MikeyB and I went on a nice little roll from my place down to the river on the east side of the trail. About a week ago this trail had ducks swimming across it. I saw a few bikers coming out of the trail head and asked if it was open. One guy said the North side was pretty good but the South side was muddy in the usual spot. I figured it was still muddy over there. It is until June usually. The river was still pretty high but the trail was in decent shape. There was one spot about 20 meters long that still had some standing water but it was passable in the grass.


We rode down the trail, there was tree shit all over and the trail wasn't in the best share. Both Mikey and I found a nice little rut that helped us test our dismounts. On the way out of the bottoms this way you hit The Murderhorn. This is the loose gravel, rutted out, 22 degree incline out of the river bottoms. She eats men for breakfast and spits them out. I was lucky enough to climb the whole way outta the sucker but she bit MikeyB in the ass at about 80% of the climb. He hiked-a-bike for a few meters and then hopped back on. We rode out and I asked him if he wanted to hit the other down/up through the Bass Ponds and up Old Cedar.

Mike said no. Repeatedly. I couldn't convince him to ride that extra 3 miles or climb Old Cedar. Eh, I will get him next time. ;)

After I got home, I showered the dirt and gnat speckles off me and made me a sandwich and drank a beer. Then I decided to put the new meats on the wheels. See below for the Kenda Karma details.

Stats:
Moving Time: 1:31:34
Moving Speed: 10.5mph avg. - 29.2mph max.
Elevation Gain: +/-337.11m - +/-1,106ft
Max Grade: 21.9

Distance:
Today: 25.90km (16.09mi)
April: 368.95km (229.25mi)
Year to date: 445.63km (276.90mi)

On Test: Kenda Karma DTC 26" x 2.0 Black Kevlar
Price: MSRP $44.99 per tire.
Company HQ: Reynoldsburg, OH
Made in: Taiwan
First Impression: Light. Way lighter than the Specialized Team meats I had on there before. Took it for a quick 2km spin around the block and a little off-roading too. These suckers accelerate FAST. They stick in the corners nicely. The low tread pattern has me a little worried but I think it might be for the best. They roll fast! Plus Jay says they are one of the best trail tires around. Who am I to argue?


Linky3:
MN Plates - Try to read the new ones!
100 Mile Diet - mmm...local.
Route Slip - Cycling stuff.

Later!
-pete