Biking (Mountain) 2:43:00 [3] 25.0 km (6:31 / km) +1060m 5:23 / km
Station Flats -> Sulphur Springs ->Pneuma ->Moosepackers -> Ridgeback 4,3,2,1 with Big Dawg, Maz and Carbon. Was feeling good after a couple of days off so decided to push a decent pace up Sulphur Springs, although the rest of the gang reeled me in after not too long. Had waaaaaaay fewer issues with getting the wide bars through the narrow trees compared with my first ride on the new bike up Pneuma last year. Also, I think I had a bit better energy (and am maybe a little more used to the new bike) so I seemed to be riding most things well. Fun! The new bike is fantastic and still continues to amaze... I'm sure it was more challenging on the old bike to clean some of these climbs... I think the bigger contact patch of the 29er wheel helps, and maybe the easier rolling over any little obstacles on the climbs and switchbacks. Had trouble getting my flow near the top of the Special K junction, took about 3 tries to get on the bike and get going. Then rode all the top stuff with the challenging ribs of rock and loose steep sections. A fun rip down Moosepackers and all 4 Ridgebacks, great stuff! Still clipped trees with the handlebars two times for a bit of extra excitement.
Rear tire is slowing losing air, may need to replace the Stan's.
Rear end is feeling squirmy. Can't feel any play in the hub or bushings, and reset the rear shock pressure, but the back end still feels like it has a little too much squish and lateral play at times. Had topped up the rear tire pressure at the beginning of the ride and it still seemed good later in the ride. Feels like it started right after my weird tip over leading up to the Prairie View climb.