Single Minded?

Posted by on Nov 16, 2006 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Monday and Tuesday were 12 hour work days. Today was not. I was excited, because I got out on another ride today on my newly acquired GF Rig. It is a stock 2005 model that I picked up for a nice price locally.

Does this mean my inner viking will try and manifest itself? Will I find myself wanting to do away with my ninja weapons, only to replace them with a heavy, brutal 2 handed war axe? Time will tell. Right now I don’t see me becoming an SS only guy. I do plan to ride my single a lot though. Training, XC races, snow rides…basically anything that doesn’t last more than 6 hours and doesn’t climb more than 10k vertical.

After only 2 rides one thing is apparent. I will become a stronger rider on the SS. There are two paces on the bike: hammering, and walking. Perhaps that is an exaggeration, but not too far fetched of one. It’s been great so far, “re-learning” how to ride certain climbs, picking lines better, and overall, just riding more out of my comfort zone. Training is training on a singlespeed.

For those of you who are long time SS riders, you will have to forgive the moments of discovery I will no doubt write about as I get more time on this bike.

Another difference I am noticing, is that this bike rides like a tank. the wheels feel huge. I think that must be because on my X-Cal I have DT Swiss rims and Maxxis Ignitor tires. Overall, a much narrower set up. The Bonty tires and rims on the SS are beefy. I don’t mind it at all. I can see why Dicky likes his fat 2.5 diesel on the front of his meatplow.

Not much else is happening right now. The snow is trying to creep into the valley, and the temps are dropping more each day. Winter is coming.

Thanksgiving will be spent in Vegas. The bike will be with me. That means a quickie ride in St. George, and then some time at Bootleg Canyon, I hope, once I am in Vegas.

Anyone ridden at Bootleg Canyon?

4 Comments

  1. Chris
    November 16, 2006

    SS rules. Mine has now become rigid and with a 52 inch gear. I still love it. I am 10x stronger after riding it a lot this year and I predict the same for you. In fact, please sell it now so I can beat you sometime. SS WR soon?

    Anyway welcome to the club. My 1 year anniversary is coming up soon and I’m so far past hooked I can’t see it with a telescope. The Fuel sits around waiting for races so I will ride it 🙂

  2. Dicky
    November 16, 2006

    Bwooh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
    Excellent.
    Assimilation is nearly complete.

  3. Anonymous
    November 17, 2006

    Hi, Love the blog.
    I am planning a trip to Vegas from Virginia in early January. What do you recommend in a 2 to 4 hour driving radius from vegas that time of year? I read your write up on St. George, sounds great. Anything else…

    Thanks Eric

  4. Adam Lisonbee
    November 17, 2006

    St. George is the only spot I know of in that area, other than Vegas itself.

    Check out http://www.utahmountainbiking.com for details about trails in Southern Utah.

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