First ride on the Horsethief. Original plan was to cut out of work around 3, start riding at Mercer Park by 4, get in maybe 1.5 hrs. But a little after lunch, I couldn't wait any longer. Figured fuggit, only have 6 months left, are they going to fire me? So bolted before 2 and was in the lot before 3. Changed in the bathroom, then tried to pair the garmin edge cadence/speed sensors, but for some reason couldn't get it to work. No more stalling, headed out. First thing I noticed as soon as I got into the woods was how it swallowed up all the roots - much smoother than the spearfish. Second thing I noticed when I got into a really twisty section was the wider bars will need getting used to - I was tagging trees left and right. Third thing I noticed was this thing eats friggen log piles for lunch - holy hell it just rolled right over even the largest one there. Fourth thing was the traction - wow! Even with all those stupid spikey gumballs it gripped the trail like glue - amazing. Found one big tree down that will need clearing by the tennis courts:
Kept on going to the east lot. Tried the trails north of their and it's a swamp, quickly turned around, but heading west to the rowing center was fine (except another trail that turned swampy). Popped out at the rowing center and there was a large group of lovely young ladies in tights doing stretches. Was tempted to moon them but didn't want to incur the wrath of monkey soup. Anywho, turned around, hit some more trails around the lake - peepers are out making a racket. Found an old foundation to a house which I never saw before:
Back by the tennis courts the ladies were out rowing and getting harassed by some buffoon on a bullhorn - you can see them in the background
Think I did just about every dry trail possible - some both ways. Would've kept riding to 3 hrs but I need to tweak the fit - my left wrist was really starting to hurt - leaning over too much and too much weight forward?
One last pic by the lake:
Gotta say I love this bike - amazing traction, accelerates like a rocket, rolls over everything. Can't wait to get it on the rocks in the sourlands. Would be really fast with light 29er wheels but the guys at Halters think I'll never use them - right now I'm agreeing. Well spearfish, you were my first mountain bike and served me well for a little over 3 years, but you're now officially relegated to the bench, only to be ridden when the thief is in the shop.
3/8
2:33:45, 21.9 miles
https://www.strava.com/activities/512101957