My New Whip...

Some may find it odd that my mountain bike is worth twice as much as my car, but for those of you who have fallen in love with a passion-or who have seen my car-this may not seem all that crazy. Ever since last October's Interbike Trade show, I've had my eye on a new ride and in particular a sultry, anodized, big-wheeled, fully suspended, plush offering from Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles. 

Through the shop I used to work at, i was able to pick up my smoke anodized Ellsworth Evolve 4 inch full suspension 29'er frame just days after ordering it! That night Racer and I ordered pepperoni and cheese pizza, and settled in for the long haul as we built it up using the parts from the Gary Fisher Supercaliber 29'er I rode last season. Parts spec includes a Rock Shox Reba fork; Fox RP23 shock; Sram X9 shifters, derailleurs, and pg-950 cassette; Bontrager cranks, bars, seatpost, stem, grips, Mustang rims, and Jones XR tires; Avid Juicy 5 disks; SLR saddle; Singletrack Solutions bar ends; Crank Brothers Candy C pedals; and handbuilt (by me!) DT Swiss 240 hubs, Supercomp spokes, and aluminum (4 red) nipples, all with Stan's goo. Entire bike weight is 28.1 pounds.

It's been hard to find adequate weather to ride in since it's been Utah's stormiest winter in 5 years, but I got a break in the weather and rode some road and low valley dirt trails. The first thing I noticed (after the gorgeous finish of the anodization) was how solid the suspension and linkage felt. My previous ride was an inch less suspension travel and much lighter but the tradeoff came in lateral rigidity. The Evolve cornered and soaked up power turns without the rear end shudder I've noticed (albeit I'm no lightweight at a 185 pound race weight). The extra inch of rear travel as well and it just felt extremely balanced with the 4 inch Reba up front, and I felt balanced in the cockpit. The frame finish is a work of art, the welds are tight and even, the tubes are thick and the worries of Ellsworth frame failure are a thing of the past with large gussets on the down, top, and seat tubes. Pedaling with the Evolve was greatly affected by the Fox RP23 rear shock. In the Propedal setting the frame pedaled near hardtail efficient while seated but soaked up bumps encountered while climbing. In the open setting, the shock and suspension felt '64 Impala plush and soaked up the small drops and bumps I threw at it like it was Bounty. My initial impressions are that it is easily the best feeling frame I have ever ridden, and it had better be with what it cost!

The only real concerns I have are cornering and weight. I haven't had enough time on the bike to determine how well it corners in fast, tight, twisty, singletrack; which is what I'm most used to riding in the Utah Wasatch trails. Initially it felt really balanced so I don't imagine it will have any issues in this area. The other concern is it's portly weight. I'd like to drop a few pounds on the overall bike weight and, with already light wheels, this will take some creative choices. New brakes, cranks, cassette, and tires this should get me close to that goal. Mostly I just want the snow to melt, the temperature to rise, or me to grow more body hair so I can get out and ride more!

My First 24 Hour Race...

Ok, so a 24 hour mountain bike race is not as intense as it may sound...it can be, but my first one wasn't too difficult. First, some background information: a 24 hour mountain bike race is a race that is conducted on a loop of varying distance (usually between 8 and 14 miles) and the total number of laps completed in a 24 hour period is calculated. The race can be run as an individual (solo category) or in teams (2, 4, or 5 members), the team or racer with the highest number of laps completed is wins their category.

The 24 HOM had a loop distance of 15 miles and an elevation gain of 1,360 feet each lap. I raced on a 5-person co-ed team consisting of current and former workers, and friends of Racers Cycle Service, owned by friend Racer Gibson. Of the five I was the second to go out after Racer and following me was Kelly, Shae, and Maggie.

My first lap was conservative and I found the uphill sandstone sections difficult at first, but I soon got in to a rhythm and they became easier. The course was technical but soooo fun, I got a flat the first lap but was able to complete the lap! My night lap was difficult, mostly because it was the first time I had ridden at night and with new lights that took some fiddling with. Halfway though the night lap I had to stop and change my bar mounted light to my helmet and vice versa, after that the light contrast became much better and I was faster but I had a pretty slow night lap. My final lap was my fastest, it was cold and I was battling leaking air in my rear tire but I felt the most comfortable pushing it this lap because I knew it was my last and I was most familiar with the course.

Overall I LOVED the race and will compete in more 24 hour races in the future! Night riding was amazing and I look forward to getting more night laps in, and being in better shape and better prepared for next years races. I loved camping at the course and the family atmosphere that 24 hour racers share as well. Oh yeah, the hot showers and massage therapists available at the venue were amazing as well! See you there next year!