On One Carbon Fork
You may recall the carbon fork which showed up a couple weeks late. Well, I couldn't just let it sit there staring at me. So I slammed a new race on the fork, removed the steel fork, and installed the one you're looking at here.
Speaking of "the one", it's from a company called On One, a UK company. They say their carbon fiber fork has no weight limit, a good thing given my 200+ pound butt will be riding it. It weighs about 2 pounds, a little less than the steel Salsa fork and a lot less than any suspension fork. The bike weighs about 26 pounds (pedals and all), 4 pounds lighter than my full suspension bike. That's a pretty decent weight for an XL frame 29er that's not on any kind of "weight weenie" diet. I think it's the lightest bike in the house, to tell you the truth... kids' bikes included.
The ride is noticeably more muted with the carbon fork. It feels a lot like my
fs bike does when the fork is locked out (which as you may know is not really 100% locked). As was the case when I first rode a carbon fiber bar, I was surprised how noticeable the difference is. With a cf fork, a cf bar, and thick grips, a long ride around Blue Marsh may just be tolerable! Time will tell...
What a beautiful day - temps in the 70s, blue sky... what a great day for a cruise through the woods.
Started at the Visitor Center and hopped on the trail heading counter-clockwise. Never went this direction before on this segment. The neat thing about doing this is the trail seems totally different.
Tired?
Was setting up for a pic up a long uphill (as usual you can't really tell that in 2D) and another rider came gliding downhill. What timing. Surprisingly there weren't too many riders out today.
Nice downhill lakeside sweeper.
An "over the bar" shot.
I think this bridge is new since the last time I was on this stretch (June '08).
Stopped here for a lunch break. Wish every lunch was like this one.
Heading uphill.
This looks steep and is steeper. Just down the hill to the right the trail has been rerouted slightly to bypass an eroded set of roots. Over the last couple years the roots went from fun to challenging to WTF.
Parting shot... getting closer to the end of an awesome 23 mile ride. Luckily the evening's plans include another visit to Victory Brewing with some friends... that's good, as I need some carbs!
