F135 ride three

Gad I had a great commute today. Great climbing both going and back, got to watch a hawk must hover in the updraft from the hill I was on, at about eye level. Rode some tight twisty and short downhill.

I love spring.

I was simply pounded Thursday and Friday, with a solid 20 hour day on Thursday, 4 hours sleep, then back for a full 7-5 on Friday. I was wiped.

Recovered enough Sunday am to visit GB with the Curtlo.

F 135 ride 3:

On the looser/smoother sweeping corners of Granite Basin, I found myself drifting off the trail almost like I had a front flat. Basically, the handling was crap. I had a shock pump with me so I checked air spring pressure...zero. I am unsure if this is due to using a high pressure shock pump for a low pressure system, and the gauge is inaccurate, or if the thing just leaked down on me. I added pressure to about 20 psi and that solved the handling issue.

No other issues to report. It worked fine with the added air. I even felt like climbing Clark Springs....again. Fell trying to clean the climb at the creek crossing, then cleaned everything else up to the big water bar near the top.

I'm a little worried that the air chamber leaked, but I can't prove it right now. Leak down test in progress.

I like riding the bike, but I am definitely in the mood right now to more ride fast, nimble, light bikes. Hard to explain. Conquering difficult technical terrain just doesn't seem as fun as flying down smooth, loose stuff as fast as possible with one gear and little to no travel.

Part of the problem is that I am now spoiled by a bike easily 10 lbs lighter than the Tractor. They have totally different purposes, and require different riding styles. I am now quite used to the SS stand and climb, and have developed those muscles, and need to re-train for the seated climbing required by a heavier suspension bike. Descending is nice though, Who needs to pick a line. I basically don't care what I hit so long as it is below my axle and I can unweight the front a bit. Very hard to throw the heavier squish bike off line.

There is definitely a place in this world for short travel racy FS bikes...hmmm.

I'm tired and have nothing else to add. Oh yeah, the commuter Brooks is becoming quite comfy after about 6-8 hours. It was never bad, but is definitely improving.
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