Western NC - Ride and Camp 2020

That will help a ton. My problem is just allowing myself to lose momentum. Once that is gone, starting it back up is miserable.

For more local trails, find a good uphill. Push yourself to get farther on that uphill each time before its time for a break or hike a bike

 

yeah the only issue locally for me is the only sustained climb (only like 2 miles) is asphalt. the rest are short punchy climbs.

 

2 miles still sounds like a good climb to me but I know asphalt is different than trails. I’m right there with you though, I need to get much better at enduring climbs

 

yeah it's a pretty mild climb honestly. I can do it now though, so I've improved.

 

I've had some luck with long climbs by starting it slower than I needed to go and once I get into a rythm I'll take it up a notch. If that goes well for a few minutes, go another notch up. If not, back down. Once you find that happy spot, it's easier to climb for an hour+.

 

To Kanuga? I might be able to make something work. Ill follow along as you guys decide what works for everyone, don’t wait for me haha

 

Thanks for the report. I think the wife and I will absolutely visit this place at least once when the weather starts to relax a little. 30 minute climb is not bad, same as Fire Mtn. in Cherokee (which is free to ride).

$30 for the day is steep, but the location is very convenient. I wonder if they have a shuttle service in mind for the future. Flatbed trailer with racks and benches similar to other parks.

I'd be down for a fall trip. Can't really commit to any dates until the school system publishes a calendar. Might need to consider a remote net option and just teach from camp in the a.m. and ride in the afternoon

 

I really think a shuttle would allow them to charge that price and it be totally worth it. Right now it’s not in their plans apparently

 

I feel like the location is making it hard to justify the fee. If this place was in Charlotte, with that kind of trail/elevation (somehow), I would be glad to pay the $30. But when DuPont and Pisgah are free to ride and right down the street, I feel like only lift/shuttle service makes the fee worthwhile. But I'll reserve my opinions until I've given it a ride myself.

 

Got some truck questions even though this is really a bike Forum - Going through and working on my truck doing some needed maintenance since it hasn't occurred in a long time. Recently replaced Frame, Leaf Springs, clutch, timing belt, Front and Rear brakes. Truck is just now hitting 200k

Was considering upgrading the suspension to Bilstein 5100 but I am not clear on if I need a block to raise the rear end for these or if there is not big advantage here I should just stick with the 4600's ? Would it make sense to do Coils up front as well ? I think I replaced the suspension back in 2011 or 2014.

Exhaust is pretty rusted out - I was considering replacing with a Borla cat back system ?

Bike related - I am okay for the second weekend in September and still want to hit up a bike park before they close this year.

 

Can't speak to the Bilsteins as I always run Old Man Emu.

Would you be getting the Borla for a better sound vs just replacing with stock exhaust? I never think a V6 with louder than stock exhaust sounds good but that's just personal preference, many do like it.

I'm def wanting to hit a park soon. Maybe we should just take a Friday and daytrip somewhere so it's less busy?

 

Borla just to replace the stock exhaust and potentially get a little more performance gain ? Also just a SS version so I shouldn't ever have to replace it again. I looked at Flowmaster and Gibson and it seems they are all about the same cost for the stainless version.

 

Not sure if any of you have ordered from Nashbar yet, but I needed a new thru axle (previous owner or LBS stripped the Allen hole).

ordered this morning and already shipped, says it’s coming from their warehouse in NC, so you guys would probably get quite fast

tried to order Jenson as it said in stock but the next day I got a notification it was actually back ordered

 

Didn’t realize nashbsr was still in existence. Back in the day, I used to buy stuff from them and pricepoint.

 

They got bought by someone called AMain I believe

 

Riding Ridgeline (Haven’t ridden it yet) in DuPont on Wednesday and then probably Kanuga (have 2 weeks left on my month pass) on Thursday if anyone wants to join

 

Any strong opinions on Sram GX Eagle vs Shimano Xt groupsets?

Since I will be replacing the cassette, chain, and chainring soon my 11 speed GX, I was contemplating just upgrading to GX eagle or Shimano XT.

I have Magura brakes, so brakes won't matter in the decision. I also have an XTR crank that is in good shape, so won't need to replace that. Would just be replacing Casette, chain, chainring, derailleur, and shifter

Edit: and rear hub, but I will be rebuilding the wheel anyway. Previous owner is footing that bill.

 

I've used both extensively, I strongly prefer XT. I put 2000 miles on my mixed GX/XO1 drive train and had to fiddle with it/have it tuned often. XT has been bullet proof. I had to turn the barrel adjuster after about 100 miles due to cable stretch when it was new, that's it.

 

XT shifts smoother, less noise, you can shift more than one gear at a time up and down with a harder press on the shifter, you can shift under load due to Hyperglide, it just works. Also, and this is HUGE, the gear spacing is much more even on XT, Eagle has these huge gaps in tooth size in the upper cogs. @SummitBound

I'll fight anyone who says they prefer Eagle.

 

Tells me all I need to know! I have Shimano 105's on the road bike I use for triathlons and have had absolutely zero issues with it. I was hoping the XT would be just a reliable.

I'm not missing anything in my above list right? Since I have an XTR crank, I just need the correct chainring, chain, casette, derailleur, and shifter. Rear wheel will need the correct hub.