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Do You Mountain Bike?

Not yet. I'm trying to talk Lisa into doing the XC race as well. Not sure who else wants in - maybe Ryan, maybe Jeff Tigert.

Registration opens in April, but there's no rush if you're only interested in the XC race. The DH literally sells out in minutes - I really want to redeem myself after that crappy 1 hour 17 minute run I pulled last year.

The DH race has some burly sections - you guys might remember this footage:

Edit: Embedding disabled by request. Roxy posted the link to it.
 
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The trick is experience plus no hesitation:) I never hesitate but unfortunately my little episode at JMP proved I don't have much of the former:(

I'm all over he XC race but I won't even look in the general direction of that DH course:x
 
bicyclemech1 said:
I work for free, so that's what I want for the frame. You need this frame too.
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Also, do you think a 4" XC frame should be run with a 140MM front fork(Manitou Nixon coil spring) Trigger finger is getting itchy :teeth
 
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Not sure about resale on the KHS Softail.

Maybe someone will want it, and it's a sellable size. Might have to ebay it and just sell it for what it sells for. I previously had the Intense set up with a RockShox Psylo Team fork set at 115mm travel. Static sag down to 85mm and the rear shock set up soft. The FoxRC shock has a two stage damping lever so you can toggle between downhill plush and XC stiff for climbing. Very cool working shock. 140mm would be a bit much on the front end.
I switched to the Intense 5.5EVP with a 140 Nixon and it pedals just like the Tracer and deals with the big hits at speed better with the added travel. The Tracer was much more nimble though. I don't feel any faster on the 5.5, but I haven't been to anyplace really scarey with it yet. I would rather race on the Tracer. I would rather be on a full DH rig for Downieville. I haven't been to Santa Cruz yet with the 5.5 and Annadel/Tamarancho are too smooth to highlight any differences.
 
Baptistro said:
I'll have to play it by ear since little Bap is due around that time, although I'd love to do the XC race. :)
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If you're going to run Downieville, I highly, highly recommend pre-running the course before signing up - just to know what you're in for and see if you're up to it. With the XC race, it's not a problem - the entry list doesn't fill up. The DH race is a little trickier, since the snow doesn't burn off until late spring / early summer.

I pre-rode the XC course a day before the event last year, and figured I could just cruise up the course in granny gear just so I knew where the tougher sections would be, and pace myself accordingly. I had been logging big miles and big climbs on pavement and trails to prepare for it.

They weren't kidding when they spoke about the "Trail of Tears". Holy shit. Think of that steep, loose section on the first climb at Annadel. For miles. In the heat. At altitude. That sucked.

I needed to get off the bike to rest / walk for several sections, then I started cramping. About five miles into the downhill, my 100 oz Camelbak had run dry - luckily, I was able to find some fresh spring water to fill up on.

As soon as I got to the bottom, I went right to registration and dropped out, forfeiting my entry fee so that I could focus on the downhill race. There's a time cutoff to make the summit - I'm 90% sure I would not have made it.

bicyclemech1 said:
I would rather be on a full DH rig for Downieville. I haven't been to Santa Cruz yet with the 5.5 and Annadel/Tamarancho are too smooth to highlight any differences.
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How full on DH are you thinking? With all the climbing on the DH course at Downieville, the new generation of big travel all mountain rigs are perfect for Downieville. I'd imagine the 5.5 would be totally in its element there!

Downieville road trip when the snows burns off!
 
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I am with Crash on the Downieville run

While I am not much into the whole XC thing the trails are very demanding and with altitude it is very challenging

But what a great ride - well worth the trip
 
Will have to think on DV.

What do you guys think about this helmet? Would it be a good alternative to a full face helmet that one can wear all the time? Those videos Dion and co. posted up with people losing their teeth has got me a bit paranoid, and the whole full face mx type of helmet has me sweating just at the thought of wearing one for an entire ride..
 

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Can you get those in the US? I was thinking of getting a Specialized Deviant or a Giro Remedy just for Downieville - according to some posts on MTBR, those are the best breathing full-face MTB helmets available here.
 
MrCrash said:
Can you get those in the US? I was thinking of getting a Specialized Deviant or a Giro Remedy just for Downieville - according to some posts on MTBR, those are the best breathing full-face MTB helmets available here.
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My FF helmet is an 07 Giro Remedy...it's lightweight enough that the back of your neck won't get sore, especially on the longer rides. Don't ask me about the ventilation...I'm an asthmatic, who gets claustrophobic from time to time:p......I think the ventilation is just fine. The helmet doesn't interfere with your hearing.....
 
MrCrash said:
Can you get those in the US? I was thinking of getting a Specialized Deviant or a Giro Remedy just for Downieville - according to some posts on MTBR, those are the best breathing full-face MTB helmets available here.
Click to expand...

Both helmets are supposed to be awesome but I have the Specialized Deviant and personally give it :thumbup x 10.

That said, neither is a full on DH helmet. When I go to N*, Auburn or other places dh'ng, I have a Specialized, full-on dh helmet. Heavier, and doesn't breathe as well (actually doesn't breathe at all) but if I can stand to wear it I do because the protection is far superior.
That said, I almost CAN'T wear it on any hot summer day.


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Skeggs? I've only been there once and don't know the trail all that well.

Eddie (ecruz) is very familiar with that trail. I just PMd him.

Demo is open?
 
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