MARA - A true Downhiller!

[Danimal]

I just wanted EVERYONE to know that Mara has expanded her biking capabilities and actually impressed the heck out of me at the Welch races on Sunday.

In an effort to get lunch in while patrolling. Mara & I attempted to get to the Chalet in the quickest amount of time possible. We strayed from the single track, and approached the ski hill (far right). It appeared to be at a 50 degree angle of decent for a good 500 yards. We headed out. I shortly realized this was flipping stupid! I had my butt grinding on the back tire, brakes in a death grip with both hands and we slid all the way down the hill, scared to death, Mara was in front leading the way. Keep in mind there was deep grass the whole trip so any hidden gopher hole would certainly impede our doom, and would send us tumbling all the way to the bottom.

It was a great rush and Mara and I emerged with sore hamstrings VICTORIOUS! The veggie spaghetti was worth the horror.

Bravo Mara, your my hero!

[KleinCrazy]

OK,

So what bike were you on Dan?

I know that mara would have been on a rigid single, but I am guessing you were following her down the hill on a FS Cannondale right?

[steef]

Sounds like utter foolishness to me.

And fun as well. ;)

[Danimal]

Yes my one and only, red rocket. The 05 Cannondale Prophet 600.

[Wolfchimp]

So Mara made you look like a wuss on your FS while she was bombing down on her rigid! Ha ha ha....nice! Wish I would have been there.

[manual63]

This was funny because they told me they rode the ski hill down. Knowing mara doesn't like going down hill all that much, I was like...yeah...okay pretty impressive. They were telling me how steep it was and how much they rode their brakes and had to lean back. I then started to tell them that I rode it no brakes and was going pretty fast....kinda of making them out to be wimps....:)

When we got in the car to leave, mara pointed to the hill she rode down and said I rode that with a pround look on her face. I suddenly realized, they rode down the steep....really...really steep part right next to the metric drop.....hill. I rode the main hill down in front of the Chalet.....which isn't nearly as steep. I said, "You rode that hill??........are you nuts???" Only then did I become super impressed. So yeah.....knowing how much mara doesn't like downhills.....I am quite impressed. Knowing she rides them on a fully rigid singlespeed.....well...also quite impressive. Dan, I am impressed with you too, but you have a full bouncy machine.....just let off the brakes and go....:p

[Tetreves]

This was funny because they told me they rode the ski hill down. Knowing mara doesn't like going down hill all that much, I was like...yeah...okay pretty impressive. They were telling me how steep it was and how much they rode their brakes and had to lean back. I then started to tell them that I rode it no brakes and was going pretty fast....kinda of making them out to be wimps....:)

When we got in the car to leave, mara pointed to the hill she rode down and said I rode that with a pround look on her face. I suddenly realized, they rode down the steep....really...really steep part right next to the metric drop.....hill. I rode the main hill down in front of the Chalet.....which isn't nearly as steep. I said, "You rode that hill??........are you nuts???" Only then did I become super impressed. So yeah.....knowing how much mara doesn't like downhills.....I am quite impressed. Knowing she rides them on a fully rigid singlespeed.....well...also quite impressive. Dan, I am impressed with you too, but you have a full bouncy machine.....just let off the brakes and go....:p

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that hill is called "Chicken" in the ski season.

And again, correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember hearing it called the steepest DH ski hill in MN.

Of course, that was a decade ago...

I remember skiing and snowboarding it quite a bit in high school.

[berrywise]

Hah way to go Mara!

Reminds me of riding down the ski jump at Battle Creek. It's far to rutted out now to probably do it but it was one of those downhills that you pretty much just planted your butt on the rear wheel and tried to keep the front wheel straight while you held on for dear life.

[Paul Swenson]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that hill is called "Chicken" in the ski season.

And again, correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember hearing it called the steepest DH ski hill in MN.

Of course, that was a decade ago...

I remember skiing and snowboarding it quite a bit in high school.

I was thinking the same thing. I remember that being quite the steep hill while skiing in high school.

[flombe]

....I know that mara would have been on a rigid single.....

Was she on her old school 26" rigid single or her sweet new 29er rigid single? White or red?

http://www.on-one.co.uk/images/pagemaster/26in_SS_1.jpg (http://www.on-one.co.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=83&MMN_position=96:96)http://www.raleighusa.com/images/items/Hardtail/main/2007/R07-Niner_DirtyRed.jpg

Sweet new bike Mara! Let us know how the 29er rides.

[steef]

I think yesterday was the innaugural ride on the 29er. She rode it like she was born on it.

[manual63]

She rode her 29er quite well. She was able to ride the rock climb starting after the left turn 1/2 way up the hill. She had to stop while others cleared the rocks, then she just started from a stop and pedaled right over them. It was cool and she did is so smoothly. She claimed it was the bike, I claimed it was her skills and the bike just helped a little....:) She cleans this section most of the time on her 26 anyway, but the 29er just made it look super easy.

[bigwheel]

Once and for all, Mara put to rest the myth that 29ers are only for tall people. She was riding better than ever, even though it was her first time on the new bike.

Her other bike: an On*What?
She'll ride it a little bit more before it finds a new life hanging from the ceiling. :zzz:

[seejames]

Mara, so you you went 29'er? COOL...I would love to know more about the bike you got!!!

Great job on that hill!! Keep it up...you are cranking!

[syntaxjunkie]

Great. Somebody ELSE who can kick my a$$.

Congrats, girl. I'll keep my eyes on the trail.

[jjrsds]

Mara, do you belive me know? You have the skills, you rock up, down, sideways and over all obstacles. I can't wait to see you on the 29er I know you can do it. You thinking of 50 miles in South Dakota on a 29er? There goes the team of Inbreds. :cryin: Ride what ya bring as long as YOU are there it is the best. Rock on and have you moved the MOJO to the new bike yet?

[mara]

Holy cow! Thanks. :redface2:

For the record, I was absolutely terrified and going down the hill at about the speed of turtle.

That one was on the Inbred. I just got a new Raleigh xxix (29er rigid single) and rode it for the first time at Monday night ride. Wow. That bike is a lot of fun. It's nowhere near the weird looking body part that my Inbred is, but we should have plenty of good times together.

You may not need to be tall to ride a 29er, but being short and riding one can make you look kinda silly. Luckily, I rock the kinda silly. :D

[mtnbykr]

Holy cow! Luckily, I rock the kinda silly.

but did you get real mtb shoes yet?? i got my trail 120s. you'll like'm.

kl