werd...i feel ya!

okay, olmstead it is.
should be nice and slimy!

hope the creek is passible.

 

hey, i just found out another area close to Coloma that has some trails.
its called Cronan Ranch and there are supposed to be a lot of different trails on this land.
its newly aquired by the Bureau of Land Management so its still being developed but it could be a nice place to explore and see some new scenery w/o having a lot of others on the trails.




better PDF with a map here.

you up to check it out on Saturday?
if not, i'll try to stop in there on the way back and see if they have any trail maps at the trailhead.


**edit: i took a snapshot of the general area on google earth...
looks pretty interesting!

the little yellow bookmark at the upper right is the parking area.
the park goes from Highway 49 (by the lot) to the american river and a little more east than that picture shows, but the terrain maps on google earth were goofed up to the right on this view.

 

I guess I could check threads more often. I've only ridden it on the street and not on any trails but the ride is plush. I came from a steel hardtail that I borrowed from my brother but had to give back. I actually road bike but haven't owned a mountain bike for over 5 years. I was actually in the market for a steel hardtail but I couldn't pass up this bike. I bought the bike from this dealer in Santa Rosa who advertised on MTBReview.com. I only paid $1050 which is a steal.

 

Question, how hard are the ride you guy's take and do you think I'd be able to keep up? This is a real question, I need a hobby that includes more exercise. Also What would be a good bike to start with???? All I've ever ridden is BMX and Stunt bikes

 

we're not hardcore by any means.
most of the trails we ride are not that technical either.
for the most part, they're double track with plenty of room to roll around.
Olmstead Loop & Quarry Trail are both great beginner/intermediate rides.
there are a few more mid-level spots on Olmstead, but we always wait if someone has to push up a hill or something. there is also Flemming Meadows just past Sly Park that is a good beg/int trail as far as riding skill, but the climb out of the canyon will make your lungs burn if you're out of shape (like me).

egan kills on the climbs with his quads-o-death!
and matt & i tend to be the first to the bottom of any desents but we always pick spots for everypne to regroup along the trail.

some more tech trails are Sly Park/Jenkenson Lake, Salmon Falls & Sweetwater. but those are my favorites! i dig weaving in and out of trees and having to pick the perfect line up a climb in order for you to make it. stuff that makes your cheeks clench your saddle cus you're watching the trail, but out of your perifrial you can see the water 50'-100' down! then bombing smooth switchbacks thru more forest! yeah, mountain biking is a very cool deal!

you can pick up a decent hardtail MTB for around $300-500. most new models come with disc brakes already too, so that's a plus.
REI is a good place to scoop up a bike when they do their annual 20% off one item - Anniversary Sale. that's when i got mine.
they have a inhouse brand called Novara which pairs frames made overseas in the same plant as GT & Specialized (so they're not crappy quality) and components that you wouldn't normally find on a ":name brand" bike for less than $300 more than the Novara bikes.

i went with a 17" Aspen for cheap during the sale, but i wish i had plopped down for the next step up: Bonanza (same frame) for an extra ~$110 cus it has disc and i am ending up paying almost quadruple more to convert my bike over to disc & the next step-up components.
i also am disapointed that they sold me a 17" bike and not a 19". i should really have a 19" for my height and weight, but the sales guys at REI just base it off of standover height (can you touch w/o sacking on the top tube). but the 17" frame is just a hair too small for my body length and has me at the tail of my saddle 99% of the time on climbs which it makes it uncomfortable.
i will eventually get another bike because of this reason, but this time i'm gonna save up for a plush full suspension XC/All Mtn bike, and i'll definately be getting a 19" frame!!!

how tall are you? if you're any shorter than me (5' 9.5") i might know a bike that would fit you perfectly!

be warned, most sub-$1000 full suspension bikes are gonna cause you more hassle in the longrun than you realize. if you are gonna do any climbing, a cheap FS MTB will end up wasting more energy than its worth!

most coil spring rear shocks and flower level frame designs are not designed for climbing.
there are exceptions, and these would be bikes on sale or clearance.
if you look hard, you can find some really nice FS MTBs starting around $800-1200 on special.

it all depends on what you want to do and what type of riding you perfer.

 

Don't be a pussy.

 

So, 10AM at Cool?

Rich, are you coming out?

 

werd. unless you wanna see some different dirt and check out Conan Ranch?
its about 2 miles past Salmon Falls rd/rattlesnake bar on hwy 49 coming from your end.

otherwise coolio is fine by me.

 

Let's do Cool.

 

I'm working tomorrow. I can do Sunday though.

 

The Mountain Bike crew has a new member







Novarra Ponderosa Full Suspension

 

Sweet. We need to go ride as soon as my arm heals.

Next Sunday anyone?

 

I'm thinking I'd be down for that

 

Coolio. Where to?

 

I might be working that day