Thursday, May 23, 2019

Shocks & Tires: let's talk about air

Hey Divas!

Now that the dirt season is here, it's good to take a look at the suspension on your mountain bikes and dial things in for better control and comfort when riding over the rocks and roots we find on the trails.

This description and video from Liv say it pretty well. Notice that it takes playing with the controls on your rear shock and your fork to know what they actually do. Also, note that your shock may have different labels for the controls than those used in the examples. If in doubt, ask your bike mechanic if they can offer tips on doing this yourself.

If we have enough interest, we may add a suspension tuning clinic to the schedule, so keep that in mind.

Another way to improve the quality of your ride is to change your tire pressure. Lots of Divas have heard me say “lower your pressure for the dirt” and asked “how much?” That depends on the trail, and it depends on your tires and wheels. On a hard-packed trail with not many roots, you can ride with a bit more air pressure, but when you're on a bumpier trail, less pressure will help.

Think of your tires like a basketball: When pumped up high, both bounce really well! And firm tires are great on the road, but when riding on roots and rocks, firm tires mean they are bouncing off each protrusion, giving you less control as those tires leave the ground. You'll also feel more beat up from the rough trail. These are signs that you should lower your pressure. But, how much?

The amount of tire pressure you use will depend on the size of your rims and tires, whether you are running tubeless tires, and how much you weigh. The sidewalls of your tires will give you a starting point by listing the recommended inflation range (such as 30 - 60 psi), but that highest number is usually reserved for pavement. The range 20 - 40 psi is a better starting point for our dirt trails with the lower range for lighter riders on tubeless. Remember, if you start on the high side and make adjustments on the trail, you should find the perfect air pressure. Then check the pressure with a gauge when you finish riding so you know what worked for those trail conditions.

You should also remember to check your tire pressure before each ride because your tires will naturally continue to lose air. You don't want to start the ride too low and risk a flat!

Don't be afraid to adjust your suspension or tire pressure to get a better quality ride. And don't forget to carry a tire pump and spare inner tube (and maybe a shock pump) in case you need more air later in the ride. Now get out and ride this weekend!

by rose


First Dirt!

YIPPEE!! The trails are open!  What a great night of biking, with 3 eager groups of Divas hitting the trails for a super fun night.

Nancy's group had a blast on the single track in Far North Bicentennial and the Campbell Track!
Kirsten flies down Black Bear with a wild smile!
Rose and Michele make the final curve at the bottom of Black Bear.
New Diva Christine crushes it!
New Diva Lisa couldn't wipe that smile from her face! Yippee!
Potential Diva Heidi conquers some roots with her brand-new bike on Root Canal.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Spring Fling!

Divas are upping their costumes - there were so many good ones!  Excellent outfits, everyone! And, it was an awesome night for a costume ride down the Coastal Trail, despite the construction detour.
Introductions!
Wendy won Best Costume with her aviator outfit, complete with a propeller!
Danielle won Best Bike! She was a great clown, complete with a cardboard clown car attached to the back of her bike! 

Nancy and Michele did their thing as Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Krista sported a hot dog costume! We called her Krista Mayer Weiner!
JoAnn and Marlee were super bright in their boas.
Rose (who made her shirt), and Wendy get ready to ride.
Wendy took this awesome selfie!

 Hahahaha! Danielle's nose was rolling down the trail at one point!

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Denali Weekend

The weekend at Denali National Park was a success! Except for some wind, the weather cooperated, too! It was a tad chilly, but we had mostly sunny skies Saturday and Sunday. And we saw a lot of wildlife! 2 grizzlies, lots of caribou, dall sheep, rabbits, hoary marmots, moose, ground squirrels, and a coyote!
The group was ready for the ride!
Yay! Made it to Sable Pass!
We battled some fierce wind, but several of us made it to Polychrome Pass. What a view!
This caribou herd was moving in the tundra. Photo by Lindy.
A beautiful dall sheep ram came right down on the road near us. Photo by Lindy.
We saw more sheep on the way down Polychrome Pass. Photo by Lindy.
Several caribou crossed in front of us for an awesome close-up view. Photo by Lindy.
The ground squirrels seemed friendly and very curious about us. Photo by Lindy. 
A rabbit hops along next to the road. Photo by Nancy.
After an amazing day of biking, we had a chili pot-luck and campfire. It was a great group and a great weekend!


Thursday, May 9, 2019

May 8 Pavement Ride

Rain, rain go away!  The morning rain stopped in time for our ride from the Martin Luther King Jr. ballfields.  A few drops found us along the way, but did not deter us!
Rose led eleven eager Divas on a fabulous pavement ride, with mostly sunny skies.

Here's the 19 mile loop we did! Thank you Rose!

Saturday, May 4, 2019

First ride of the season - Glenn Highway

The Diva season has officially begun!  23 Divas rode 15 miles of the Glenn Highway on a beautiful evening. We were excited to have several new Divas join us, and we're looking forward to a great year!
Marion, Michele, Linda and Denise were psyched and ready to ride!