Its been so long since I last entered a blog. Many rides have past including The Old Ghost Road. With me not able to ride with the boyz during the week no-one has been updating me so no blog entries. Time to get back into it.
Saturday my bike was in the shop and weather reports did not look hopeful. I had borrowed The Cooks Phatbike to give it a whirl. He was still recovering from heart operation. The weather was not bad but we did have early rain and some heavy stuff overnight so was surprised to find that the tracks had been opened. Phatboy, Dozer and Silverfox all showed up so we trundled up Rapaki. Lots of people. I lagged a bit as I was trying to get used to the heavy steering of the bike and the large drag of the tyres. At the first gate the lads regrouped and I trundled on. We all regrouped by the new track on the left but this was closed. Phatboy tried to do the little single track along the edge but this was so slippery he came back to the main track. Trundle trundle up we went. Quick regroup before I set off over Vernon. The lads gave me some space before riding on. Phatboy caught me by the steep hairpins and Dozer soon followed. Finally got to the road and the beginning of Traverse. Waited for Silverfox. The Phatbikes brakes were Phatastically useless with no front stopping power. I tail ended this time only to learn that I had no traction on the greasy rocks which caused me a few issues. Got to Vic Park for a regroup. I headed down K2 track while the lads went down the Rock Garden. Turns out this was pretty greasy. I continued on K2 they took Shazzas. AT the top of Brents Silverfox decided he had enough nerve jungling slipperiness and followed me down K2 for a regroup at Hospital Corner. The other two came down the normal route but had to get off in spots becuase it was too greasy. Down we went and after The Fox headed home we other 3 stopped at FAVA for drinks, watched some younglings play rugby before heading home. Never will I ride a Phatbike again.
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Possibly not the best phat bike to experience them on, plus the manipulation of tire pressure is the biggest factor on whether a ride is enjoyable or annoying. But, good you gave it a go, just rode the wrong tracks for the shine. I'd have suggested slightly more tire pressure for the road and the climbing, then lower it down a bit once you're on the singletrack.
Even between the Cooker and the Ritchey, the difference in the head angle on the steering is quite marked, with the Cooker getting terrible steering drag, vs the Ritchey almost riding like a normal mtnbike.
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