Does anyone mountain bike?

[genericmoniker]

Growing into a bike is much easier on the wallet than growing out of one.

That being said, snapped my RD hanger, and managed to snap one of the cogs on the RD in half on a ride yesterday. Luckily LBS (Spokes n Slopes in Milton) had what I needed in stock, and is trying to get it back to me by tomorrow. 2013 Norco Charger 9.1.

[optiklenz13]

Ready to hit the Don tomorrow morning..


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[optiklenz13]

It's been a very busy week/weekend. Pushing myself each time, prepping for Epic 8 weekend. Hope to see some of the guys here at the Don or DF. Let me know what trails you hit and I'll come out if I can.


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[optiklenz13]

Joined my first relay race! Great experience, lots of fun, it definitely won't be my last. I have started training for the the next one which is September.


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[Jackal]

^^Pounds lost tally and number of packs to go before a six pack.

[optiklenz13]

^^Pounds lost tally and number of packs to go before a six pack.

Let me see, lost 35 lbs. in total now. Last I checked I was at 151lbs, with 15.5% body fat.. Goal is to go back up to 157 lbs and to drop down to 12%.

Six pack? I wish. I haven't gone full nutrition mode.

[Jackal]

Crazy stuff!! Well done! I'd be happy with 5-10 lbs loss and 15 lbs gain of muscle.

[optiklenz13]

First time at Albion Hills yesterday. I had so much fun.


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[CopperRouGe]

If you like Albion, you should race the Summer Solstice 24 hr race there. It's like the 8 hour, but longer

I'm racing in the Fall 8 Hour at Hardwood Hills too. Loads of fun!

[optiklenz13]

If you like Albion, you should race the Summer Solstice 24 hr race there. It's like the 8 hour, but longer

I'm racing in the Fall 8 Hour at Hardwood Hills too. Loads of fun!

I raced last July as well for summer Epic 8. Signed up last night for the Fall Epic 8. See you there!!!


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[CopperRouGe]

Nice!!!

[dexter]

So, other than @optiklenz13 who's riding the 8 hour with us at Hardwood this weekend?!

[optiklenz13]

After 3 laps of practice run last Sunday. Hahaha. I need to be at @dexter 's level.


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[dexter]

After 3 laps of practice run last Sunday. Hahaha. I need to be at @dexter 's level.


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Haha, my level on the trails is nothing to be envious of! I'm a roadie; I just put my head down and go. Put something in my way and I tend to just plow over it rather than trying to pick a decent line around it. Believe me, by the time I'm done my 4 hours I'll be looking at least that wiped!

[CopperRouGe]

I'll be at Hardwood tomorrow for the 8 hour! Weather is supposed to be perfect

[optiklenz13]

Great to finally meet you bro!! Great job today!! You killed it!! @dexter

Crashed on my second lap on the last berm, pulled my left calf muscle. Was done by then. I was losing air on my front wheel, and my tire folded on the turn, I was 17psi at that point, and was supposed to be running 20.

Oh well.

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[dexter]

Great to finally meet you bro!! Great job today!! You killed it!! @dexter

Crashed on my second lap on the last berm, pulled my left calf muscle. Was done by then. I was losing air on my front wheel, and my tire folded on the turn, I was 17psi at that point, and was supposed to be running 20.

Oh well.

Likewise, great to meet you too! Thanks man, looks like you had a good first lap yourself, shame about the wipe out on the second. Those berms can get a little hairy if you're coming in too hot! That bike of yours is a beast man - so jealous!

Didn't even see the paparazzi snapping that shot of us looking super casual! Haha love it

[optiklenz13]

Bumparoo!! I'm addicted to this race thing... Team went for the Summer Epic 8 last weekend and we almost got podium.. We just lacked strategy. Fack...



I really need stronger legs.. Getting a road bike is a feedback I keep getting. Thoughts? @dexter ?

[SirWanker]

Definitely get a road bike to build up your legs and endurance.
I was a roadie before taking up off-roading ( for self preservation) and the 100+KM rides made a big impact on performance.
Mind you that was before Life, Marriage and a Career came up

[Default User]

Always wanted to get into it...never had the money for a nice bike though LOL

only recently got a Canadian Tire special bike to keep up with my kids

[shawnmcw]

Although i don't compete, not anywhere near in the shape i'd need to be to do that, i've biked all my life. Current ride is a 2017 Giant Trance 3
I will be going up to Algonquin tomorrow though

[optiklenz13]

Definitely get a road bike to build up your legs and endurance.
I was a roadie before taking up off-roading ( for self preservation) and the 100+KM rides made a big impact on performance.
Mind you that was before Life, Marriage and a Career came up

Hahaha. Nice. I'll definitely consider getting a road bike. I'm just afraid, I might get bored. LOL! Leaning maybe towards an all terrain bike with drop bars.

Always wanted to get into it...never had the money for a nice bike though LOL

only recently got a Canadian Tire special bike to keep up with my kids

LOL! Nice. It's a great exercise for sure..

Although i don't compete, not anywhere near in the shape i'd need to be to do that, i've biked all my life. Current ride is a 2017 Giant Trance 3
I will be going up to Algonquin tomorrow though

I'm not at the competition level yet. I just do it for fun, but when you brush up on a podium place, it really gets interesting.

We should set up a trail ride meet. Anyone here go to the Don often?

[SirWanker]

Hahaha. Nice. I'll definitely consider getting a road bike. I'm just afraid, I might get bored. LOL! Leaning maybe towards an all terrain bike with drop bars.

Dodging cars will keep boredom from setting in .
Not too sure where you're based but aim for a route with plenty of climbs.
One of my fav climb in Toronto is Bayview Road extension from Pottery Road to Moore Ave followed by Mt Pleasant from Jarvis to St Clair Ave E. Just be careful with Mt Pleasant due to the traffic volumes.

[optiklenz13]

Dodging cars will keep boredom from setting in .
Not too sure where you're based but aim for a route with plenty of climbs.
One of my fav climb in Toronto is Bayview Road extension from Pottery Road to Moore Ave followed by Mt Pleasant from Jarvis to St Clair Ave E. Just be careful with Mt Pleasant due to the traffic volumes.

Hahaha.. Yeah, I hate being on the road too for that reason. LOL.

Yeah, I'm close by there. I bike from my house to the Don Valley trails. A lot have said to get a dedicated road bike instead because I already own a mountain bike. No need for the all terrain, CX bike that they're now known for.

[dexter]

I'd agree; Getting a road bike will be a game changer especially if you can splurge on a Garmin/heart rate monitor/Strava Premium. I got my Garmin in the spring and heart rate monitor last week and am already finding both super useful as training tools especially the HRM when working on max effort sprints.

Sure fire way to get strong legs though... Heavy leg days at the gym a couple of days a week, especially through winter. I try to put on as much raw leg strength as I can in the winter and taper off during the summer so I don't burn the legs out when I'm riding all the time. Based on that pic it looks like you've definitely got bigger calves than I do haha

Hahaha. Nice. I'll definitely consider getting a road bike. I'm just afraid, I might get bored. LOL! Leaning maybe towards an all terrain bike with drop bars.

I can't imagine getting bored on the road bike. Hell, one of my favorite parts about it is that I can just go out there and let the mind wander a bit without really having to think too much about it if I'm just cruising along. Perfect way to get away from things if you need time to think or clear your head.

If you're set on something a little more "all terrain" I would look the CX route. Something like a Giant TCX would probably suit you well; road gearing, disc brakes, knobby tires, more ground clearance and a bit more upright geometry than a road bike but it would still give you the option to swap on some slick 28mm road tires and lay the hammer down on the pavement!

If you were to go with a pure road bike and don't plan on racing on the road I'd look more at Giant's Defy line - endurance geometry (more upright than their race bikes) will give you a more comfortable ride and still give you the pure performance of a dedicated road bike.

Any idea on a budget for this bike? That may help as far as recommendations if you're looking for them.