Devil Mountain Expeditions

Good times were had by all this weekend … The trails were in slightly better shape than expected. Sure, that two (?) mile hike kinda sucked but after the hike ended you couldn’t ask for better trail conditions. Ja got his N* day, bought a fly fishing setup and took our money at poker; I got two runs of the DH in, an offer to join the Clampers and a nice nap on a bench outside the Grub Stake; Stone and Dan got their Packer->Indian Valley 35 miler in; Dan got his 6+ cokes at the pizza joint…

By the time Sat night rolled around I think we were all pretty exhausted save maybe Ja having only done one DH run. Note to self: don’t switch from beer to mixed drinks late in the night on 3 hours sleep after an exhausting day and some questionable food choices. Couldn’t stomach another DH run this morning, pun intended.

Stone, thanks for hosting … always a good time, wish I could be there for race weekend … ah well, there will be other years.

On to the pics … check out the car on end leaning up against the electric pole in that last pic … not sure how that happened … saw that on the way home a couple blocks from my house. It knocked the power out for several blocks–nice.

No pics.  No real write up.  Just saying that Skeggs was awesome yesterday.  15 miles of fantastic single track in a gorgeous area of California (sun setting over the ocean on the drive out as well).  Nothing against Diablo, but it just doesn’t compare.  Nothing in East Bay does for that matter…

Anyways, thanks CK for motivating me to get out there.  Great times.  Only problem is once you leave for SA, I will get lost if I try to attempt that same loop.

All in all, the perfect warm up for Downieville this weekend!

I’ve heard rumors of snow.  I’ve heard rumors of N*.  I’ve heard rumors of bailing altogether.  What’s the plan boys?  Who’s in?  Who’s out?  Need a headcount asap for shuttling purposes.

So far Diablo Dan and myself are both in for sure.  Packer Saddle (or a couple miles down trail from there) to Indian Valley.  I think CK is in…Ja sounded in yesterday, but now I’m hearing rumors of Northstar on Friday?  That would make a sweet two day trip if you can pull it off.  Just leave the family at home this time

So ya – bring up the snowshoes if you want to make the hike-a-bike a little more bearable.  From what I’ve read conditions are perfect for those trails not covered by snow.  Either way, the beer will be cold Saturday night!

Just a quick tutorial on how to brake effectively while railing dh single track…

Well after a few months of collecting parts off of Craigslist (frame and shock fox 5.0 coil, 7″ travel), wheels (mavic823s and highrollers ust) w hope pro II hubs, Shimano Saint shifters and short cage rear derailleur, from chainreactioncycles.com, Easton monkey bars carbon dh, magura louise 8″/7″, E13 DRS chainguide, 36T-22tt gearing, (chainreactioncycles.com), parts from trailhead cyclery in SJ (twentysix pedals w ith ti spindles, an SLX front derailleur,), WTB saddle with ti rails, and finally the Manitou travis triple 170mm (Ebay), the HL is seen here on its maiden voyage to Demo.

This thing pedals great, it turn on a dime, soaks up all the landings and is confidence inspiring.

More action pics to come (stay tuned)

OMG …

Picked up Carter this Haro Z10 about a week ago.  Today he got his first taste of riding dirt – Dad was definitely proud.  And the best part was he enjoyed the “mountain.”  Now I just need to find him some single track…

This looks hot …