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Biking '10 part 2

#961
Alright, got the results of the TT as an average of 23.5mph for a 13.55 mile course. Not quite fast enough to clinch the #1 spot, but a personal best. Probably would have been much closer if I didn't have to slow down for the semi. While most weren't serious racers, I managed to catch the 6 people who started in front of me and we were let out at 2 minute intervals.
 
#963
My name is Mudd said:
I am alternately sympathetic and lol'ing here. Nice time tho, and 'grats on that!
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I saw the humor in it. They misunderestimated my speed. :p Fortunately, it wasn't an official race, so the course wasn't even remotely closed.

At the state TT, I lost some time due to a big truck having to turn around at an intersection. I didn't have to slam on the brakes, but had to soft pedal. I was out of the top 10 by 4 seconds, which REALLY hurt.
 
#970
It sucked, the fast group was racing freaks while the slow one was incapable (by that I mean utterly slow AND out of shape) people...

adit: Actually I'm not too far from from keeping up with the fast guys on the uphill, but downhill is another story, and I didn't want to slow them down so I went with the slow...arghhhh
 
#971
Ziltoid said:
It sucked, the fast group was racing freaks while the slow one was incapable (by that I mean utterly slow AND out of shape) people...

adit: Actually I'm not too far from from keeping up with the fast guys on the uphill, but downhill is another story, and I didn't want to slow them down so I went with the slow...arghhhh
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Just let some air out on your front tire, and let go of your brakes ;) - Fast descents are fun.

A fat tire up front is confidence inspiring - Try a 2.3+ tire and that should help. I recommend a Maxxis Ardent 2.4 or Continental Mountain King 2.4. The MK is very popular tire in the New England area at this time of the year which I'm assuming is somewhat close terrain-wise to the New Brunswick area (although that is a big assumption based on geographical proximity).

Do you have 26in or 29in wheels anyway?
 
#977
Ziltoid said:
It sucked, the fast group was racing freaks while the slow one was incapable (by that I mean utterly slow AND out of shape) people...

adit: Actually I'm not too far from from keeping up with the fast guys on the uphill, but downhill is another story, and I didn't want to slow them down so I went with the slow...arghhhh
Click to expand...

That's too bad. We do a group ride with all skill levels welcome and the faster/better riders slow down so the newer riders can keep pace and learn something. We usually stop at the beginning of tough/intimidating sections so the newer riders can watch how to ride them (or sometimes how not to ride it :D). It was done for me back when I started so I'm just paying it forward. The best way to improve your riding is to ride with people who are better riders. Anyone who attends this ride is aware of how it goes so we don't get the ultra-competitive types who want to turn everything into a race. If I want to do a fast/continuous ride I just call my buddies who are at around the same skill level as I am.

How's the terrain around Edmunston? You've got some good-sized hills up there, no?


anyonefortennis said:
Just let some air out on your front tire, and let go of your brakes ;) - Fast descents are fun.

A fat tire up front is confidence inspiring - Try a 2.3+ tire and that should help. I recommend a Maxxis Ardent 2.4 or Continental Mountain King 2.4. The MK is very popular tire in the New England area at this time of the year which I'm assuming is somewhat close terrain-wise to the New Brunswick area (although that is a big assumption based on geographical proximity).

Do you have 26in or 29in wheels anyway?
Click to expand...

I'm a big fan of Maxxis tires in general and I've found that for our trails I get the best results with Super-Tacky 2.35 Minions, though I must say I've liked the Ardents and Advantages I've tried as well. Everything here is super tech with lots of rocks and roots and very little soil. It's often wet but since there's not much soil, there isn't much mud. The super-tacky rubber is really useful here.

As for descending: Learn to use your front brake and get your weight back, way off the back of the seat in really steep sections. If it's a long descent I'd recommend dropping your saddle a few inches (assuming a QR collar). It makes it way easier to get your weight back. Around here we have a lot of short but steep and scary descents so I invested in one of these:

Link Removed

It's totally changed my trail riding. Pricey though.

I just took delivery of a 2300 lumen light set from Magicshine so I'm going to start night riding tomorrow evening. Should be a blast!
 
#979
Mark Reccord said:
As for descending: Learn to use your front brake and get your weight back, way off the back of the seat in really steep sections. If it's a long descent I'd recommend dropping your saddle a few inches (assuming a QR collar). It makes it way easier to get your weight back.
Click to expand...

Ah yes. This. Throw you @$$ over your rear wheel and use your front brake. You can help with the rear brake but don't over do it. Without much weight on it, it is easy to lock your rear wheel on descents.

If you have a lot of steep descents and notice lack of stopping power or brake fading, a cheaper option to new brakes is to upgrade to a bigger front rotor. Most likely your bike came with 160mm rotors. You can always upgrade to a 185mm (or 203mm if your fork has room for it). All you need is a new rotor and adapter which shouldn't set you more than $40-50. It's a DIY job if you have a Torx screw driver (for IS 6 bolt rotors) or a free wheel tool (if you have center lock rotors) and a set of allen wrenches that you probably already have.
 

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