One Bike, One Purpose

I’ve decided to save up for the new Mavic Crosstrail Disc wheelset. The Deore/XM321’s, while reliable and stout, are just too heavy at 2,300 grams. I’m also leary of the Deore hubs holding up in the long-run. Yeah I know, I’ve already got perfectly good sub-2000 gram wheels. The Crossrides have been my best wheelset, they’re relatively light, and a HUGE bargain at under $200.00. The problem with the crossrides is that the rim is too narrow, and they have a UB braking surface, plus they’re silver, :), ok so maybe the looks aren’t the biggest gripe. The narrow rim however, squeezes the tires, and takes away from their footprint. Plus, losing a few grams, or 180, never hurts. With tax, the hoops come out to $510 and change, but it’s worth it.

Probably one of my Top-5 rides today.

Cruising up the 101-N, for some reason I decided not to get off at Las Virgenes and take Malibu Canyon Rd to PCH, as I normally do to get to Pt. Mugu, more on that later.

I take a scenic drive through Oxnard, get to the trailhead-after finding sweet, oceanside parking-and set off on the Sycamore trail. I stopped at every picnic table rest area, not out of exhaustion mind you, I always stop at rest areas when I’m out riding, I like taking in the scenery, not just blowing by and not even looking. I like to mix it up when I ride, so I decide to hit some techy ST and hit Two Foxes. Two Foxes is short, but an e-ticket ride nonetheless, and I’m amped when I finish it up and stop for a rest. I decide to go back to the fork, but this time go straight, and continue on to the old gas station.

I was going to turn around and go back the way I came, but three guys coming up behind me for some reason made me continue on to the asphalt FR climb. The climb wasn’t bad, it was just hotter than I thought it would be, made it up in one shot though. Took the Waterman FR back down, then finished up by going back on Two Foxes in reverse, then hitting the Sycamore Trail back to the beach, and my car. I rested on the beach for a while before leaving, just taking in the scenery. It was truelly beautifull today in Southern California, dare I say it, a perfect day to be outdoors.

I started home down the PCH, then realized why I instinctively took the 101-N instead of the PCH. Roadcrews bottlenecked a section of the PCH, and traffic was BACKED UP. Baja Fresh topped off one of my Top-5 rides.

Oh yeah I almost forgot, No mechanicals today, no mis-shifts, no flats, no chain issues, nothing, just a sweet-shifting, point and shoot XC Steed. Which is good because I forgot my multi-tool and my phone battery died about 30-minutes in.

Trust me, blogging was the last thing on my mind.

Actually, the whole myspace-facebook fad kinda makes me cringe. 30 and 40-year old men and women with myspace pages trying to act cool and young, grow up!!

Anyways, I’ve decided to start blogging as a way to release my emotions, and maybe gain a better knowledge and understanding of why I feel what I sometimes feel.

Mike , a 30-year old guy with “two” jobs, a roof and four walls, and four wheels to get me from A to B, and sometimes C.  Mountain Biking takes up my freetime, and most of my free money. I have one bike, and one purpose, to ride, that’s it. No searching out the biggest jumps or hucks. No trying to be faster, or skinnier, or more fit. Most definitely not trying to have the greatest gear on the block, I could care less about that. My ride is an ‘05 Fetish Cycles Discipline hardtail. I bought the frame from a guy for 50-bucks. I do take pride though in doing my own bike work. The bike was built up and is maintained by yours truly. I’ll post a pic when I can. Most “MTB” guys at this point would rattle of a parts spec, but your gear is the least important aspect of Mountain Biking. I recently left a forum because some of the members were so material about the sport that it just disgusted me.

My ride haunts are mostly in Southern California, primarily in the Santa Monica Mountains areas of Topanga State Park, Cheesebro Canyon and Las Virgenes Canyon. Some people may drive 45-minutes for a great ride, but I prefer keeping it local, especially with gas prices the way they are. Most of my posts will be ride reports of Mountain Bike rides I’ve done, although I might go off-topic if I feel the need. Mountain Biking-related photos will get posted, as you wouldn’t believe some of the places that are a stones throw from Downtown LA.

Happy trails, and get out there!!