Crusty Cassette

My '99 Judy XC (Cross Country) shock with 11,636 miles on it started leaking oil this September. When I checked at a couple of bike shops for replacement shocks, they were showing me $500 to $700 shocks. Neither shop does many trade outs, and both suggested I have it repaired by a local "shockman" who used to work for RockShock.

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After a workweek’s beautiful sunny weather with days in the upper 60's Saturday morning’s forecast wasn’t good- clear to party sunny for Saturday a.m., 30% chance of showers in the afternoon, and a steady rain that night, and that was the “good day” of the three-day weekend. After meeting Corrie’s challenge of a century each month in ‘06, I’m trying to meet it again in ‘07, but November can be difficult, and December could be impossible. Beside the need to meet Corrie’s challenge a second year, I found the idea of a three day weekend staring out the windows hoping for better weather made me willing to take a chance. I do own rain gear and fenders for a reason!

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A fat tire ride seemed in order for the weekend. The forecast was mixed when Doug proposed a Sunday ride rather than Saturday. I'd been wanting to take Doug on Meisner ever since we had ridden up Asotin Creek and I'd gotten all those flats.

Doug and I drove over. I know Steve would have wanted to start at the boat launch but I figured 25 miles on the mountain bike would feel like a ride to me. Sean showed up on one of his two new mountain bikes. Claims to have bought two and sold four for a net loss of two bikes. Of course, he rode from the orchards and had that, how did he put it, unmentionable hill to look forward to on the way back. Actually I think he may have said, "hardly worth mentioning," but you get the idea.

The time had fallen back giving the day another hour to warm up. The sign at Valley Foods in Lapwai said 53 degrees at 10. The Map shows returning via Garden Gulch. Instead we turned up Garden Gulch and came down in CuldeSac. We stopped at the Thunderbird for a snack just before noon before tackling Lyle Gulch just across from Jacques Spur. You can see it on the map if you look for it.

What a gorgeous day to be on a bike!

Boys in red

Sean and Doug agreed that red bikes are faster than blue bikes. That's as good an explanation as any I can think of, so I'll take it.

The house at the top of Lyle Gulch

The pretty section today was from this house down to Garden Gulch Road. Sadly, who has time to stop to take pictures when he's white knuckled and screaming?

All down hill now.

This was the last I saw of these two until we hit Garden Gulch.

For the ride of it.