Attempted Quad

I DNF'd an attempted quad.

We started with a nice roll out onto the Tom Thumb trail that rapidly tested one's climbing mojo.

It is a beautiful climb to see in the distance above. The temps were cool and the weather was beautiful.

I walked a lot and enjoyed the plentiful switchbacks. I also enjoyed riders below my enjoying the same:)









We regrouped at the peak, fueled and set off down the East something trail to connect to Bell Pass. This was a sketchy, steep, loose, switchbacky trail and was a total hoot. Definitely tested the brakes.

Regrouped minus the Specialized race crew and headed up Bell. Nice and short, with a bit of hike a bike.



The photos stop here for me as we bombed down Bell, Paradise, Lost Dog and Ringtail. The latter three were longer, rockier and with more climbing than I remembered.

At the start of the Sunrise climb, Chris's legs locked up and I sent him back to the car via road at the Lost Dog trail head. I continued to attempt Sunrise, but honestly was feeling a bit weak in the legs although everything else felt good.

I probably hike-a-biked 1/2 of Sunrise which was a real disappointment as it is supremely rideable when I'm fresh.

At the top, the lead group was encouraging that I was only 5 minutes behind, but I was the writing on the wall.

I enjoyed the Sunrise descent down the back side, and thought I was in for the loop until I really struggled up a 100 yd rise at the end of the descent. Climbing that made me realize I was done. Not enough long days in the legs to finish this ride.

Called Chris at the bottom of Sunrise: He was at the car. The decision was almost too easy: Coast down Via Linda to the pick up, or turn left and climb up Dixie Mine to Windgate?

Maybe next time. Stopping at this moment was definitely the right call.

Thanks for everyone who guided and encouraged.

Addendum

Thanks Dave.

Sedona with OTE

Dave Nice invited me out for a ride with the Over The Edge Hurricane crew.

What a great day. Schnebly road to Damofino across Oak Creek to Jim Thompson to Secret....or something like that. I just followed the guy in front of me who seemed to know where he was going.

Highlights included the climb up to the saddle, the Damofino descent, and the multiple staircase ascents and descents on Jim Thompson.

A fine, fine day. With great folks.

Three Years on a Zion

I have been suspensionless for the last month or so as the suspension systems of various bikes undergo tweaking/repair. I have thus had to "make do" with the stand-by rigid Zion. I have enjoyed riding the thing so much, I thought a retrospective was in order. Rigid riding is not my usual cup of tea, but I am amazed at the competence of this relatively simple single speed bicycle

My records show I paid $249 for the frame on 1/4/07, so we are at the three year point for this bike. Initially I built it up rigid with Zion fork and Mary bars.



It has gone through lots of different configurations of bars, stems and forks. I found it to be a bit on the er, flexy side when paired with a suspension fork. It really found its niche when ridden rigid.

When I obtained the Milk Money about a year and a half ago, I realized I no longer had any need for a hardtail, so I had a run off between the Zion, and Ventana El-Comandante, and a Rig frame as to which would be the rigid trail bike, which would be the commuter, and which would get the boot. The Zion came out on top of the rigid trail bike category due to its near perfect geometry, forgiving ride quality, and overall fun-ness. Had I been choosing a hardtail, however, I think the Rig would have edged it out. The Ventana has been relegated to SS commuter duty where it serves admirably, while the Rig frame sits on a shelf waiting for someone to love it.

I have ridden it in a bunch of conditions:

















It has been the star of one video:



It continues to perform and please. Initial build was pretty budget, but over the years, the nice stuff has migrated to the frame as I decided it was my main ride. I recently treated it to a Flow front wheel and wish I had done that a while back.

I have settled on some big, wide cheap Al bars









And a cheap carbon fork.



To me, the frame feels most like a 1st generation Inbred I got to ride for a while. Just a really nice springy steel feel.

The set screw EBB has never moved or squeaked in three years of use which I could not say for the Bushnell unit in the Ventana, or the Rig EBB (which was the worst).

There is little I would change about it. Perhaps slightly shorter than the current 17.3" chainstays, perhaps a bit slacker on the front end. Neither are big issues. I get slight and occasional toe buzz on the front which would be corrected if I rode a properly sized frame.

The only frame currently tempting me out there is the Canfield Nimble 9 which corrects both of the above issues, and hopefully rides as sweet. I have also considered going with an On-One Carbon fork for a little extra A-C, more offset, and increased burliness compared to the Exotic.

Otherwise, I will continue to ride it and enjoy it. It is easy to be tempted away by the more capable suspension frames, but I need to resist temptation and try to ride this bike a lot more when the bouncy bikes return to duty. It simply can not be beat in the grin/dollar ratio. It is a pity Jenson quit making these frames. I hope they return.

Pics from today: