Archive
Posts Tagged ‘Mountain Biking’
Monday, May 14th, 2012
As part of a series, we are presenting riders’ writings from log books located at each hut, tracking the adventures from creative meals to nearly missed spills.
Day 2: 7/9/09 Black Mesa
Six of us (the smart ones) left Bolam Hut at 8 a.m. Kevlar and “Curious George” decided to do Alternate 1 and 2 while we ventured to Black Mesa. Lots of gravel downhill helped the Wizard’s chain ring come apart. Thank God the “Godfather” was with him to repair it. Great ride with killer views today. The only other difficulty was repairing the Godfather’s handlebar bag a few times.
Got to the hut at 3:04 p.m. Worked on the bikes and prepared burritos for dinner. Kevlar drifted in between 3-4 p.m. looking like a freight train hit him. Curious George stumbled in later. The consensus of the lost boys was that Alternate 1 and 2 sucked. Getting lost, lots of mud and rock—never again!
—Ronaldo, Team Oracle
Tags: Bike, bike rentals, Biking Conditions, mountain bike routes, Mountain Biking, mountain biking tips
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Mountain Bike Routes, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
Monday, May 7th, 2012
It’s true that your glutes, quads, hamstrings and calves take a toll after big rides, especially those first big rides. But it comes down to the core when it comes down to post-riding pain and particullary back and neck. Here are a few exercises that align the spine, encourage upper body flexibility and relieve pain in the back, neck and shoulder–and a few can be done right at your desk. Check out Bicycling Magazine easy upper body training in yoga fashion.
Tags: Bike, mountain bike huts, Mountain Biking
Posted in Bike | No Comments »
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2012
As part of a series, we are presenting riders’ writing from log books located at each hut, tracking the adventures from creative meals to nearly missed spills.
Team Oracle
Day 1: 7/8/09 Bolam Pass
The eight amigos (seven California boys and one from Colorado) left the Starbucks at Purgatory around 8:25 a.m. The extra coffee was critical for the anticipated *** trail needed to be deposited to mark the way for the stragglers. Great climb up the mountain. Creek crossings were a surprise. We got to wash our shoes and the “Wizard” participated in a high-altitude baptism. Thought we had the hut at the Graysill mining site. If that’s the hut we’re in for a long ride. Made it to hut around 1:45 p.m. The Italians left the hut in great shape. The two cans of chili missing indicated their dinner was less than special. We started dinner early. “Kevlar” field-dressed a Marmot. We had pasta as a side dish.
—Ronaldo, Team Oracle
Tags: Bike, customer feedback, Durango, mountain bike huts, Mountain Biking, trail conditions
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Events, Mountain Bike Routes, Telluride to Moab, Trail Conditions | No Comments »
Monday, April 30th, 2012
How much do you know about shifting? To make riding more fun and bike repair less frequent, check out these tips from seven-time Canadian national cross-country champion Andreas Hestler from Bicycling magazine for a better ride and a longer drivetrain life.
- Is cross chaining the answer? Riding in a combo of the big chainring and big cog, or the small ring and small cog, is generally not a good idea. But Hestler says, it can at times offer the ideal gear and races set their bikes to handle it. However, it’s rough to shift into.
- Think before you shift. Your eyeing that hill climb before you and it’s all about anticipation. Anticipate your next gear and when to accelerate. Shifting after terrain changes sets you back energy-wise and slows you down. Same goes for sand and water crossings—think before you get in gear.
- Care for your chain. Changing the chain, Hestler says, keeps you from having to replace your cogs and rings as often. And be weary of wet-dry riding, chains weaken in these conditions. Check your chainring and cassette for burrs and nicks.
- Go easy. Make shifting light, careful and timely to avoid breaking something. “If you love your bike it’ll love you—shift lightly and carefully,” says Hestler.
Tags: Durango, mountain bike huts, mountain bike routes, Mountain Biking, mountain biking tips
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Events, Telluride, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012
Outside Magazine rated San Juan Hut Systems #1 for the traditionalist hut-to-hut mountain bike trips. We also garnered the esteemed title as “the original hut-to-hut bike trip.” And, well, it’s true.
Tags: Durango, media, mountain bike routes, Mountain Biking, telluride
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Media, Moab, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
Monday, April 9th, 2012
The best way to know what’s ready to ride is to just get out there and ride it. Snow can linger on north facing terrain and mud can last in the shadier zones, but hike-a-bike is just part of riding in spring in Southwest Colorado. And when it’s dry, fast single track is ready, you’re ready to ride it.
For single track conditions in Durango, check out Trails 2000. Currently, they’re reporting that both Animas Mountain and Dallas Mountain Park are good to go. Overend Mountain Park and Powerline are still a little snowy and muddy but in fair condition.
In Cortez, the word is the famous and fun Phil’s World is ready to ride, and at Boggy Draw and Bean Canyon in neighboring Dolores, fair conditions exist with areas of mud.
Here in Ridgway, the Rock Quarry (a.k.a. Angel Ridge, World Class, Mountain Lion Alley, etc.) is in good, dry condition with spots of mud.
Remember: It’s best to ride what’s ready as muddy and snowy single track makes rutted single track once ridden–and no one likes that.
Skiing on snow is much more fun than trying to bike it. Patience…
Tags: Biking Conditions, Durango, Mountain Biking, Ridgway, telluride
Posted in Bike, Durango to Moab, Moab, Telluride, Telluride to Moab | No Comments »
