A case study of riding a section of trail with and without rear brakes

With rear brakes:



Without rear brakes:




Usually I do this section just before heading to the tunnel from the south side of 101. Today I started down it, grabbed a little back brake and the lever went all the way to the bar, (FULL SPEED DAN-O!), I tried clipping out, and was only able to unclip the left foot, with my arms fully extended, chest on the seat I proceeded down, there is a tree at the bottom on the right side that I was headed for, I leaned left and plowed into a large rock.
I haven't totally figured out what happened with my Avid mech and why it failed, I did adjust it about 10 minutes prior to this, almost like the piston that pushes the pad got hung up, and then when I needed it most it freed up and went all the way out, so that the pad would not contact the disc.
The only injury is sore abs, no marks or bruising yet.
I have spare bike, minus a front wheel =(
The Dean will be going to Wheel Power to make sure the head tube and the rest of the frame are OK. (fingers crossed).



-Dan

Conti Mtn King 2.4" update with dry and semi mud comments

I have been getting more time to ride, and with the lack of rain (except weekends here in NH) the Conti Mtn King 2.4" has been a keeper.

Dry-
I had to increase the tire pressure from riding in the snow (to achieve more float). The tire felt very squirmy, but I have it ~28-30 psi and it is awesome. Hooks up when I need it, standing to power up rooty, rocky sections. I like it and think this is a winning combo with the Rampage up front for riding SS and no suspension.

Semi muddy-
The Rampage has a tendency to slide out (envision riding on ice and turning) but the Mtn King really digs in thanks to the tall knobs and adequate spacing. The material of the rubber does not seem to hold mud, at least not like other tires I have tried.

Sidewall-
The pseudo raised grid extra thick casing has revealed that it is holding up well scraping through rocky and rooty sections with no signs of wear. So far so good.

With all this talk on riding, I am going to head out for a little Friday lunch time ripper.

Ride on!

-Dan

Blah..................

Traveling for work, renovating the kitchen, dining and entry way in the house, and getting a new guitar and amp, have all led to me not riding, still eating the same, drinking dark beers every now and then, and I think I have set a new lowest miles per month in 4 years.



yay



Hopefully the trails will be frozen in the wee hours of the morning this weekend, I need my fix of flying through the woods.

-Dan

Super Bowl ride

Went for a ride with J, Rich, and Nate.

The Rampage/ Conti Mtn King combo did great in the snow, it was just above freezing at the start of the ride, and the snow was warming up as the ride went along. I believe the tire pressure was around 20-25psi, and they provided good float and traction. We even "sessioned" a section of dirt we found on the power lines.

It was perfect way to start a day, but it was ruined by 10:00 pm EST.

I am in mourning over the loss of the Patriots this morning, I am boycotting TV and internet news sites, when does baseball start?