|   Rockin Sage 29"er | Bigwheel
Sep 28, 2002 5:52 PM | | It was pretty wet up at this end of the valley this morning so I headed south the 20 miles to Gunrack for a little Hartman's Rocks action with the rigid bike. When I rebuilt this bike this is the area I had in mind that it would be good in and I wasn't disappointed! The gear range with the 14 spd tranny worked really well in there as it is mostly middle chainring territory anyway. With the tall 13.5" BB I never hit a pedal all day which is a first!
There are several ways to get up into the area, from the parking lot there is a road climb, but I prefer going up the road some to the Bambi's Trail, this is a little ways in,
There are alot of cool rock formations in Hartman's, this is just a 45 degree turn from the last shot,
This section is kind of nasty due to the rocks in the center of the photo, steeper than it looks (STILS)---never could make it through this in my 26" days--but do it every time now. Hard to not hit pedal though as you have to ride the slot in the middle of the pile.
This next picture was taken up the trail from the last shot, can a 29"er handle this type of terrain? With ease.
Or this? Yes there is a trail in there, I just rode it and stopped to take a picture of the backtrail.
This is the reason I wasn't riding in the Butte today it is under those nasty looking clouds in the back of the picture,
This what it looked like over in the Monarch Pass direction (Continental Divide), probably not a good day for the Crest Trail--
Looked good over the San Juans though (all pix taken from the same spot).
Back on the trail,
This shot is of another nice little section, that ledge that the trail leads to in the center is about a 3' drop and today is the first day I have done that on a rigid bike, it went smoooooth.
That ledge is upper left in this shot. Rode this all just fine, what do the mags know anyway? Well, at least I am older---- but Hartman's ain't no bike path.
Going up---jeez switchbacks are supposed to be tough with Bigwheels, Not.
And up---The trail here is like loose granite, good traction as long as your tires have some float, perfect 29" terrain!
This section is fun also. About a 3' rise onto the rock pile in the center, up the center then riders left up the rock spine into a nice little switchback. 29"ers Rock!!!
This is a favorite section, up and down (STILS) at the bottom of this there is a sharp turn left that has some rocks blocking it and if you don't hit it right you're off the bike. Not a problem with the Townie today--
Got into the trail for quite awhile, you know what I mean. Stopped here to rest a bit before heading back to the truck and prep for the picture after this one.
Though this picture doesn't look like much it is of course STILS and the shortness between the switchbacks and how loose it is makes more people walk than not believe me. Except for the motos that have been through here heavy and had it tilled up like the vegetable garden! Surprised me that I made it so easily that I had to get off at the top to take a picture of it!
This next shot is of a typical Hartman's sand trap. Actually not sand but more like the ground granite mentioned before. Nothing I have ever ridden tracks through this stuff like a 29"er. The motos had it ready for planting too---
Got back into the trail again but stopped to take this one last shot of a typical Hartman's scenario. Trail through the sage leading into a jumble of rocks that are ridable but some by better riders than others. It is too much fun here and if you are ever in Gunny, you better plan on some ride time here. It is hot and dry in the summer in there but perfect for Fall and Spring. It is something that you can be riding in CB above timberline one day and here the next.
Once again thanks for looking! |
| Thanks for the great pics! | Cloxxki
Sep 28, 2002 11:22 PM | | The world is a beatiful place, and somehow I get the impression that a large portion of the beautiful things are packed onto CB...
Your pics also make one understand why the 29" bike evolved just there.
Nice bike as well, lotta style in it, and proves to be a good ride as well. |
| re: Rockin Sage 29"er | Messassin
Sep 30, 2002 11:34 AM | | Man, I think I'll head over to Gunny on Wednsday--2 hours away and I still haven't ridden the rocks yet! Thanks for the pictures... |
| You keep posting 'em, we'll keep lookin attem | AK Ken
Sep 30, 2002 8:39 PM | | I can almost smell the sage. Glad you got out to enjoy it.
Ken |
| sweet pics bigwheel | 2melow
Oct 1, 2002 9:51 AM | | damn, too bad I live 4+ hours away from there. Looks kinda like Veedawoo in Wyoming with the funky rock formations.
Good stuff, keep it coming. |
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