Definition says excessive but also heartfelt. PUSH’s Elevensix shock continues to earn its praise for improved substantially better bike handling. Over the years I have ridden these same trails on various Turner models and suspension parts some custom tuned for me and my bike. I rode here this spring on the RFX with a Lyric 170mm Diaz tuned fork and a Monarch shock. The RUNT softens the blows from trail features, the fork is much more supple and compliant to trail rigosities. The Monarch coupled with the DW link worked the rear end. I retired the Lyric this summer in Bend switching to a Fox Factory 36 160mm travel again Diaz tuned with a RUNT. Seems the new fork performs better than the Lyric, better performance is allowing me to push personal handling and confidence limits. Rear end is still the same. Three weeks ago the 11.6 shock was first ridden at Fruita on trails previously ridden. I reported after that ride how much improved the climbing traction was. Now it is taken for granted and internalized in muscle memory. Today I rode some nasty difficult blue challenges at Bar M trails most notably Deadmans. I rode all the previous stuff plus additional ones previously walked. Today I am calling “Tractoring” in that riding at slower speeds using a big gear to muscle the moves. I still blow up, I challenge myself to session a missed feature learning if it is beyond my ability or my engine didn’t have it. The bike is so much better behaved and stable. The coil spring has no stiction which allows the shock be more supple like the RUNT. Previously I used speed to overcome the jar caused by stiction. Now I can sort of saunder up to the move. I can buy physical items for performance enhancements, however my body is affected by aging, I can only slow down the decline. I ride what I can and walk what I need to. Hooray for PUSH’s Elevensix shock.
Drove into town today to ship my sheet off to ST George for alteration and filled water containers. Shopped local City Market, the big store for beer now that Utah law allows grocery stores to sell beer up to 5% eliminating state liquor store retail. Very small quantity of additions. Bought Polygamy Porter at 6%, which is above the law.
Drove out to Bar M trails for Deadman showdown. This trail will be another test for 11.6. Flying colors. Tractoring.
Few riders in the large parking lot and hardly a rider encountered on my ride. I nailed almost all the past walk pieces chalking most lack of success to engine failure not to be overcome. 9.51 miles climbing 850′ in 1 hour 29 mins might seem short but I was worked by all the moves. My navigation eluded me putting me into a loop of riding a big section again of Deadman’s before I could get out. Bike is so stable and confidence inspiring.
Back at the van after finishing while sipping a beer sitting on a stool I cogitated. Impression of fall riders was of more calm, less hectic, just going about riding. Maybe riding last of season, prolonging sunshine and warmth before bundling up and stashing the bike in an out of the way stuffed garage. Contrast to last spring when the place was overflowing with riders escaping winter and finishing the lift ski season, they had pent up need after reading and watching what was going on somewhere where the primary ground cover was not white. Christmas gift needing experienced. First rides of the new season, get after it. Fall is full of tempered riders. Far fewer people here now and the weather is just perfect for riding. Today I didn’t wear knee warmers or knee socks but still a long sleeve light weight wool jersey.
I am liking being here. Desert riding. Big open space. Short trees and lots of techy trails. Shuffle my camp spots after 2 days of riding at a location, drive into town to resupply then drive out to another location to repeat prolly the same rides.
Friend Steve from Sun Valley is arriving later this week, He is riding the new Revel bike. Weather forecast is still sunny, low 60s high and above freezing at night. It is what it is.
Didn’t stop to take pics, I just open mouth gaped.