I felt bad for the riders I was with as one of the dogs up and ran off with another biker while we were on some single track, nobody noticed. Puppy's alright though. The rider brought her back to the parking lot at the end of the ride.
I'm not sure what people believe about SSing. I mean, there are obviously some hills that aren't going to happen on a SS, and attack position only came back to bite me in the ass once when the rear tire bounced over a root on a hill. *Read: Groin and bike trying to occupy space at the same time.. bike won.*. But apart from that I rode everything relatively well and quickly, hills I felt I needed to go faster on, but slow and purposeful develops power, so I didn't mind.
Full rigid also another thing people seem to think is dumb. Honestly I didn't notice a difference between my 80mm front Norco, and the rigid. Like at all. If anything I found the Kona WAY more responsive to what I wanted it to do, and any misfires on picking lines, it just seemed to eat up anyway. Finally letting the 29er do what its supposed to, just roll over crap without worrying much. Its possible I'm just in bike love and it can do no wrong, but I don't see it. Its super comfy to ride. I think I may just stay away from full sus bikes entirely. I rode ONE, and really hated the way the bike felt.
But no, hills were totally fine, I didn't see any issues with the bike after the new skewers were on as well. I've really had to spend time adjusting my rear brakes though, but I have that thing cranked down tight now, so there's no wheel movement, so no adjustments after rides anymore. I'm gonna go do a couple of heber climbs tonight just to test the theory. The hills there are a bit more intense and sustained so its much more stand and crank, but I've never seen a hill like that in any race... well one that I've ridden anyway.
Downs feel in control. I never felt the bike was getting away from me, and dropping into things was very easy and almost systematic. Nothing intense though. Albion has one major stair drop that I know of, but its nothing nasty. It felt good and in control. I also rode berms and rockbed well.
I also was dumb, and didn't bring water or hammergel with me, so by an hour and a half of riding, hills started getting very slow. The ride out I finally had to foot down on a hill, I was kinda pissed at myself for doing that. I need a small camelpack for my Kona, I don't wanna put a cage on it :)
After some water, and a clifbar, I was ready to rock that forest again. I was going to ride later that evening, but then weather got silly.
I did try to ride yesterday, I got in about 10KM on the CX bike before the thunder started.
Overall I'm really happy with the bike, and am really looking forward to the 8H tag team on Saturday.
Recent Pic:
I'm down to about 249 now. I feel light. I SHOULD be 245 by the time the 24H hits in June. I'm on target. Once down to 235 I'm going to maintain for the summer. Then actually try to put on some upper body muscle for the winter weight loss.
Oh... I signed up for a Triathlon in August.... haha oh man I'm dumb.
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