Beer Run!
If it were this easy, I think everyone would ride bikes!
(Video found over on HTATBL)
Downhill Beer Run
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Monthly Archives: February 2009
Winter Helmets
Back in the Fall, I saw Jesse show up for one of the rides with a Bern helmet. I liked the styling, but really got to thinking it would make a fantastic winter helmet. A few weeks later while visiting one of the local shops, I got one for myself.
The “Watts” from Bern
Getting the helmet in Fall, I was able to try the helmet in a variety of temperatures. With very small vents on the top, the helmet was too hot for my tastes when riding in temperatures that approached 50 degrees and warmer. But when the temperatures really drop, this helmet is superior for keeping you warm.
Regular mountain bike helmets are full of vents, including vents right over your forehead. This channels the cold air, snow, and rain right onto your cranium. The Bern has a little ventilation on top where you need it, but keeps most of the elements out. When accompanied with a head band or skull cap, your head feels toasty. Even on the coldest morning commutes.
The only problem I’ve had with it, is that because of the lack of vents, I’m not able to mount my helmet light on the top. You should also be aware that these helmets are available in two formats, a “hard hat” and a “helmet”. According to Bern’s website, the hard hat version “does not meet the standards for action sport head protection”. I own the hard hat version, and feel comfortable with its protective qualities. You can be your own judge. I’ve seen the Berns in more than one of the local bike shops if you’re interested.
Bonus: The Bern helmet has snaps near the ears for adding optional ear covers, and there is a goggle strap retention hook on the back of the helmet should you want to wear goggles.
Double Bonus: If you get the green one like I did, you can get plenty of “Great Gazoo” comments.
Continental Spike Claw 240 – First Impression
A Continental Spike Claw 240 Review
On Monday morning I awoke to a surprise coating of ice and snow covering the ground. My first thoughts were that this would be an opportunity to try my new studded ice tires! Before I made the decision to swap the tires, I took a stroll in the front yard to determine the slickness. It was a coating of frozen rain with a light snow covering, and quite slippery to walk on. I decided to mount the Continental Spike Claw 240 tires that I purchased at the Bicycle Authority, and see what they’d do for me. The “240″ refers to the number of studs per tire.
Icy Commute
After mounting the tires, I headed down the driveway and into the street. I gave a couple little brake checks to see how the back end would do. There was traction where I had previously slipped trying to walk. Once underway, the studs on the ground made a crackling sound. The sound reminded me of bacon sizzling in a pan!
After a short distance, I began to relax on ground that would normally make my commute very tense. I had to remind myself to slow down when approaching corners, not being sure how the studs would handle a turn. I figured, why hit the ground after spending so much money on these things? I would experiment with corners gradually, and not get too excited. The confidence built as my commute went on. The extra traction made darting across traffic much safer. This is always a problem on icy days. Slippery tires are like delayed reaction time.
Spike Claw Mounted
At lunch, we headed up to Ash Canyon for a recreational ride. The ice had melted, but the canyon trails were full of snow and mud. This was my opportunity to see how these tires would transition into different terrain. The studs had no effect in these conditions, but the very tall knobbies of the Spike Claw dug deep into the snow and mud.
The Spike Claws come in a 2.1 inch width, and weigh about 970 grams per tire. That’s a lot of weight, and you feel it on the climb. The casing height is medium tall. Bigger than a racing tire, but not as tall as an “all mountain” or freeride tire. They weren’t as confidence inspiring as the big tires I normally run on my single speed, but certainly not horrible either. Considering the muddy conditions we were in, I thought they handled well, transitioning between ice, snow, and mud quite nicely.
Spike Claw Top View
At well over $100 per pair, the Continental Spike Claw is not for everyone. But if you rely on your bike for transportation in any weather, I highly recommend a pair. After crashing twice on the ice already this season, I wish I would’ve had these tires earlier. Commuting in ice was my biggest challenge, and these tires took care of the problem. Recreational riding at lunch was not compromised thanks to the aggressive knobby design. Thanks to these tires, there is now one less excuse not to ride!
The Early Days of Mountain Biking
Kristy and I were digging through the archives, and found a few pictures of our early mountain biking days. I think the first mountain bike I saw was a Miyata at Spooner Mountain Sports back in 1985. I was riding BMX at the time, but demos on that bike around the shop stuck in my memory. I finally got my first mountain bike in 1989, a Specialized Rock Hopper, and Kristy got hers soon after. Kristy and I were living in Reno at the time, and rode the trails near Peavine Mountain.
Kristy with brand new 1990 Specialized Rock Hopper
It got me thinking that while the equipment has changed a lot in the last 20 years I’ve been mountain biking, the amount of perceived fun I’ve had has remained constant. You rode the equipment of the day, and it was awesome. You just didn’t know any better!
Kristy with brand new 1990 Specialized Rock Hopper
While I have good memories of those days, I have no desire to go back and ride one of those bikes off-road! Road bike geometry, skinny handlebars, and rigid frames made extended rides pretty brutal. I remember being almost too sore to sit down after 20 miles or so.
Jeff – Flume Trail circa 1993-1994
We didn’t have as much singletrack to ride back then either. My old mountain bike trail guidebooks are full of fire roads. Roads that were built back in the logging days that most often went straight up the hill! You were riding the granny gear right from the trail head. The road going up North Canyon to Marlette Lake is a good example of a typical climb back then.
The Flume Trail before it was accessible to the masses
My first ride to Marlette Lake was on a BMX bike, probably in 1985. My dad had just bought a Cannondale mountain bike with a 26 inch front wheel, and a 24 inch rear wheel. The smaller rear wheel allowed shorter chainstays for better traction. Just one of the many Cannondale experiments that didn’t stick. We pushed our BMX bikes up to the Lake, but got to ride them all the way back to Spooner Lake. My buddy and I each crashed once on that trip.
George and Jeff – Marlette Lake circa 1993-1994
After getting my mountain bike, I made my first run on the Flume Trail. The trail back then was much different than today’s trail. Today’s trail is much safer and more accessible to the masses. But just as today, the views were just as spectacular!
Entrance to the Flume Trail at Marlette Lake – Klein Mountain Bike
Today I have a several hundred bucks invested in cycling clothing, something for every occasion. Back then I had a helmet, some riding shoes (no cleats or clipless pedals back then), some Spenco Gel gloves I found up on the Mount Rose Trail, and shorts and a T-shirt. I eventually bought some riding shorts, but I don’t recall wearing them too much. I found them years later and couldn’t even fit in them!
Jeff – Above Washoe Valley circa 1993-1994
The first rider I remember with suspension forks was Keith Conrad. He was always fast, but then he got even faster. I remember a ride that took us down the washboard road of Voltaire Canyon. While I was getting my eyeballs rattled loose, Keith was flying down the road at a pace I couldn’t come close to following. I knew suspension forks would be in my future.
Red House Flume – circa 1993-1994
I finally got my first bike with a suspension fork in 1994 or 1995, a Haro Escape. The geometry was not what it is today with its short top tube, long stem and narrow bars, but it was a lot faster and more comfortable than my old Rock Hopper. The fork probably only had 2 inches of nerf-like suspension travel.
Haro Escape – circa 1995
In 1996 I garaged the mountain bike, and explored motorcycles for the next several years. I remember thinking I’d never touch another bicycle again while I was on the motorcycle! It wasn’t until 2001 that I got the bicycle back out. I was getting fat and out of shape, and thought cycling would be a fun way to get fit again. We started the lunch rides in 2001, and are still doing them today. The motorcycles were sold off by 2006, and bicycles filled the garage!
January Wrap Up – Looking Forward
Well that was an easy January, huh? With all the fair weather we’ve had, I’ve entered February with a reasonable degree of fitness, and I didn’t even lose my singletrack skills. I’m starting to get the feeling my new ice tires will sit on the shelf until next year. I bet they’re really cool though…
Still snowy on the north face of Ash Canyon
The Ash Canyon Trails are all open with exception of the Creek Trail. As you can see from the picture above, there is still snow on the north face of the canyon. The bottom of the canyon looks the same.
View from the Four Day Trail
The traction on the trails has just been phenomenal! I’ve been pushing the bike over in the turns further than ever, not even having to use the brakes! I’m getting away with stuff that would leave me on my head if the trails were dry.
There is some wet weather headed our way over the next several days, but it doesn’t look like it’ll have much impact. I’m not sure about tonight’s night ride though We’ll just have to play it by ear I guess!
Railing the turn on the Baldy Green Trail
I’m sure you all are as worried as I am during these tough economic times. There are signs of big trouble everywhere with all the businesses closing and empty houses for sale. Even through all the gloom though, I have high hopes and good feelings about 2009 being a great year for bicycles here in Carson City. The year has started out great, and I’m encouraged by all the enthusiasm I see and hear from all the local cyclists.
What the….?!?
Finally, here’s a video I saw over on HTATBL that you can show your kids if you’d like to push them down the road of Extreme^(to the max) Big Wheel Jumping.
The Bridges Are In
Unfortunately I arrived a little too late to see the installation of the Mexican Ditch Trail bridges, but at least I had the honor of being the first cyclist to cross them.
North Bridge
South Bridge
Hopefully Anne will post her pics of the bridges being installed.
Update! Anne’s pictures are up on the Muscle Powered blog HERE.
And video coverage over on News Carson City HERE.
Friday Night Ride
Weather permitting, there will be a night ride on Friday, February 6. Meet at Pooh Corner at 7:00.
There’s a possibility we’ll hit the Feisty Goat after the ride.
Who’s going?