S S P B E 2006

Hjalti · 04-03-2006

A fine April day beat out a snowy Feburary one for the 2006 Single Speed Punk Bike Enduro.

This year I'm between fat tired bikes, mostly by choice. The Quickbeam SS cross bike is pretty good for almost all of the off road riding I do, but I don't usually get too technical. I had hoped to have my new rear wheel built, but procrastination beat me again, so I ended up putting a 23t freewheel on the stock wheel. 32/23 was a little low on the flats, but very welcome on the climbs. The QB was also wearing a new set of WTB Mutanoraptor 44s.

The rest of the field was a good representation of the world of singlespeeding. 26" and 29" were both well represented. All kinds of makers well represented. I think the Surly KM was most common, with On Ones next.

Some of the crew gathering before the start.

32Seventeen talking with photographer extrordinare Mugg.

The bike performed really well. I performed less well. Actually I have an honored tradition of being DFL in these events. It is the only "race" I ride most years and I hang around with folks who really outclass me ability and fitness wise.

The field heads off to the trailhead.

The initial downhill was a rocky and rooty maze, but I was able to pick my way through at an OK pace, crossing some low logs without problems. The next stage was the "no dab" section and very technical. I was really out of my element, but after carrying over the first two ledges, I rode a bit. Lots of dabs and a bit jarring, and I carried about 60% of the section. I'm sure I'd be carrying a MTB here too.

I frequently seem to find Allroy crouched in the bushes like he's hiding his Lucky Charms. He's probably hiding from Drevil though.

Mike? takes the high line.

Somebody comes through while SSO looks on.

32Seventeen takes the ledge.

An unknown rider takes the ledge.

Drevil imitates me.

Chris? hits the ledge. You are about to hear the sound of a pinch flat on the rear tire.

After that, a gravel road section to the start of the next stage, a climb called "death march." Long, steep and loose, on a fire road type trail. Lots of water berms. The traction held out as long as my lungs did. I joined several others pushing to the top. Next came another nice downhill, much less rocky than the first, but with more logs and bigger log piles and one super steep downhill. One combo rock/log pile psyched me out and the downhill did too. I had a hard time getting behind the saddle and wimped out.

The Le Mans start to the hill climb up "Death March"

The only shot I have of the two member women's field. Becky and Rose ROCK!

A break at the road crossing gave time for the first ~~beer~~ refreshments. Mmmmm.

Fill'er up.

Next came a singletrack climb and it was back to the rock and roots theme. Once again the limiting factor was the lungs and stamina. My legs were feeling pretty good. A super fun (ie. no climbing) ridge top xc stage was next. Again with the logs. I cleared almost everything, but mistimed one and formed that pretty chainguard on the QB crank into a new, sort of wavy shape. Ouch. Another xc stage with more climbing was putting a cheerful hurt on me. Soon we were back at the top of death march, this time heading down. Compared to the other riders it was nothing, but I caught air on one of the berms and about had a heart attack. Near the bottom the front tire started washing out in the loose soil, but I had backed off after the air and had no real issues.

That gave us another break at the road. A refreshing libation, and climbing with the group on the road section to the start of the next stage. The gravel road took us through the deepest creek crossing of the day, just about to the BB. Mmmm, wet feet. Once back on the trail it was typical 'Shed xc to the stunt trail. The stunt trail had it all. Ladders, steeps and drops. My bike and I had a nice walk. But again, I wasn't alone.

Alroy on a typical STIL roll down.

Following that, group ride to the final stage, the derby. In years past I have skipped it, but this year I may have been the first person to ride a QB/Riv in a derby. I didn't come close to winning but I took out one of the best riders before I dabbed. Sorry Ricky, hope the knuckle heals clean. If I had flipped the wheel to the fixed cog first, I might have done better.

The final ride back to the road for the last beer break, a parade back to the parking lot, and several of us gathered at the local Hard Times Cafe.

The bike was great. It is obviously not the perfect bike for that terrain, but held up well. I'm wondering if I can fit an even fatter front tire on the front. It looks like there is some room. The rear is pretty well filled by the 44. The high toptube caused some worry, but no real problems. I think I might put a narrower saddle that the B17 on next time, because sliding off the back was uncomfortable on the wide parts.

14 miles, about 12 off road. A perfect riding day.

Drevil is the, uh, Man!

A big shout out to SSO and all those who helped make this an event to remember.

Drevil · 04-03-2006

Good to see you again, Hjalti. You're a crazy ass foo riding your Quickbeam up in 'em rocks. That takes some skillz!

smudge · 04-03-2006

Great report and pics. Seriously makes me miss home (just about the only thing I miss from MD).

Love the outfit Ricky. You've inspired me to do some shopping this week. I'm obviously always overdressed (or under, depending on how you view it) on my rides.

jh_on_the_cape · 04-03-2006

nice write up. i actually read the whole thing.

OneGearGuy · 04-03-2006

Awesome pics and write-up! That is quite a course.

Too bad you weren't in any of the pics- I'd love to see you finessing that QB.

Over and out
OGG

riderx · 04-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneGearGuy

Awesome pics and write-up! That is quite a course.

Too bad you weren't in any of the pics- I'd love to see you finessing that QB.

Over and out
OGG

Here's the big guy on the flat ridge run.

And Another by a much better photog than me.

SSweetleaf · 04-03-2006

Nice write up. Thanks! Looks like a lot of Peeps showed up. Nothing like some riding at the watershed. I think i even saw Trossen .

Drevil · 04-04-2006

Another writeup by the man hisself: http://www.singlespeedoutlaw.com/issue5/blog.shtml

Hollywood · 04-04-2006

nice report there, fella.

always good to see a nice meaty report from the east coast!

glad y'all had good weather. It's dark and pouring in sunny SoCal as I type...

Jeff

b1umb0y · 04-04-2006

Albeit, it was quite scarring to chase a gold-skirted goddess

down from the heavens of Frederick, it was a great event put on by some truly wonderful people.

Thanks to all of those involved in the event (for everything)! …and it was great meeting a bunch of you on this hypoxic journey through the ‘Shed.

‘Til next time,
bb

Drevil · 04-04-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by b1umb0y

Albeit, it was quite scarring to chase a gold-skirted goddess

down from the heavens of Frederick, it was a great event put on by some truly wonderful people.

Thanks to all of those involved in the event (for everything)! …and it was great meeting a bunch of you on this hypoxic journey through the ‘Shed.

‘Til next time,
bb

Goddess? Goddess?! It's DIVA! Diva Mango to be exact!!! You cannot have-a the Mango!

B1umboy, you too can be a Mango. Gold Lame shorts at Hechts, 80% off and girl's pink sequined heart shirt, $1.25 @ the thrift store!

iconoclaSSt · 04-04-2006

Glad to see the stages chronicled so well, since I was hanging punks and generally avoiding getting my ass handed to me with an audience.

That was a great (and tough) event; looks impressive under analysis.

Wish I could have hung around for the post ride festivities, but DT had his dog to attend to; there'll be next year, though.

Couple of pix till I get my report up...