RR: Fullerton Loop: "The Pugz Ride"

[Dino Brown]

Rode The Fullerton Loop on Sunday. Have probably done so 125 times the past few years. Today was one of my more "memorable" rides. Hope you don't mind me sharing.....

The Crew: DB, Coleko, Muddy Edgar, Muddy Zoe and...... PUGZ!!!!
Distance: 12 Miles
Time: 2+ Hours
Fun Factor: High

Background: Last week was the STR Birthday Ride. I told Gene to have fun- I would sweep! Glad that I did!
After about 10 minutes of sweeping, our group caught up to a guy on a NEW orange Chumba XCL! His name was PUGZ! The tallest, biggest, funniest, most shy, lovable and cardio-vascularly UNFIT rider I have seen in a long time! KIDDING!!! For some reason, Pugzie and I just hit it off!

We talked. Took a few water breaks. Rode. Stopped. Rode. Vomited. Rode. Stopped. He never complained! I told him we should ride Fully together. After a few PM's, we decided Sunday worked for both of us! I invited Muddy Edgar and Muddy Zoe (whom he had met at the BDAY Ride) along with my Homie Coleko. What made the day soooo special? ENTHUSIASM!!!

Pugz- Watching him ride is like watching a 10 year-old kid ride his new bike. After making a few suggestions (i.e. seat height and gear selection)..... let's just say his eyes lit up... He rode faster... His legs weren't burning as much. He looked for the most difficult lines (not sure if HE knew that). When he ate sh!t by the golf course- I truly believe he was PROUD of his battle wounds. I was! To top things off, by the end of the ride, he had set-up another ride- WITHOUT ME!!!!! Son of a ......

Muddy Edgar- Rides a tricked out Iron Horse MKIII. Let's just say (after a 3 month disappearing act) he is back riding his bike. He has the time (and desire) to ride... a new Minewt light.... He's looking for new trails.... A mountain bike weekend (or two) is in his/OUR future! He told me so! Like I said- Enthusiasm!

Muddy Zoe- She too used to ride with us. She's also back! So is her smile! Didn't leave her face the entire ride. What we discovered today is that she needs a DH bike! The girl loves the steeps! She loves speed. She loves riding past guys on the trail. What was the cause of her 2 hour grin? The realization that one's FRONT BRAKE can be useful when going downhill. We created a MONSTER!

Coleko- Another Iron Horse Homie- We ride together 2 (sometimes 3) times per week. The love this Hawaiian has for his bike took him from 255 pounds to 180(?) in only a few short months! His improvements on the bike (i.e. climbing, descending, proper gear selection, technical riding) is nothing short of astounding!!! The Man simply loves riding his bike! And it shows!!!! Enthusiasm!

PUGZ- You said 8:00. It's 8:01. You're late Dino!

Coleko- You're late Dino!

Muddy Zoe and Muddy Edgar

Sooo much easier on Dino's bike

Smiley (aka Zoe) pulling away from The Boys...

Edgar- Three-Step Huck To FLAT

Pugz- Superman seat grab to nose wheelie- near impossible!

The Freeriding Monster that "WE" created

Speedy Gonzalez

Speedy Choosing The More Difficult Line

Coleko and Pugz discussing the downhill ahead of them

My Iron Horse doesn't stop for pictures

I can't believe I made it to the top. First time ever!

The downhill- top speed 145.34mph!

Pugz nearly falling off his bike because DB wanted a damn photo. My bad!

DB Goofing Off

Coleko trying to ride down Backwards

Thanks Pugzie! I probably had more fun than you did! Until next time...

[genusmtbkr5]

Nice RR DB. I'm glad you guys had a good ride. The weather looked nice at Fully. I didn't ride today as duty calls, I was watching the Whiting entrance today. Hope to ride with Pugz again. Maybe at the SD newbie ride.

[jayman_29]

Dang, looks like I missed you guys by a few hours. I took my cousin around the fully loop for his first mountain bike experience. Looks like your ride was just as fun as ours. Hopefully the next time out we'll run into some STR family.

[Pugz]

The ride today was so much fun and I really appreciate the pointers I got from Dino and Coleko. Edgar and Zoe are two of the coolest cats to ride with and I hope we can do another loop ride soon. The fall was pretty cool and my wife asked if anybody was recording when I fell so she could laugh at me (that's love).

I cleared a couple hills I never got before and am so motivated now to get strong enough and fit enough to ride the bigger stuff, plus that way maybe Dino will take back the most cardio unfit person comment (not that it's not true).

For all the other newbies who are in rough cardio shape get out there and ride, it gets easier each time and come to some of the STR rides cause you'll absolutely meet some really cool people.

[bjammin]

Thanks for this RR. It's good to see this forum return to it's fun roots after the week of hell that the trails went thru.

[mtnbikerfred]

Hey Dino,

When do we introduce him to "The Night"? How 'bout a Tuesday Night Newb ride?

[andy aka rut]

Very Nice. Way to go Pugz! Not to mention Dino!

Wooo Wooo

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by mtnbikerfred

When do we introduce him to "The Night"? How 'bout a Tuesday Night Newb ride?

FRED, I KID YOU NOT---- PUGZ has twisted my arm into (2) more rides THIS week!

1) A freakin' "night ride" this Tuesday or WEDNESDAY! Depends on his schedule. I will need to find him a BRIGHT light first!

2) It also looks likes he plans on riding this weekend. That's right, "The Pugz Ride Part II." Once "they" finalize plans (i.e. day and time), I will post the ride.

I can already see it now, MtnbikerFred giving PUGZ pointers on how to launch over park benches. Oh Man!

[Schecky]

Very nice. Great to see people out riding again!


PS-This post is another example of the good karma of STR.
Big props to you Dino, you are the Ambassador of ENTHUSIASM!!!

Mega Steppies!

[COLEKO]

Sundays Fully ride was a good day with good people. Great weather as well. Day Started out with Dino clearing the biggest pine cone on the loop. He must have had at least 5 inches of air under both tires. It was truly Epic. Pugz dang man you attacked those hills, Good job man. I don't think Dino knows that you were in the middle ring. Muddy Edgar, Muddy Zoe Great riding with you two as well. Hope to see you guys out more.

[guero]

Originally Posted by Pugz

I cleared a couple hills I never got before and am so motivated now to get strong enough and fit enough to ride the bigger stuff...

that is probably the biggest motivational factor for me when it comes to riding. there is always gonna be that hill that gets the best of you no matter how long you have been riding. each week you slowly pick off a new section that you weren't able to clean the week before. then once you do that, you start doing those sections in a higher gear than you used to do it in.

being able to see your own progress through riding is really the best feeling ever. your friends start to take notice that you aren't last up the climbs anymore and the positive feedback they give you is really a great feeling!

ride on my friend, ride on!

[Fired Yo Momma]

Nice ride I should have joined you but I was hungover. I will see U all soon maybe this week Fully loop ride.

[tkblazer]

great RR, let me know if you guys ride this week.. i could make it ifs its after 7pm. i gotta stop being lazy and ride more miles

[guero]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

great RR, let me know if you guys ride this week.. i could make it ifs its after 7pm.

same here, i can make it to the lot by a little before 7pm.

[MuddyEdgar]

Originally Posted by Fired Yo Momma

Nice ride I should have joined you but I was hungover. I will see U all soon maybe this week Fully loop ride.

Dude Zoe and I were hungover and we still made it. We were drinking and dancing the night before till 2am.
What helps me is I drinking about 1/2 liter of water with 3 aspirins before I go to bed.
next time NO more excuses.

[Dino Brown]

I need a bit of feedback!

1) Would anyone be interested in riding the Loop (with PUGZ and DB) this WEDNESDAY at 630/7pm??? The only day PUGZ can ride! If so, does anyone have an extra HIGH POWERED light he could use? Want him to be safe. The spare I have isn't bright enough. Pretty sure another STR member has already stepped up. Just wanted to ask.

2) I am 75% certain PUGZ (and I) will be going back to FULLY this Sunday around 830am. Anyone want to join us? If enough people are interested (i.e. 5..6..7), I will alter my plans in order to attend the ride. I will most likely post the ride on Wenesday!