My Camel Stinks!

Getting ready for this morning's ride and I picked up my camel and almost gagged - my camel reeks! Reminded me of the same stink that I encountered at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, LA, during the middle of August 2001. I was with this National Guard unit where most of the leadership were a bunch of ex-Infantry types and thought that we should rough it for two weeks in the field without showers. Just wished they would have done the same, only they got to go back to the Bachelors Officer Quarters (BOQ) every night for a shower.

When I got rolling, the stink didn't bother me for obvious reasons. Wanted to do more this morning but I was still beat from the eight mile pounding I took riding the Fixation on Tuesday. That was a fun ride but I was feeling sore the two days following the ride. Decided to take it easy and ride the 'Horse and do a quick Echo Valley Loop. Thought it would be worthwhile to visit the new roller with a little more squish. There are actually three opportunities here. Need to think of a good name for this group of rollers.

Below, I have marked the direction of travel for these rollers. In essence, the color of the arrow denotes the level of skill each of these rollers requires, like what you see on the ski slopes. Of course, a more experienced rider would probably say they are all easy but for someone that might just be starting out, I figure a little color coding wouldn't hurt either. The blue arrow is the route down that I did on the Fixation on Tuesday.

Between the two, I discovered later that you could get a little practice on one that is not too steep and not too high. This is shown by the green arrow. The blue arrowed roller I think is a little more difficult due to the roots found towards the bottom of the rock. The run up to both the green and blue is pretty easy.

The red arrowed route is not recommended although that is what I ended up riding, by accident, in the video below. I wanted to go down the black route but found I couldn't do it from where I was initially parked. The probably was I couldn't clip in fast enough. What I really should have done is started further back. Instead, I chickened out, and then went back to approach from the other side, a little further back.

I did it but it wasn't pretty. I need to clear a path to this one, which I think will work better. Also, behind the red and black routes, there might be another roller that would be fun to ride. When I have more time, I will try to define that route, as well.

The Friday Fix

Not too many fixed gear ATB rigs hitting the FixedGearGallery these days. It's really hit or miss over there. I used to try and guess Which post is a mountain bike but in the case of manufacturers that are no longer producing ATB/MTB frames anymore, e.g. Bridgestone, I might miss something. So, now probably like everyone else, I just click on the next set of bikes to appear when Dennis updates the page.

Speaking of frames no longer produced, there is a cool Bridgestone but labeled as a Diamonback. Marcello is using it as a winter commuter but plans to sell it and get another Bridgestone to build up. It's funny, when I did my original scouring of the FGG looking for ATBs I basically looked at all the known manufacturers that I knew that made mountain bikes, like Trek, Kona, Surly, etc... For some reason, I missed this one. I just love Konas.


This is Tim Heyes first fixie and I only came across it by looking at his second submission and he mentioned,

Here is the submission of my second fixie to the site. This time it's a slightly more sensible road going one as opposed to a mountain bike...

Unfortunately there was no link to the previous bike so I emailed Tim to find out where it was located and got his impression of riding off road fixed as well and he said,

Definitely fun – although my fellow riders didn’t think so as they casually freewheeled over jumps and berms and I’m left spinning wildy some distance behind! I’m not ruling it out though – I just need to get used to having a back brake and actually find someone stupid enough to do it with me…

Glad to hear that he is not giving it up which reminds me that I haven't tried my fixie on anything be fire roads and rail trails and it might be high time I give it a shot on some real single track...

Not sure if I mentioned this site before but 63xc.com The Offroad Fixed Gear Site. The site author of the site said after 5 years and 20 issues it was time to move on to something else. Still the site is up and there is quite a bit of good reading there if want to know more about riding fixed gear off road.

Hoot, Toot, & Whistle

This post is sort of non-biking related. Found an interesting article on the Hoot, Toot, & Whistle that has some good pictures in it, too. I rode the railroad bed, what is now called the Harriman Trail, last summer while vacationing in Vermont and had a blast, I think because it comprised of riding into a piece of history that I find extremely interesting as well as mountain bike riding itself. I hope to get back there next year to ride the trails from the former Mountain Mills area up to the Sommerset Reservoir, which are old Narrow Gauge beds that were used for logging.

Don't remember where I found this picture but I thought I would throw it on as an addendum to this post.
I think this shot is of one of the factories that the HT&WR serviced. If you look closer, there is a dismantled siding and there is a guy doing something further back.

Thirsty Thursday

It seems that the dominant player in the sports drink market is Gatorade and I used to be a big fan of it until I found a new drink called Accelerade. I guess it's been around for awhile but recently the company just introduced a ready to drink version. According to their website, this is how they describe the product:

Accelerade in ready-to-drink form makes it easy to take it with you. We think you'll find that's a good thing. Because when you're out training or recovering from that last long, hard session, our patented 4:1 ratio of carbs to protein will be within arm's reach. And you'll be seconds away from increased endurance, quicker recovery and better rehydration. So, get your hands on it.

In fact they have scientific proof about how it works and how good it is for you. After reading it, I have to say it makes sense to me. What I like about it is it's not too sweet so after I finish a bottle I am not craving more. In fact, the way I use it is either pre-ride prep and for really long rides bring an extra bottle and take sips along the way interspersed with water.

Post ride, I feel much better than if I were to drink a Redbull or a Monster.

Big Y in Newtown and Bethel used to carry it but it seems it didn't sell too well and they don't any more. Seems 7-11 and Stop & Shop still do, so when I run from what I was able to get at a discount from Big Y, I 'll be heading to Stop & Shop to replenish my supply. I guess I should try their powdered version as well.

I have had three of these this week, all prior to riding and for an hour ride, I didn't need to sip from my camel. On the 2.5 hour on Tuesday, I took some sips but I felt great and never at a loss for energy, even post ride. Definitely recommend this!

Rolling it Rigid

Here are some clips on the Upper Gussy Trail of me riding my Fetish Fixation 69er. Midway through, there is one on the new roller near the bucket. Like the 29er, the 69er has the same roll over advantage, only it's a little more nimble. It's the only way I would ride rigid on single track.