ESC Sugarloaf Part 1 - Riding for Pleasure

Date: August 17, 2024
Route: Oak Knoll -> Bear Trail -> Newton’s Revenge
Bike: Kona Process 153 – 27.5

Ride

As stated in a previous blog, this season has been one without as much riding as I am accustomed to. With a darling baby girl at home, I’ve chosen to embrace home and family over pleasure and my racing ambitions this season. However, I like to think I am making good on the QUALITY over QUANTITY choices that we, as athletes, need to navigate in our adventurous lives. Today I took advantage of time already allocated to volunteering at ESC Sugarloaf and decided to partake in my first trail ride of the season and on my newest bike too! Due to report at Sugarloaf for my 12:30 shift, I arrived at the trailhead as early as I could, about 10:15 am. Knowing I was limited on time, I was prepared to start right off and wanted to get some real good flow before the work day. From my initial ride on the Kona at Mt. Abram Enduro week #8 I made a couple of minor adjustments that improved the bike’s climbing prowess and overall riding versatility. By moving the saddle back 4-5mm and angling it down about 3° I was able to achieve a much better body position on the bike which helped it to climb effortlessly even with an unconditioned body at the helm. These adjustments were accompanied by a swap from 50mm rise bars to 40mm rise and an extra 25 PSI in the rear shock, bringing sag down from 30+% to ~27%. All changes worked in harmony and made fairly quick work of the 300’ vertical climb up Oak Knoll. After a break for breath, water, and photos I dropped into Bear Trail, a manmade delight. Grip was excellent and fast rolling. Despite tiring quickly, I made myself do the full run, about 0.8 miles. The Kona felt solid in both the banked and flat corners allowing me to really approach them with momentum and speed. These were both common factors wherein the Santa Cruz Bronson size Medium faltered under my weight and size. Another WIN for the Kona! After completing Bear Trail and climbing back to the trail junction I spent some time offering route advice to other riders about to bike UP Bear Trail (which is a one-way trail; DOWN). They thanked me for the help and I made sure to plug Bikeman.com before departing downhill for Newton’s Revenge. Again, the trail conditions were excellent. Tons of grip, tons of flow. It felt great! Luck was on my side when crossing the hiking trail that the hikers were always just above or just below the bike trail crossings which allowed me to keep my speed and flow state time and time again. There were a couple instances of front tire slide on the damp rocks, but not dangerous and just enough surprise to keep things interesting. At the base of Newton’s, I pedaled hard all the way back to the trailhead so that I could arrive at my ESC volunteer assignment on time. Was so cool to ride both bikes the same day in the environments for which each was intended. Despite a very slow start to my MTB season, my stoke levels are starting to tingle using the QUALITY over QUANTITY approach!

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