Mon. Nite Incycle ride? Status May 22?

[gurp13]

What's the status for this ride? Marshall Cyn. doesn't do well when it's wet, IIRC. As of 8am today, there's no rain forcasted beyond 9am on weather.com. How much rain did Marshall get? Anyone know? Will the trails be too wet? What about Bonelli? How's it for rain?

[blurit]

Stay away from Bonelli after it rains it gets sloppy, it takes at least 2 days to dry out. Marshall is good after a day, there are some spots that take longer to dry but overall it is good to go a day after a rain.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Not sure how much it rained last night, but it was still drizzling in San Dimas this morning at 9am. If it didn't rain very hard Bonelli should be ok to ride tonight.

Scratch that....just went outside and it's all wet! Bonelli and Marshall need a couple days to dry out.

[dirttorpeedo]

Originally Posted by gurp13

What's the status for this ride? Marshall Cyn. doesn't do well when it's wet, IIRC. As of 8am today, there's no rain forcasted beyond 9am on weather.com. How much rain did Marshall get? Anyone know? Will the trails be too wet? What about Bonelli? How's it for rain?

hey gurp im not going to be there tonite because it was raining on me going to werk.when it rains ive gotta use the commuter bike,witch is'nt trial friendly.sorry i guessed it was going to be raining,i dont like to "horse hoove" the trails in marshall cyn,so when its raining i dont ride.next week for sure if no rain.....ok?

[gurp13]

Werd. I'm gonna get some road time, then. No worries! Next week fer shure.

[Pain Freak]

No ride tonight. I got sidetracked at work anyways and when I looked up it was already 5:45. My boss has got to learn that biking comes first!

[gurp13]

Well, I just got back from riding. Mostly road. I went up Lytle Creek road, over the freeway on Duncan Cyn. Up Duncan Cyn to the dirt road (1st on left going north) and went up the dirt road and took it up to the fireroad that parallels the powerlines. Then, I went west, crossed over to the Panorama houses. I was looking to go up the singletrack somewhere up there. Couldn't find it. Well, that's half true. I found a singletrack that goes right the f*ck up the face of a hill. I rode a little ways up, then pushed my bike up the first hump, then pushed halfway up the second hump before I thought, "Just what in God's name am I doing? I'm just gonna have to walk back down this!" I looked and thought, "Hey, this doesn't look *that* steep."

Famous last words.

I got on the bike, nosed it toward the slope, and hung my butt over the back wheel. I started down, skidding my back wheel (hey, Dirttorpedo, those brakes werk gud!) and started to ease off the brake, picking up speed a little, got to the lip of the first hump and hesitated, then went over that too. I slid and skidded but made my way down. So there, I thought.

I went across the street to the Panorama houses. Google Earth shows another singletrack over there. Looking closely at the map, it looks like it goes over the hills to "Grapevine Canyon" and "Texas Hill" in the Lytle Creek area. I couldn't get over there because of the construction of the new $1M houses. I went around the south side, down a fireroad, around a big chainlink fence I'm sure they didn't want me around, and toured down the fireroad, noting the "Private Property - No Trespassing" signs as I went. Sigh. Why won't they just let us ride?

Anywho, I eventually made my way over to a fireroad that joined back up with the pavement. I took a horsetrail along the back of the "Brentwood" houses and paralleled San Sevaine Ave down to Wilson/Summit. Then, back to my house. 16.1 miles total. Fun! Not as fun as Marshall, exactly, but better than a poke in the eye with a hot, sharp, mite-ridden stick.

[dirttorpeedo]

good ta hear you bike werks well,if your rear wheel is skidding you need more front brake,but still leen back,or even lower your seet.

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by dirttorpeedo

good ta hear you bike werks well,if your rear wheel is skidding you need more front brake,but still leen back,or even lower your seet.

I was trying not to use the front brake too much so I wouldn't endo. I was skeered to go too fast. I just kept locking the back. 'Course, I wouldn't endo if I was leaning that far back, too. Hmm. So complicated. Guess I'll just have to go faster. Bottom line: I had visions of my front wheel bouncing off a rut or something and me going flying and rolling down the hill without the bike. Or worse, with on top of me.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Gurp, the front brake is your friend. I've taken clinics with pro downhillers and the first thing they teach you is how to use your front brake properly. The front brake is what stops your momentum when going downhill, not the rear. You don't want to be skidding down a steep section because 1) you are not getting any traction from the rear tire, 2) you are actually picking up speed rather than braking 3) loss of control, and 4) you are tearing up the trail. Gradually squeeze the front brake and lean back like you did while still applying some rear brake. Don't panic and grab a handfull of front brake or you'll definately endo. Practice using the front brake on a driveway until you've mastered it.

[dirttorpeedo]

hey gurp,the gerlz(1 in particular....coff cc) wants me to maybe do a clinic ride next mon. so while everyone's off riding we'll ride up a bit a do different things on techniq. if it sounds good to you you're welcome to join in OK?

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by mtbracer36

Gurp, the front brake is your friend. I've taken clinics with pro downhillers and the first thing they teach you is how to use your front brake properly. The front brake is what stops your momentum when going downhill, not the rear. You don't want to be skidding down a steep section because 1) you are not getting any traction from the rear tire, 2) you are actually picking up speed rather than braking 3) loss of control, and 4) you are tearing up the trail. Gradually squeeze the front brake and lean back like you did while still applying some rear brake. Don't panic and grab a handfull of front brake or you'll definately endo. Practice using the front brake on a driveway until you've mastered it.

Right on, I'll work on it. I knew that, and I mis-stated in my OP, I *was* using the front brake, just not as much as the rear. I agree that I shouldn't skid because of trail damage and loss of control. I actually did let off the rear when it would skid, but it kept locking. This was my first ride with my newly adjusted brakes.

Anyway, I'll work on my braking technique. I actually use the front brake a lot on the pavement because I know it gives the majority of the braking power but I had read somewhere that it isn't always true off-road. I'll keep working. Thanks for the advice.

Originally Posted by dirttorpeedo

hey gurp,the gerlz(1 in particular....coff cc) wants me to maybe do a clinic ride next mon. so while everyone's off riding we'll ride up a bit a do different things on techniq. if it sounds good to you you're welcome to join in OK?

Yeah, that'd be kewl. We still talking about a morning ride? I'm always up for free training from peeps what done it way longer than me. That's why I always enjoy riding with Epic_Mtn_Biker. He's always schoolin' me. Taught me everything I know about momentum.

On another off-topic note... I was also practicing going faster downhill yesterday on the fireroad. I just don't trust my tires. I've had tires wash out on me and I'm trying to learn to trust my bike and tires to do what they're supposed to. I think I'm running too much air pressure, too. I run 40psi I think I should be at more like 35 for off-road.

NEWAYZ. Yeah, let's do a clinic. You're a prince, dirrty, I don't care what anybody else sez.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Gurp, you might want to check out this book "Mastering Mountain Bike Skills" by Brian Lopes & Lee McCormick. It's helped me a lot over the past year. Lots of great tips, techniques, and pictures! $15 on Amazon.

[dirttorpeedo]

aaaawwwwwwww shucks....

[CC]

NEWAYZ. Yeah, let's do a clinic. You're a prince, dirrty, I don't care what anybody else sez.[/quote] YEAH of Fontucky!!! What a poser.

[gurp13]

I already put that in my amazon wishlist like months ago. That and zinn and the Art of Maintenance and I think maybe the Ned Overend book. Thanks!

Originally Posted by mtbracer36

Gurp, you might want to check out this book "Mastering Mountain Bike Skills" by Brian Lopes & Lee McCormick. It's helped me a lot over the past year. Lots of great tips, techniques, and pictures! $15 on Amazon.

Originally Posted by cyclecc

NEWAYZ. Yeah, let's do a clinic. You're a prince, dirrty, I don't care what anybody else sez.

YEAH of Fontucky!!! What a poser.[/quote]

No H8ers!

[CC]

No H8ers! [/quote]

I was referring to his win @ Norba and his regal pose...gizzz

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by cyclecc

I was referring to his win @ Norba and his regal pose...gizzz

Well, okay then.

[dhshuttlemonkey]

Is dirttorpedo going to show you guys how to avoid hitting his kickstand on the rocks?

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by mtbracer36

Is dirttorpedo going to show you guys how to avoid hitting his kickstand on the rocks?

I don't think any of us noob ride Turner's so we don't have that problem. But, hey, I could use some help getting these reflectors out of the spokes. They're tricky!