Comment

How to: Change or Install a Bib Mousse

I am going to start posting a few maintenance videos of the next month or so that show my technique for certain things.  In this video I show the way that I change or install a bib mousse.  This is something that can be extremely frustrating for someone that has just started using bib mousses but with the right tools and approach, you can successfully install a bib easily.

Tools: Zip-Ty Racing Tire Irons, 4 large ones (can use smaller red ones if needed), tire mounting stand (preferably floor level or mounted on a sheet of plywood), tire mounting compound (for heat dissipation), rubber gloves, patience.  

 

 

Comment

British Columbia

Comment

British Columbia

I recently traveled to British Columbia with a group of friends to do some mountain biking in the area.  We flew into Vancouver (there's a direct flight from DFW to YVR) and drove north to Squamish and rode the diamond head area for a couple of days before driving further north to Whistler.  While in Whistler we rode the bike park one day, the trails on the Blackcomb side another day, and on the last ride day we hired a float plane to take five of us into the Chilcotin Mountains for a day of back country riding. 

View from the Air BNB that we rented which was less than a mile from the diamond head riding area in Squamish.

View from the Air BNB that we rented which was less than a mile from the diamond head riding area in Squamish.

If you're a mountain bike enthusiast, this region is a bucket list place.  The mountain trails and relatively low altitude make for some of the best riding that I have ever experienced.  On this trip, I used my Specialized Enduro 29er and it worked great!  From the long road climbs, to the double black diamond trails at the Whistler bike park the bike never missed a beat.

The trusty Dodge Caravan that we managed to pile seven bikes and seven dudes in for a shuttle run.

The trusty Dodge Caravan that we managed to pile seven bikes and seven dudes in for a shuttle run.

EWS pro and factory Giant pro, Josh Carlson, joined us in Whistler one day to show us the local trails on the Blackcomb side of the resort.

EWS pro and factory Giant pro, Josh Carlson, joined us in Whistler one day to show us the local trails on the Blackcomb side of the resort.

The backcountry excursion had many sections that forced us to dismount and walk.  This particular spot was just before the top of Camel Pass, which rewarded us with several miles of descending when we reached the top.

The backcountry excursion had many sections that forced us to dismount and walk.  This particular spot was just before the top of Camel Pass, which rewarded us with several miles of descending when we reached the top.

Comment

#RIDEWITHME // CTOR riding area

1 Comment

#RIDEWITHME // CTOR riding area

For my first entry of the #ridewithme posts, I am highlighting a riding area north of Austin.  The riding area is called CTOR and it stands for Central Texas Off-Roaders.  I first had the chance to ride this area in 2005 and have been back numerous times over the years.  The trail is very physically demanding and is great for sharpening your technical riding skills.  There are numerous loops that are marked but I recommend riding with someone who knows the area to make sure you get to hit all the good stuff.  

Our ride consisted of doing all of loop 1 and the 1x extensions, tripod hill, loop 4, broke bike mountain, danger muffin, and several other short extensions.

Loop 1/1x:  This is a very technical but fun piece of trail that winds through tight cedar trees and then gets into a section that has a lot of technical elevation and off-camber sections.  This is one of my favorite loops that CTOR has to offer.

Loop 4:  Fast trail that winds with a great flow through a large cedar sections.  This loop is mostly four-wheeler wide but has tight corners that are fun to link together.  

Broke Bike Mountain:  A very technical goat trail that works up and down the side of a ridge.  This was my favorite trail that we rode on the day.

Danger Muffin:  Another off-camber rocky piece of single-track that has some really tight corners and fun hill climbs.

Visit ridector.com for more information, there are several more loops than what I rode on this day and encourage anyone in the area to give this place a try!

Bike Prep: Soften up the clickers so that your bike will soak up the rocks, run a little more air in your tires or make sure to have bibs so you don't get a pinch flat.  The trails are marked so keep your eyes open for trail crossings and trail extensions.

1 Comment