Redline Mono Cog Flight 29 – First Impressions

Posted on November 12, 2010 by aa

2010 Redline Mono Cog Flight 29

Well, I finally made the jump to a 29er. Yeah, I know, it’s about time. A 29er always seemed so big to me. Also, with my short legs, sizing has always been an issue with a 29er. The standover hight was always too tall. When I decided to go 29er, I did a lot of research for about three months before I went to test ride. Most were just too big…like I already knew right? Well, what do I know? I also found a handful of bikes that, on paper, seem to be a good option for fit.
The first bike I tried for size was a 2010 Redline Mono Cog Flight 29 size 17 inch…PERFECT! The standover was right, the reach (top tube) was right and it rolled smoother and faster than I had expected…Sold! I like a single-speed in the winter too, no derailleurs and shifters to freeze.
After just a couple of short rides near home, I put the Mono Cog to the test by racing the Darkness at 909 night mountain bike race. Lights, single-speed, fully rigid and the Mono Cog rode great. Fast on the fire roads and double-track, and more responsive on the single-track than I thought it would be. The tight and twisty single-track was a bit slower than I could ride with my 26 inch, but the 29er handled much better than I expected. It also rode very smooth (for a rigid) over the rocks and roots that fill the 909 trails. That is a direct result of the 29 inch wheels. The 32/18 gearing was fast. I also have 20 and 22 rear cogs to try. I tend to like to spin a little more than I can with the 18.
My overall first impression of the Redline Mono Cog Flight 29…I’m hooked. If a fully rigid single-speed feels that good, I can’t wait to try a geared 29er with a suspension fork.
Posted in 29er, mtb | Leave a comment

Darkhorse 40 & Singlespeed-a-Palooza

Posted on November 11, 2010 by aa
Two of my favorite races for the 2011 mountain bike season have been scheduled and registration is now open.
First, the 3rd annual Singlespeed-a-Palooza is scheduled for Sunday April 17, 2011. Approximately 25 miles of great single-track in the Stewart State Forest. Online registration can be found here on BikeReg.com.
Next, the Darkhorse 40 return to Stewart with two 20 mile laps of the finest single-track that the Hudson Valley has to offer. The 40 will be held on Sunday July 31, 2011. Online registration can be found here on BikeReg.com.
Both of these great races are presented by Darkhorse Cycles.
Posted in marathon, mtb, race, singlespeed | Leave a comment

A Double Race Weekend

Posted on November 1, 2010 by aa
I had a two race weekend to close out October. Not unusual during ‘cross season. But this time, day one was a mountain bike race. Actually it was a night time mountain bike race, the annual Darkness at 909. This race is held each year on Halloween weekend at the Taconic-Hereford Sate Park, Multiple Use Area 909 in Pleasant Valley, NY. This is the first time I’ve raced Darkness at 909. With lights ready to go and a 29er singlespeed, I arrived ready for a good ride on some great singletrack. As usual, Eastern Sports Promotions put on a well organized, very good event. Your number plate was your start time and I had number 728. The first rider is off and pedaling at 7:00, with one minute intervals between each rider. I’m not sure how many riders were there, but I did see number plate 825.
I’ve ridden these trails many times, but night riding is just an entirely different animal. My Cygolite Rover II did a great job keeping the trails bright, but I did miss a trail once. I don’t think it was the fault of the trail marker, the last time I raced at 909, in the daylight, I missed the trail in the exact same spot. So I’ll consider that operator error.
This race was a great time and I completed the 8.7 mile TT in ~1:14:00.
Next up on Sunday morning was the Wicked Creepy Cyclocross Race in Bennington, VT. I do have to say that racing Saturday night made for a tough Sunday morning cyclocross race. With short sleep and short recovery, Sunday’s race felt like I was wearing leg weights. The Bennington course was a pretty fast course and pretty much not technical. There was however, a very steep run-up led by mud. I thought that it was a pretty good course. Not as good as last week’s Saratoga course, but a good course. I like the fast approach to the barriers and the tight, twisty turns.
I finished in 19th place of 21 riders, -1 lap with 5 laps completed. After lap one I didn’t even think that I could finish the race. But I hung in there for my 19th.
Posted in cross country, cyclocross, mtb, nycross.com, race | Leave a comment

Cyclocross…Circa 1950’s

Posted on October 28, 2010 by aa

Very cool cyclocross video. Now these guys are tough…

Posted in cyclocross, race, video | Leave a comment

Saratoga Spa Cycrocross

Posted on October 24, 2010 by aa
Perfect weather today…for cyclocross that is…Low 40’s, a little drizzle, no mud…but, of course, cowbells. It’s all what we’ve come to expect at a cyclocross race, and the Saratoga Spa CX event today was no exception. When I first read that Jeremy Powers had a hand in designing this race course, I thought that it would be pretty good. I saw the map, but how much can you really tell from a map. It has to be ridden.
The race was help on the ground of the world famous Saratoga Race Track. You know, the August place to be. No, we didn’t race on the track, we were on the grounds of the stable area…with a lot of hay and a lot of sounds and smells of the horses.
The race course had everything that you would want in a cyclocross course…fast, twists, turns, rolling terrain, sandy run-up, fast barriers, more sand, cold, no rest, even more sand, etc… Regardless of my results, this course was fun. I wish I were faster so I could have done more laps. I didn’t stay for the final results, as I had to leave immediately following my race.
This is only my second season racing ‘cross so I’ve only seen, first hand, a handful of courses. But this race course is, by far, the best and most enjoyable cyclocross I’ve raced. I do hope to see this race held in the same location again next year.
Next up for the NYCROSS.com series is Wicked Creepy Cyclocross Race in Bennington, VT. This race is always held on Halloween weekend, and this year it’s actually on Halloween.
Posted in cyclocross, nycross.com, race | Leave a comment

Lake Placid Elementary School Adding Mountain Bike Program

Posted on October 19, 2010 by aa
SINGLETRACKS.COM – Just as high school mountain biking leagues are gearing up across the country, an elementary school in Lake Placid, NY will become one of the first to offer a mountain bike program for 3rd through 5th graders. The school’s PE teacher, Matt Young, has been working with others to write up grant proposals and create an MTB curriculum in time for a spring launch.
The school will purchase 21 bikes from Rocky Mountain Bicycles and local bike shops are offering discounted helmets and safety equipment for the program. The class will last 3 weeks and will take advantage of the beginner mountain bike trails around the Lake Placid area.
By now we all know the benefits to mountain biking: it’s good exercise, it teaches confidence, and it’s a great way to stay fit and active. With programs like this and IMBA’s “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day,” the sport should continue to grow and become even more accessible. Who knows, maybe this elementary school program will inspire kids to get their parents into mountain biking!
Posted in mtb, race, rides | Leave a comment

Uncle Sam Cyclocross Gran Prix

Posted on October 17, 2010 by aa
The Uncle Sam Cyclocross Gran Prix is complete. The two days of ‘cross racing at Prospect Park in Troy, NY were race number 2 and 3 of the NYCROSS.com series. The Masters race, both days, was the usual fast pace, with many of the usual fast riders too.
Both Saturday and Sunday saw great weather for racing, cool with no more rain. Both race courses were about 1.7 miles in length. And both saw pretty much the same features. The big difference between the two courses was that about 3/4 of Sunday’s race course was in the reverse direction from Saturday. I thought that Sunday seemed a little easier and faster, but I’m sure it was just familiarity from racing Saturday.
So overall I think that I rode well. No crashes…no tripping over the barriers…and finished only -1 lap both days. Both races also had the same result, 11th place, pretty good for racing Cat 1/2/3 Masters 45+.
Posted in cyclocross, nycross.com, race | Leave a comment

Redline 29er for 2011

Posted on October 12, 2010 by aa

So I have made my decision for what mountain bike to race next year (2011). I have diceded on the Redline D660. A 29er is a tough fit for me, and I looked into a lot of different bikes. Oh, and there is a lot out there. And a lot of different schools of thought for geometry on the frames. Sifting through the wealth of information came down to deciding on what I like and then try it out. It came down to four bikes; Redline, Breezer, Trek and Cannondale. Cannondale was just too big. Breezer won’t be available until February/March. I never got to a Trek because the Redline fit perfect. So I stopped there, no more searching.
Here are the highlights of the Redline D660:
  • FRAME R6 Alloy Double Butted Forged Dropouts-Chainstay Yoke, 135mm Rear Spacing
  • FORK Rock Shox Reba RL 100 mm
  • CRANK SRAM S 1400 GXP 26/39T
  • DERAILLEUR SRAM X9/ X7
  • SHIFTER SRAM X9 (2×10)
  • WHEELS Alex DP 20 32H Rims With 14G gauge stainless Spokes
  • BRAKES Tektro Draco Hydralic Disc Brakes, 160mm Rotors
  • TIRES WTB Prowler SL 29 x 2.1
And who knows, maybe a Redine MonoCog too…
Posted in 29er, cross country, mtb, singlespeed | Leave a comment

Cyclocross @ Brewery Ommegang

Posted on October 4, 2010 by aa

CX @ Brewery Ommegang

There was about three weeks between my last mountain bike race and my first cyclocross race of the season. During that time between, I spent a lot of time on my cross bike getting my cx specific technique back. I wanted to make sure that I was ready for the first race. Cat 1/2/3 is tough enough, I didn’t want to trip over a barrier or crash on a re-mount. Three weeks later and I’m as ready as I’m going to be.
Cyclocross @ Brewery Ommegang was stop #2 on the NYCROSS.com series schedule. It’s also in Cooperstown, NY, which is a great town to visit…Baseball Hall of Fame, Doubleday Field, Otesaga Hotel, Glimmerglass Opera and of course, Brewery Ommegang. The race is held on the grounds of the brewery. The course had some long fast straights with a lot of tight twists and turns as you would expect. The one set of man made barriers were set up, I thought, in a strange place…immediately after a 180 degree left turn with a 180 degree right turn immediately following the barriers.
I was nervous going to the race with this being my first Cat 1/2/3 race. Upgrading to Cat 3 put me with the fast guys…the really fast guys. But I held my own, rode well and got some experience that I wouldn’t get if I was still racing Cat 4. I finished 15th in the Cat 1/2/3 Masters 45+ and 32nd overall Masters. Overall I feel good about my race. My average lap time was way off the pace, but it was right in line with the average Cat 4 times. So upgrading and racing Cat 1/2/3, I will be able to challenge myself much more.
Posted in cyclocross, nycross.com, race | Leave a comment

IMBA Action Alert! Comment on NY State Forests Management Plan

Posted on September 19, 2010 by aa
— Mountain bikers urged to participate in online comments and public meetings
The long-awaited draft strategic plan for managing NY state forests has been released. While there is much to like about the proposed plan, New York mountain bikers are urged to provide input and help refine the language about bicycling on trails in State Forests.
Send your comments via e-mail.
You can also make your voice heard at the public listening sessions in upcoming days (schedule at right).
The plan stipulates: “Mountain bikes are permitted to travel on any existing road or trail on State Forests unless the road or trail is posted as closed for this use.” This is good!
However, the plan also continues to say: “Due to environmental concerns and conflicts with other users of the state forests, mountain biking is acceptable only on trails that have been assessed and approved for such use.”
This is problematic for mountain bikers and the state should remove this passage. Why should one user group be singled out for environmental concerns when recreation ecologists say that our impacts are about the same as other non-motorized activites? Regarding potential conflicts, hundreds successful shared-use trail systems around the nation show that mountain bikers, hikers, equestrians and others can enjoy trails together, espcially when the trails are properly designed and signed.

Public Listening Sessions

Sept. 21: DEC Region 5 Headquarters
Main Conference Room
Route 86, Ray Brook
Sept. 22: Lowville Fire Department
5420 Parkway Dr., Lowville
Sept. 23: DEC Region 3 Headquarters
Main Conference Room
21 South Putt Corners Rd., New Paltz
Sept. 28: DEC Region 4 Headquarters
Main Conference Room
1130 North Westcott Rd., Schenectady
Sept. 30: DEC Region 2 Headquarters
Annex Building
11-15 47th Avenue
Long Island City
Sept. 30: DEC Region 1 Headquarters
SUNY Stony Brook
50 Circle Rd., Stony Brook
Posted in advocacy, imba, mtb | Leave a comment