My Bike!

By the way, my bike is amazing... The 2011 Specialized Epic aluminum frame with 2011 Fox TerraLogic 100mm fork. They together react to terrain so naturally that I feel like it's on a cruise control. And they occasionally bail out my mistakes too. I recently had a chance to ride my old Trek hardtail, because the Epic's middle ring had worn out and had to be replaced. I can't tell exactly what it is, but the differences are surely there between the two bikes. The Epic gives me more smiles while riding. I'm so happy I made the impulse buy last Spring...

Santos, Ross Prairie, FL

Nayl's Trail East & West ... XC riders' dream? It was my dream trail. Super flowy and put it on the top ring and pedal! kind of trail. But occasionally come hairpin turns with roots, pump tracks, bumps... It's just fun clearing all of those. It may not challenge a lot to expert riders. But for me, it's something I can ride all day long and learn from it.

Ern'n'Burn Trail ... It's a twisting pump track feels like endless. Good practice to keep the momentum. I was a little tired after riding Nayl's, and losing a bit of focus. I didn't clear some sections in the way I liked.

http://omba.org/ross-prairie-trailhead.html

Foster's Hammock, FL

Interesting trail. Although it is well marked, you can lose the track. I felt like orienteering rather than mountain biking. It's bumpy but once you know the direction, you should be able to ride fast. It was built just last fall, October, 2011.

http://www.suwanneebike.org/trails.htm

San Felasco Hammock Preserve, FL

It's a trail system similar to Brown County in Indiana, just not as spectacular. But still I rode about 30 mi and had a good workout. Adequitely winding with small to medium up downs. You need to keep pedaling. Occasionally bumpy and full suspension should help.

http://www.sanfelasco.net/trails_bike.shtml
http://www.floridastateparks.org/sanfelascohammock/activities.cfm

The Rock, FL

Good weekday after-work trail. Except for those jump platforms and a drop, it's just an ordinary winding single track. Once you learn the course, you can ride it very fast.

Fort Benning, GA

Another fun trail I want to come back. Well flowing, adequately but not overly hilly, rooty, bumpy, and twisty. Not too technical but gave me occasional challenges and good workout. I only found less than 8 mi but felt longer than that.

MTBR Trail Review — Fort Benning, GR

Highland A Loop

I rode Highland for the first time. I've been hearing scary stuff about this trail, and put it off for a long time. But the riding last week at Pontiac Lake warmed me up a bit and my friend gave me an advice and I decided to try it out. The advice of my friend's was "Ride A first, get the idea and ride the A again." So, that's what I did this evening. The first lap was the scariest ride next to Brighton's Torn Shirt. I was too cautious as usual as I am on a new trail, and lost momentum at the beginning of every hill climb. It wasn't fun. And then, I went for another lap. The trail looked much friendlier this time. I rode faster going down the hills and I could complete most of the climbs. At some point I started feeling comfortable, but it was a little bit far from enjoying it. At least I know now that "Highland is a mountain biker's trail" is true. I decided to go there often, so that I can start enjoying the ride. It starts tomorrow.

Specialized Phenom Comp

Got a new saddle. I've been riding on a saddle came with the bike for 5 years. But I recently leaned it making my thing numb. I needed one with a big channel. I went to one of our LBS and they recommended Specialized Phenom Comp. They measured my hip bones and I was on the borderline between the saddle's size 130mm and 143mm. I picked up 130mm. I brought it to the trip last weekend and found it good but hurting by grinding my hip bones at the edge. I adjusted the angles but it didn't go away. So, I brought the saddle back to the shop last evening and asked if the 143mm would solve my problem. The answer was "most likely". They exchanged the 130mm to a 143mm. I went streight to our local trail and tested it. Yes, it solved it. Hurting no more! I think I found a good saddle in Phenom.

Shimano BR-M445

Aahhh! I finally bought a pair of hydraulic disk brakes for my mountain bike. It's a Shimano BR-M445 taken off of a brand new bike, which may be a Cannondale Trail SL2. That model is at MSRP $1,069 and I thought the brake system comes with it might be a good match for my '06 Trek 6500 SLR. I looked around on the Web and found all good reviews about the system, although it is an lower end in Shimano's line up. I paid less than $120 at eBay for levers, calipers, lines and rotors including shipping and handling. So, I guess it was a good deal. I am surprised by finding myself so excited about this. But it should be a good upgrade on my bike!

Mid Michigan Community College mountain bike trail

Whoever designed this trail is genius! Everything I want in single track is here. If you want extreme, look elsewhere. But it has bumpy twisties, small ups & downs, downhills followed by a hill climb, and a good distance in 10 mi. And you will see an abundance of wild lives. I simply could not stop smiling in excitement. I am so grateful to everyone maintaining this amazing trail. Thank you so much! I definitely will be back.

Hanson Hills mountain bike trail

Good trail. It's not twisty but comes with a lot of ups and downs. There aren't a lot of rocks and roots on the hill climbs, so it's not too difficult. But still they can burn your legs. There are a lot of branches in the routes, but very easy to follow.

Ionia State Park mountain bike trail

A morning ride is tough for me. I was just gasping in the last high-speed section, which otherwise should be very fun. The first half is a good intermediate singletrack. I ride a hardtail and had a great time. There isn't a serious hill climb but one. But adequate twisties, rocks, roots and small ups and downs make this trail a fun ride.