Mountain biking and the over middle-ager
10-24-11, 05:34 AM
#51
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Douglas County
Dawson Buttes Open Space Trail - easy, very pretty and forested.
Hidden Mesa OS - more challenging - a portion of the Hidden Mesa Open Space - about 1500 acres near CO 83 and CO 86 (Franktown). Contains a slight bit of "technical" stuff - last time I was there a lady broke her leg mtn biking down the steeper part. Capstone, some brush, small pines.
Spruce Meadows Trail - Easy but open and pretty
Spruce Mountain Trail - more challenging with some switch backs and sand, but not too difficult
Greenland loop and trail - you can go to Palmer Lake and continues to CO Spgs by the Air Force Academy, or take a loop and return. It has been a long time - I was going there a couple of weeks ago and the road was blocked for repait at the RR Tracks, so I hiked at SPrtuce Mountain instead. The road should be open now. As I recall, it was some sand. My wife could not do it.
Highlands Ranch Trail System - esp. East West Trail - The E/W trail will eventually go to Parker. Right now it is pretty undeveloped. Brushy but great views. Go onthe trail from Daniels Park Road west.
https://www.douglas.co.us/openspace/Trails_and_Maps.html
Last edited by DnvrFox; 10-24-11 at 05:52 AM.
10-24-11, 06:19 AM
#52
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I'm not sure what you mean by"still." I just put my toe in the dirt for the first time this year (age 59) after getting my Hunqapillar.
which converts to a very nice 29er.
I'm learning a little bit at a time, dirt's good for the inner child. Unfortunately my inner child is a panic stricken, screaming little girl!
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...y-in-dirt.html
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...more-dirt.html
Marc
which converts to a very nice 29er.
I'm learning a little bit at a time, dirt's good for the inner child. Unfortunately my inner child is a panic stricken, screaming little girl!
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...y-in-dirt.html
https://simplecycle-marc.blogspot.com...more-dirt.html
Marc
10-24-11, 09:59 AM
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If you people wouldn't post this kind of stuff, I wouldn't start thinking about N+1!
That being said-how do you size a mtn bike?
10-24-11, 10:26 AM
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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! The 'how to fit' question is going to get you tarred and feathered...at least it would in #41, but here's a good starting point...generally 4" smaller than your road size. Everyone balks at fit calculators but I've always found that they definately get me in the ball park. Find what's close, than go talk to the LBS. I highly recommend mtn biking and it doesn't have to be too complicated to be ultimately satisfying. It's like hiking..only you cover more ground !
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit
https://www.zinncycles.com/ncalmountain-ultimarev.html
Technically, this was flat...
!https://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit
https://www.zinncycles.com/ncalmountain-ultimarev.html
Technically, this was flat...
Last edited by cleon; 10-24-11 at 10:30 AM.
10-24-11, 11:20 AM
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I try to get close to the same position I use on the road bike. In mtb frame design there is even less standardization than in road frames. From one builder to the next you will find huge differences in the dimensions. The problem I have is the stupid short head tubes.
Some frames use the same head tube on several sizes and the top tubes just get longer as the sizes go up.
Some frames use the same head tube on several sizes and the top tubes just get longer as the sizes go up.
Last edited by big john; 10-24-11 at 11:24 AM.
10-24-11, 03:26 PM
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Here ya go rck, just to increase the itch...courtesy of DnvrFox (blame him for telling me about the trail)
https://imgur.com/a/mKusC
https://imgur.com/a/mKusC
Last edited by cleon; 10-24-11 at 04:21 PM.
10-24-11, 05:08 PM
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10-24-11, 05:42 PM
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I own lots of different bikes and have access to even more.
Lately most of my rides have been on an aluminum On-One 29er frame with a rigid fork, an On-One Carbon 456 hardtail with a 140mm fork, and a preproduction Titus all carbon 105mm full suspension 29er (the first and last with dropbars).
10-24-11, 05:45 PM
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I dug out my old Trek Rigid about two years ago just to get some dirt riding in now and then. It was sized just about perfect even if it was maybe just a bit tall. I liked the bike so much I decided to put a new chainring, Shifter, Crankset and add a set of Shock forks to the front. Now the reach is still perfect but the top tube seems a bit high. My quandry becomes do I start looking for an N+1 mountain bike or wait till the chainring wears out again and then think about changing? It does seem as if it is a lot easier to find a used MTB that fits than a road bike.
10-24-11, 07:18 PM
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I bought mine used for about 1/3 the price of new and have no complaints. Rides beautifully.
10-24-11, 07:24 PM
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10-24-11, 07:34 PM
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10-25-11, 02:19 PM
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Lol..one more for you...had to sneak it in before 
!
Today's short but sweet ride....
Today's short but sweet ride....
10-25-11, 02:32 PM
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So far, the weather is looking mostly promising --
Let's hope it holds.
10-25-11, 03:49 PM
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At Cheraw State Park mountain bike trail, South Carolina. Nice little single track layout.
10-25-11, 06:07 PM
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Here's a pic of the new wheels, by the bye :
10-25-11, 06:16 PM
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10-25-11, 06:16 PM
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10-25-11, 06:18 PM
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10-25-11, 07:26 PM
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Here's the KC trail system, https://www.ken-carylranch.org/kcrdoc...d%20guides.pdf. The South Hogback in particular is supposed to be beautiful, but I haven't biked it yet. Similar to Red Rocks. Also, right in your backyard if you haven't tried it yet is Ridgeline, https://www.crgov.com/facilities.aspx?RID=40&Page=detail. Haven't been there myself but looks promising for family rides. Flying J is also supposed to be really pleasant flowy, non-tech singletrack through high country pine forests, https://www.co.jefferson.co.us/opensp...ce_T56_R13.htm.
And last but not least, just in time for the winter! https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb...g-in-colorado/. It's been ages since I've done Green Mountain but sounds like a good year 'rounder!
What I love about these OS parks is that they all have online PDF maps that are single pagers you can just print and run with. And there's enough of them that they get as technical as you can stomach!
And last but not least, just in time for the winter! https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb...g-in-colorado/. It's been ages since I've done Green Mountain but sounds like a good year 'rounder!
What I love about these OS parks is that they all have online PDF maps that are single pagers you can just print and run with. And there's enough of them that they get as technical as you can stomach!
Last edited by cleon; 10-25-11 at 07:30 PM.
10-25-11, 07:32 PM
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Thanks. Ridgeline is a bit too "mountain bikey" specific for me, at least as I have been told by others. But, I will check it out someday to be sure.
10-25-11, 09:50 PM
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Note...if you do the KC trails, don't try to go up Massey Draw to Schaffer...just do the Colorow and Hogback loops. Upper Massey is unrideable...I found out the hard way, lowering my bike down 6 ft drops by holding on to the front wheel, then hoofing it out on my back in between 
...
...
Last edited by cleon; 10-25-11 at 09:55 PM.