snowtulip
06-28-2005, 05:36 PM
Hi Everyone,
Just a little over a week before I start the entire Colorado Trail, I can smell the singletrack!
So today was my first ride with my panniers fully loaded, I did a trail with lots of singletrack switchbacks to see how well it works. Wow...having an additional 20-25 lbs. on your rear is something to get used to! I also forgot it's difficult to bunnyhop with those panniers!
I had a full experience with them, worked the switchbacks, worked steep hills, worked steep downhills. As an added bonus, I was rained and hailed on...so I got to feel the traction on slippery dirt and yes, my panniers are actually waterproof.
All and all, a good experience and wake up call. The only bad part of today is that I took my camelback off to put my rain jacket on and left my camelback in the mountains! Luckily everything I normally have in my pack was in the panniers. I'll head back up tomorrow to get it, unless a bear took off with it (I had some yummy cherry lara bars in the pack).
So excited for next week to be here, I could be in a lot better shape for this trip (but with school, work, life, it gets difficult). Yet after today, I'm feeling better. Is it next week yet! :D
Just a little over a week before I start the entire Colorado Trail, I can smell the singletrack!
So today was my first ride with my panniers fully loaded, I did a trail with lots of singletrack switchbacks to see how well it works. Wow...having an additional 20-25 lbs. on your rear is something to get used to! I also forgot it's difficult to bunnyhop with those panniers!
I had a full experience with them, worked the switchbacks, worked steep hills, worked steep downhills. As an added bonus, I was rained and hailed on...so I got to feel the traction on slippery dirt and yes, my panniers are actually waterproof.
All and all, a good experience and wake up call. The only bad part of today is that I took my camelback off to put my rain jacket on and left my camelback in the mountains! Luckily everything I normally have in my pack was in the panniers. I'll head back up tomorrow to get it, unless a bear took off with it (I had some yummy cherry lara bars in the pack).
So excited for next week to be here, I could be in a lot better shape for this trip (but with school, work, life, it gets difficult). Yet after today, I'm feeling better. Is it next week yet! :D