Mtb'ing at Schaeffer - 11/11

[7rider]

Hey all...
If the weather is good...
How's about a little mountain bike action at Schaeffer (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1205) on Tuesday, Nov 11th?
Pace would be casual to low-moderate....not screamin' but movin' ...just enjoy an autumn day.
Meet at the lot at 10, wheels rolling by 10:15. Lunch at DFH (http://dogfishalehouse.com/content/view/13/27/) afterwards (I get my training from MORE!).

[Cataboo]

As of now, I'm in! So barring any other developments before then

My mountain bike should be all set by then, and then I have a 14" trek hardtail that I can bring if someone needs one.

[Zen]

I'll do lunch.

[7rider]

Cool!
I'm gonna have to do a quick lunch, as I have to go back to my dentist in the afternoon for my crown. :mad: Color was "off" and the guy is such a perfectionist.......and he only works at this office on Tuesdays!

[HillSlugger]

I'm in if someone can lend me an mtb. Catriona, I'm 5'5"; my road bikes are 51cm and my commuter is 19.5" so I think your extra bike will be too small for me.

Where is Schaeffer?

[7rider]

Where is Schaeffer?

Follow the link I posted on the word "schaeffer" - it brings you to the "where to ride" post on the MORE site and includes a description of the area and directions.

Generally, with MTB's, you want them sized a bit smaller. I'll let C' make the call (what kind of pedals are on the bike - what would you need MD?).

[HillSlugger]

I ride spd mtb pedals. I could bring them and a pedal wrench with me if necessary.

[Cataboo]

MDhillslug,

I think the bike'll be fine for you, we can just jack the seat up higher for you if noone else has something you find a better size.

You want a mountain bike sized smaller, so you have lots of standover - and if it's smaller, it's a lot easier to get on and off or carry it over things (which I guess isn't the point of mountain biking, but I find it a plus).

I'm 5'1, my road bike's an effective 49, but I'm fine on a 50 cm. My inseams about a 29. So we're not that far off, I think.

I've got speedplay frogs on the bike, but can take those off easy for your spd pedals.

[HillSlugger]

Since I know next to nothing about mtb's and mtb'ing I'll defer to your knowledge. Looking forward to the ride.

[Cataboo]

Since I know next to nothing about mtb's and mtb'ing I'll defer to your knowledge. Looking forward to the ride.

haha.

I've got a lot of theoretical knowledge.

It doesn't mean I can mountain bike!

Theoretically I can though.

[7rider]

Just so you know....
Weather is "iffy" at this point for Tuesday.
In keeping with respect for the trails...
No riding if it's raining - or if it rained heavily overnight.
Ride okay if it's cloudy.
I'll be checking weather as we approach Tuesday and doppler radar that morning. If it's questionable, check here b/t 8-9 for a "go/no-go" call.

[HillSlugger]

Weatherbug seems to have pushed off the rain until the afternoon. What weather feeds do you like/trust?

[7rider]

Trust? I only trust doppler radar. All others I take with a grain of salt. :rolleyes:
That said...NWS's crystal ball (http://weather.noaa.gov/weather/MD_cc_us.html) seems to indicate that things will be okay.

[Cataboo]

it seemed to be off today as well. I'm going baby mountain biking at Patapsco or something like that today.

[divingbiker]

Regardless of the weather, I am reluctantly going to pass on mtb'ing on Veterans Day. I want to have no obligations on that day, and just relax. Hope it's a good ride!

[HillSlugger]

You'll be missed. Be well.

[Zen]

Regardless of the weather, I am reluctantly going to pass on mtb'ing on Veterans Day. I want to have no obligations on that day, and just relax. Hope it's a good ride!

I said it before, I'll say it again. We should do something sometime that doesn't involve exercise;)

[divingbiker]

I said it before, I'll say it again. We should do something sometime that doesn't involve exercise;)

I agree. Maybe between Thanksgiving and Christmas we can meet in Frederick and have lunch and look at the decorations and do some Christmas shopping.

[7rider]

Oh, well that's a bummer, DB. Relax. Be well. Thank a veteran.

[Cataboo]

I agree. Maybe between Thanksgiving and Christmas we can meet in Frederick and have lunch and look at the decorations and do some Christmas shopping.

The first Saturday in December will probably be entertaining in Frederick. They do stuff downtown the first Saturday of every month.

[HillSlugger]

DB,

I found a picture that really ties together your username:

http://nicole.thomas14.home.comcast.net/UnderwaterBicycle.jpg

[HillSlugger]

Is there an entrance fee?

Catriona, what time are you planning to get there? Regina wants to be riding by 10:15 and it's going to take a little time to get the bike set up for me.

[7rider]

There is no entrance fee.

Yeah, my Tuesday afternoon just got INSANELY busy. :eek: So, yeah....I'd want us riding at 10:15 so we have plenty of time to ride and hit DFH for some post-ride refueling.

Velobambina....you joining us? Dingster? You still checking in?

[Cataboo]

Is there an entrance fee?

Catriona, what time are you planning to get there? Regina wants to be riding by 10:15 and it's going to take a little time to get the bike set up for me.

I can get there at 9:30 or 9:45 - whichever's better for you.

Since I have no idea how to recognize you - I've got a moss green subaru outback that'll have 2 bikes hanging off the back, kayak racks on the roof.

I went mountain biking up in Patapsco on Saturday - nice wide trails, leaf cover made it a bit hard to see rocks, roots or other obstacles, but it was fun and for the most part doable for me. I did walk one really steep downhill section that was basically just large boulders and rocks.

However, I'd like to amend my previous statement that my cardio is fine - it's apparently road bike cardio fine, but really steep long uphills I am not so fine on.

[HillSlugger]

I can get there at 9:30 or 9:45 - whichever's better for you.

Since I have no idea how to recognize you - I've got a moss green subaru outback that'll have 2 bikes hanging off the back, kayak racks on the roof.

I went mountain biking up in Patapsco on Saturday - nice wide trails, leaf cover made it a bit hard to see rocks, roots or other obstacles, but it was fun and for the most part doable for me. I did walk one really steep downhill section that was basically just large boulders and rocks.

However, I'd like to amend my previous statement that my cardio is fine - it's apparently road bike cardio fine, but really steep long uphills I am not so fine on.

I've got Gold-ish Subaru Outback with lots of stickers on the back window.

9:45 would give us 1/2 an hour to get set up. I think that should work.

See ya tomorrow.

[divingbiker]

So how was the ride?????

[HillSlugger]

It was great, at least when I wasn't lying on my side trying to get untangled from the bike or branches. Yes, I fell several times, but they were not all my fault; the bike had shifting issues and dropped the chain several times without me even trying to shift. It's so different from road biking. I love the speed on the road; off road, not so much.

[Cataboo]

I sabotaged her! ;)

[7rider]

I love the speed on the road; off road, not so much.

"Speed is your friend." At least, that's one of the two rules of mtb'ing that a friend once told me. The other is: "Pedal, pedal, pedal!"

I told Hill (geez, I just can't call you "Slug" any more! ;)) that she gave a new meaning to the term "triathlete" as she'll try anything! Big log? Check! Water crossing? Check! Uphill roots? Check! Sure, occasionally, she'd have to untangle the limbs from the bike, pick herself up, and dust herself off....but she'd put the chain back on the bike (;)), throw a leg over, and start all over again! Way cool!!

[HillSlugger]

I'm quite sore from yesterday, especially my wrist and my arms and shoulders. I do have a nice bruise on my hip. But it was fun!

Catriona, besides the problem with the chain jumping off the chain rings, the lever to bring the back derailleur to an easier gear has an excessively long travel before it actually wants to make a switch.

OK, if I were to drop the "HillSlug" name, what would I change to? "Tri_Anything"?

[Cataboo]

I'm quite sore from yesterday, especially my wrist and my arms and shoulders. I do have a nice bruise on my hip. But it was fun!

Catriona, besides the problem with the chain jumping off the chain rings, the lever to bring the back derailleur to an easier gear has an excessively long travel before it actually wants to make a switch.

OK, if I were to drop the "HillSlug" name, what would I change to? "Tri_Anything"?

I could take over the Hillslug name - I'm pretty slow on them. I've sort of gotten to the point where road hills I've got the gear strategy down and it usually works without me bonking before the top... Mountain biking I still either downshift too early and lose all momentum or stay geared high, which works till it gets really steep or I hit roots.

My wrists are really sore, I woke up in the middle of the night with both hands numb, so I think I aggravated them again - I need to learn to quit having a death grip on my handlebars and my brakes, but they're a security blanket for now.

I did a bruise check this morning - one bruise on each buttock, one on the hip, and one behind my knee. No idea if they're from mountain biking yesterday or on Saturday. Or from some other stuff.

I kept my poor bf up till 4 am tuning my bikes. I finished putting all the pieces onto the frame I was building up, then gave it to him to tune, and gave him the mountain bike to tune. Something was giving him fits, but I fell asleep and don't really know what. I did take the new road frame out for a test ride at 4 am...

He's typically pretty good at tuning the bikes - however, he's gentler on his gears than I am... I shift under load going up hills way too much and I mash - he usually shifts his gears before he gets on a hill, and just spins his way up and doesn't shift. So I'll tell him the bike's doing certain things, he'll take it out for a ride or put it on the trainer to look at the shifting, it'll act perfect for him and shift smoothly, and then he'll decide I'm nuts.

[HillSlugger]

I could take over the Hillslug name - I'm pretty slow on them. I've sort of gotten to the point where road hills I've got the gear strategy down and it usually works without me bonking before the top... Mountain biking I still either downshift too early and lose all momentum or stay geared high, which works till it gets really steep or I hit roots.

My wrists are really sore, I woke up in the middle of the night with both hands numb, so I think I aggravated them again - I need to learn to quit having a death grip on my handlebars and my brakes, but they're a security blanket for now.

I did a bruise check this morning - one bruise on each buttock, one on the hip, and one behind my knee. No idea if they're from mountain biking yesterday or on Saturday. Or from some other stuff.

I kept my poor bf up till 4 am tuning my bikes. I finished putting all the pieces onto the frame I was building up, then gave it to him to tune, and gave him the mountain bike to tune. Something was giving him fits, but I fell asleep and don't really know what. I did take the new road frame out for a test ride at 4 am...

He's typically pretty good at tuning the bikes - however, he's gentler on his gears than I am... I shift under load going up hills way too much and I mash - he usually shifts his gears before he gets on a hill, and just spins his way up and doesn't shift. So I'll tell him the bike's doing certain things, he'll take it out for a ride or put it on the trainer to look at the shifting, it'll act perfect for him and shift smoothly, and then he'll decide I'm nuts.
I've got your back on this one. Have him talk to me ;)

You were biking at 4am? :eek:

[Zen]

Sounds like I got off easy by going to the dentist instead.

[Cataboo]

I've got your back on this one. Have him talk to me ;)

You were biking at 4am? :eek:


Well, I only went in a loop around the neighborhood. i was pretty excited to see what it felt like.

I actually hadn't remember the bike doing that jump chain thing - I'd ridden the bike a few times the beginning of the summer - it did it maybe twice on me, and got chain suck a lot. And he patiently explained how I wouldn't get chain suck if I adjusted the rate of my spinning for which gear I was in & switching too, and blah blah - and after that I just made sure to shift to the granny gear well in advance of any hill and the bike pretty much behaved after that.

I'll tell him you said so :)

[HillSlugger]

Well, I only went in a loop around the neighborhood. i was pretty excited to see what it felt like.

I actually hadn't remember the bike doing that jump chain thing - I'd ridden the bike a few times the beginning of the summer - it did it maybe twice on me, and got chain suck a lot. And he patiently explained how I wouldn't get chain suck if I adjusted the rate of my spinning for which gear I was in & switching too, and blah blah - and after that I just made sure to shift to the granny gear well in advance of any hill and the bike pretty much behaved after that.

I'll tell him you said so :)

This was happening to when when I wasn't even trying to shift at all. I'm not sure what would cause it unless it's simply from the chain bouncing. I wonder if the tension in the rear derailleur is too loose. That might explain this and the issue with the rear shift lever.

[HillSlugger]

Sounds like I got off easy by going to the dentist instead.

I'd rather be biking. ;)

[7rider]

Sounds like I got off easy by going to the dentist instead.

I went to the dentist AFTER biking and lunch.
So...I got to experience it all!! :eek::rolleyes:

[Cataboo]

I went to the dentist AFTER biking and lunch.
So...I got to experience it all!! :eek::rolleyes:

You're obviously the over-achiever among us.

I need to find a dentist.

[7rider]

You're obviously the over-achiever among us.


"Glutton for punishment" is more where I was thinking.....

[divingbiker]

Well, except for the dentist and the bruises, it sounds like a good time.

[HillSlugger]

DB, there were at least 6 Subaru Outbacks in the parking lot. You would have really fit in.

[Kalidurga]

I told myself to stay out of this thread... I think I might have happily given up the family visit in Florida to have joined you all, it sounds like you had a lot of fun.

I'll admit it: I'm envious :o

[Cataboo]

I told myself to stay out of this thread... I think I might have happily given up the family visit in Florida to have joined you all, it sounds like you had a lot of fun.

I'll admit it: I'm envious :o

I think with the exception of MdHill borrowing my bike, we're probably all willing to do it again!

[HillSlugger]

If your bike promises to behave I'd give it another go!

[Cataboo]

If your bike promises to behave I'd give it another go!

yeah, I'm sorry - it occurred to me yesterday that I really should have swapped bikes with you and dealt with it myself.

But the bike'll hopefully be fixed before then! Or I'd grab the bf's bike.

I think it'd be too wet to do it this weekend, I'm probably going kayaking on Sunday. Either on the Chesapeake or the Triadelphia Reservoir

[HillSlugger]

As we were riding I kept thinking how I didn't want to know what it would be like to do that ride on wet leaves.

[7rider]

I'll admit it: I'm envious :o

Of the dropped chain, the falls, the dentist visits, or all those Subaru Outbacks? :confused:;) We'll get you out one of these days....

Cat...have fun paddling. Join us on the Eastern shore next Spring for the Terry Wild Goose Chase weekend (even if just to paddle Blackwater), and let's try to get a TE paddle out to Jug Bay again.

[HillSlugger]

I told myself to stay out of this thread... I think I might have happily given up the family visit in Florida to have joined you all, it sounds like you had a lot of fun.

I'll admit it: I'm envious :o

It was a lot harder than Rosaryville. I don't think your cross bike would have handled it. I know my Coda isn't up to it. Makes me want my own mtb, but I don't see that happening.

[7rider]

As expected, the RLAG ride at Schaeffer this Saturday was canceled because of the rain. Here's the note I got from them:

SORRY LADIES, BASED ON THE RAIN WE'VE ALREADY RECEIVED AND THE CURRENT FORECAST, THE RLAG SCHAEFFER RIDE IS CANCELED. THERE MAY NOT BE TIME TO RESCHEDULE THE RIDE BEFORE SCHAEFFER CLOSES FOR THE SEASON. :(

[HillSlugger]

Hey Catriona,

I hear you are selling your mountain bike. I use it once and you need to purge it from your life?!? :confused: :rolleyes:

[Cataboo]

Haha. No, I've been planning on selling it all along. Really, I posted I was going to sell it before I let you borrow it.

I was waiting till the titanium frame was fixed up enough that I could use it, and till I tried it out to make sure I didn't prefer the trek. I can justify having 2 road bikes, but I can't justify having 2 mountain bikes.

[7rider]

Yeah, but did BF fix the shifting issue???

[Cataboo]

Yeah, but did BF fix the shifting issue???

Yeah, I took it out for a bit on Sunday and it behaved.