I recently spent a weekend training the CEO and top coaches from TrainerRoad. All three riders started at different levels — and they all improved a lot.
They created a video, podcast and blog post summarizing what they learned.
Last weekend I was in NorCal teaching and doing a RipRow™ demo at Trail Head Cyclery. Thursday Lars Thomsen and I talked business, assembled the machines then went for a ride. It was getting late.
We drove to Santa Teresa and parked at the “Lover’s Lane” lot near IBM. The sun was setting. I told Lars:
“I don’t want to be afraid.”
Over the past several years, as my shoulders have deteriorated, rocks have become painful, and I’ve become very afraid. But I’ve been doing the REVO physical therapy and RipRow work. My shoulders are stronger. My Specialized Enduro Öhlins Coil is the most capable trail bike in the world. I want to ride aggressively and not worry about the details.
Hi Lee,
I hope you are well and I am not pestering you with this question. Last year I crashed in Downieville on my SC Nomad 3 and broke myself and the frame. SC replaced the frame but with the new Nomad and although it is a great bike it is much more difficult to climb with it. I am considering replacing the bike with either the GG Trail Pistol (setup +) or Stumpjumper 6Fattie, bikes I know you are familiar with. My good friend just bought a Trail Pistol off one of your instructors and loves it.
What are your thoughts; any other bikes I should consider?
Brett
Top of the line carbon plus hardtail. Roval carbon wheels. Öhlins 120mm air fork. 27.5×3″ GRID Purgatory in front, Ground Control in rear, both with Gripton rubber. 15psi front, 17psi rear.
Today
I rode our gnarliest, rockiest local trail. Usually ridden on 160mm Enduro but shredded with impunity on this light saber.
Yesterday
Rode from home. Paved climbing and a few laps of a smooth, private singletrack at a neighbor’s house. Fast. Fun.
Guerrilla Gravity bikes are made in Denver, CO and they’re all fun to ride.
Check out:
Smash – They didn’t have one in my size. Stay tuned.
GG/DH – That’ll be fun. Stay tuned.
Guerrilla Gravity says:
“As a highly refined and extremely versatile trail bike, the Megatrail is built for everything from conquering high-alpine adventures to shredding bike park laps, or just slaying your after-work rides. And when it’s time to turn the Rad up to 11, Gravity Mode™ provides a 20-second, one-bolt geometry toggle that transforms the bike into a downhill dominator–it’s like having two bikes!”
I rode a small Megatrail for one long, awesome day at Valmont Bike Park and the Betasso Link Trail. About six hours of ride time. Thoughts:
Guerrilla Gravity says: “This is a bike that turns your local trail into your very own pump track. The Shred Dogg provides an exceptionally lively platform for those that value playfulness more than smashing the super-gnar. Plus with Gravity Mode™ available, you still have the downhill chops for when going gets rough…er.
More great copy from the little bike company in Denver, CO.
It’s also another great bike from Guerrilla Gravity. I just spent two weeks on a Shred Dogg, and here are some thoughts.
Hello Lee. I learned something. It is good to realize that almost every berm has a pressure point where one executes hip hinge for grip and release of The Force. But there is a deeper level… if one goes fast enough, the application hip hinge takes so much time that the bike can ride at least 3ft from neuromuscular impulse to tyres reaching max pressure. Therefore one who is aware of that pressure point should aim slightly further and at the same time push earlier… does that make me an adept of higher order or an overthinking idiot?
Either way, that realization made me awesome riding the weekend…
Wacek K.
Hi Lee,
Couldn’t help but notice you have an Enduro SX slalom bike. How does one go about getting a frame?
All my riding life I’ve dreamt of a full suspension slalom bike. I still don’t really know what I’d do with it, but I still want one.
I know they are a few years old now, but they are shrouded in mystery. All the Specialized dealers I’ve spoken to tell me that I must be thinking of the P.Slope. I’m not. One dealer who is very well connected tells me that he doesn’t have access to U.S. stuff anyway – impossible.
Last week I was looking fairly seriously at getting a Commencal VIP ABSOLUT SX 26 until I realised it was a 4kg frame and needed DH bottom bracket and hubs. The signature frame of a 120kg superhero, might be a bit much for a 64kg dad to ride in the backyard.
Was the Enduro SX only one production run in 2013-2014? Are they available over there? What do you have to do to get one etc?
Hope you guys are well,
Chris
In the words of Guerrilla Gravity: “As the “Singletrack Flyer,” the Trail Pistol inspires the kind of fun you only experience flying through the pit of a punk rock show. The kind of reckless fun that reminds you why you started mountain biking in the first place.”
That is some good copy. Especially if you’ve never been in a real pit of a real punk rock show (before punk went mainstream). In reality they are violent and crazy and kinda scary! I have this awesome scar from a show …
But it’s great copy, and I think it captures the intent of the Trail Pistol.
After riding this bike for two days with about 11 hours of ride time, here are some other things I think:
Hi all,
I’ll be teaching in Boise, NorCal and SoCal this Fall. I hope to see you!
San Jose/Santa Cruz, CA
>>> Join us Oct. 27-30, 2017
Vail Lake Resort, Temecula, CA
>>> Join us Nov. 10 and 13, 2017
Eagle Bike Park, Boise, ID
>>> Join us Sept. 29, 2017
Guerrilla Gravity says “The Pedalhead is an adventure hardtail built for everything from crushing singletrack miles, getting rad around town, or as an all-around play bike.”
I just spent a day on one, and here’s what I say: