types of bike riding

[thephat]

I started this thread because I know many of you, but many are just a screen name. I am curious about the riding that everyone does other than trail riding. I'll go first.

My commuter bike is a single speed road bike (Kona Paddy Wagon). This thing is cheep, fast, and tuff. I like it. I try to ride instead of drive at least once a day. Commuting is great for my attitude, fitness, handling skills, and conscience.

XC riding and endurance is fun. This is what first got me into the competetive side of mtbing. I have a couple of steel single speeds made right here in Tustin by Denis Duty. Sometimes I miss training for the vision quest, and spending all day in the Santa Ana mountains. I still get these bikes out and ride them, but not as often as I would like. There is nothing like ending a ride with nothing left in the tank.

Trail riding has always been the primary draw for me. I like getting out on a bike, and having fun with my friends. My Ventana Ciclone is one of the best trail bikes that I have ever had. To me, all riding kind of falls under the umbrella of how I feel about trail riding. It is about getting away, and feeling free.

My trials bike has been collecting dust lately. It is a real cool Woodman UCI style no saddle etc. I went through a phase where I road trials almost daily. We had a Tues eve trials ride at the shop and everything. Lately, other bikes have been getting in the way of my relationship with this one, but I want to patch things up.

My DJ/Urban/skatepark bike is a Blackmarket mob made in Santa Ana. This one has been seeing some use lately at the pump track. Sometimes I use it to commute. I would like to try some 4X and DS with this one. It is also fun to take it to the BMX track. I kind of suck at DJ and skate park, but I would love to get better at this aspect of riding. One of the most fun things I have ever done on this one is a parking structure race. You and some freinds get into the biggest parking structure that you can find when it's empty. Then you take the elevator to the top, and race down. The crashes are rediculous, and it's a blast. It's all about flat cornering.

Downhill has become the disciplin that I compete in. I never thought I would be a downhiller, but somehow, I ended up with a sick DH bike, a bunch of shuttle monkey freinds, and a need to go fast downhill. This aspect of riding is often missunderstood.

Last year, I got a super nice road bike (custom ti Seven). I did not know if I would like it, but it turns out that I really enjoy road riding. If I could just figure out a way to make time to ride it regularly, I would get some real fitness going.

Then there is hucking and freeriding. I get enough of this between the trail rides, and the dhing.

As you can imagin, it is hard to make time for all these bikes, but I love them all, and I try.

[ezzyride]

I started riding seriously last year in the Spring. My riding has been on a mountain bike only. Recently I've been thinking of purchasing a road bike, mainly for conditioning purposes, hoping it will make me a better mountain biker.

My rides have been at local parks Peters, Aliso, El Moro, Whiting my biggest ride was in Los Pinos. It's funny but I got thru that ride just fine thou it was over my head.

I am working towards bigger and better rides hopefully I'll get to blackstar soon. I've been adviced to concentrate on long climbs.

My bike is a black IronHorse Azure my 1st was a cheap $260 moongoose/hardtail. The moongoose still looks good and so many have ridden that bike at their 1st mtb ride. Bailey (mtnbikerfred's) little girl rides it.

Lately I've been thinking about a small Specialized Black/w a pink fork. Maybe a custom paint job.

Hope to see you all out on the trails.

-Elvia

[ChariotsOfTires]

Wow!!!! Hmmmm!!!!
I have but one bike and ride it anytime I ride. It's a black '07 Specialized Rockhopper. I ride mostly XC Trails. I'd like to start commuting, but work too far at the moment to do that. If I do start commuting then probalby just invest in another set of rims and street tires for my Specy.

[thephat]

Originally Posted by ezzyride

My rides have been at local parks Peters, Aliso, El Moro, Whiting my biggest ride was in Los Pinos. It's funny but I got thru that ride just fine thou it was over my head.



-Elvia

If you can ride Pinos, you can ride just about anything up or down. Seriously Pinos is pretty gnar, and there is not much reward except for the incredible views and isolation.

Originally Posted by ChariotsOfTires

Wow!!!! Hmmmm!!!!
I have but one bike and ride it anytime I ride. It's a black '07 Specialized Rockhopper. I ride mostly XC Trails. I'd like to start commuting, but work too far at the moment to do that. If I do start commuting then probalby just invest in another set of rims and street tires for my Specy.

Solid.

Simplicity is a virtuous.

If you feel like you could do the commute one way, try driving in then riding home. Leave work clothes in the car, and ride in the next morning. Then, you can drive home that evening, or you may surprise yourself, and leave the car at work.

For all I know though, you may live like a gazilion miles from work...

[strobelite]

ive got an old s&m next gen dirtbike, for when i want to feel like a kid again, my db mission for my main mtb, and my old 90's fisher paragon ss conversion for commute/rainy days. 4x and new road bike after the wedding in may.

[Padre]

I've simplified my stable down to 3 bikes:

Seven ti road bike: this bad boy sees about 70% of my riding action. it's built big, burly, and comfy. Most weeks it sees about 200 miles.

Turner Sultan: the best go anywhere, do anything XC bike I've owned since my Leviathan. Raced Downieville on it with a 5" fork. Rode the Rwanda ride on it with heavy wheels, attempted the VQ on it with light wheels, do all day Noble Canyon adventures on it. There is nothing it does poorly. I ride it weekly at least, sometimes twice.

DeSalvo ti singlespeed: Sadly, this little guy doesn't get ridden much anymore. Maybe monthly. Pretty sad for the worlds largest lightweight XXL singlespeed. 22.8lbs is pretty good for a bike with a 26.4"TT, chromoly cranks, and an uncut steerer tube. I'm sure when Harding etc opens it'll get more action. Still, it's conquered a Vision Quest and a 100 miler so it's part of the family to stay.

Oh yes, all these bikes were built at the Path. They take care of us big boys well.

[thephat]

Originally Posted by Padre

I've simplified my stable down to 3 bikes:

Seven ti road bike: this bad boy sees about 70% of my riding action. it's built big, burly, and comfy. Most weeks it sees about 200 miles.

Turner Sultan: the best go anywhere, do anything XC bike I've owned since my Leviathan. Raced Downieville on it with a 5" fork. Rode the Rwanda ride on it with heavy wheels, attempted the VQ on it with light wheels, do all day Noble Canyon adventures on it. There is nothing it does poorly. I ride it weekly at least, sometimes twice.

DeSalvo ti singlespeed: Sadly, this little guy doesn't get ridden much anymore. Maybe monthly. Pretty sad for the worlds largest lightweight XXL singlespeed. 22.8lbs is pretty good for a bike with a 26.4"TT, chromoly cranks, and an uncut steerer tube. I'm sure when Harding etc opens it'll get more action. Still, it's conquered a Vision Quest and a 100 miler so it's part of the family to stay.

Oh yes, all these bikes were built at the Path. They take care of us big boys well.

Sick bikes for sure padre. I want to hear about your hucker days, and some vq stories etc. I know I spoke a lot about my bikes, Im obsessed. I meant this to be more about different types of riding that we have done and do now - maybe stuff we are thinking of trying.

In that vain, I am having some sick memories of the single tracks that wind through the swampland in northern florida. I used to wheel my stingray around alone all afternoon, and catch bugs and stuff when I was like 6.

[ChariotsOfTires]

Originally Posted by thephat

Solid.

Simplicity is a virtuous.

If you feel like you could do the commute one way, try driving in then riding home. Leave work clothes in the car, and ride in the next morning. Then, you can drive home that evening, or you may surprise yourself, and leave the car at work.

For all I know though, you may live like a gazilion miles from work...

Good idea. It's not a bizillian miles only 25 to be exact. However, its Chino to Monrovia and so I am trying to think through the best route to take to get home and get to work on time. May try to ride it home on Thursday and carpool the next morning. That way I can get an idea of how long it would take.
thephat, you got me thinking now. Thanks.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by thephat

Sick bikes for sure padre. I want to hear about your hucker days, and some vq stories etc. I know I spoke a lot about my bikes, Im obsessed. I meant this to be more about different types of riding that we have done and do now - maybe stuff we are thinking of trying.

In that vain, I am having some sick memories of the single tracks that wind through the swampland in northern florida. I used to wheel my stingray around alone all afternoon, and catch bugs and stuff when I was like 6.

My foray into mtb was sad. A ghetto shop in Costa Mesa sold me a size L Specialized Enduro. After multiple endos and a broken seat mast, it was warranteed with an XL. Another 6 months and the mast broken again.

As a burly XC bike I got on to a SC Bullit and rode that daily for 3 years. I had two forks for it on hand. THe XC fork, Marz 5" and a Super T 7". Just swap and go depending on the ride.

We went from 12 mile Whiting/El Morro loops to doing DH stuff at Big Bear.

I can't say I miss the DH stuff. The adrenaline is great but I like the feeling of being wasted after riding 6 hours.

Oh, and I had a Lenz Behemoth. Fork sucked, bike was awesome. I'll have another when/if a 29er Pike ever exists.

[J_Sims]

...

[maxwell]

Man, my type of riding?

Let's see.......

Trail riding

I really, really like long rides.
The long climbs, with the the reward of going downhill till the arm pump is so bad that you have to stop, and shake it out.
I miss the day's when we'd hit the Santa Ana's and I'd be 'bout dead by the time we were done.
I love road trips to different parts of the Country. The terrain is so much different that what we are used to.

XC racing

I still really don't consider myself an XC racer, but I've done it so much over the last few years with Lacey, that I guess I am.
I'm not very fast, but it sure is fun to compete.

Downhill

It's my reward for climbing, on any ride.
Whether we're climbing on the bikes on a fireroad, or climbing into the shuttle vehicle, it's ALWAYS my reward. Fast flowing singletrack, over rocks, and down some stupid steep chute. That's my reward.

DJing

Hommie don't play that!

Commuting

Sometimes, but not as often as I should.

My two MTB's are a 32lb Kona Hoss hardtail & my beloved 39.5lb Stinky full squish.

I ride them both the same, and have fun on EVERY ride.

P.S.

Crashing is also a BIG part of my type of riding!

[DownHillPhil]

I think you and I have something in common Maxwell... Except my XC bike is a 45 lb Diablo

I don't consider it a good ride if I don't wipe out at least 3 times

[TrojanInsomniac]

My stable is slowly growing.........finally up to two bikes now.

Trail Riding/XC - Intense 5.5 FRO - It's the perfect bike for the type of riding I do in the Santa Monica's and for the occasional trips down to OC. I'm looking to upgrade some of the parts over the next few months, so Tani, I will seek you for your expertise (I'm sure you know my bike......or at least the stolen front wheel incident in my hood )

My newest addition to the stable is an Orange Soma Juice. I have it built up as a SS and am absolutely loving it. As a matter of fact, I've been riding it more than my 5.5......yes, I've become a SS whore. A big thanks to The Path for hooking me up!

As soon as I find another job (anybody out there hiring a financial analyst w/ sales skills?), I'll be looking to add a DH bike to the arsenal.

[Framekiller]

Originally Posted by DownHillPhil

I don't consider it a good ride if I don't wipe out at least 3 times

then by those standards, EVERY ride is a good ride!

[ericfoltz]

I like long trail rides. I've been working on riding all the IMBA "Epics" over the last couple of years. http://www.imba.com/epics/rides.html

I did seven last year and rode in 29 different states over the course of the year.

Did 4000+ miles last year on a 2006 Mongoose Teocali Super. Switched to a lighter, faster BMC Trailfox this year. (I have a 2007 Teocali Super warranty frame for sale if anyone is looking for a good 5.75" trailbike)

I also road ride (Mongoose Bosberg Carbon) mainly for conditioning but also because it's cooler during the summer when it gets too hot for really long MTB rides. You can only carry so much water and setting up water caches is just a pain.

I actually enjoy the road more than I thought I would. The mileage can be addicting.

I compete in a bunch of the BikeJournal competitions (elevation gain, metrics, singletrack) to stay motivated.

[dstepper]

I have three bikes:
Niner One-9 22.23lbs
Niner Rip 30.53 lbs
Turner RFX 33.86 lbs

I am a XC guy and shy away from the more tech trails. For me it is mostly about new dirt and exploring. Fireroad climbs don't bother me has long as it somewhere remote. The hi