Spot on the Mulikin

Couldn't ask for better weather Friday after work for a ride.  Would have liked to have hit somewhere tastier but didn't have the time so I settled for a quickie at Upper P.  The map above actually shows Friday's ride and another ride from last weekend that I forgot to post about.  The trail gnomes have been out in full force on the Mulkin Trail.  Looks like they brought some clippers to take care of all the vegetative growth that was closing the trail in.  It also appears that the equestriennes have found the Mulikin, too.  

I may have mentioned this before but the gnomes made a good start at armoring this stream crossing but it needs some more flatties until it can be called complete.  There aren't any good rock stores nearby either so I can see how this effort could peter out so quickly.

I love this little descent but the stream crossing at the bottom is getting muddy and needs some armor loving, too.

While riding up the Mulikin I hopped off the bike to let two guys coming down pass.  I have seen these guys before riding the Gussy trail.  They were rolling full sussers and little boy wheels and didn't want to stop to chit chat.  I think it's time to find the missing link, which is the old trail that connects Mulikin to the White trail.

Mud On the Spot

Dark Blue is Today's Ride

It's been awhile since the last time I rode Upper Paugussett so I jumped On the Spot and headed down to Silver City to enter the forest there because I am getting tired of the other route that I usually take.  I had heard that Cannondale had a demo day at the Boat Ramp last Sunday so I also wanted to get an idea of how chewed up the trails might be.  The Gussy was fine but the Mulikin Trail was another story.

I am still dialing in the Spot.  I only have 5 or 6 rides on it so far and climbing the fire road to the Gussy trail was interesting.  I made it up 3 of the four sections of the climb but spun out on the last one, the easiest one, too!  I think, because the bike is so light, I should have been in a higher gear and not out of the saddle.  Something to think about.

The Mulikin Trail is really bushy and need of some trimming.  

And really muddy, too!  All the rain last week didn't help, either.  The section of trail shown in the photo above needs to be closed and re-routed because it's just way too muddy and has been for a long time.  There is a re-route, it just needs to be better defined and what's cool is off of that you can see a really big roller that I want to try sometime.

The trail gnomes have been busy, they armored this stream crossing.  The two other stream crossing further up the trail need armoring, too.  Hint, hint.  Especially since now that the trail is getting so much use.

On the Spot at River Highlands State Park

After the CT NEMBA and West Hartford REI Trail Work Day at River Highlands State Park we took a little ride at the park.  

Incredible to see 29er's dominating the field
Cory is the only one in the group with 26" wheels

River Higlands State Park (aka The Blow Hole) is an interesting little park with a surprisingly great network of trails.  I would not call this a destination riding location but if your in the area and want a quickie, this place is for you.  Trails are reasonable well marked and DEEP map is pretty good.

 

On the Spot at Collis P Huntington State Park

Riding at Upper Paugussett and George C Waldo tends to be milk toast compared to Collis P Huntington State Park's single track.  What makes Huntington harder, in my opinion, is that the trails are much more technical and less buff thus making Wednesday's RAW ride (Ride After Work) a great test for the bike.

Some Helmet Cam action from the ride

Starting out, I was still having some gearing issues but they seem to go away when I tightened the knob on the SRAM shifter.  Still getting used to the bike and some issues on a few rock ups and technical ascents in the Big Burn, but what really surprised me was on all the big climbs in the back of the park, I cleaned!  Even the go around on the white trail.  I have never been able to ride that section and today I made it.  All I can say is I love the bike!

Ride = Blue Track

Not a very long ride, almost 4 miles.  Spent too much time socializing.  Still fun times at a great place.  Of course when my new trail is done riding the back 40 will no longer be an attraction.

Friday the 13th on the Spot

Jumping on the bike today I realized that I haven't been to Upper Paugussett since March!  I think, however, with the price of gas being as high as it is and rumored to even go higher this summer my fat tires are going to be seeing more and more of Upper Paugussett and work in more of Al's Trail over to Shady Rest and figuring out a good route for Dingle Brook.  I did receive some unlucky news, however, the bike frame that I  was planning on purchasing won't be made until August.  

My LBS offered me a sweetheart deal on another bike which I could afford but it would be a stretch, however, to bring the bike up to Monster Cross Standards I would be spending a lot more than I would like to.  So, I think I might just bank my money and see what deals are to be had in fall.  Who knows, maybe a full susser 29er could be in my future.

The lack of rain has almost completely dried out the Poly Brody Forest Road.  The most notable of the two wettest areas is on the first climb just past the turn off to the beach.  Also, further up the road looks like the hopes of a future skinny fell to the bite of chainsaw.

The tree blocking the Brody was cut out and cut up.  My guess is the State did it because it looks like it was marked for firewood.  A couple of other trees along the road have orange tape on them which I think means they are available for firewood cutting. 

 

The entrance to the Mulikin Trail is becoming more and more defined.  Looks like more people are riding it. I was going to ride that way this evening but was out of time and had to be home quickly but it's time that I find a way to ride the 30 foot roller back there.

And then there is the Gussy Trail, which appears to be having a lot of visitors, too.  The trail is really well defined and dried out.  You can see where everyone is hitting the stuntry, too.  Well, I will be back on Tuesday because I am going to start leading after work rides here, at Waldo, and Sunny Valley on Tuesdays.

On the Spot at Wadworth Falls SP

Sorry, no bike porn for this post and it would have been extra spicy because Tren Spence, whom I was riding with brought his brand new, XL, Specialized Rockhopper 29er.  It is black and white and huge!  I actually rode it for bit on Alex's Trail and I felt like a little kid on a big horse!  The one thing I noticed right away was how stiff it felt compared to riding the Spot.  It even felt stiffer than the diSSEnt, largely because it has 7005 aluminum tubes.  Still, it was a nice opportunity to compare the differences between Al and Fe and I am still sold on Fe!

One thing I noticed on the Spot, and not so much with the frame, rather the tubeless tires, is that running lower pressures makes the ride a little wobbly.  In fact, so wobbly, that while coming down Alex's Trail, it caused me to fish tail and wipe out.  Never had that happen before.  Guess I have to start riding at a slightly higher pressure.

I did however, get a little helmet cam action.  Sorry about the quality but it looks like Vimeo is really trying to push their pay for service while seriously degrading the quality of the video for the free users.  Still, the cam does give a good impression of riding Alex's Trail and a great example of well designed New England single track.  Granted this trail is so buff (by New England standards) that you can ride a cyclocross bike on this trail and all the other trails here at Wadsworth State Park.

On the Spot at Waldo

Sunday morning, headed over to George C Waldo State Park, across the river from Upper Paugussett, to see how the Spot Longboard9 handles tight, twisty single track.  I made a few changes On the Spot the night before like getting rid of the Ergons and going Clarke lockons and the barends that I got with the Kona.  Also tightened up the headset.

While small, Waldo is great because of the way the trail is laid out.  It's swoopy and tight which in way can be good training allowing you to work on your sprint between turns.  The Spot handled the trail perfectly and was certainly flickable at times when I needed and ready to climb when needed.

There is a new skinny slowly evolving out of a blow down.  Not sure if it's considered finished yet, I wouldn't say it is.  I am also no one has started work on the second section that I am calling Plan B.  Maybe the whole thing should be called Plan B.

There is a nice drop off at the end, too!

 

The lake was looking nice.

I hit the Extra Credit and then rode back up the Waldo.  In the other direction, it's a whole new trail that is just as fun.  I went down the Hunter's trail to Daffy Duck and rode up that.  Had to clear some small blow downs near the end of the trail but otherwise another really fun trail, especially on the Spot.

Happy, happy, happy!

Riding the Spot is awesome!  While I am smitten with steel, the only way I would go back to Aluminum at this point is if the bike was light enough.

On the Spot in the Woods

Went for a Test Ride after work on Friday
and all I can say is:
Holy Cow!
This is one sweet ride!



It's the weight!
I rode the Qball geared but it always felt heavy (because it was) but it also seemed clunky.
The Spot, however, is totally nimble, climbs like a goat and is smooth as butter!
Psst:  I think it's the steel frame
That big Racing Ralph upfront, says it's a 2.4 but looks more like 2.5
and rides really nice.
Riding T-U-B-E-L-E-S-S is great, too, because you
can roll at much lower tire pressures
which really softens the ride.



Shifting is really nice and I love the wide bars.  The only thing I am not sure about at this point
is whether to keep the happy barends or to go with something smaller, like another pair of Ergons that are shorter.  I like the different hand positions but what I like the most is just being able to hold the
ends of the bars instead of being way out like the Ergon Leichtbau grips offer.
Don't get me wrong, they are great grips but I for the leverage they offer it's overkill on a geared bike.

The Upper Gussy trail was resplendent today.  The high winds earlier this week blew the trail clean.
I noticed that the Spot handled the trail much better than my other bikes.  This bike is here to stay!

 

On the Spot: Tubeless; T-U-B-E-L-E-S-S!

It's done!  After two Skype calls to my buddy in Eastern Connecticut, a pint of 'Gany Lager and listening to a couple of records (yeah actual vinyl) I finished my Spot build Thursday night!

Drive Train:  Race Face Evolve Cranks, Sram X9 rear derailleur, Sram 11 to 32 Cassette, and Crank Brothers Candy 1s.  Adjusting the rear derailleur is always fun but I find once you have the proper cable tension then it's just a little fine tuning and you are all set.

Cockpit:  For now, I am using an old Salsa Moto Ace stem but I like how the red complements the bike.  Yes, those are Ergon Leichtbau bar ends.  Not sure if I need them for climbing but they are super comfortable and a pleasure to ride with.  I went with red cables from Slik, which look orange in the pictures.  The Titec Hellion bars are a little wide so at some point I may cut them down.

Wheels:  Going the weight weenie route, I decided to use the wheelset from the Kona.  Upfront is a Stans Crest wheel and Racing Ralph Tire.  When I pumped it up to 30 psi it blew up like a balloon and looks like a 29x2.5.  

 

Seating arrangements:  Some carry over from the Kona includes the Terry Saddle, very soft and quite light.  The seat post was the cheapest (because of the coloring - silver) but lightest seat post I could find.  

Suspension:  Mainitou Minute 29er.  I loved it on the diSSent but I think I am going to love it even more on my Spot Longboard9.

On the Spot: My obsession with weight

I really thought that I was going to hit the 25 lb mark the other day with my build, that is until I realized that I forgot to add in the brake calipers.  The calculated weight of the bike is now 11.61 kg or 25.6 lbs.  

	Part	Grams	Pounds
	Spot Longboard 9 Frame and collar	2268	5.00
	FSA Orbit Headset	99	0.22
	Race Face Evolve Crank	850	1.87
	Rear Wheel: Stans Arch; BWW Hub; Maxxis Aspen 2.1; Rotor	1818	4.01
	Front Wheel: Stans Crest; BWW Hub; Racing Raph 2.35; Rotor	1668	3.68
	SRAM Cassette 11:34	352	0.78
	Manitou Minute	1728	3.81
	Salsa Pepper Jack lockon grips	92	0.2
	Cane Creek Ergo bar ends	169	0.37
	Titec Hellion Bars	246	0.54
	Carbon Seatpost	252	0.56
	Avid FR-5 Levers	152	0.34
	Salsa Moto Ace Stem	176	0.39
	Headset Spacers	8	0.02
	WTB Rocket Saddle	313	0.69
	SRAM X9 Rear Derailleur	227	0.50
	SRAM X9 Rear Shifter	240	0.53
	KMC 9 Speed Chain	255	0.56
	Crank Brothers Candy 1	262	0.58
	Avid Brakes	218	0.48
	Avid Brakes	218	0.48
	Brake Cables
	Shifter Cable
	Total	11611.00	25.61

There are three areas that I can save some weight for the biggest bang for the buck:  stem, cassette, and saddle.  Also, I can save a few grams when I cut the bars down because they are way too wide!

On the Spot: Fork; Wheels; etc...

	Part	Grams	Pounds
	Spot Longboard 9 Frame and collar	2268	5.00
	FSA Orbit Headset	99	0.22
	Race Face Evolve Crank	850	1.87
	Rear Wheel: Stans Arch; BWW Hub; Maxxis Aspen 2.1; Rotor	1818	4.01
	Front Wheel: Stans Crest; BWW Hub; Racing Raph 2.35; Rotor	1668	3.68
	SRAM Cassette 11:34	352	0.78
	Manitou Minute	1728	3.81
	Salsa Pepper Jack lockon grips	92	0.2
	Cane Creek Ergo bar ends	169	0.37
	Titec Hellion Bars	246	0.54
	Carbon Seatpost	252	0.56
	Avid FR-5 Levers	152	0.34
	Salsa Moto Ace Stem	176	0.39
	Headset Spacers	8	0.02
	WTB Rocket Saddle	313	0.69
	Total	10191.00	22.48

All that's left are cables, brakes, shifter, rear derailleur, and pedals.  There are areas that I could improve, like the stem and saddle, as well as I haven't purchased pedals yet, so I will definitely be weight conscious on those items as well.  I think my realistic target is going to 26 lbs. 

Somebody I know said the Spot has long chainstays but in comparisson to my other bikes it lies in the middle when it comes to Wheel Base.  I measured all my bikes, from axle to axle and here is what they are:

1. Qball:  42"
2. diSSent:  43.25"
3. Spot:  43.25"
4. Kona 44.25"

Of course the one caveat is the Qball, diSSent and Kona's drops are all sliders so I could shorten them some more if I really wanted to.  Is a half an inch going to make that much of a difference?

On the Spot: Cranks

Current Weight:  2367g (5.22 lbs)

Race Face Evolve Crank - Single w/Bash

Weight:  850g (1.87 lbs)

I would have liked to have gone with FSA Mega Exo SS cranks, at the time I was buying these, this was the best deal and weight for the money.

Phil Woods, a bike mechanic's KY

Total Weight:  3217g (7.09 lbs)