MTBing, kinda fun again.
Bunneh
Posts: 1,329
Since both my road machines are still out of action I have brought what I call 'The Beast' out of retirement. This is an old alloy framed, hard tail which I bought over 10 years ago, I believe it's a Leeways frame, but I took the stickers off for obvious reasons.
The suspension adds a huge amount of weight to the front end but oddly for cheapo forks they work well, unless it's cold then they seize yup and it's a rigid bike
. It weighs in at around 35lbs, has 2.5" knobblies and really wide downhill bars (with bar ends on, ). Off I popped this morning at around 7.30 to head up Rivington; on the road the Beast handles terribly, swerving at any opportunity and generally being very hard to control until you get used to its wide bars.
I started my ascent up the long, technical bridalway, which ramblers have lovingly put huge tree trunks in the middle to stop cyclists (um, we can bunny hop you know). This was hard work, not in a out of breath sense but in a concentration sense and the fact I have absolutely no balance to speak of. Now I remember why these things have granny rings! Twiddle, twiddle, I went, dodging the tree trunks, huge stones and mud that would swallow a rambler whole! Eventually I reached the top, arms were sore from pull the bike over 'drop offs', my thighs were sore because of what seemed to be a lower seated position but oddly I wasn't out of breath.
That was awesome, I'd forgotten how much fun it was to do such a techincal ascent. I started to get my confidence back and hit another bridal way, which rapidly turned into a quick rolling single track, weeee! Jumping puddles, avoiding sheeps and horses, yelling 'morning' at grumpy walkers who tutted at my speed. Yes I remember all this! Glancing at my watch I realised I'd been out for around an hour, which was long enough since I had things to do at home - so I switched onto a road, took a left through the golf course then remembered something - the downhill!
Yay! It's a single track downhill at the start, which at one time narrowed to less than a bike width due to a huge boulder part way down - you have to do a slight wheelie to get your bars over it. That had gone and it was a straight sail straight to the bottom and what was a lovely little ride out.
Yes I think I will hang onto my MTB, sure it's not a pretty looking machine and sure it weighs almost double my road bike but who cares?! It's a classic lump of alloy!
*title edited*
The suspension adds a huge amount of weight to the front end but oddly for cheapo forks they work well, unless it's cold then they seize yup and it's a rigid bike
. It weighs in at around 35lbs, has 2.5" knobblies and really wide downhill bars (with bar ends on, ). Off I popped this morning at around 7.30 to head up Rivington; on the road the Beast handles terribly, swerving at any opportunity and generally being very hard to control until you get used to its wide bars.I started my ascent up the long, technical bridalway, which ramblers have lovingly put huge tree trunks in the middle to stop cyclists (um, we can bunny hop you know). This was hard work, not in a out of breath sense but in a concentration sense and the fact I have absolutely no balance to speak of. Now I remember why these things have granny rings! Twiddle, twiddle, I went, dodging the tree trunks, huge stones and mud that would swallow a rambler whole! Eventually I reached the top, arms were sore from pull the bike over 'drop offs', my thighs were sore because of what seemed to be a lower seated position but oddly I wasn't out of breath.
That was awesome, I'd forgotten how much fun it was to do such a techincal ascent. I started to get my confidence back and hit another bridal way, which rapidly turned into a quick rolling single track, weeee! Jumping puddles, avoiding sheeps and horses, yelling 'morning' at grumpy walkers who tutted at my speed. Yes I remember all this! Glancing at my watch I realised I'd been out for around an hour, which was long enough since I had things to do at home - so I switched onto a road, took a left through the golf course then remembered something - the downhill!
Yay! It's a single track downhill at the start, which at one time narrowed to less than a bike width due to a huge boulder part way down - you have to do a slight wheelie to get your bars over it. That had gone and it was a straight sail straight to the bottom and what was a lovely little ride out.
Yes I think I will hang onto my MTB, sure it's not a pretty looking machine and sure it weighs almost double my road bike but who cares?! It's a classic lump of alloy!
*title edited*
http://www.youtube.com/user/Eurobunneh - My Youtube channel.
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Comments
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My 25yr old Scott Windriver often gets a good 25ml thrash'n around Belmont/Rivington... and full ridged..no suspention0
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I have a 24 year old Muddy Fox Courier I still ride (and often take on of the kids on the back of!) It's a little small though (I was 11 when I got it!)
I went MTBing to Llandegla yesterday, found it a little meh tbh. Coed y Brenin is well worth the extra hour there and back...
Need to get back in the peaks as au naturel riding is more fun but I always get lost and end up on roads unless I'm with others!0 -
Good to see a few more of us doing it! Tempted to get rid of the suspension and fit some rigid forks, make it a little lighter - add some mudguards, some panniers and start exploring a little further-a-field. I'm not sure if it's a little too small for me actually, feels somewhat small when I'm sat down twiddling.
Just had a look at your flickr page John-e - I suspect I'd see you a mile off! Started doing some weight training a few months back, mostly bench presses, shoulder presses, some curls but nothing major - just trying to strengthen up my bod a little. Flying Hulk, awesome name! Trying to get something resembling a '6 pack' sit ups seem useless but do them anyway, strengthing for cycling.
Btw Nap, how do you reach those pedals? Your legs look a little short...http://www.youtube.com/user/Eurobunneh - My Youtube channel.0 -
Can't beat a bit of MTB action! Hence my avatar! That pic is of me sailing over a 32foot long jump!0
