Yesterday I had the opportunity to go for a quick ride in probably my favorite biking location of all. I was only going to be in Greenville for about 24 hrs, but I wrangled my schedule in a way that would allow me to get in a quick MTb ride.
Wow, I miss it. This park has gotten more and more biking friendly, and the trails have gotten better and better. We park by the main offices and headed out along the amphitheater.
I noticed right away that the trail had been maintained pretty well over the years. It was holding up really well or the amount of traffic it gets every day. This is a section of trail that I started on, or at least where I really learned to love and prefer single track riding.
Mark, a great friend, and an avid MTb enthusiast was riding with me and told me he had heard about trail improvements on the sulphur springs trail, and that we would be able to ride all the way to the top now without having to get out on the blacktop. He was right.
The ride was incredible. The backside of the mountain has an awesome downhill trail called Kanuga that takes your breath away. The views are impressive, the workout is brutal, but the reward is always worth it. Flying back down sulpher springs to the parking lot as fast i dared, with mark breathing down my neck on his bike behind me was the most fun I've had on a bike in a long time.
Scratch that. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. Thanks for an epic time mark. 1 hr 30 min. Not too shabby.
What is a 29er? You may be asking. Well, here is what a quick google search will tell you...
29er: Larger diameter mountain bike wheel standard which has actually been around for quite a while but is finally gaining wide-spread acceptance and support. Finally popularized by Gary Fisher with his bike brand, these wheels are taller than the standard 26″ wheels traditionally used. Employing the 700c rim diameter most commonly found on road, touring, and hybrid bicycles; the 29er is promoted as being a more efficient wheel size for rolling over obstacles and maintaining speed and momentum. The down sides are often additional weight and reduced agility.
I absolutely love this bike. Mine was a craigslist bike, but it is still in great shape, made by Redline. I don't have any suspension at all, but the larger wheel size rolls over obstacles easily, and I haven't noticed any need for suspension. I did notice a little of the initial sluggish response that people talk about, but I have long forgotten about that. Also, with the extra set of wheels I bought with slicks on them, this bike it really flies. It is like having a hybrid or commuter bike around as well without taking up more space in the garage.
Here are a few pics from around the web to help demonstrate the difference...
I have spent most of the winter going to the gym from 6-7am. There i either lift, spin, or run on the treadmill. Then I rush to get home and get my oldest daughter on the bus by 7:35. It's a good morning routine.
However, the gym has been getting in the way of biking. I really want to be out there riding trails instead of spinning miles in an exercise room. This week, I determined I would ride early morning no matter what.
My friend Cody is just getting into mountain biking. I've been helping him look for deals on craigslist, and finally he was able to borrow a bike for a few months until he is ready to pull the trigger on his own. Cody texted me at 10pm and told me he had the bike. I was so excited, I invited him to join me at 6am for a ride. To my surprise, he agreed to meet me there.
It was barely showing light when we arrived, but Cody was willing to give it a shot. I've been doing this now for a number of months absolutely alone, and I can't tell you how much more fun it is to take to the trails when you can share the experience with another dude.
Just a few days later, another one of our friends, Kevin overheard us talking up the big rides we have been having, and asked to join us. This is what biking is all about. The community built in the saddle.
Cody is still learning the bike. He probably will be for quite a while. But, if he is willing to meet me again and again at dawn and give it a go, he and Kevin might just be one of the best things I've got going on a bike these days...a few friends.
