For the first time, I experienced a little bit of downhill action in person over the weekend while in NC.
I know it is common practice, but I visited one of the ski resorts there and they had turned their slopes into mountain bike trails.
So by "experienced" i really mean just watched lol. But damn does that look like a lot of fun.
Being in FL, we don't have stuff like that. Sure we have our man-made runs, but nothing quite like what I saw there.
Next time I go up there I gotta look into renting a bike and giving it a shot!

 

Climb to the sign again.

 

Hitting the trails tomorrow on the 10 year old 29er after being in storage for the last couple of years

 

Ayot St Peter, Hertfordshire.

 

50 miler this morning. Venice vibin’.

 

Well, how'd it go?

 

It was fantastic! Riding the more aggressive 27.5, the 29er reminded me of how nicely it rolls over the rocks and roots plus with the more relaxed geometry, the body appreciated it too!

Planning on potentially doing a solo 8 hour race at the end of the month so this could be my go to bike for it

 

Sorry, meant the end of next month.

 

Mulholland ride

 

Jealous. I just squeezed my tires last night and it has been so long since I've been out that they're flat lol.

 

Survived the mountain and gravel one, two punch today

 

Worried I’ll end up going down the gravel and/or mtn route as well.

 

Not today... heat wave crushing records in Southern California.
Beverly Hills

West Los Angeles
North Los Angeles/ San Fernando Valley

 

I'm looking to trade in one of the Tarmacs for either a gravel bike or maybe MTB. I tried MTB before, it didn't take, but if I just stick to trails I think I'll enjoy it. In the meantime, tooled around on the Sagan Allez.

 

@Marsimaxam did a 55 mile ride yesterday and didn’t start until 11. I was cooked.

Looks like I’m joining the Tarmac family.

 

Lovely, congrats!!! Knew you'd upgrade sooner rather than later.

 

Do it! You won’t regret it! Mountain biking is a whole different beast and the gravel thing is a great median between the two. It’s also a great alternative if you are in training too.

Here’s an incentive for you, some of the previous Tour de France champions all came from a mountain biking background, ie Cadal Evans, Floyd Landis; well Floyd had a bit of help if you know what I mean....Peter Sagan was a former junior mountain bike world champion.

 

I'd be insane or suicidal at my age to even consider riding in this weather.
I'm impressed, but, I have a strong feeling you're half my age. Hopefully you didn't stick a fork in it.

Nice photos of your Mulholland and Venice rides. I used to ride about 20 miles, back and forth, out to the handball courts at Venice Beach and play back in the day. Still play handball but only indoors.

 

Yea, I have tight spandex riding roadie friends who refuses to put on those somewhat baggie mountain biking shorts and I have those baggie mountain biker friends who refuses to fit themselves into those tight roadie spandex....to each their own but as long as you are on whatever bike, it makes me a happy man

Btw, nice Allez! My first road bike was an Allez. It was a great bike but ended up trading up for a S-Works Tarmac in which it ended up being traded for my current road bike, the Giant TCR Rabobank team bike.