Leb Night Ride 7pm 1/19

[gopherhockey]

We're back at it... the snow is perfect right now, so come on out. No studs necessary, so there are no excuses. Looks like we might even have a small amount of new snow by then which will be even better.

Post up if u can make it... there just might be more hot cider after the ride as well.

[manual63]

A little early to tell, but I can make it a tentative plan. I have studs on my On-One, so maybe if it's best not to have them, I will just bring my P.2....or maybe even my BitHit......:)

I am at that point where I really miss riding. I get in a little grocery or video store commute every now and then.....but that's not enough. So I hope this ride works out.

[bikeoutback]

I rode friday night around AV on the pavement to see if I had clothing that would work for riding winter. Since that went well I think I may try this ride. Anyone know where I can get a cheap under seat bag to hold batteries for light, if so I'd appreciate a PM, thanks.

[bigwheel]

Anyone know where I can get a cheap under seat bag to hold batteries for light, if so I'd appreciate a PM, thanks.

The Bell brand from Mills Fleet Farm, Wall Mart, etc. From my experience, they are just as sturdy as the ones sold by the bike shops and online stores, although they might be a few ounces heavier.

BTW, I hope to be there on Thursday, but it's still too early to tell.

[bikeoutback]

Okay I was debating the thursday ride since it sounded as though studs weren't necessary and Leb was in great shape, question is after last nights little flurry, I'd say roughly 3 inches around the AV area still no studs necessary or am I gonna end up hike a bike (not that I wouldn't have been anyways).

[tedsti]

I am game for the ride as well.

The fresh snow should make studs less necessary. It is on ice and really hard packed snow where you want the studs.

[manual63]

I rode without studs last winter. It was mostly fine, but required a bit of tricky balance on icy spots. It's the ice that I didn't see that got me, so this year I decided to use studs, but you don't need them to ride, they just help some.

[TML]

I hope to make this one. Last "training" ride before the Chilly Chili. . . :)

[MisterClaw]

I was hoping to make it until this: http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S13474.html?cat=1
happened. Yup, that's my car. Yup, I'm ok, a minor concussion, so no biking for me for a while. Looks like the Chilly Chili races are off for me too - and I was really looking forward to them.
It's very surreal sitting in the ER waiting room and seeing your smashed up car on TV.

[TML]

I was hoping to make it until this: http://www.kstp.com/article/stories/S13474.html?cat=1
happened. Yup, that's my car. Yup, I'm ok, a minor concussion, so no biking for me for a while. Looks like the Chilly Chili races are off for me too - and I was really looking forward to them.
It's very surreal sitting in the ER waiting room and seeing your smashed up car on TV.

Bummer!

Hope the healing goes quick and smoothly.

[manual63]

I finally fixed the flat I got on my On-One from my last trip to Leb.....so I have the studded tire option now too.

Has anyone been out riding Leb after our latest snow? What are opinions....studs or no studs for tomorrows ride? It might be fun to bring my BigHit if it's not too icy under the snow......:)

[tedsti]

They are saying 2-4 inches of snow today. Could make things interesting.

[gopherhockey]

Sounds like conditions are still good and that studs are not needed. Some snow could be on the way but that should make things even more fun.

See ya'll there?!

[Kosk]

I'm in guys, barring anything else coming up last minute, see ya there.

[bikeoutback]

I'm tentative at this point. Snowfall today could make the drive home long and I didn't charge the batteries last night so would have to do it today before going, not sure I'll have the time but we'll see.

[bigwheel]

Definite maybe. I'm fighting off a bad cold this week, but just starting to feel a little bit better. I'll decide this afternoon.

If I show, I'll be running my first try at the new PIC microcontroller program/circuit.

[[defective]]

I haven't been on a bike since Saturday. Borderline sick all week. Really hoping to make it tonight. Will decide later how much I want to spite my immune system. I really need a ride. I really want to rest. I really need a ride. I really want to rest. I really want to ride. Rest. Ride. Rest. Ride.

[Buck]

']I haven't been a bike since Saturday. Borderline sick all week. Really hoping to make it tonight. Will decide later how much I want to spite my immune system. I really need a ride. I really want to rest. I really need a ride. I really want to rest. I really want to ride. Rest. Ride. Rest. Ride.

actually a nice workout gives the immune system a boost, or so I am told.
L8R
Buck

[bigwheel]

actually a nice workout gives the immune system a boost, or so I am told.
L8R
Buck

Scott, I'm in exactly the same situation as you. Right now, I'm leaning toward riding and hacking out a lung's worth of chain lube. :sick:

Buck, there was an article in the Pioneer Press today, claiming that *some* exercise helps your immune system, but that too much makes it worse.

[[defective]]

How long do these usually go? 2 Hours? 3?

[bigwheel]

Here's the article:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/living/health/13648750.htm

There's no way I'm doing more than 1 lap tonight. That'll probably take an hour and a half. (twice as long as with dirt trails)

If I feel lousy, I'm going to bail early.

[TML]

I'm planning on being down there. I tweaked my knee a bit in last nights broomball game though, so I'll be taking it pretty easy.

[flombe]

Assuming the sun and moon align and traffic is alright, I would like to join in on the ride and put some faces to names. Starts from the parking lot at 7 PM, right? Wondering if 32/18 on a 29er be alright? Works for me at Theo, but Leb has more climbing and obstacles.

[Buck]

Scott, I'm in exactly the same situation as you. Right now, I'm leaning toward riding and hacking out a lung's worth of chain lube. :sick:

Buck, there was an article in the Pioneer Press today, claiming that *some* exercise helps your immune system, but that too much makes it worse.

yeah I know they usually recommend about 30 minutes or a light work out. But it all depends on how good of shape you are in, take more then three days off even when you are sick and you will lose lots of whatever training you have been doing.

Not to derail the convo. I'd come but I have class...:cryin:
L8R
Buck

[Eric]

I was riding a 32-18 (29) but it started to get a little tall with the snow/ice I dropped to a 32-20 at it was about right.

[gopherhockey]

Here's the article:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/living/health/13648750.htm

There's no way I'm doing more than 1 lap tonight. That'll probably take an hour and a half. (twice as long as with dirt trails)

If I feel lousy, I'm going to bail early.

I'm actually not feeling all that great either and will bail with you if necessary.

[bigwheel]

I plan to be there. John, thanks for the offer, but you don't screw up your ride on my behalf. It's always easy to get down the hill.

I don't think we got any new snow, so the ride should be pretty good tonight.

Gearing: I'm running 32/22 on a 29er, which was okay for me on Saturday. But I'm old, overweight, out of shape, and slow.

Cough, Cough, backwards, Cough

[tedsti]

Don't worry, I will be bringing my C game....

[bigwheel]

Good ride last night. The turnout was way bigger than I expected.

After hacking up a lung on the trail, I'm actually feeing better than before. I think I might be up for the Chilly Chillie tomorrow.

[tedsti]

The race is on Sunday. I was thinking Saturday as well until someone corrected me.

I think I might be up for the Chilly Chillie tomorrow.

[bigwheel]

The race is on Sunday. I was thinking Saturday as well until someone corrected me.

Whoops. Thanks!

[[defective]]

Good ride last night. The turnout was way bigger than I expected.

After hacking up a lung on the trail, I'm actually feeing better than before. I think I might be up for the Chilly Chillie tomorrow.

Yeah, defintely a great ride in fun conditions - a solid packed base topped with a subtle layer of out-of-control. Eleven participants. No flats or light failures.

And, I also feel better today than I did yesterday. "Take two laps and call me in the morning."

[TML]

Great ride last night everyone! Here's a short pictiorial recap.


The group out on the trail--

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/LebGroup0095sm.jpg



Proof that Bob's light is indeed a small portable sun. My bike is exactly where it landed after I dropped the front tire off the boardwalk and jumped over the bars. ---

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/BobSun0097sm.jpg


The post ride refueling ---

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/PostRide0100sm.jpg


And the bike, caked in dirt, January style ---

http://www.morcmtb.org/photopost/data/500/WinterDirt0102sm.jpg

[mara]

That was an amazingly good ride, even though I was not an amazingly good rider.

Benefit to being putzy: When you're all alone out in the woods in winter, all you can hear is tires on snow. Being surrounded by quiet and white was like having a whole huge forrest all for me to ride in. There could have been no one else on the planet.

Thanks!

[manual63]

It was great conditions. I had a blast and this was my first real ride on studs. The other two times, the snow was way too deep.

Thanks for the pics Troy!

[gopherhockey]

That was an amazingly good ride, even though I was not an amazingly good rider.

Anyone out riding in January is an amazingly good rider. :)

Anyone not taking advantage of this unique kind of riding is really missing out... what a great group ride. I think we had 11 people!

[Kosk]

That was a great ride. Conditions don't get much better than they were last night.

Troy was that you that brought the hot-choco too? Who ever it was, that was a pretty sweet deal, thanks!!!

[TML]

Troy was that you that brought the hot-choco too? Who ever it was, that was a pretty sweet deal, thanks!!!

Yup. You're welcome :)

And thanks for the brew, whoever brought that. Ted, I think . .

[flombe]

Yeah, great ride everyone! I look forward to getting out there more often. Way cool to have a group night ride in winter with 10 other riders on a great trail!

On the way home I was thinking about how the ride kicked my a** and wondering what it was that I need to adjust besides physical conditioning. I've decided I will try the 29 x 1.5 studded tires one more time but change my gearing to 32/20 or 32/22 to see what that does for me. The 32/18 was way too much! Once I could think clearly, I realized I was working so hard on the climbs that I could not maintain any semblance of a straight line and kept riding off course. Yeah, I was delirious. On the way down and out, I was able to track and corner well.

Or, maybe I just suck....

Hope to see you all next week!

[Kosk]

I will try the 29 x 1.5 studded tires one more time

I'd find the biggest meats you can fit in there, slap 'em on and then drop 'em down to 20psi. I ran 32:28 and 2.5" at 20psi (26" of course) all night and it all worked nicely.

With all the commuting I do, I've found that skinny only really works when the snow is un-tracked and shallow to medium in depth <5" and there is dry, hard ground/pavement underneath to roll on. If it's been tracked or packed, its best to go fat for float, and if its deep, just get the skis.