Wrote this about a week ago and wanted to post a cross video with it, but that never happened so here it is anyways...
Well the weather has taken a turn for the worse and as a result cross on the usual trails might have to wait until either we actually get some real snow and we can ride the hardpack or it warms up again.
The weather last week was absolutely incredible. The temperatures were reached without gale force Chinook winds, something that is very unusual for November.
I have been hitting up the usual suspects for trails as of late. Sideshow is in great shape after someone took the time to repair it and bring it closer to its original super flow condition. Some spots are a little bumpy and tight, so as a whole the trail is slower, but at the same time I find it somewhat more challenging. After sideshow I always flow right on over to Bowmont for the river side rollercoaster of a trail that is yet to be officially named. I am cleaning all of the steepest climbs with ease in the 39-27 now and it feels good, especially when I get to pass mountain bikers scrambling for their granny gears. I really missed riding off road after not owning a mountain bike all year and living for a good part of the prime mtb season in the land of never ending paved wonderland. Thankfully I am able to feed my dirty habit thanks to that trusty black cross bike of mine.
I must say that my cross bike has been everything my mtbs ever were and more. Riding trails on a cross bike, as long as they are not too bumping, is a thrill. The 700c wheels roll over roots and rocks with ease, corner with great stability and hold momentum and traction up the steepest of inclines. Riding on the hoods is my favorite position for cross riding. It is such a natural position for the hands and I find it much more comfortable than the flat bar hand position. The “Spooky” brakes squeal like mad sometimes, but they always stop and they feel very solid, better than many v brakes I have had the misfortune of testing. Have a carbon fork up front helps a great deal with dampening the smaller vibrations and the added stiffness makes for rail precision in bermed corners. For the trails in town a cross bike is all you really need. Having full suspension and disc brakes can make for some fun riding, but doing it rigid with canti’s really hones the skills and takes the term “feeling the flow” to a whole new level. When you feel flow on a cross bike it’s the real deal. You are getting the feeling straight from the source, unprocessed and defiantly not from concentrate. It’s like Kraft Singles slices from Superstore vs. Gouda from Von Muelen’s cellar in Eindhoven, better all round.
Now that the weather is cold and the trails are nice and icy I am finally able to see straight
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