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Messages - blackbike

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1
Quarry Ridge (CORP Trail) / Re: Thanks for the big boost.
« on: May 16, 2013, 02:16 pm »
A couple years ago we had a really fun "skillz" ride at camrock where we took a bunch of people out in a group ride and worked on the different technical features in outback.  Then beers and brats at CR III.  Maybe we should do one of these at QR.  Not as much trail or features, but QR has a little of everything and I think some people would appreciate some relaxed group practice (?)

2
Quarry Ridge (CORP Trail) / Re: Thanks for the big boost.
« on: May 16, 2013, 08:04 am »
Quote from: singletrackminx on May 15, 2013, 02:48 pm
Man that climb is a bit of a bitch... fun ride though. Signage is definitely needed ASAP, we were a bit lost this afternoon as were 3 other riders...

No one really knew where to go at the bottom of that hairpin turn by the river/ditch crossing when entering the trail from the parking lot. It appears that climb is a downhill and was being ridden as such. At the top of the climb I was honestly lost as to where to go. Assuming its a left hand turn but we ended up on the top of the ridge before realizing we weren't supposed to go that way. It does do a bit better as a downhill for a beginner rather than a climb. That big rocky descent in the original route is very intimidating to newer and even intermediate riders. I'll be honest and say I haven't ridden it and my 'advanced' friends bailed out on it today. Maybe old age and lack of insurance is catching up with us  :o

The one thing I will say about Quarry Ridge is it really needs some signs period, colors or names or something more than advanced/expert/easy signs. Easy to get turned around out there. Hard to tell which trail goes where from the online trail map (prior to the new trail) just an outside/beginner perspective on that one.

In any event the new trail got rave reviews from everyone on a lunch time ride. Really great job! And thanks again for all the hard work!

BTW there is a rogue hoe sitting out on the middle part of that climb. Would've grabbed it but not sure where to put it away...

I ride out there at lunch many times a week, I work 5 minutes away.  I'd be happy to give you a tour at lunch or after work some time.   You can shoot me a PM.  Friday or next week could work.

Scot

3
Quarry Ridge (CORP Trail) / Re: Thanks for the big boost.
« on: May 15, 2013, 09:25 am »
Quote from: Tim Barber on May 15, 2013, 08:05 am
New trails are just awesome.

Question:  Right at the beginning of the XC loop, after you cross over the riverbed, the new trail on the right (so on the south side of the property).....is that a new uphill or new downhill?

Tim - That's the new uphill.  To the right of the hairpin turn at the bottom of the main xc downhill if you're entering from the riverbed - or to the left if you are coming down the downhill (go left and double back, instead of taking the hairpin to the original return trail).

It definitely needs strong signage at the top, because where it rejoins at the top it looks very naturally like a new left turn downhill option.  And someone could get some real speed going down it.  And people who are a little nervous about the swoop-in (right after) may see the new uphill as a beginners way down (which I argue is not needed at this trail system!).

By the way while it may need work - it's an extremely good first pass and it is very rideable.  I singlespeeded up it several times yesterday and it's a long good sustained climb with just a couple of steep-ish bits and nothing technical.

4
Quarry Ridge (CORP Trail) / Re: Thanks for the big boost.
« on: May 14, 2013, 01:21 pm »
I also note that the new long uphill is going to make for a much nicer fatbike experience in the snow next winter.

5
Quarry Ridge (CORP Trail) / Re: Thanks for the big boost.
« on: May 14, 2013, 01:20 pm »
I just came from a lunch ride out there.  Guys I am SERIOUSLY IMPRESSED.  QR has improved tremendously in the last two years between all the added xc trail and the TTFs.  The continuation of the reroute of the return really improves the length and fun of the loop.  The new long gradual uphill is very well done and a nice option for all skill levels.  A lot of work and high quality.  THANK YOU!  I'm learning that there's a helluva lot to be said for putting in trails by machine, I can't believe how much work was done and how rideable it already is.

I've noticed that last year's reroute at the bottom of the sandy climb has become a retention pond.  I'd think we could either armor it or just eliminate the first little loop and the problem goes away without really giving up trail.

6
The Racers Corner / Re: North Kettles WEMS May 11
« on: May 13, 2013, 08:11 am »
There were 19 60 solo - and I think 6 duo teams.  30 miler had something like 46 racers.
Things were going reasonably well for me - then third lap I took a greasy corner fast and the layer of grease peeled right off the dry hard layer underneath and bike went out from under me - and knee went down (not surprisingly at this trail) on a babyhead, took me a while to ride that one off.  Then things got interesting...starting about lap 2 my chain had started slipping on and off the big ring.  I assumed it was cable tension so I tightened things and they got better for a while, but the problem came back and progressively got worse.  After my third I decided I'd just ride in the smaller ring since I was on a double and it's bigger than a granny, rather than start pulling cables tighter.   A half mile into my fourth lap I learned the problem was actually the chain rings creeping out.... as my left crank arm came completely off, clipped to my foot.   Did my best with a little multi-tool to get going again....it came off again somewhere around mile 7 of the same lap.  Before starting lap 5 I took things all apart and did a better reassembly.  At that point it was just comical - I just wanted to make sure I got all my laps in though.  The bolts are probably torqued so far beyond spec now that they'll never come out....

7
The Racers Corner / Re: North Kettles WEMS May 11
« on: May 10, 2013, 10:50 am »
Quote from: DaveHill on May 10, 2013, 09:21 am
I'm out, but sounds like a greasy good time!

Who's the boy in the bubble now

8
The Racers Corner / Re: North Kettles WEMS May 11
« on: May 09, 2013, 08:59 am »
I'm jumping in the Sprinter!

9
The Racers Corner / Re: North Kettles WEMS May 11
« on: May 08, 2013, 08:03 am »
Prolly leaving around 930 or 10.  60 miler starts at 1PM.   I can't remember if the distance was the same last year, but it took me 5:37 (and I was in better shape than now), so I'm guessing we're not leaving until at least 730 or 8PM.  I think Richard has room - I think I'm driving separately but won't know for a day or two.

10
The Racers Corner / Re: North Kettles WEMS May 11
« on: May 07, 2013, 04:16 pm »
So Dave we're going to see you out there Saturday then for a 60 solo with us right?

Anybody besides Rich and I heading out?

11
Reports about Rides, and Events / Re: Kudos to Quarry Ridge Crew-Thanks Guys!
« on: May 03, 2013, 09:30 am »
Quote from: Tim Barber on May 01, 2013, 09:43 pm
Despite living only a mile away, I have not been to QR since October last year.  I rode it tonight after work, and I have to say, I was very impressed with all the re-routes and new trail that was installed.  It felt like a whole new trail system.   A lot of work has been put into making the system more sustainable, adding trail, and variety. I really like that QR has something for every skill level and style of riding.   If you haven't been to QR in a while, check it out!
 
And a big thanks to the QR crew!

I haven't checked mileage - but the other day figured out that the outside loop takes roughly 2 minutes longer when riding fast.  That's actually pretty significant for QR.  Couple that with all the options and variations for up and down and you can ride different loops for 30 minutes or more before fully repeating anything.  A lot in a small space.  Jeff and co have definitely added a lot for the cross country crowd.

12
The Racers Corner / Re: North Kettles WEMS May 11
« on: April 30, 2013, 02:16 pm »
also I haven't been sleeping
Also I have detected some allergies today

Looking forward to WEMS, I must not be playing hard enough

13
The Racers Corner / Re: North Kettles WEMS May 11
« on: April 30, 2013, 01:16 pm »
Safe to say I am completely not ready - did some SS laps at QR at lunch (it's 80 degrees out by the way).  Legs, check.  Endurance, check.  Lungs - Absent.  Missing.  Gone.  Good thing northern kettles is relatively easy on the elevation changes.

14
Classifieds (Buy/Sell) / WTB cx wheelset
« on: April 29, 2013, 12:05 pm »
I'm looking for a good second wheelset for the cross bike - the bike is now seeing way more use than I expected and I'm tired of switching tires around.  Let me know if you've got anything decent laying around that you'd like to sell. 

15
B.A.L.L.S. / Re: Who is ready for 165 mile unpaved bike ride in about 30 days
« on: April 15, 2013, 04:40 pm »
Well, I had this great plan of commuting to/from Sun Prairie (from Verona Road) the next couple days to get some miles in, and now I'm about to ride home in what rapidly changed from 50 degrees and dry to 40 degrees and wet and miserable.  So this is turning into proper BALLS conditioning after all... 

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