My first SS adventure

[J_Sims]

Well I decided on Friday to break in the new SS so off to Aliso I go.... A good dose of reality came over me as soon as I ht the dirt, I actually built a fully rigid SS (kinda cool) (kinda rough, I forgot that dirt roads and tails are not smooth) anyway I set out to simply ride up the canyon to the base of Cholla, and ended up taking both Dripping Cave and Coyote Run Single tracks instead on the way up. I am slowly adapting to what is a very unique riding style not having the gears to fall back on. You really have to charge every hill, pop out of the saddle and grind your way to the top. This really added new light to trails that I ride all the time.
I reached the base of Cholla a little winded from coming up what would normally not be a challenge and I had to take a little break. I was going to simply turn around and head back down the way that I came up as Cholla is a grind up some switch backs that can be steep even with gears. Upon sitting there I realized just how much fun I was having and how much more challenging things were, I ended up going up Cholla out of the saddle chasing my heart which had popped out of my mouth as I wanted to be physically ill and ended up making the whole thing. I do not think that I have felt the level of self accomplishment in a long time that I felt that day sitting on top of that climb bringing my heart rate down from where it peaked at 229bpm. Yes I wanted to fall over but I made it. I continued across the ridge and very slowly down rocket(Major rock garden, and full rigid bike)
Anyway great day on a great bike... I do not know that I will ride this bike every day but I do know that it will see it's share of duty and will make me stronger and quite a bit faster on the RIP.


Sorry about the lack of pictures but I just did not want to stop(having too much fun) Thank you for listening to my banter....

[Ricky]

way to go... i've been considering a SS... but not up cholla - haha...

[PacMan]

Good times man--congrats again on the sweet build. RR's like that really make me look forward to my SS ride in a few hours.

[SAR_boats]

Sweet rig, bro. What gearing are you using?

[CC]

Great job Jeff. cool that you can sqeeze it into your hecktic schedule. Less chance of a mecha a plus. Hmmm?

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Good times man--congrats again on the sweet build. RR's like that really make me look forward to my SS ride in a few hours.

Doug I love this thing... I flashed back to your ride review a couple of times when I saw the look on people's faces when they realize that you are not out of shape on a climb... you are on a SS From F'n Newbie to DAMN!!!Feels great.

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

Sweet rig, bro. What gearing are you using?

starting out with 32 22 It really limits speed on the flats but with work i can at least make it up most climbs...

Originally Posted by cyclecc

Great job Jeff. cool that you can sqeeze it into your hecktic schedule. Less chance of a mecha a plus. Hmmm?

It sucked soo bad that I did again last night after traffic school

[SAR_boats]

Sounds like we are running the same ratio. I am running a 34x24 on my 29er and speed is limited to about 10mph. 13mph if I'm sprinting

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by SAR_boats

Sounds like we are running the same ratio. I am running a 34x24 on my 29er and speed is limited to about 10mph. 13mph if I'm sprinting

I can Spin around 12 to 13...

[PacMan]

Wow, I really feel studly running the 32:20 now

Just kidding guys. I am still getting used to the SS and still have yet to see what the right gearing combo for me is for sure.

Jeff--I'm sure you are probably thinking the same thing I am: I can't believe I actually own a SS and have the stones to take it out on trails--in public.

50+ pounds ago, I never thought I'd see the day.

[Innes]

All this talk about riding SS has made me decide to take mine out tomorrow morning. It's been WAY too long.

[OMR]

Welcome to the wonderful wacky world of 29er SS! I'll tell you, it's habit forming... especially someplace like Aliso Woods. Paints a whole other side to MTBing. It also makes you appreciate your fully suspended geared bike as well. I just love all my toys!

See you on the trail somewhere in AW, Jeff...

OMR

[sladnas]

229bpm?? That's insanity. Heart attack territory! 220-age is a good rule of thumb. Be careful out there...

[bjammin]

Originally Posted by J_Sims

Well I decided on Friday to break in the new SS so off to Aliso I go.... A good dose of reality came over me as soon as I ht the dirt, I actually built a fully rigid SS (kinda cool) (kinda rough, I forgot that dirt roads and tails are not smooth) anyway I set out to simply ride up the canyon to the base of Cholla, and ended up taking both Dripping Cave and Coyote Run Single tracks instead on the way up. I am slowly adapting to what is a very unique riding style not having the gears to fall back on. You really have to charge every hill, pop out of the saddle and grind your way to the top. This really added new light to trails that I ride all the time.
I reached the base of Cholla a little winded from coming up what would normally not be a challenge and I had to take a little break. I was going to simply turn around and head back down the way that I came up as Cholla is a grind up some switch backs that can be steep even with gears. Upon sitting there I realized just how much fun I was having and how much more challenging things were, I ended up going up Cholla out of the saddle chasing my heart which had popped out of my mouth as I wanted to be physically ill and ended up making the whole thing. I do not think that I have felt the level of self accomplishment in a long time that I felt that day sitting on top of that climb bringing my heart rate down from where it peaked at 229bpm. Yes I wanted to fall over but I made it. I continued across the ridge and very slowly down rocket(Major rock garden, and full rigid bike)
Anyway great day on a great bike... I do not know that I will ride this bike every day but I do know that it will see it's share of duty and will make me stronger and quite a bit faster on the RIP.


Sorry about the lack of pictures but I just did not want to stop(having too much fun) Thank you for listening to my banter....

Welcome to the cult!

[tbowren]

Nice bike! Thanks for the ride report.
I just bought my first 29er SS frame, and will be building it up to ride at Aliso as well.
My plan is to run 32x22 with 180mm cranks.
I can't believe you cleared Cholla on your first try!! You should be very proud of yourself. Cholla is not EASY in any gear.
Your success gives me hope.

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by tbowren

Nice bike! Thanks for the ride report.
I just bought my first 29er SS frame, and will be building it up to ride at Aliso as well.
My plan is to run 32x22 with 180mm cranks.
I can't believe you cleared Cholla on your first try!! You should be very proud of yourself. Cholla is not EASY in any gear.
Your success gives me hope.

Hit me up when your up and runnin... we can go tear it up...

[tbowren]

Will do!