Rediscovering XC

[derwood]

So ive been out with a back injury for a bit now and my bonecracker gave me the go ahead to start riding again,but only cross country.

Maybe im getting old but I think it may be more fun and rewarding than Downhill!

Bear in mind that I rode XC for a long time before DH bikes were an option.

Any ol'school riders find themselves on the little bike more often than usual these days?

[Rat]

Im building up an XC bike now. latley I have been having way more fun on singletrack than stunts. I still like to go fast though

[derwood]

good to hear,

now how about that weekend job?

[Rat]

the work is on the weekdays it revolves around truck schedules so I cant be that flexible. Trust me having someone who can fix the damn things would be priceless. my machine is a bit beat up and blows hydro lines all the time.

New XC ride is going to be sweet , Santa Cruz Heckler with a Flick and dual 2.1's

[derwood]

dammit!

99% of the work I do is hydraulics!

[Rat]

Do you really want to work on the weekends anyway. I could check to see if the Truckers would preload the containers on sunday and drop them at the terminal on Monday mornings.

[derwood]

im poor!

[Rat]

Ill look into it then

[mace2]

i ride my xc bike as often as i do my dh one

good times

[XXX_er]

I am old and it is AS rewarding than DH but the rewards are different

in 2002 I broke my leg telemarking , I was counting on biking to get back in shape after 10weeks non-weight bearing but freeriding(mostly shuttling )did nothing for my conditioning ,I got pissed-off with all the broken gear/bones and general fucking around instead of... riding a bike.

now I like x-counrty and road riding ,as long as you like what you are riding its all good eh??

[Late Bloomer]

My bike goes BOTH ways! It does the jumps/dorps and can still get me up a 10k/1,000+m climb. It's always a good thing to mix it up every so often.
I :heart: my bike!!!
Hope your back makes a full and speedy recovery.

[Trini-dad72]

Well seeing as how I currently own a 45lbs bike I can't say that I have done any XC on it. But I made a command decisin last night and the Pipeline that I got from Zedbra to build a cruiser for my Mom, may end up becoming a trail/urban bike. I still have Elaine's Psylo, and I have rims and a bar/stem, I just need some more used stuff to build it. I'll still get cruiser bars, and a saddle too, so that my Mom can ride it anyway:)
I love XC and I find that I miss it a lot, trying to XC a freeride bike is such a hassle that I don't even go ride as much as I should. I ride too infrequently as it is, humph, maybe I should go ride Elaine's AC...

[pete]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
My bike goes BOTH ways! It does the jumps/dorps and can still get me up a 10k/1,000+m climb. It's always a good thing to mix it up every so often.
I :heart: my bike!!!
Hope your back makes a full and speedy recovery.

thats 100m vert per km.... which is a 10% grade......

so yeah i dunno what to think except......:rolleyes:

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by pete
thats 100m vert per km.... which is a 10% grade......
so yeah i dunno what to think except......:rolleyes: disclaimer - figures may not be exact
If you ever find yourself in the Mt. Rainier area w/ bike, take a haul up FR 7174 off Hwy. 410 (Corral Pass) and you'll have a slight idea of what to think. I'd gladly guide you (or anybody else, for that matter:)) around...the view is worth every pedal-stroke up (as pic will show). The climb is the 2nd mtn. behind me (on the thumb's-up-side). You can see a few parts where the fire road goes up...countless switchbacks and choppy/rocky road up. Unfortunately (unless you shuttle), cars drive up the road and it's plain tore up.

Good to see your calculator is calibrated properly;)

[well ridden]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
sti10k/1,000+m climb

1000m is only 1 km

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by well ridden
1000m is only 1 km 10k distance - 1k elevation...my bad;)
edit - where'd you get the 'sti' in my quote?:???:

p.s. - hope you heal quick, Pete:friend:

[Loopie]

Originally posted by derwood


Any ol'school riders find themselves on the little bike more often than usual these days?
not here.
I did my XC time. It's all downhill from here Kids:D

[chauncy]

Originally posted by jaru72
Well seeing as how I currently own a 45lbs bike I can't say that I have done any XC on it. But I made a command decisin last night and the Pipeline that I got from Zedbra to build a cruiser for my Mom, may end up becoming a trail/urban bike. I still have Elaine's Psylo, and I have rims and a bar/stem, I just need some more used stuff to build it. I'll still get cruiser bars, and a saddle too, so that my Mom can ride it anyway:)
I love XC and I find that I miss it a lot, trying to XC a freeride bike is such a hassle that I don't even go ride as much as I should. I ride too infrequently as it is, humph, maybe I should go ride Elaine's AC...

My bike weighs at least that much and I've xc raced it. If you have a granny, almost any bike under 55 lbs is xc able imo.

[derwood]

ok so i dont have an XC bike,but to me a 38 lb AC1 counts as one!

Goona go again this evening,feelin' good!

[Leifless]

i am more and more tempted to go back to xc/trail riding...thats how i got into the sport in the first place and its calling me again...im actually missing those 50k loops out in the woods. i may sell my shore and get a spv trailbike...5" and 5".:thepimp:

[chauncy]

Originally posted by Leifless
i am more and more tempted to go back to xc/trail riding...thats how i got into the sport in the first place and its calling me again...im actually missing those 50k loops out in the woods. i may sell my shore and get a spv trailbike...5" and 5".:thepimp:

If you're smooth, you can do alot on a 5 or 6 " travel bike.

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by chauncy
If you're smooth, you can do alot on a 5 or 6 " travel bike. No doubt...even w/o clipless!! Although some rides are definitely better w/ clipless.
Little ring is a life-saver, but the big ring is not essential.

I've seen those AC-1's going uphill...quite well at that.

[switch]

XC = :thepimp:

This is an XC bike I just built up; changed the fork to a 4" Marz. I'm currently liking XC type riding more than downhill. Definitely have to go back to Squamish - that place rules for XC trails.


http://www3.telus.net/switch/misc/xcbike.jpg

[Leifless]

Originally posted by chauncy
If you're smooth, you can do alot on a 5 or 6 " travel bike.

yup...my ride is 6" rear right now...thinking of throwing a flick w/spv on there and a fox propedal. in the 4.5 " setting.

[sanrensho]

Rediscover XC? I never lost it in the first place...:)

My 30 lb hardtail goes "both ways" so it's never a problem to roll out for either type of ride.

My only regret is missing the glory days of John Tomac and purple anodized everything.

[mudpuppy]

Yeah, I have heard it calling...my fully rigid beast has been on a few. I love exploring and reaching new heights, but the lower Island had no epic XC....its pretty sad really.

[Phelonius]

Now this whole thread begs the next question:
"Rediscover Lime Green Spandex Shorts for XC?"
:D

I still ride mostly XC now, so I'm kind of on the opposite side of the spectrum. Looking to buy a Couch to make the Shore less painful on my now aging back.:eek:

[Late Bloomer]

I'll avoid the lime-greens in favor of the good ol' standard black. Unless you ride near hunters - then lime-green/safety-orange/other welding-glasses-inducing colors are cool.
:lol:
rider x shore + couch = 100%:):):):):)

[mudpuppy]

I wanna find as much old purple anno stuff and put it on my frankenbike, and a hite rite.

[LeeLau]

XC is just a different style of riding. Its neither more or less challenging IMO - but it does let you get to an awful lot of views

When i first started riding- xc was the only type of riding

http://www.leelau.net/2002/Selkirks/Selkirk115.jpg

[LeeLau]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
disclaimer - figures may not be exact
If you ever find yourself in the Mt. Rainier area w/ bike, take a haul up FR 7174 off Hwy. 410 (Corral Pass) and you'll have a slight idea of what to think. I'd gladly guide you (or anybody else, for that matter:)) around...the view is worth every pedal-stroke up (as pic will show). The climb is the 2nd mtn. behind me (on the thumb's-up-side). You can see a few parts where the fire road goes up...countless switchbacks and choppy/rocky road up. Unfortunately (unless you shuttle), cars drive up the road and it's plain tore up.



LateBloomer - I will take you up on that. Perhaps sooner rather later if we get fire closures. Pics from a St Helens Ride

http://www.leelau.net/2003/mtsthelens/13sbplainsridge.jpg

Story here - http://www.leelau.net/2003/mtsthelens/mtsthelens.htm

[sanrensho]

Originally posted by Phelonius
Now this whole thread begs the next question:
"Rediscover Lime Green Spandex Shorts for XC?"
:D

I think those are known as Steed Cycles shorts...:eek:

[Late Bloomer]

Originally posted by LeeLau
LateBloomer - I will take you up on that. Perhaps sooner rather later if we get fire closures. Pics from a St Helens Ride

http://www.leelau.net/2003/mtsthelens/13sbplainsridge.jpg

Story here - http://www.leelau.net/2003/mtsthelens/mtsthelens.htm Hahaha! I knew you would bite. :P

I've yet to ride St. Helen's :loser:
Nice pics! I also like that descent after 5k on that ride from the looks of that chart!!
http://www.leelau.net/2003/mtsthelens/smithaltitude.jpg

[chauncy]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
Hahaha! I knew you would bite. :P

I've yet to ride St. Helen's :loser:
Nice pics! I also like that descent after 5k on that ride from the looks of that chart!!
http://www.leelau.net/2003/mtsthelens/smithaltitude.jpg

It looks like a 300 foot cliff :thepimp: . I'm gonna start riding alot more xc :D

[XXX_er]

I got news for y'all

soon yer all gona be older than dirt itself , at which point XC will start to look good ... or give up biking

Yer gona walk right by that wicked shore ride and be lusting after trail bike's with 5" front and rear to take you into yer autumn years ...if yer still riding at all

[derwood]

Originally posted by XXX_er
I got news for y'all

soon yer all gona be older than dirt itself , at which point XC will start to look good ... or give up biking

Yer gona walk right by that wicked shore ride and be lusting after trail bike's with 5" front and rear to take you into yer autumn years ...if yer still riding at all

Huh?

I just think that many of us have been missing out on the good stuff.......
I packed in 2 XC rides this weekend and a DH tonight.I may be becoming more well rounded,or less round!!

[Late Bloomer]

This thread both inspires and amuses me:)

No matter what kind of riding we are doing (hell, I even toss in a healthy amount of road miles in my days to boot), I think we are all aware of how fortunate that we are to be able to do whatever it is we do.
I never take any of my time in the saddle at any 'discipline' for granted. My only regret as a rider is that I am not physically (and financially...like most of us :() able to ride more every day.
I also feel XC is a little overlooked in general, but as long as people ride something, then it's all good.

p.s. - you're only as old as you feel (I feel 25):P

[derwood]

glad I can help inspire,I think Ive seen the light!

Amazing what time off the bike can do to you.....

[Late Bloomer]

Amazing, indeed. Done the 'down' a couple times for a few months each time. I was not the same person during those times - I'm not even going to deny that. I really hated myself.
Everything is a warm and fuzzy harmonious song and dance fest again.
:fruit:
Hope you (or anybody for that matter) don't have to do the 'down' thing often, if at all. Percentages say otherwise so, until then, take nothing for granted and savor the flavor!

[mudpuppy]

Lee, your pictures and stories inspire me to find some XC on the island. I have been biking since the 80's and kinda miss the old XC days. If you know of anything on this beautifill rock please let me know, I would love to check it out.

[XXX_er]

Originally posted by derwood
Huh?

I just think that many of us have been missing out on the good stuff.......
I packed in 2 XC rides this weekend and a DH tonight.I may be becoming more well rounded,or less round!!

Lotsa people don't wana do anything but coast down a hill period

you don't see many 50 yearolds freeriding cuz IMO its just too hard on an old body so at some point you got XC/road

If you can't enjoy xc or road you won't do it

At some point if you can't freeride and you don't enjoy some other kind of riding a bike then you havent really got much left

as long as yer on a bike its all good eh

[LeeLau]

Originally posted by mudpuppy
Lee, your pictures and stories inspire me to find some XC on the island. I have been biking since the 80's and kinda miss the old XC days. If you know of anything on this beautifill rock please let me know, I would love to check it out.

I did a quick writeup i did on nsmb about the Vomit Launch - 100 km of riding in the Cow Valley.

http://bb.nsmb.com/newforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43123

[Ned]

Hmmm... funny you thugs are thinking about riding pinner bikes again... full circle? For some it's new territory I suppose too. I'm thinking about adding a new 40lb'r to the quiver as my new XC bike.

Pulled zee Hummer off the hook for about the fifth time this year and it seems like it's kinda fun compared to the pavement deathmarch program. Hmmmm... could be onto something here... Oh ya, it be epic season :D

[LeeLau]

Ha ned. Wonder when people are going to get back into flat bars and bar ends again? I still have a Syncros flat bar kicking around and lime green bar ends. Also got the threaded headset with Syncros cattleprod or a flexstem ready to go

[Late Bloomer]

:lol:
Since you mentioned "Ned" and "flatbars" in the same sentence, this is what came to mind...
http://www.bikeparts.com/images/album/six/deadlyned1.jpg

[Ned]

Originally posted by LeeLau
Ha ned. Wonder when people are going to get back into flat bars and bar ends again? I still have a Syncros flat bar kicking around and lime green bar ends. Also got the threaded headset with Syncros cattleprod or a flexstem ready to go

Ummm... no. I threw all my old antique shit in a box and gave it to a retro-guy in Nelson before I left. You know Daryl Secret? Another guy, Jon at Oso Negro, got my super old HeiHei frame come to think of it.

Mind you I did have the flat Ti bar from my HeiHei on my Hummer over the winter when it was a commuter bike. Kinda fun and narrow enough to wear handcuffs while riding.

[Bryce]

XC is fricken dope... but what is it exactly? Its almost as tough to define as freeriding. Sometimes I think that I'm really an XC rider in DH clothing.

[Oldfart]

Personaly I never got into the downhill thing. XC was the game since the early 80's when I started. Not that I don't like a challenging coast down a hill. But my mindset is not that of adrenelin junkie. That's just me.

XXX is right about the age thing. You young guys just don't know it yet. When I was in my 20's, and we crashed skiing or riding, we'd wonder if we would be able to ride the next day. Now we wonder if it will ruin the season.

Plus hurting your back in your youth, or shoulder or other joints can haunt you in later years as chronic pain. Ask my wife who crashed DH skiing at 100 kph way too often. Chronic neck and back issues.

I never did much in the way of risky things in my youth so I'm blessed with having few chronic problems other than a sore neck from all that bent over road riding.

Oh yeah, I ride a flat bar on mt Blur with a stem that goes down and green spandex shorts. Middle ringed Old Buck in 12 minutes yesterday so I still got it (in my mind anyway)

[switch]

Originally posted by Oldfart
Middle ringed Old Buck in 12 minutes yesterday so I still got it (in my mind anyway)
It takes me 12 minutes to ride up to Horse Loop... :(

[XXX_er]

yep,yer good to go till you hit 30 ,at which point what used to take 4 asprins and a couple of venti starbucks to fix will now require 10 months of physio therapy



we haven't even talked about real life ...family,career,ect

[mudpuppy]

Originally posted by Late Bloomer
:lol:
Since you mentioned "Ned" and "flatbars" in the same sentence, this is what came to mind...
http://www.bikeparts.com/images/album/six/deadlyned1.jpg

Sweet I used to ride that bike....hahahaha.....

[onepunch]

Still love xc a ton(back on topic) and think it is ok to not risk life and limb every ride out. My next big bike purchase will be a 5 n 5 trail bike. Looking foreward to checking out all the local trails once iam moved and settled in. I like the climb and the down.

[ride24/7]

It's all good... I have a 45 lbs 7+7 big bike ( with granny for the climbs ) and a 32 lbs 4+4 xc/epic ride bike. They get almost equal treatment, but i still ride the big bike a little more. I love the epic xc rides though, specially long solo rides when it's just you and a whole lot of singletrack. I really prefer riding xc by myself but hitting the shore type stuff with friends.