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Top of the Hill and Back
Regular readers (do I have any?) will know I like nothing more than riding to the top of the hill and back. And infact readers of Singletrack magazine will see me talk about it in their latest issue too (where I am apparently a “contributor”)
As I said in Singletrack – the top of the hill and back is my litmus test for me and my bikes. I’ve cleaned the climb in 32:18 on a 29er. I’ve groveled up it in 22:32. I’ve pushed up it on my 24in wheeled Jump Gimp (that was a while ago).
Today was the day for Ragley Ti to experience the fun trip, and it didn’t disappoint. Cleaned the climb from above the steps up Sunny Valley (first), cleaned the last little steep climb before the flat bit before the gate (not done for ages). Hauled up to Hades, with particularly nice out-of-the-saddle action (I think it’s the short stem that does it).
Coming down was even better. I need a 36t ring on there, the speed you can get up. Just laughable fun and whippy and stable, and “I can’t believe I’m riding like this after a week and a half off”.
Put a new line in on the track that nobody else rides down to the telegraph pole on the corner.
Now I know you’d assume I’d always write this, and you can imagine that I make this shit up to hype product, but I don’t. We pushed the numbers quite hard on this – it’s quite edgy. Bits a bit longer, bit slimmer, bit fatter, bit shorter, bit slacker, bit steeper… and it’s worked. It is balanced and different and fun, and now I’m going to have to give it to some journos to test. And I don’t want to.
shedfire
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Jon 4:27 pm on March 24, 2009 | #
The only way to be sure you don’t make this up is to allow an independent review. I’m more than happy to offer this service, I’ll even do it free of charge 😉
shedfire 4:58 pm on March 24, 2009 | #
Sure thing Jon. Get yourself to Calderdale in the next day or so. 18in and 16in available. Both built up with Rev’s, 2.35/2.5in Maxxis 42a, so not XC light, but serious big trail hardtail style.
Al 5:14 pm on March 24, 2009 | #
Meh, sizist! I suppose I could take the 18″ downhilling 😉
Jon 5:38 pm on March 24, 2009 | #
Bit far for a day trip and I have work. I bet you could find someone to take up your offer though!
ChrisS 5:54 pm on March 24, 2009 | #
Of course you could just be getting progressively better at riding the same track over and over again….
desf 6:12 pm on March 24, 2009 | #
I don’t think you are “hyping product” .. as there’s no product to buy. Yet. 😉
Ed-O 7:59 pm on March 24, 2009 | #
You’ll find me somewhere out in the woods, or on the hill if you want to have a go on the 16″ Ragley. I’ve got a few nice scrapes on it today, so not feeling as precious, and if you ask nicely I might share 🙂
» Four louder Shed Fire : Trying to remember what to do next. 5:44 pm on April 1, 2009 | #
[…] afternoon Ed pointed out I had a 36t ring on my crank (an SLX 22,36 double), when I mentioned in this post earlier that thought I had a 32t. Which means I’ve been riding 4 teeth higher than I thought I had, […]