play off road, and then rode home again. I even did sub 30 minute 10mile time trials on it! http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Last week I bought a Trek Fuel 8 as an early birthday present. I had toyed with buying a cheap trackslag and trailer, but after thinking about it I wouldn't get anywhere near as much use out of it as I would like to, and thought the bike would be a better option and be better for me physically.
So yesterday I went up to Llandegla with one of my old riding mates. The bike was awesome. Truly an eye-opener as to how bike technology has moved on, and made the first ride back an absolute joy. The suspension set-up amazed me at how much extra stability and traction it gave me, and the Elixir discs blew me away. I've used hydro brakes when they first came out in the mid 90's but these are on a different level.
It was wet, muddy, windy, I've broken my ass, coughed up both lungs, and only had one very slow speed stumble as I forgot how to negotiate a rocky climb. I didn't seem to have a problem with strength or energy levels, but I'm truly shocked at how unfit I have become! My mate was cruising up a long but easy climb in the top ring, and was huffing and puffing away in the granny ring, sweating like a vicar in a brothel. I now just need to get more hours in the saddle grinding away to build up my fitness and endurance, but despite the impending pain, I'm looking forward to it.
It's good to be back.
Last week I bought a Trek Fuel 8 as an early birthday present. I had toyed with buying a cheap trackslag and trailer, but after thinking about it I wouldn't get anywhere near as much use out of it as I would like to, and thought the bike would be a better option and be better for me physically.
So yesterday I went up to Llandegla with one of my old riding mates. The bike was awesome. Truly an eye-opener as to how bike technology has moved on, and made the first ride back an absolute joy. The suspension set-up amazed me at how much extra stability and traction it gave me, and the Elixir discs blew me away. I've used hydro brakes when they first came out in the mid 90's but these are on a different level.
It was wet, muddy, windy, I've broken my ass, coughed up both lungs, and only had one very slow speed stumble as I forgot how to negotiate a rocky climb. I didn't seem to have a problem with strength or energy levels, but I'm truly shocked at how unfit I have become! My mate was cruising up a long but easy climb in the top ring, and was huffing and puffing away in the granny ring, sweating like a vicar in a brothel. I now just need to get more hours in the saddle grinding away to build up my fitness and endurance, but despite the impending pain, I'm looking forward to it.
It's good to be back.
Modern MTBs are great aren't they, brakes and suspension now are just fantastic. Does make me chuckle and wonder why when you see people restoring old steeds from their youth - never go back!
Llandegla is a great trail centre as well, not too busy, not super technical and very nice and fast for most sections. The red and blue runs are very good and the extra you get from the black is not owrth that horrible little switchback up the steep hill!
Glad you're back offroad and enjoying yourself. When you're a little fitter you can head further into Wales and do the Marin trail in the morning followed by Penmachno in the afternoon, Penmachno is the best of the northern Welsh trail centres I've been to
Llandegla is a great trail centre as well, not too busy, not super technical and very nice and fast for most sections. The red and blue runs are very good and the extra you get from the black is not owrth that horrible little switchback up the steep hill!
Glad you're back offroad and enjoying yourself. When you're a little fitter you can head further into Wales and do the Marin trail in the morning followed by Penmachno in the afternoon, Penmachno is the best of the northern Welsh trail centres I've been to
I'm in a similar position, after 14 years off bikes I bought a Revoloution Triad Zero. I did look at modernising my old kona Firemountain but it really wasn't worth that hassle.
After a month or so I did a fun but windy and wet ride tonight and can still walk!
I do spend a lot of my time on the bike sweating like a paticularly hot pig and wondering why I stopped in the first place.
After a month or so I did a fun but windy and wet ride tonight and can still walk!
I do spend a lot of my time on the bike sweating like a paticularly hot pig and wondering why I stopped in the first place.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff