8 CommentsToday's post in our One Fall Ride series comes from the newest member of the Salsa Crew, Andy. Andy is so new we don't have a picture of him yet...but we'll get that resolved asap. -Kid
First night ride in a decade on a new bike with an inadequate light setup?
Sure, why not! The only thing that I had going for me was the temperature. It was cool and still out with a temperature in the mid 40’s. As some of you can understand (Large Men Who Run Hot Brotherhood unite!), this was perfect riding weather.
Mark, my riding partner had a shiny new 1000-lumen dual-light setup, and a bike he had been riding all summer. Neat.
As we set out from the Lebanon Hills parking lot, I quickly learned that riding only with a handlebar-mounted light was, well…less than adequate. This, coupled with the fact that I was on my new Mukluk and still very much getting used to big tires on twisty singletrack, made this ride unexpectedly challenging, and also a complete laugh riot.
The trails I have been riding for years suddenly became brand new to me. Roots and rocks that I would roll over with minimal thought in the daytime loomed on the trail as small mountain ranges, with huge shadows cast behind them from my light. Riding the small 10-12” drop-offs on the trail reminded me of one of those rocket propelled canyon vehicle jumps that were all the rage in the 80’s. Get your cape on (in this case a yellow windbreaker) go for it, and hope for the best. Familiar corners were also an adventure, and generated many panicky grabs at the not-yet-broken-in disk brakes.
Photo by the man with lights...Mark Woker
Once I learned to let the bike run a little bit, kept the weight back, and just let the fat tires roll over things, I found myself bombing over sections of trail that I would have normally had to pick carefully through on my 29er. To my surprise, I was laughing the whole time. Corners were still interesting though, and I almost had a few unscheduled shoulder and tree meetings. When we rolled into the parking lot at the end of the ride, it was almost a surprise. When your world is a spot of light 4’ in diameter on the ground in front of your bike, you tend to lose track of where you are.
As a result of this ride I am planning to go again next week. I had completely forgotten how much fun night riding is. However, this time I’m going with my new 700-lumen helmet-mounted light. Hopefully, I have as much fun.
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Comments
Greg | November 11th, 2011
Sounds like a fun ride and I really enjoyed all the little details you included.
Nick | November 11th, 2011
Nice picture! Looks like a scene from the moon with the fat bike, fisheye curve, halo light effect and grain distortion.
Pete | November 11th, 2011
Night rides + chubby bikes are an awesome combo.
Jerry | November 11th, 2011
my mukluk is my go to bike for night riding. the big tires correct my mistakes.
Andy | November 11th, 2011
Nice bikes + chubby riders also = awesome combo!
Jeff | November 11th, 2011
Thinking about pulling the trigger on a fat tire bike? Is it worth it?
FJTORT | November 12th, 2011
Best all around bike made… is the fattie!
Woker | November 12th, 2011
A 1000 lumen light and a bike I was riding all summer is “Neat”. Neat.