Bent my front rim at Theo Today!

[undsioux7]

So I rode Theo over lunch today and I decided to see if I could fly, but I found out I am not superman and my bike is not made out of an unbreakable alloy. Here is a link to the picture showing the area I did it.

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1455&cat=531

I guess it would be called the "wood skinnies" on the southern loop. I had gotten quit a bit of speed up going into the skinny and I went up the first skinny, down the second skinny, then missed the third skinny to go back up and over the logs. My front tire slammed into the logs to the right of the skinny and I went flying over the whole obstacle. Luckily my pedals are loose since I have been to lazy to tighten them and just the force clipped me out, or I would of had a bike following me and landing on me.
I came out unscathed but I did feel like superman for about 1 second, then gravity took over. My bike didn't fair as well though. :cryin: I don't think I hurt the obstacle any, but would be willing to help fix it if I did. Must have been well built!!!!
What a great day to ride over lunch though. The squirrels are out in full force too!!

[Wolfchimp]

Blaine- If its true-able I'd be happy to help you out. Sounds like it was a good ride though. You gotta have crashes to get better. Happy trails buddy!

[undsioux7]

Hey Porter,
I was planning on taking the bike into the shop after work anyway since the "crank?" or pedal, isnt working quite right. Something is coming loose. I can feel something on the right side on the downpedal. Don't want to have to pick up the crank again like when we rode the Farm that time! LOL

[manual63]

Yeah, that skinny is our qualifier to that section of trail. If you don't make it over, you don't qualify to ride that section.......I guess you and your bike didn't qualify.....:)....just kidding.

Less speed, less speed. Until you ride this thing a bunch and/or are really good at skinnies, I suggest to take it slow. If you are going slow and slip off the third log, you can usually just lean back and ride out the log pile, with a slight jolt, but at least you wont flip over or ding a rim.

Hope you are okay. Bike can be repaired easily.....human can not....:)

[bigwheel]

If it is a qualifier, then why is it at the end of the trail, rather than at the beginning? Or do we ride a non-standard route on Kenwood rides? (my only theo experience)

[mara]

If it is a qualifier, then why is it at the end of the trail, rather than at the beginning? Or do we ride a non-standard route on Kenwood rides? (my only theo experience)

It is not a qualifier to the trail in general, which is an intermediate level trail. The qualifier is there to prevent riders who should not be riding a more advanced section of trail from going down the new rock armor before the insloped turns leading back to 55 and Theo. That particular rock feature is more advanced and the qualifier gives those who are nervous about trying advanced features the opportunity to take the intermediate route out to the paved path instead of riding something beyond their ability.

[manual63]

If it is a qualifier, then why is it at the end of the trail, rather than at the beginning? Or do we ride a non-standard route on Kenwood rides? (my only theo experience)

It's a qualifier to the section right after it. We actually put the qualifier in before we put in any advanced features, which was kind of silly of us. But we finally got the technical downhill rock armor in over the tree roots we want to protect. Not sure if you noticed, but right before this skinny log ride thing is an exit trail to the left. This shots you out onto the paved bicycle path, bypassing the more advanced downhill section, which now has the new rock armor downhill and then the berms after.

The point here is to try to keep people who might not have the skill from riding this section of trail. I believe we plan to add a few more features to it that will make it more technical.


Edit:.....mara beats me on making the same point.....again.....:p

[Wolfchimp]

Qualifier...BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH....if someone wants to ride the section, they are going to ride it regardless of their skill level. They will just ride around the obstacle IF they can.

[Wolfchimp]

The important thing is...Blaine is ok. Too bad his bike needs a little help before he can enjoy the wonderment of Theo again.

[manual63]

Qualifier...BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH....if someone wants to ride the section, they are going to ride it regardless of their skill level. They will just ride around the obstacle IF they can.

This is what we don't want them to do. We make our best efforts to not have a way to ride around stuff, because this widens the trail. You can get off and walk over it, but please do not ride around obstacles on any trail.....thank you....:)

[mara]

Qualifier...BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH....if someone wants to ride the section, they are going to ride it regardless of their skill level. They will just ride around the obstacle IF they can.

They will, but it is our job to discourage them as best we can. Look for a big nasty just past the not-so-obvious entrance or sidetrack to any expert trails we build in the future.

[bigwheel]

I didn't realize there was a bail-out. Fortunately for me, by the time I realize it is a skinny, I am already on it and have to ride the whole thing.

[The Hammer]

Sorry to here about your wheel. Sounds like you had the right idea coming into it with speed though. I found that it helps to be going fast so I can jump off the third skinny. Just make sure that next time you don't hesitate because of this. I go to Wirth alot, we should ride again.

The Hammer

[Wolfchimp]

I RIDE EVERYTHING, never around. I am saying that not all people abide by good mtb ethics. I agree that it is good to have a more difficult obstacle at the entrance to a harder section, but if someone wants to ride it they will ride it regardless of skill level.:D

[Wolfchimp]

Blaine, I'll get your bike fixed up. See ya on the trails! I'm out!

[manual63]

but if someone wants to ride it they will ride it regardless of skill level.:D

This is very true. But by having a qualifier, it makes them more alert to the idea more advanced things can be expected. People can walk over them and try other stuff in a more advanced section if they like. But just making them aware that more advanced stuff could be ahead......is the true goal.

The log ride at the beginning of the XX-Loop at Leb is supposed to be a qualifier. I have seen many people not make the log ride, but still ride the XX-Loop. But I am sure they realize right away what they are getting into and will be more caustious and aware a more advanced trail is ahead.

[undsioux7]

I just want to say that I just rode that section at the same speed just a few days ago without a problem. I have ridden Theo probably around a dozen times at least, never having a problem with that section.
I didn't get hurt at all. It was actually kind of fun. I was more worried about how much this might cost me to fix the bike then worried about myself!
Thanks for the concern though!

Porter, thanks man. So I heard your co-workers asking the boss man if you should come into work tonight while I was dropping off the bike. Were you trying to get out of work? LOL

[stoneage]

wow, lots of discussion since I last posted
We are a chatty bunch!!!! :cheesy: :crazy2: ;) :scream: :laugh:

[homebrewbiker]

That thing can be tricky. I've come off of it a few times. Also not a great idea to ride without lights when it is getting too dark to see well ;)

[FSSS]

...I don't think I hurt the obstacle any... Must have been well built!!!!

Nope. It's all good.

That's what you get when you have an IMBA rep build a feature for ya... :D

[Wolfchimp]

Porter, thanks man. So I heard your co-workers asking the boss man if you should come into work tonight while I was dropping off the bike. Were you trying to get out of work? LOL

No problem Blaine! Like i said before...I love wrenching on bikes!:crazy2: As for the work thing, yeah I was curious if they actually needed me last night because I really wanted to do the night ride at Leb. Looks like I missed out once again!:hit:

[undsioux7]

Less speed, less speed. Until you ride this thing a bunch and/or are really good at skinnies, I suggest to take it slow. If you are going slow and slip off the third log, you can usually just lean back and ride out the log pile, with a slight jolt, but at least you wont flip over or ding a rim.

Hope you are okay. Bike can be repaired easily.....human can not....:)

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1772&size=big

And this coming from a guy doing a one hander with no helmet jump! LOL:laugh:

J/K

[Wheels]

I've tried jumping off the end (with mixed results), I've found it best to just roll off slowly letting my front wheel follow the logs on the backside.

Hope you fixes aren't too expensive...

[I Crash A Lot]

I bent/completely thrashed my front rim at the race at Afton July 12. Braking hard into a downhill left turn and she tacoed. Many theories as to why. My spokes were tight and the rims true. My only explanation is the rims were stock (v brakes) and the brakes are disc. Don't mix disc brakes with v-brake rims. A lesson that I learned the hard way. It cost me a $30 entry fee and a walk off the trail, which got me into the poison ivy. Not to mention replacing the rims. Check out the photos of the bike, it's my avatar.