TiTs ride on the Three Sisters

Last night we had our weekly TiTs ride and this week we took it to the Three Sisters. I got to meet some new faces and ride with some regulars. My plan was to hold it back since I'm trying to save myself for Dave's Uber Death March at the Lyon's Fat Tire Festival this weekend.

Scar...The Amoeba Light Man

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My plan worked mostly but also backfired horribly in my face as I had eaten so little throughout the day. My breakfast: a smoothie consisting of a banana, 2/3 cup blueberries, 4 strawberries, 1/3 cup yogurt, and 2/3 cup milk. Mid morning snack: a medium bag of popcorn while watching Angels and Demons with my lovely wife Tabetha and afternoon snack...some of my birthday cake. The goat was the epitomy of healthy eating.

Female Wapiti just a few yards off trail

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Evergreen local, Space Cow Girl met up with us to be our guide and instructor in punishment as she dragged us all over the Three Sisters. I could hold my own and be in the front on the descents but when it came to the climbing I was admittedly outclassed. It was only at the end of the night that I worked my way towards the front on the climbs and I believe that was because everyone had taken to a casual approach to finish the evening.

The only side we saw of Space Cow Girl...just a blur

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We got back and PBR said "man, we've only done 15 miles. I've felt better after 30 miles at Buffalo Creek." I felt exactly the same. The Three Sisters is an awesome trail system though. Heavily wooded, steepish climbs, awesome views, tons of wildlife and some cool technical riding mixed in here and there with the buff singletrack. This is the 1st ride I've actually been wishing for a little ring as I rung the 1x8 gearing out on the Alfie Juice.

The Mad Scientist and Rung Monkey

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I'm going to have to do something about my front end. Back in early April I got the notion that I wanted to build a 69er. To do this I had to tear down the Juice for parts and the carbon rigid I was using had an axle to crown that was to long so I sold it. I bought a new fork with a shorter axle to crown and within 2 rides I knew that I wanted to be back on a 29er.

Chad Rippin it

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I sold the new fork and new frame but I also had a trashed rear 29er wheel from a rock garden incident a few months back. Thus began the Alfine project and since I sunk all my extra cash into that, a new fork was out of the question. My gracious wife let me take hers on loan but its one of those fancy smancy squishy Rebas and it needs a new poplock lever. Which means as I stand for climbing I feel the up and down motion of the fork and after riding a rigid for the past 8 months I need that solid yet compliant feel as I climb. I've got an extra Sram gripshifter for the the front derailluer that I no longer use that may come back into service as a poplock adjuster.

Chad finishing the night

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Sorry to the rest of the group for the lack of Pics. I was just having to much fun!

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