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Writings on Riding
This is the place for monthy content from a few of our local members. Here you may find articles about events in the Triangle, interviews with local mountain bike leaders, write ups and editorials. Check back here often for new "news" stories. Want to be a regular contributer? Contact the webmaster at [email protected].

Writings on Riding will no longer be updated on a monthly basis. I will update it as we get new material and news. - Tim

This month we have:
The LBS Experience. A great description on good service from a local bike shop.
The Trail Nemesis. Have you seen any gnomes?
Gear Review: Otter Creek Vermont Lager

Writings on Riding will no longer be updated on a monthly basis. I will update it as we get new material and news. - Tim

The LBS Experience
by Scott C.
Nov 2003

The best mountain bike I've owned reached its first anniversary last month. Fact is, I wound up paying a bit more than I could have for this bike. I'm perfectly happy about that, too. That's because I bought the bike at a local bike shop, or LBS.

I'll throw in this disclaimer: I’m not associated with any bike shop other than being a satisfied customer, and have not been encouraged or paid to write this by anyone else. Buying my bike from an LBS wasn't an easy decision to make. I've been upgrading and maintaining my bikes for fifteen years. I have my own tools, and I know how to find what I need inexpensively on the Internet or mail order.

My reasoning went as follows:
Riding local singletrack takes practice to do well, and it takes a stiff toll on an MTB. With my old mountain bike, I found that I needed to repair or replace something three or four times a year. Things like fresh tires, a seatpost that won't let the saddle slip, straightening a bent derailleur hanger, replacing worn out brake shoes, truing wheels, and so forth had to be dealt with every few months.

I’d have to call around, track down what I needed, order it, and then wait until it showed up. Then I'd need to find the time to perform the replacement, give it a test ride, and tune the adjustments. The effort always took time away from riding the bike, sometimes a week or more. In the mean time, I wasn't getting any better at singletrack.

It started looking smart to me to buy a bike locally, even if it cost more. A new bike wouldn’t have all these problems, at least to start with. If it did, replacement parts are typically covered for a year. If needed, I could let the store do the repairs instead of using my precious free time. I drove to four local bike shops, and described the bike I wanted: full suspension, cross country, fairly light, good at climbing, and disc brakes. I listened to what they had to say, and test rode a few bikes around parking lots. I looked at the shop, its equipment, and how willing they were to listen to me.

I discovered that each shop has its own style and approach. All of them were helpful and enthusiastic. Two of them seriously considered my concerns and addressed them. One tended to downplay and disregard what I said, which narrowed down my search. The final choice was made by the fact that one of the two stores I really liked had the bike I wanted in stock. So I paid about $150 more than I could have at a national outlet, but I never regretted it. The time saving service and perks have been outstanding. Here’s a brief timeline:

At time of purchase (September 2002):
- Received discount on all purchases for first two weeks
- Initial setup and adjustment of bike - $Free
- Swap out riser bars for lighter, flat bars that fit better - $Free
- Install replacement hand grips I liked better - $15, free labor
- Shop agreed to replace integrated headset with adapters and a Chris King headset – Paid for new headset; labor and adapters, $Free
- Replace springs in Manitou Black Comp fork with heavier spring kit – minimal charge
- replace plastic cap on fork with aluminum one (the heavier spring made the plastic one pop out) – $Free

Two months later:
- Service check, tighten fittings, adjust derailleurs and brakes - $Free

In February, I had a low-speed biff that caused a problem with my front brakes. I didn’t know it at the time (it was getting dark), but the brake cable had partially unseated from one of its stops. I mangled the brake pads trying to reinstall the wheel. My LBS mechanic explained the problem, and swapped the pads with new ones for free. I was back on the trail the next day.

In March, I found that the bike was ghost-shifting when I rode up steep hills. My LBS took this seriously, because the problem can be difficult to diagnose.

I brought the bike back three times during this effort. Here’s some of what we tried:
- Replace the original chain with a better one - $Free
- Realign derailleur hanger - $Free
- Re-route derailleur and brake cables to reduce friction - $Free
- Replace rear derailleur cable and housing - $Free

Eventually the problem turned out to be with the bike’s design; the seat stay was flexing and causing an upshift when I pedaled very hard. The problem was solved by running cable housing all the way down to the derailleur. That was a relief!

You probably get the idea by now.

When I consider all the time I’ve saved keeping this bike ready to ride, and all the money I’ve saved on parts and labor, I’ve come out way ahead by dealing locally. I’ve left out some things too, including free labor for tire replacement, and a new saddle when mine started to wear out after eleven months. My point is that I no longer value just getting the cheapest price – I also value how I spend my discretionary time. Choosing an LBS was very smart, when I factor in how much more riding I get to enjoy.

Before I wrap up, I’d like to counter some things I’ve heard people say regarding local bike shops:
1. Your LBS is not out to “rip you off”. Yes, their prices are a little higher. In fact, most LBSes don’t make money on the bicycles they sell. There are two reasons they cost a bit more than the cheapest mail order prices you’ll find. One is that the LBS has to pay for and maintain a showroom in a convenient location, something a cut rate warehouse can ignore. The other is that an LBS buys smaller quantities of bikes and parts than large chain stores, and can’t get a rock bottom price on their orders.

2. I’ve heard people tell me that they were treated poorly by an LBS, when I’ve been to the same store and was treated well. I’ve found that a lot of how I’m treated depends on my own attitude, and I think this applies to everyone. I don’t go into the store and complain about how their stuff costs more than what I saw in a magazine ad. I don’t try to nickel and dime them to a lower price. I listen respectfully to what they have to say, and if I like what I hear, I pay their price.

3. Catalog warehouses are not the answer to every bicycling need. Unless you’re one of those rare people who can order bike shoes, clothes, or a helmet and have it fit properly, an LBS is valuable for finding out what works and what doesn’t. And how about the situation that occurs when you’ve loaded up your bike and ready to meet some friends at the trail, and find out that your tire is ripped or a bolt has unscrewed and fallen out? I’ve actually gone to an LBS, gotten what I needed, and still made it to the trail on time to catch my friends. If we didn’t have an LBS around to handle these needs, we’d live in a poorer world.

Although the bike and shop I have are immaterial to this discussion, I’ll give credit where credit is due. My bike shop is here:

http://allstarbikeshop.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=69&StoreID=3
My mechanic, Jason, is the guy on the upper right.

My heartfelt thanks go to All Star in Cary, Jason, and Giant for a year of great bicycling!

--
Scott C.

The Trail Nemesis
by Tim Broyer
Nov 2003

If you have been mountain biking for a while, you have at least one. You might even have several of them. Just about every trail I ride has one or even several trail nemeses. The trail nemesis, personal demon, monkey on your back, trail gnome. Call it what you want, it's that obstacle, either mental or physical that always seems to get you. I personally think that every rider has at least one. Even the great Lance Armstrong must have a few spot's on le Tour that kick his ass?

What exactly is the trail nemesis? It has many shapes and forms. For some riders it is very much a mental issue. You know the old adage; "It's all in your head." For others, it's a very real, physical obstacle that always seems to get its own way versus the way you had envisioned. But sometimes, it's just a little gnome who pops up, pushes your rear tire to the side (when your not looking) and causes you to biff that logstack.

Let me share some of my trail demons to help explain this bipedal phenomena. Probably my all time favorite trail nemesis is the infamous Rock Pile trail at Tar River. The whole Rock Pile trail, not just the aforementioned pile of rocks that is the trail's name sake. I have yet to entirely clean the whole trail as a set. I've cleaned the rock pile and the sphincter grabbing log pile at the bottom, but I have yet to clean the two switchbacks on the climb up. It seems I might get one switchback and barf up the other one or vice versa. One day, I shall slap that monkey and clean the climb, sail the rock pile and cut the logs in one fell swoop. But with my luck and skill, I will clean the switchbacks and biff the log pile at the bottom.

There is a certain rock garden on Pilot Rock trail in Pisgah that has my number too. I endeavor to tame that shrew this coming spring. There are other trail gnomes out there waiting to strike. I always try to make the climb up the Gauntlet but always seem to lose steam about a third from the top. I still try even though I'm probably going on three years of trying. It certainly doesn't hurt to try?

Some folks suffer from truly evil demons. Whether it is the constant battle with equipment or a failing body. I have no great words of wisdom for these folks other than don't give up. Watching folks face a trail nemesis is a great part of why we ride. Have you spent a few minutes on the teeter-totter at Rocky Road with friends and celebrate with a yell when someone clears it for the first time? Have you ridden with a beginner that looks at a log stack and says "I'm riding over that?" It is a great feeling for both the rider and the witness to see someone conquer a fear, no matter how big or small.

Here are several more trail gnomes worth sharing. I like to try and ride all of Hog Run, out and back without stopping or dabbing. It's a self inflicted trail nemesis for sure, but it keeps things light.Getting back to Tar River, that place is loaded with gnomes! Have you ever cleaned Dead End? Taken a jump off the monster? Cleaned the sky bridge? Gone under the fallen tree and make the little climb after it on Taylor's ridge?

Free riding has really laid some of the trail demons down a bit. I personally gain a bit of courage every time I witness a large huck or crazy gap jump. Free riders (which I can't claim any membership to) are constantly standing up to their own ride demons. They consistently work on a jump or trick until they get it. A lot can be learned from riding with folks with decent free riding skills. The best part is watching them dust themselves off, check the bike, and get back on. They make repeated attempts to get it 'just right'. I've taken this approach back with me and try to kick some gnome ass when I ride. I routinely turn back around and give that climb or skinny another try before I keep riding on. I usually give it the old 'three strikes your out' approach. If I don't make it, I save it for the next ride.

Is it a safe assumption that we as mountain bikers enjoy the challenge of conquering the trail nemesis?Pitting ourselves against the trail, the bike, our mind and the ride as a whole? I think it's safe to say we all have a few trail demons out there and one of the many joys gained from cycling is beating them. What a great sense of satisfaction you get when you beat one down. As for the occasional gnome that knocks you over? I try to run them down when I see them.

Gear Review: Otter Creek Vermont Lager
by Tim Broyer
Nov 2003

The guys in Middlebury, Vermont make some good friggin beer except this isn't one of them. It's an okay beer. It's a traditional lager in the sense that it is blonde in color, not overly bitter or heavy. It's as if this is just a normal beer and not the taste I was expecting from this microbrew. It is not heavy in the least and does offer a nice, even taste. It's probably best suited for the summertime. Otter Creek can brew some truly great beer and I have a soft spot for their Copper Ale. They also make a fine Spring Bok. What happened here guys? Are you trying to go mainstream and reach the masses? Vermont Lager is just a good, almost light, refreshing beer and I was caught off guard a little. I'm used to Otter Creek's penchant for over the top taste.

"Just keep riding your bikes. Make fun of each other, make fun of yourselves. Just keep riding your bike and have a good time." Zap