Ride Report Fully Loop 10/30/08 (Specialized Demo)

Discussion in 'Ride Reports' started by Dino Brown, Oct 31, 2008.

  1. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    Before I begin, I would like to THANK:
    * Buena Park Bicycles
    * Fullerton Bicycles
    * Niterider
    * Specialized
    We could not have done it without them. :clap:

    It continues to amaze me:
    Week after week... after week, we find ourselves welcoming new members to our weekly Tea Party.
    This weeks ride was NO different.

    These new riders have that ENERGY... THAT SPARKLE IN THEIR EYES... That many of us seemed to have lost. :clap:
    I am sure the fact they...
    1) Have no clue where they are going
    2) Are nervous because they don't know anyone
    3) Are anxious to try night riding for the first time
    4) The fact they are an "invisible" part of this rolling biker gang
    5) The fact they are worried they will be unable to keep up with the group......
    What I am trying to say is: Thanks for joining us! :beer:

    Without these new riders, The Loop wouldn't be 1/2 as much fun as it is!
    Hope to see more (first-time) riders NEXT week!

    Special Thanks to Specialized and Niterider :clap:
    [​IMG]

    Pugz- Chef, Father, Fantasy Football Legend, Mountain Biker, Road Rider, Poker Player and all-around great guy
    [​IMG]

    Happy Gilmore- "Ya' know what Dino, I don't know where StinkyRider has been." :?:
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    Mfoga- Chief Security Officer of the Specialized Demo
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    Happy Gilmore- Getting in an early lap around The Loop
    [​IMG]

    MtnBikerFred smiling for the camera
    [​IMG]

    A view of what "remained" of the demo fleet 8-[
    Note: Many of the bikes shown belonged to people who were out on demo rides
    [​IMG]

    "I was at Orange Y BMX a few weeks ago...
    .... and then all of the sudden BOOM... Dino blew by me like I was standing still!"
    On second thought, maybe Mike didn't say that 8-[
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    Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
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    Specialized Transition (Triathalon/Time Trial Bike)
    This bike is AMAZING on every level :eek:
    [​IMG]

    More to come...
     
  2. TrailJesus

    TrailJesus New Member

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    Fred shaved his beard! He looks 10 yrs younger :eek:
     
  3. mfoga

    mfoga Intense Whore

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    More then person was trying to figure out who that was last night:lol:
     
  4. Draheim18

    Draheim18 Tow Master

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    I admit I was confused at first. I was thinking to myself "I swore I have met Fred before but he face doesn't look the way I remember."

    I would also like to thank everyone that made the Specialized Demo possible. I got to ride a Stumpjumper Pro, which I have been looking at to buy once I get the cash. And it is as good as everyone has told me it was. The brain feature is absolutely amazing. One hill I decided to stand and pound up the hill to see how it felt and it felt just like my hardtail. I also found myself looking for roots and bumps to go over because I couldn't even feel them.
     
  5. mtnbikerfred

    mtnbikerfred Super Moderator

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    I want to thank all the STR Peeps that came out and rode the bikes!!

    WE made this a successful Dirt Demo.

    They ran out of waivers at 25 rides (which is considered good), and sent out probably another 10 bikes (not including Fullerton Mike or myself). The last 7 bikes to come back were STR members or people that rode with us.

    Also, we owe Garth from Specialized a HUGE thanks, and we *may* get our chance to give it to him if he joins us for the Holloween Blackstar Ride tonight.

    He had NO problem waiting around for us to get back, and totally appreciates that this was a local group of people who actually ride the bikes, give honest feedback, and appreciate the equipment that Specialized provided.

    Completely cool event guys. Completely Cool!!
     
  6. graves.z

    graves.z Enduro Plebe

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    Thanks to everyone who made this possible. I had a blast going around the loop on a Demo 8. It was a bit too much bike for myself as well as the loop, but fun none the less. Sorry to the specialized guys for getting back so late.

    BTW dino, where's my downhill thug picture?
     
  7. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    I must admit, the "BRAIN" feature (found on certain models) completely changes my opinion of Specialized bicycles! :clap:

    And *NO*...
    My endorsement has nothing to do with the fact SAM HILL now rides for them. [-X


    With that said, dw-link equipped bikes don't need "fancy gizomo's" to make them ride well.
    They are perfect just the way they are!
    DW for life baby!
     
  8. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    A few more pics...

    Here you go Zach
    If I were asked to name the (2) members of STR whom I believe have improved MOST (from the time I first met them), I would have to give JAY the #1 spot. Not far behind would be my friend ZACH. I am not sure if he THREW UP the first time I rode/swept The Loop with him... Let's just say he was close! Since then, he has greatly improved his cardio, endurance, bike handling abilities, technical abilities etc.
    He even decided to start racing Cyclocross! :clap:

    While he is quite happy HUCKING his 5" Kona, everyone knows he may be in need of a bigger bike! After MONTHS of haggling, I finally convinced him to demo a big bike!
    I think he liked it...

    [​IMG]

    Donny does things on his (vintage) XC hardtail (i.e. Kenter Whoops) that I would not do on any bike. Many of us have been trying to convince him to simply "TRY" a full suspension bike for... for who knows how long. #-o

    I thought "for sure" we could get Donny to demo one this evening.
    What we settled for was him jumping, manualing, nose wheeling and hucking one in the parking lot!
    Just imagine what Donny could do on a 5-6" bike..... WOW! :eek:
    [​IMG]

    Humboldt County's Very Own....
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    Dave
    How are we going to explain "this purchase" to the wife #-o
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    Lambda showing off his Giant Reign
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    The first (and last) time I saw Shrubber all night :?:
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    The Kid.... And a Guy who rides with us ONCE every four months! :lol:
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    Kickstand Inspector.. Reporting for duty :bang:
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    Freekngo (Before)
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    Freekngo (After) a sip of Brewmaster's "Private Reserve" Beer :lol:
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    CC- Looks like she is happy to see me :bang:
    [​IMG]

    To be continued...

    *** If you have any comments regarding last nights ride (i.e. the light you demo'd, the bike you demo'd, the group or the trail), feel free to share!
     
  9. JSD

    JSD Member

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    Sorry I could not stick around. I left work early, took an Enduro SL Pro for a ride. What an awesome bike. Would like to hear from others on their rides. With the Enduro I found it to be comfortable, able to use the next higher gear. I also was just looking for things to test the suspension.
     
  10. Bryguy17

    Bryguy17 A little Shaggy

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    well, I got a chance to ride a reign X last night and it kicked ass. :?:

    but it was a good ride. my dad and I got to come out, and he had a fun time too (despite wheezing up a few of the hills).

    I wanted to try a DEMO or an SX trail, but mark swooped the SX before I got there, and iunno where the demos went, so I just stuck with my own big bike :)

    oh, and where are the actions pics?
     
  11. graves.z

    graves.z Enduro Plebe

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    Sorry, I snagged the last Demo 8 I think. That thing was a bi-otch to climb...although I made it up all the hills so I guess that says something about the climbability of it. I was actually surprised that when I stood up to hammer it (up or on flat ground) the suspension didn't move any more than my 5inch bike.

    Of course you don't ride a Demo 8 for the climbs. I have to say it was pretty sweet on the descents. I felt like I was going slow even though I was flying downhill much faster than I normally do. Even did some jumps which I don't normally do (though I kept forgetting how heavy the front was and landing very nose heavy). The bike seemed to be very forgiving of my mistakes. All in all the bike was a pleasure to ride and I would love to try one out at a real downhill spot.
     
  12. Bryguy17

    Bryguy17 A little Shaggy

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    hey, dont worry about snagging it. I had plenty of fun anyway. The loop doesn't do a bike that big justice anyway. other places, oh yeah, but they wouldn't let me demo one there :lol:
     
  13. Happy_Gilmore

    Happy_Gilmore Blood Donor - Give Life

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    There was differently a good turn out, and ride last night.

    Zach and Jay better keep a close look in there rear view mirrors because Pugz has been stepping up his game, faster laps times and big improvements in climbing.

    Way to go Pugz !

    It was good meeting Brian's Dad Scott, and the other Scott (first time STR rider).
     
  14. Diamondback

    Diamondback Banned

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    i had fun too, i'd better keep it to 6 beers a night that little kid whats her name kicked my ass
     
  15. Lambda_drive

    Lambda_drive Member

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    I didn't demo any specialized bikes last night, I was having more fun on a better bike though, my Giant Reign. ;)

    I've been riding it for a month now and it's awesome. At first it felt really weird and too squishy since I've been riding a Single speed Iron Horse for a year, but after my third ride I got used to it. When I bought it it came with 2.5 Downhill Minions on it and riding on the flats and uphills was horrible, downhills were fun. Dino switched out my tires to a 2.3 in front and a 2.1 in the rear and now it rides like a whole new bike. Before it felt slow, but now it rolls really fast and I lost a good 4 pounds just from changing out the tires. :beer:
    I love the way the bike climbs. I have the habit of standing on my pedals when I climb from riding the single speed so much. When I do that on the Reign I can't even feel the suspension moving. It doesn't climb as fast as my rigid single speed, but it comes close. :bang:

    Downhills are fun on this bike. It floats over everything and it's so forgiving. You can bomb all the downhill parts and still have total control of the bike.

    I'm real happy with this bike and I'm glad I picked this bike over the other choices I had.




    BTW Dino, where's the picture of Ken with the bright glasses?
     
  16. gooseaholic

    gooseaholic Active Member

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    Wish I could have made it, but Vegas called once again. Man Im sick of going there. But I have to go where the work is.
     
  17. northshore

    northshore Active Member

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    Dino, please tell me shrubber wasn't "happy" to see you. This picture does him no justice homie. #-o:lol::lol:
     
  18. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    A few more...

    Tmac striking a pose
    [​IMG]

    Happy Gilmore gasping for air after his 2nd (or 3rd) time around The Loop
    [​IMG]

    Sir Drink-Alot
    [​IMG]

    Looks like Freekngo *PASSED* his kickstand inspection :lol:[​IMG]

    Donny Riding with the winner of eBay's "Ride with Donny for a Day" Contest....
    Winning bid .14 cents
    [​IMG]

    Just another NEW GUY :bang:
    [​IMG]

    JasonMason.. in 15 years :lol:
    [​IMG]

    Timmy, Is that a beer bottle in your pocket or are you just happy to see me
    [​IMG]


    The Man... The Myth.... The David :clap:
    [​IMG]

    Bryan Mega Hucking
    [​IMG]

    Draheim "getting air" on his DEMO bike [​IMG]

    TMAC slowing down for a pic... Sorry Homie #-o
    [​IMG]

    Mfoga is one talented individual 8-[
    The only person who can eat, drink, talk to two people and browse the internet ALL AT THE SAME TIME
    [​IMG]

    I never thought I would see the day [-X
    I never thought I would see the day when "something got between Timmy and his beer" 8-[

    Two smokin' fine females walked into Roscoe's.
    One had a dress that was soooooo short you could see her buttcheeks :eek:
    All I said was, "Timmy, to your right"
    He remained THIS WAY for the better part of 10 minutes! Classic! :clap:
    [​IMG]
     
  19. art23rockpile

    art23rockpile Minus Delta T

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    Thanks for the RR, Dino!

    Good times at the Blackstar ride last night... that was you, wasn't it?
    :lol::lol::lol:
     
  20. Dino Brown

    Dino Brown Sir Smack-Alot

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    Sorry Art.... It must have been someone else! 8-[

    I soooo wanted to be there....

    [​IMG]
     

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