When does normality become the exception? For ages the usual routine was a Night ride mid-week and a Sunday ride. But it's been bloody ages since I have managed to do this with any kind of regularity. Maybe life is regaining some semblance of order cos for the second week running both the night ride and the weekend ride both happened. And conditions for both were absolutely freakin splendid! Midweek and although the temp crept above freezing briefly during the day (putting the ride in jeopardy for a while) by the appointed time the mercury was buried nicely in the "bugger me it's cold" region. Flurry of emails and on arrival at the appointed launch site turns out a couple of Brian's mates are joining us - more the merrier, splendid.
So the roll call for this iteration of the "oh so infrequent of late" night ride was Dave (who road with us once before), Kenny, Todd, Brian, George and DB.
All starts as it should, Small Intestine, Belmont and "up the Purple" (snicker..oh grow up!). Belting along at a fair old clip. At the crossroads we decide that the same route as previous Sunday sounds damn fine - Ridge to White and down the Hike Only section. New guys and old guys vying for bragging rights so the speed down White is higher than usual - not to my taste at all! Over to BC side and it's time to take on Soapstone, trails are very conducive to climbing - hard and no loose surface. Still involves a lot of out of the saddle anaerobic effort but the climb is completed just before my heart explodes. regroup at the top and work out it's a night for climbing! So the aim is down Vineyard, up House of Pain then down Mission Impossible - EPIC!
Vineyard passes in a complete blur - the guys are up for it tonight and it's all I can do to keep in sight of their lights as they hurtle away from me. Fortunately House of Pain is a great leveller - I can push my bike as fast as the next man! Stupid steep at the bottom, fun going down but virtually impossible up, some loose stones make the steep section even tougher as spinning back wheels add to the torture. Second section is almost doable then the upper third, more gentle (but still a heck of a climb) feels like a holiday in comparison to what we have just endured. Regroup again, and hit Superhighway to Mission Impossible, at the junction though there is a change of heart! Instead of Mission Impossible we take the re-routed Patarini Hill to the the top of the Hillside section and then the group splinters, George and I opt for Tunnel Trail (now "officially" closed - sign up and everything) whilst other favor staying on official trails. But you know how it is, within seconds on George and me starting on Tunnel we are joined by Brian and Todd - just couldn't resist this trail. It's been knocked about a fair bit in attempts to close it with a few obstacles being made just about unridable - result is that each of us take one trip over the bars in the first half of the trail. With ice and snow George is only one who takes on the big rocky section and then I opt for discretion and walk a fair bit of the very steep leafy descent. At the road we head to the bridge then take the steep route to the right of the waterfall, Brian absolutely crushes the first (and steepest) portion of the climb and is still cranking away on his Redline SS 29er when he gets to the stoopid rooty section. Gets as close to riding it as anyone I have ever seen. At the top of the hill pause for the (now routine) group photo. Down the rocky stream bed descent and Brian mentions to me that although he has ridden bikes for over 20 years with some guys, and only just over a year with me, that he has seen me fall off my bike more than anyone else he knows - Cheers Brian!
By now legs are fried, lungs are seared and thirsts are well developed. Talks of extra sections are quelled and we take a direct route back to the cars and beers. Fantastic Ride! Longest of recent times and fast ads we have gone for an age. Couple of beers and it's time for bed.
Sunday came and with it a lonely ride for MLW and me! Were suggestions that may be five of us, but with the Bollux-house thermometer reading 17oF when we left I didn't hold out much hope, and so it proved.
MLW was a bit leery both of riding just the two of us and riding in such cold conditions. We took on the "big loop" from Landing - Small Intestine has again been removed and "Not Trespassing" signs erected - so we took the old route up to Belmont Road. Fist 15 min were pretty hard on the hands but once we got some body heat going all were happy. Along Ridge two guys rode on MLW wheel for an age - despite her offering to let them pass. I thought perhaps they were just enjoying the view but the reason became apparent after a brief stop to catch breath at the top of one on the hills, we set off ahead and they just disappeared! So not (as MLW though) so much trying to pass MLW - they were desperately trying to stay on her wheel!
Trail again just perfect, SWMBO was a little bothered by "trails like concrete" descriptions, but by the end she was a convert! Admitted the trails conditions were the most fun she has ever ridden. Some hills climbed that I haven't made in many months and when we got to the waterfall on Cascade it id frozen solid! Photo-opportunity or what?! Bikes are discarded on the trail and we scrabble down to stand on the petrified splash pool and get a picture right in front of the falls - magical.
Quick sprint up Cascade back to the car and the big loop has been done faster than ever before on a Sunday - we the team!
Enjoy the cold while we can - summer soon.
DB
Showing posts with label Small Intestine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Small Intestine. Show all posts
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, December 19, 2008
Colonic Irritation!
Took advantage of a very short respite provided by Mother Nature (in that it didn't bloody rain for a whole 48 hrs straight) to get out for a night ride. Short notice so participation was restricted to just Todd and myself. Turned out to be a very disappointing ride on all levels!
Headed off from the usual launch site and headed as is customary for the fun that is Small Intestine! Got to the trail head to find....... SHOCK HORROR the trail has been completely dismantled! Not only that but New Trail has suffered the same awful fate! (So too it transpired later had the loggy section at the top of Small Intestine!) Big time downer! My two favorite trails on the HC side are no more. Trying hard to recover from the shock we headed up to Belmont and thence down to the Purple Trail. The Purple Trail was a mess! Being the good souls we are we didn't attempt to ride this (cos we'd just chew it up) but walked our bike to the top in somber mood - sloppy trails and destruction of favorite sections, the night would never recover! Hard to take that trails like Small Intestine that drained pretty damn well and were as fun as hell to ride should be trashed while sections like the Purple Trail that drains horribly and is no fun at all even when dry should be promoted! Ho Hum.
Once on Ridge things were a little better but we decided that in deference to the trail conditions we'd cut it short - past the derelict houses and back to Morning Choice. Nice to get out and blow some air through the lungs, it feels like it's been too long. Rode for a while on the Rockburn park side, just to put in some miles then back to the cars. Stopped at the New Trail entrance and surveyed damage - total trail annihilation, took a photo to commemorate the fall of a once good friend and back to the vehicles for a couple of solemn beers - a wake to fallen trails we have known and loved.
Headed off from the usual launch site and headed as is customary for the fun that is Small Intestine! Got to the trail head to find....... SHOCK HORROR the trail has been completely dismantled! Not only that but New Trail has suffered the same awful fate! (So too it transpired later had the loggy section at the top of Small Intestine!) Big time downer! My two favorite trails on the HC side are no more. Trying hard to recover from the shock we headed up to Belmont and thence down to the Purple Trail. The Purple Trail was a mess! Being the good souls we are we didn't attempt to ride this (cos we'd just chew it up) but walked our bike to the top in somber mood - sloppy trails and destruction of favorite sections, the night would never recover! Hard to take that trails like Small Intestine that drained pretty damn well and were as fun as hell to ride should be trashed while sections like the Purple Trail that drains horribly and is no fun at all even when dry should be promoted! Ho Hum.
Once on Ridge things were a little better but we decided that in deference to the trail conditions we'd cut it short - past the derelict houses and back to Morning Choice. Nice to get out and blow some air through the lungs, it feels like it's been too long. Rode for a while on the Rockburn park side, just to put in some miles then back to the cars. Stopped at the New Trail entrance and surveyed damage - total trail annihilation, took a photo to commemorate the fall of a once good friend and back to the vehicles for a couple of solemn beers - a wake to fallen trails we have known and loved.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sorry For The Inconvenience!
As of now, usual service is restored!
O.K. as you already know I have the tendency to be a bit of a lazy Bastard - but things have really gotten on top of me. You know work, family stuff (in-laws here from homeland) etc., not enough hours in the day.
Pity really cos the night ride last week was something close to epic! Now epic, as an adjective, is a little overused these days in the mountain bike fraternity. Personally epic describes a ride that is measured not in miles, but tens of miles and elevation gain in thousands rather than hundreds of feet. Against this background the last night ride wasn't epic - but it was damn close! Todd was a "no show" so George, Brain and DB made up the "three Musketeers" that assembled, in remarkably timely fashion, and launched onto the trails just after 9:30pm. Small Intestine for starters - got to love that! Now, it occurs to me that as the trail naming scheme I use is somewhat abstract (in that it doesn't coincide with any designation found on any map) I should perhaps describe the trails ridden in greater detail. To do this for an entire ride would be tedious in the extreme, so I'll parcel out the descriptions amongst future posts. For now a description of Small Intestine will suffice.
As the mane suggests it is fairly short (probably less than a mile in length) very narrow and bloody twisty. Although there is very little in elevation gain or loss the feature that makes the trail so much fun is the logs! Not big but loads of them!! Every ten feet or so there is a log to negotiate. Combined with the tight twisty nature of the trail this means there is almost no way to maintain flow or momentum. As a result it is a workout from start to finish, working the shoulders lifting that front wheel as well as the legs. Fun is enhanced mid-way by a section of small logs over a boggy patch and then a rickety bridge of small logs. All in all a joy to behold!
After SI we take the usual route down Belmont Hill and up the recently re-opened climb that formed part of the "6 hr of Patapsco" course. At the four way junction we decided BC-side was "a-callin" so we set off down the Water Break. Just across the river as we were about to emerge from the short riverside trail section car lights stopped us in our tracks - the dreaded DNR? The car slowed and parked at the exit to the trail we were on, not a good sign! Lights were extinguished, no panic though - soon as the Ranger gets out the car and heads into the trail we will simply "hightail" it out the other direction (sounds like a plan). Then to make matters interesting a second car pulls up! Could be in trouble now as our "friends" the Ranger's could potentially block both ends of the trail - HUM! At this point with minimum lights we retrace our steps (whilst Mr Ranger is planning their strategy) and then ride "sans Lights" back to the Water Break. Up we go! Always fun.
At the top I take lead duty and lead up Morning Choice, past the derelict houses thence on to Old Loop Trail and back to Cascade (via the decimated Lewis and Clarke). Head down Cascade, up the left fork "rocky climb" to the old railway ties. Brian becomes the "Decider" at the top of the climb and opts to head left down the sketchy downhill to the road. At the road nerves return - in case of a second close encounter with DNR. Lights off and we ride stealth to the swing bridge and over to BC-side.
George is in true fighting mood tonight and takes the lead up House of Pain - woo whoo! By the top we are all pretty spent but having a blast. We pause for breath and to plan the next installment, Community College loop to Soapstone meets with universal approval. Sweet riding tonight, we all look like we know what we are doing for a change! No technicals no falls and soon we are scooting down Soapstone - George takes on the big log at the top of Soapstone two or three times but hell - tonight it's not happening! Brian and I just ride the chicken run round it and spent our time laughing at George's antics!
At the base of Soapstone and it it time for stealth number 3 - ride in blissful darkness under the bridge and as no car lights are visible we light up and head for the site of our earlier sighting of the DNR. As we enter the trail we ride past 9and almost into) a group of young guys apparently night swimming in the river! We are just about to shout out warnings about our earlier DNR sighting when we realize these guys were probably in the cars we saw an hour or so earlier! DOH!
Back to HC-side another heart pumping, leg burning climb up the Water Break and it is time to think about heading back to the cars and beer. Rockburn Branch, up the Belmont Hill and it's time for Small Intestine in reverse! Big fun in either direction. At the end of Small Intestine we regroup and "synchronize watches" turns out it is five minutes to midnight! What to do? Only one sensible call - lets head left onto the New Trail and make sure we ride into tomorrow. New Trail with all it's big logs still fails to induce a fall - tonight we can do no wrong! and before we know it we are back at the cars - 15 miles and 2 and a half hours - as I said "almost an epic".
Beer and chat before heading home tired and wearing big grins! Tomorrow will be tough at work. Next week I miss out as I'm on vacation but hopefully the 20 mile night ride is only weeks away! Top F'in Notch
Cheers
DogzBollouz
O.K. as you already know I have the tendency to be a bit of a lazy Bastard - but things have really gotten on top of me. You know work, family stuff (in-laws here from homeland) etc., not enough hours in the day.
Pity really cos the night ride last week was something close to epic! Now epic, as an adjective, is a little overused these days in the mountain bike fraternity. Personally epic describes a ride that is measured not in miles, but tens of miles and elevation gain in thousands rather than hundreds of feet. Against this background the last night ride wasn't epic - but it was damn close! Todd was a "no show" so George, Brain and DB made up the "three Musketeers" that assembled, in remarkably timely fashion, and launched onto the trails just after 9:30pm. Small Intestine for starters - got to love that! Now, it occurs to me that as the trail naming scheme I use is somewhat abstract (in that it doesn't coincide with any designation found on any map) I should perhaps describe the trails ridden in greater detail. To do this for an entire ride would be tedious in the extreme, so I'll parcel out the descriptions amongst future posts. For now a description of Small Intestine will suffice.
As the mane suggests it is fairly short (probably less than a mile in length) very narrow and bloody twisty. Although there is very little in elevation gain or loss the feature that makes the trail so much fun is the logs! Not big but loads of them!! Every ten feet or so there is a log to negotiate. Combined with the tight twisty nature of the trail this means there is almost no way to maintain flow or momentum. As a result it is a workout from start to finish, working the shoulders lifting that front wheel as well as the legs. Fun is enhanced mid-way by a section of small logs over a boggy patch and then a rickety bridge of small logs. All in all a joy to behold!
After SI we take the usual route down Belmont Hill and up the recently re-opened climb that formed part of the "6 hr of Patapsco" course. At the four way junction we decided BC-side was "a-callin" so we set off down the Water Break. Just across the river as we were about to emerge from the short riverside trail section car lights stopped us in our tracks - the dreaded DNR? The car slowed and parked at the exit to the trail we were on, not a good sign! Lights were extinguished, no panic though - soon as the Ranger gets out the car and heads into the trail we will simply "hightail" it out the other direction (sounds like a plan). Then to make matters interesting a second car pulls up! Could be in trouble now as our "friends" the Ranger's could potentially block both ends of the trail - HUM! At this point with minimum lights we retrace our steps (whilst Mr Ranger is planning their strategy) and then ride "sans Lights" back to the Water Break. Up we go! Always fun.
At the top I take lead duty and lead up Morning Choice, past the derelict houses thence on to Old Loop Trail and back to Cascade (via the decimated Lewis and Clarke). Head down Cascade, up the left fork "rocky climb" to the old railway ties. Brian becomes the "Decider" at the top of the climb and opts to head left down the sketchy downhill to the road. At the road nerves return - in case of a second close encounter with DNR. Lights off and we ride stealth to the swing bridge and over to BC-side.
George is in true fighting mood tonight and takes the lead up House of Pain - woo whoo! By the top we are all pretty spent but having a blast. We pause for breath and to plan the next installment, Community College loop to Soapstone meets with universal approval. Sweet riding tonight, we all look like we know what we are doing for a change! No technicals no falls and soon we are scooting down Soapstone - George takes on the big log at the top of Soapstone two or three times but hell - tonight it's not happening! Brian and I just ride the chicken run round it and spent our time laughing at George's antics!
At the base of Soapstone and it it time for stealth number 3 - ride in blissful darkness under the bridge and as no car lights are visible we light up and head for the site of our earlier sighting of the DNR. As we enter the trail we ride past 9and almost into) a group of young guys apparently night swimming in the river! We are just about to shout out warnings about our earlier DNR sighting when we realize these guys were probably in the cars we saw an hour or so earlier! DOH!
Back to HC-side another heart pumping, leg burning climb up the Water Break and it is time to think about heading back to the cars and beer. Rockburn Branch, up the Belmont Hill and it's time for Small Intestine in reverse! Big fun in either direction. At the end of Small Intestine we regroup and "synchronize watches" turns out it is five minutes to midnight! What to do? Only one sensible call - lets head left onto the New Trail and make sure we ride into tomorrow. New Trail with all it's big logs still fails to induce a fall - tonight we can do no wrong! and before we know it we are back at the cars - 15 miles and 2 and a half hours - as I said "almost an epic".
Beer and chat before heading home tired and wearing big grins! Tomorrow will be tough at work. Next week I miss out as I'm on vacation but hopefully the 20 mile night ride is only weeks away! Top F'in Notch
Cheers
DogzBollouz
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Monocog's Last Stand!
Weather is perfect!
So the mid week nightride was a no-brainer this week, the usual email circular went round and the time/place was confirmed as same as last week. Everything as normal - expecting the usual trio, Todd, Brian and Yours Truly BD but when I got to the launch site what dio I find? Four other cars already there! George has turned up to give the new Nomad it's inaugural noctural outing and Brian has coerced a frien (Mike) to join the marry throng! Spot on - the ride was already looking to shape up to be a classic. Mike it transpires has never riden at night before and is sporting his LW's light that she uses for early morning road rides.
What is more there are murmurs among the group of a "New,New Trail" all hush hush so as not to spoil the surprise for those of us who have not experienced this yet! New riders, new trails and a damn near full moon, am I dreaming?
Head of along the New Trail and then just after the stream crossing we take an unexpected left turn onto (for me) virgin trail. This new section is ace! Very different to much of Patapsco, it is very narrow, twisty and hellaciously loggy! No big obstacles but a considerable struggle to keep the momentum going. Fun trail and we will be visiting it again on a regular basis. Due to it's tight windy nature the New New trail is almost christened the Small Intestine, we'll see how well that monica sticks. The Small Intestine dumps us out at the top of the Belmont hill and we Whoop and Holler our way down this section catching air at every little drop off. Up and over then the decsion is made that we have to cross to the BC side, so down the fireroad and off to Soapstone.
We came we saw we conquered Soapstone climb for second week running geared guys leading out with Todd and me on SSers bringing up the rear. Then continue the climb past the water tower and then the loop past the Community College. Climb #2 just after the CC is also dispatched (almost with disdain - wow the summer legs are kicking in) and we regroup at the top to discuss what to do next. Mike is having a great time, riding like a seasoned night rider, though he does admit to the fact that he is finding some of the sections a bit on the terrifying side. Group decesion to hit House of pain down then Vineyard up. George is George and screams down House of Pain on the Nomad at suicidal speed. Rest of us take it a bit more sedately. Riding to base of Vineyard and we ride as a loose pack taking the chance to chat, I recall my first nightrides with George and (the now entirely absent Spence) and how I spent the whole time terror stricken praying for it to end. Mike concurs that this is a similar experience for him.
Up Vineyard - god I love this climb, no real tough bits but just a steady grind which is absolutely perfect for SSers, as a result Todd and I lead this section and the "Shifties" trail behind in granny gears chatting away. At the top we take a group decesion to hit another new peice of trail (Bloody hell what's gotten into us), so instead of heading to the tiop of Soapstome we cut left down a sketchy downhill which meanders down eventually drops us on the section of Soapstone leading to the Park N Ride. This section is notable for two reasons, (i) the kin enormous built up log that we try (I fail) that leads to a dead end trail and (ii) just after said kin enormous log the Todd man concluded it was time to go stealth!!!! Big moon, probabaly the last time with no leaf cover till nect fall so their was no good excuse. Off went the lights and the rest of the decent (sketchy in places and completely new to me) was done stealth.
By the time we hit the carpark at the base of the Soapstone fire road climb Mike was campaigning so heavily for beer that I suspect beer could have beaten both Obama and Clinton if the Pennsylvanian electorate had been with us! So instead of another climb up Soapstone we headed back HC side and up the fireroad. Here we "lost" George - amazing jow easy it is to loose a ride in the dark. We looped back to find him but nothing doing so eventually we headed back towards the cars assuming we would find him at some point.
In the absence of George we didn't hit Small Intestine backwards as had been the plan but headed straight for home - just as we approached the cars we encountered a very large group of deer on the trail, which we took as a fair sign that George hadn't come this way in the recent future. This was confirme when back at the cars there was no sign of George - few minutes thinking what we should do, go and look for him, give him a few minutes or Sod him lets just drink beer when some bright spark suggested "Hey whay don't we just call him on his cell" DOH! George doesn't actually answer but before we can discuss next best idea his light hoves into view and we all let out a communal sigh of relief.
With the group back together it's out with the chairs and beer and the social aspect of the night ride kicks in. Turns out we have ridden for over two hours and covered probably in excess of 15 miles! A truly classic ride, new trail, new rider, stealth riding.
As it turned out this was to be a fitting final ride for the Monocog!! Few weeks back I noticed a ding on the top tube, closer inspection last week whilst washing the bike suggested it was more like a crack than a simple ding. Called Bike Doctor (Linthicum) and was told, yep covered by warranty (good news) and "NO I shouldn't ride it" (bad news). Well with no option the night ride was a risk but a fitting end - inspection after the ride showed the crack had extended significantly and the next day I took her in for inspection. Knackered after the previous nights exertions and the wrench in the Bike Doctor doesn't endear himself to me when he announces the damage to the frame suggests it's been crashed (i.e. voiding warranty). I decide to simply smile and point out the obvious - all original parts (in good nick) and even the wheels are still true (not a crashed bike). In the end the Manager comes over and doesn't even bat an eye - "leave it with me" she says and I'll phone when I know more. She called less than an hour later and my new frame will be in next week!! Good show! Hopefully the ne Monocog will be back in action in time for 12 hours of Lodi farm (3-4 May).
Shame about the Monocog - loved that bloody bike! And the frame is supposed to be bombproof - ironic that the components all the reviews question - seat post, bottom bracket, headset - have all kept on keeping on through thick n thin and the frame should have an issue. Guess just a dodgy peice of tubing, and Redline/Bike Doctor have made it right so I have no complaints.
RIP my old green Moncog - it was good while it lasted!
DogzBollux
So the mid week nightride was a no-brainer this week, the usual email circular went round and the time/place was confirmed as same as last week. Everything as normal - expecting the usual trio, Todd, Brian and Yours Truly BD but when I got to the launch site what dio I find? Four other cars already there! George has turned up to give the new Nomad it's inaugural noctural outing and Brian has coerced a frien (Mike) to join the marry throng! Spot on - the ride was already looking to shape up to be a classic. Mike it transpires has never riden at night before and is sporting his LW's light that she uses for early morning road rides.
What is more there are murmurs among the group of a "New,New Trail" all hush hush so as not to spoil the surprise for those of us who have not experienced this yet! New riders, new trails and a damn near full moon, am I dreaming?
Head of along the New Trail and then just after the stream crossing we take an unexpected left turn onto (for me) virgin trail. This new section is ace! Very different to much of Patapsco, it is very narrow, twisty and hellaciously loggy! No big obstacles but a considerable struggle to keep the momentum going. Fun trail and we will be visiting it again on a regular basis. Due to it's tight windy nature the New New trail is almost christened the Small Intestine, we'll see how well that monica sticks. The Small Intestine dumps us out at the top of the Belmont hill and we Whoop and Holler our way down this section catching air at every little drop off. Up and over then the decsion is made that we have to cross to the BC side, so down the fireroad and off to Soapstone.
We came we saw we conquered Soapstone climb for second week running geared guys leading out with Todd and me on SSers bringing up the rear. Then continue the climb past the water tower and then the loop past the Community College. Climb #2 just after the CC is also dispatched (almost with disdain - wow the summer legs are kicking in) and we regroup at the top to discuss what to do next. Mike is having a great time, riding like a seasoned night rider, though he does admit to the fact that he is finding some of the sections a bit on the terrifying side. Group decesion to hit House of pain down then Vineyard up. George is George and screams down House of Pain on the Nomad at suicidal speed. Rest of us take it a bit more sedately. Riding to base of Vineyard and we ride as a loose pack taking the chance to chat, I recall my first nightrides with George and (the now entirely absent Spence) and how I spent the whole time terror stricken praying for it to end. Mike concurs that this is a similar experience for him.
Up Vineyard - god I love this climb, no real tough bits but just a steady grind which is absolutely perfect for SSers, as a result Todd and I lead this section and the "Shifties" trail behind in granny gears chatting away. At the top we take a group decesion to hit another new peice of trail (Bloody hell what's gotten into us), so instead of heading to the tiop of Soapstome we cut left down a sketchy downhill which meanders down eventually drops us on the section of Soapstone leading to the Park N Ride. This section is notable for two reasons, (i) the kin enormous built up log that we try (I fail) that leads to a dead end trail and (ii) just after said kin enormous log the Todd man concluded it was time to go stealth!!!! Big moon, probabaly the last time with no leaf cover till nect fall so their was no good excuse. Off went the lights and the rest of the decent (sketchy in places and completely new to me) was done stealth.
By the time we hit the carpark at the base of the Soapstone fire road climb Mike was campaigning so heavily for beer that I suspect beer could have beaten both Obama and Clinton if the Pennsylvanian electorate had been with us! So instead of another climb up Soapstone we headed back HC side and up the fireroad. Here we "lost" George - amazing jow easy it is to loose a ride in the dark. We looped back to find him but nothing doing so eventually we headed back towards the cars assuming we would find him at some point.
In the absence of George we didn't hit Small Intestine backwards as had been the plan but headed straight for home - just as we approached the cars we encountered a very large group of deer on the trail, which we took as a fair sign that George hadn't come this way in the recent future. This was confirme when back at the cars there was no sign of George - few minutes thinking what we should do, go and look for him, give him a few minutes or Sod him lets just drink beer when some bright spark suggested "Hey whay don't we just call him on his cell" DOH! George doesn't actually answer but before we can discuss next best idea his light hoves into view and we all let out a communal sigh of relief.
With the group back together it's out with the chairs and beer and the social aspect of the night ride kicks in. Turns out we have ridden for over two hours and covered probably in excess of 15 miles! A truly classic ride, new trail, new rider, stealth riding.
As it turned out this was to be a fitting final ride for the Monocog!! Few weeks back I noticed a ding on the top tube, closer inspection last week whilst washing the bike suggested it was more like a crack than a simple ding. Called Bike Doctor (Linthicum) and was told, yep covered by warranty (good news) and "NO I shouldn't ride it" (bad news). Well with no option the night ride was a risk but a fitting end - inspection after the ride showed the crack had extended significantly and the next day I took her in for inspection. Knackered after the previous nights exertions and the wrench in the Bike Doctor doesn't endear himself to me when he announces the damage to the frame suggests it's been crashed (i.e. voiding warranty). I decide to simply smile and point out the obvious - all original parts (in good nick) and even the wheels are still true (not a crashed bike). In the end the Manager comes over and doesn't even bat an eye - "leave it with me" she says and I'll phone when I know more. She called less than an hour later and my new frame will be in next week!! Good show! Hopefully the ne Monocog will be back in action in time for 12 hours of Lodi farm (3-4 May).
Shame about the Monocog - loved that bloody bike! And the frame is supposed to be bombproof - ironic that the components all the reviews question - seat post, bottom bracket, headset - have all kept on keeping on through thick n thin and the frame should have an issue. Guess just a dodgy peice of tubing, and Redline/Bike Doctor have made it right so I have no complaints.
RIP my old green Moncog - it was good while it lasted!
DogzBollux
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