Behemoth

I took most of the week easy, riding 1.5-3 hours with a mix of road and suburban assault type riding. The easy riding was in anticipation of
my Lenz Behemoth’s arrival. This is a 5″/5″ full suspension 29er.

The fun began on Thursday, trying to finish the build and figure out the problem(s) that I knew I couldn’t forsee. I got it up and running in time to go play around a little by the Rillito. The first thing I noticed was how well the bike pedaled on the road. I forgot I was riding such a big/heavy bike.

Round one was in the Tucson Mountains. Tons of traction and lot’s of bounce. I was holding a conversation with a lady with 3 snarling dogs as I descended one pitch that usually brings about a deathgrip and OMG type reaction.

Round two was National Trail in Peenix. By the top of Mormon Trail I was sold on the bike. I became infatuated with how well it climbed and went up rocks, steps, ledges, etc. I felt the ‘rush’ of real downhill riding a few times, but have neither the skill nor experience to ride like that. I reeled it back in and stayed cautious on the downhills.

I rode to Telegraph Pass, racing a shuttler for a while. Then I turned around and rode National back. Several people told me I was “doing it the wrong way” as I climbed up from Telegraph. I walked a couple switchbacks and a few of the rapidfire ledge sections, otherwise it was a blast to climb…

Rounds one and two were Friday.

Saturday started with ~1 hour on pavement. It felt a *little* slow since I was tired from yesterday. Not enough to be bothersome.

I met the crew to head up the mountain (in cars) to begin constructing a new trail connecting Green Mountain and the future Bugs Spring trail. We were working in the trees, digging and digging out a bench for the trail. It was completely different trail work from the AZT stuff I’m used to. I had a blast, and the FS crew (Mike Watson and the gang) are always great to work with.

After 4 hours Louis Gomez and I bailed (some people stayed all day!) and pedaled further up the road to ride Green Mtn Trail. Big respect to the Phoenix riders who stayed and worked all day, but the day was billed as half work, half ride, so we went to ride! With all the riding I have been (and will be) doing this week, my weak body couldn’t afford more than 4 hours of pick and mcleod work.

“We’re almost there, Louis.” He confessed he had never ridden up the road to do this ride. He was surprised when we got there in less than 45 minutes. “See.. it’s not that bad.”

Louis doing his thing at Bear Canyon saddle

Green Mtn was not the best trail for a new bike. There’s a lot of scary exposure, tons of rock and a lot of tight/steep switchbacks. My switchback skills were pitiful. Can’t get used to the slop of the suspension. I’m still used to the precision of a hard tail. I am getting over it, but it’s hard to trust the bike when it moves like that at slow speed.

It was entertaining and enlightening to watch Louis fly down the trail. And he was kind enough to wait for me to pick my way down.

There were a few pitches that I rolled up to and thought ‘I’d be more confident rolling down this on the B-29’. I walked a few but the ones I rode I thought ‘what’s my problem?’ after cleaning them.

There were times I could get into ‘moth mode’ and times when I was stuck in hardtail mode. I have no regrets since I made it out in one piece, but I knew I could ride a lot more aggressively. This is just a hard trail.

Unfortunately we didn’t do much trail climbing, and some of it is so steep and riddled with rocks that I was powerless. But I am still infatuated with how this bike feels climbing, and the confidence it affords. Unlike downhill, I have few reservations about climbing stuff on this bike.

The times I got into ‘moth downhill mode were sweet indeed. I felt some awesome power from the (disc) brakes and it brought a smile to my face. When you get some momentum (not often on this trail) the bike is pretty unstoppable.

We also rode Prison Camp trail, where the danger factor is not high. I saw the trail in a whole new light. I could almost keep up with Louis (with the aid of some steep ups interspersed that he walked) and he’s one of the fastest descenders I’ve ridden with.

Technically we shuttled it. It made sense at the time. Besides, I’ve reverse shuttled it before, so in trail Kharma-sense, I’m even-steven. (laughs).

Lee and I are heading out to the west desert for a 3-day ‘Sand Epic.’ Stay tuned….