Chino Hills SSolo

[jasonmason]

So I knew I was going to be late back from San Diego, and as much as I wanted to wanted to make the Chiquita Ridge ride this week, it just wasnt going to happen. So i loaded up the new ss and headed over to chino hills; figured i could get a good ride in before it got dark...

My usual after work loop here is about 15 miles, going in from the Yorba Linda side, and takes 1:45 or so, sometimes quicker on a good day. Head west on south ridge, down diemer and left on telegraph, east up north ridge, down powerline, up bovinian, and back west on south ridge. I hadn't done this on the ss yet though, but figured how tough could it be?

The first hill on south ridge wasn't bad, and the rolling fireroad along southridge really let me get in tune with the ss momentum/cadence feeling that i'm not entirely used to yet. The big wheels sure made rolling the ruts (and staying out of the ruts!) on diemer easier than i though they would be, and telegraph again helped me get that idea of where my pedalling needed to be to keep from slowing too much and having to recoup all that momentum.

Which is where northridge bit me - keeping momentum on a lond climb with the ss is tough! I'd only taken it out on short climbs before, stuff i could just hammer through. A long, steady climb like north ridge is fine on the geared bike, but man it's tough to keep a consistent pace on the ss. I climbed it all though, didn't walk any of it, which felt pretty good once i made it up to gilman peak. The remainder of north ridge is really sandy, worse than the last few weeks, and sections are almost unrideable, especially the last hill up to powerline. Slogging through sand...ugh.

I think someone may have gone in and groomed powerline and bovinian a little, since they seem better than they were a few weeks back. That or all the mustard is getting brittle and breaking off rather that bending and then whipping back. South ridge was it's usual fast self, though as much as i like the rigid fork on climbs, it's not much fun on those washboard-y decents (Carl, i think i need your fork!). Made it back to the car in 1:47, which made me stoked since i figured the ss would slow me down. With some getting used to it, and some getting stronger, i think it's going to be no slower overall than riding the geared bike. Sweet!

One of these days i'll learn to bring a camera along with me...

Anyway, just a fun tuesday night solo ride I though I'd share, and one more day having fun on a new bike!

Oh, and it was wierd, i hardly saw any wildlife last night. Everyone always talks about all the coyotes, deer, etc usually out there - i got nothin' last night.

[BrewMaster]

I groomed Bovinian with me knees and arms last night. The brush is definitely getting beaten back. I am thinking a FF helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads could make riding Raptor a bit of fun!

[jasonmason]

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I groomed Bovinian with me knees and arms last night. The brush is definitely getting beaten back. I am thinking a FF helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads could make riding Raptor a bit of fun!

Hey thanks for the trail grooming; i only got half the usual welts and scratches this time. While I was grunting up northridge, I was thinking about the fact that more often than not we're probably both out at chino at the same time, just riding opposite ends of the park!

It is getting better out there, slowly. The July trail day is really going to help this place.

[tkblazer]

lets see some pics of this so called ss bike

[ShinKen]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

lets see some pics of this so called ss bike

seen it in person!!! sweet machine!!! just needs to get rid of that lame gueyy ass rigid fork and put some squishhyy for the sweet hunkS!!

[jasonmason]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

lets see some pics of this so called ss bike

I don't have any yet - been to busy riding it!

It's out in the truck right now, ready for another ride tonight once i get off work. Soma Juice ss - still got some things i want to do to it, but getting it dialed in...

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

seen it in person!!! sweet machine!!! just needs to get rid of that lame gueyy ass rigid fork and put some squishhyy for the sweet hunkS!!

guuatt i thought all the hardcore buBbs rode their ss bikes rigid

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by jasonmason

Hey thanks for the trail grooming; i only got half the usual welts and scratches this time. While I was grunting up northridge, I was thinking about the fact that more often than not we're probably both out at chino at the same time, just riding opposite ends of the park!

It is getting better out there, slowly. The July trail day is really going to help this place.

I climbed up Southridge last night with knee pads in my pack and just put them on for the descent down Bovinian. It actually made the descent pretty fun since I didn't feel the thistles slicing my skin.

[jasonmason]

Originally Posted by ShinKen

seen it in person!!! sweet machine!!! just needs to get rid of that lame gueyy ass rigid fork and put some squishhyy for the sweet hunkS!!

Yeah, after coming down south ridge at speed, the rigid's getting replaced pretty quick...it's nice to climb with, but just beats me up on the downhill.

Sam, when were you out there? I passed through 4 corners about 6:40 before heading up bovinian.

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by jasonmason

Yeah, after coming down south ridge at speed, the rigid's getting replaced pretty quick...it's nice to climb with, but just beats me up on the downhill.

its not that bad really once you start putting on miles.. its a freakin hardtail anyways you are not going to be that fast on the downs anyways.. i've done some tough trails on a rigid bike and i have to say it was pretty fun

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

its not that bad really once you start putting on miles.. its a freakin hardtail anyways you are not going to be that fast on the downs anyways.. i've done some tough trails on a rigid bike and i have to say it was pretty fun

Gimme your Fox F29! I have a rigid Zion fork that's tons of fun.

[jasonmason]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

its not that bad really once you start putting on miles.. its a freakin hardtail anyways you are not going to be that fast on the downs anyways.. i've done some tough trails on a rigid bike and i have to say it was pretty fun

Yeah, i like it as something different, and can see where it would work well for certain rides. It worked fine doing mellow stuff like peter's and fully; this was my first ride with any fast dh.
I'm still not used to the different pace of riding the ss yet, so we'll see what I end up with - probably the rigid for some rides, and a suspension for for others.

For you guys that have been ssing for a while - how often are you out of the saddle vs. sitting and spinning? I feel like i was having a hard time keeping constant on the climb up northridge. I'd climb for a while in the saddle, then get out and hammer for a while to get a fast cadence, then sit and try and keep a good cadence again for a while until i slowed down and hammered again. Is it just something that comes with riding the ss more, or do you just end up out of the saddle on climbs more frequently?

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by jasonmason

Yeah, i like it as something different, and can see where it would work well for certain rides. It worked fine doing mellow stuff like peter's and fully; this was my first ride with any fast dh.
I'm still not used to the different pace of riding the ss yet, so we'll see what I end up with - probably the rigid for some rides, and a suspension for for others.

For you guys that have been ssing for a while - how often are you out of the saddle vs. sitting and spinning? I feel like i was having a hard time keeping constant on the climb up northridge. I'd climb for a while in the saddle, then get out and hammer for a while to get a fast cadence, then sit and try and keep a good cadence again for a while until i slowed down and hammered again. Is it just something that comes with riding the ss more, or do you just end up out of the saddle on climbs more frequently?

SS climbing. Like long fire road? Well, I used to try to sit as much as possible b/c that saved my lungs/heartrate. But that can get hard on your back as you use it for leverage to stay ontop of the gear. Now that my cardio is better I find I stand more and alternate when I need a little break and sit and mash.

I've seen guys sit and rip super fast, and other guys stand and rip. It all depends on your gearing, fitness, etc.

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by jasonmason

Sam, when were you out there? I passed through 4 corners about 6:40 before heading up bovinian.

Dang, we just missed each other. I was back in my house by 7:05, so I left 4 Corners around 6:30ish.

I couldn't imagine climbing Northridge on a SS. Cheers to you.