Age is But A Number

 There has been a couple of videos posted on YouTube of the new generation of mountain bikers. the new generation who are riding off road past the age of 55 when one when I was a kid only saw run, play golf, and such. Now thanks to YouTube we have the ability to see others pushing the envelope.

All quietly doing it in some part of the world. people like North Shore Betty who was pushing the age envelope long before Youtube. 

Could go on about the benefits medically and mental health or mental illness wise how this is good. However let's focus on the fact this is so cool that these riders are shredding at their level and that is cool.

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When Good Rides Go Bad

 On Wednesday August 14th had the chance to go up to Ottawa for the evening for a bit. Got to bring the Stylus with the plan to ride the 4-6km to the first trail area I ever rode in Ottawa in 2016, McCarthy Woods.

Knowing it would get dark during the ride had packed the helmet and bar lights. Well nothing went to plan. The video sums up went wrong and how it triggered some spiraling of my Depression and Physical Trauma PTSD. I would guess it was about a level 7 to be safe for a while.

No, it was not a good time mentally that evening as obviously triggered depression, anxiety, and PTSD stuff. Which of course sucks and sucks more when while spiraling your brain thinks of not so great solutions. In my case it was also the feeling of hopelessness as mentioned in the video.

Hopelessness because am to move to the next phases of post being maimed. Though to move on requires that certain processes be completed.

Fortunately have a couple of friends who also have mental illness who help with getting me to pause from making a bad decision when depression, anxiety, and physical trauma caused PTSD are triggered. That bought my brain time to come out of the spiral and such.

Doing better the day after again thanks to a friend getting me to pause in thinking was a bit better off. And then began the search for some kind of pedal to acquire that would allow the Rootdown aka MTBer's Gravel Bike to keep being ridden. Of course that would be paused so could do the Gravel Ride on Friday with a friend.

More to come on the pedal saga to come.

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The Legendary Dirtbag Lee Lau Dumpster Bike Builds

 Funny timing wise was what was posted during my two weeks of researching full suspension geometry and frames. What is that you ask?

Former NSMB forum poster and legendary BC dirtbag mountain biker and back country skier posted up on FB in the MTB Trails- Locals Guide's FB group his current dirtbag project of salvaging a believe a 2020 Full suspension frame that was sitting in his local bike shop collecting dust.  Lee did this previously in 2014 with a Trek FS frame.

Lee Lau 2014 Trek Remedy Dumpster Bike Build – Total Cost: $297

The 2024 version is a Diamond Back Mission Frame he found in a local Lower Mainland BC bike shop.  Photo is from Lee of at the time it's evolved form post rescue.

Lee Lau DIAMONDBACK MISSION 2 NEW DUMPSTER BIKE 2024

To be fair I am jealous of Lee. I mean having been in Vancouver through the 1990's and even when I go back to visit. The jealously is the fact that the Lower Mainland and Vancouver area has an incredible mentality of re-use second hand gear. And because of that one can always find frames, bikes, and parts so much easier. 

To be honest whenever visited the local version of Our Community Bikes or similar in Toronto it is pretty much all Canadian Tire level parts. That is neither good or bad. Just reality of what from what have observed so far Ontario is like around that. The only other option is friends or navigating the FB Marketplace where lots of questionable sellers can be found.

I think what Lee has done is very cool and wanted  to be able to come back to this in future easily. Or even share it. I mean to be honest if was in Vancouver it would be so easy to seek out solutions that aren't available to me here in Ontario. However can save it for inspiration in the future for future projects.

Personally am not a fan of the direction the bike industry has taken and how much waste they encourage. So it is good to see how creative one can get to be able to ride. Admit if had access to this would consider it for a short term solution for if needed too. Hmmm anybody got an old FS frame with a 610mm top tube want to give away for an experiment?

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Surgeon's Orders and Milk Foamers- Summary and Conclusion

 It has been a couple of weeks since began this project to follow Dr Bardana's medical instructions from last summer. As well as learning about newer full suspension frames. 

This entry is to link all the other posts about research into the full suspension frame. Especially to make it easier to share which has to potentially needed to be done.

Last time I rode full suspension was February 2001 and a lot has changed. And lots of learning about head angle and Effective Top Tube length had to look into to better understand it it. Reality is also that I don't live in BC specifically the Lower Mainland. So have minimal if that access to used stuff like do in Vancouver. Means doing the Lee Lau taking only frames and doing this isn't an option. S

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/qPu2CZ2rdjp5UHAR/

2024 Lee Lau Dirtbag Build V2

And since the Lee Lau methodology of finding a frame like that to create a solution is not an option here in Kingston as not easy to do that here. Had to think and research. More on that can be seen in the post links below.

Surgeon's Orders and Future Milk Foamer Frames

Surgeon's Orders and Milk Foamers- Injuries and Why

Surgeon's Orders And Milk Foamers-Basic Requirements

Surgeon's Orders and Milk Foamers- Head angle And Potential Options

The end result of  looking at all sorts of full suspension frame options as mentioned in the Head Angle and Potential options it left me with two options one. One being the more expensive option the Toronto based  RSD Wildcat 125 or 150. The  125 version is the closet match in geometry in size large.

RSD Wildcat 125

 Or the cheaper option though would still allow it to be built using same specs and geometry as the Wildcat or Stylus just in full suspension. 

Custom Full Suspension MTB Frame

In terms of Marino this IG account is a source if inspiration I do admit,

mymarinobuild- Not Mine

Either options will require a new headset to work best and in an ideal world would go with a 9Point8 version.

SLACK-R ANGLE HEADSET ZS44/ZS56

This is the results came up with after thought and some searching. As said it is way too easy to keep searching endlessly and never make a decision due to PTSD caused overthinking. And seem to be the best results that not only will meet Dr Bardana's long term medical instructions in terms of adaptations. Will do it the easiest way possible with 95% straight parts swap when it will be medically required to be done.

This is my attempt after 5 years of being proactive around part of the mess since March 4th 2019. And after 4 plus years of being injured, afraid, lied to, fearful, and denied help. This is me doing best can to be proactive in one small area and take some control as best can while still waiting on others.

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Surgeon's Orders and Milk Foamers- Head angle And Potential Options

 After creating the rough outline of what my requirements are for the future full suspension frame adaptation. There was one more little bit to look at before looking at options.

Surgeon's Orders And Milk Foamers-Basic Requirements

I needed to look into head tube angle and how full suspension effects it. I mean reality is that with sag from adding a riders weight one would thing that it would change. And of course one would would think that the bike company would give that number in their geometry info. As I learned from asking in a couple of MTB forums no they do not. The general consensus is that they just measure it as the bike sits unweighted and give that number. Ok so if that is the case that means I need to look for a frame with the correct top tube length that has a 65 degree head angle or if possible a 66 degree head angle. 

Though with tapered head tubes and angleset headsets in theory a 65 degree head tube could be adjusted to be slightly steeper and thus having less of slack fork angle. Cool that seems to have solved that little part of the equation.

So now we get into the fun part of all this. Seeking out what options could work to be the adaptation while still meeting the requirements listed in the link above. Sounds easy however like Murphy's Laws of Combat say... the easy things are hard. And this wouldn't be easy. Let's face reality as the hard part is full suspension frames with rear shock start at $2,000 CDN before taxes.  So reality it isn't exactly cheap for this type of adaptation. 

Currently as it stands the closest can find so far to what already have is the RSD Wildcat 125 in size Large and this is after looking at several big name bike companies offers. Keep in min as mentioned earlier that I need to be as close as possible to the top tube or Effective Top Tube Length as the Stylus to minimize long term injury effects being triggered. Though one thing about the Wildcat 125 that puts it into a strong contender right now is the sliding rear drop outs. Not to make it singlespeed like some would think. The Wildcat 125 can either take 27.5 or 29er wheels. The sliding drop outs help this become possible. And to me that makes sense. Say that as while not really interested in going 29er milk foamer at all that possibly could change and this to my dirtbag mind makes sense cost wise.

RSD Wildcat 125

Though since the geometry is based on a unsagged or unweighted measurement of the head tube angle. Would also need to get an angleset headset to better set up the way works best at least for me.

And that so far is what can find. The other option at this point takes more time and work. That being going the Marino Bikes route and giving Marino the specs of the RSD Wildcat with some slight changes to make it a wee bit closer to the Stylus geometry. This would of course take a wee bit longer as it has to be built up and takes a bit of time.  

Marino Bikes Custom Full Suspension Frame 

Of course would have to include the rear shock in that build price. There are of course certain advantages to going the Marino route vs the RSD option. That one could say does come with a downside...that being the 6-8 months waiting time for the whole build and ship process. Though that is not that big a deal as this is a long term project.

Also should add that Marino allows you to go with slider drop outs on their custom build so if use similar geometry to the Wildcat 125 can still get the future change to 29er from 27.5" wheels. Again makes sense to my dirtbag mind. So if in the end go with the Marino option for the frame that can still  be part of it. 

This seems to be the best options currently to meet my list of requirements. To be honest if was in the UK there would be more options to find a frame especially in steel or Chro-Moly. However am not so do the best can. And as said these two options work the best. While can and will keep an eye out reality is have to be careful to not allow PTSD and such overthinking causing executive dysfunction which would cause nothing to happen.

Plus it is way to easy to spend days on end analyzing geometry options and doubting things. So have a couple of solutions that absolutely will work. Next depending on other outside factors will be going whichever path will be deemed best.

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Heat, Cellular Hydration, and Experimentation

 Earlier this year a couple of friends struggled a bit with hot summer rides and shared some info that I had found. Now partially due to memory issues from the TBI am writing this sort of as a way to make it easy to refer to and/or share. Keep in mind this is what have learned myself by trying out things and seeing what happens.

Back in 2005 when decided to do the Peterborough Half IM Tri/Du which was in July. Which of course means it will way more likely that it will be a hot July race day. Being back in the day of the early days of the internet there was some info about how to deal with heat during say a duathlon. Myself did the best could to read what they did at IM Hawaii. The way I looked at it is if it worked there it would work in Peterborough. 

Of course did the usual Hydrate or die mentality had been told for years. Though would find out later it was only part of the equation.

In 2005 did some of the salt pills thing, and tinkered with hydration methods on the bike. One thing I did do is I went out and ride during the hottest parts of the day whether that be actual training ride or commuting by bike. Back then I had to ride everywhere so ended up riding a lot on the hot parts of the day without really attempting to as part of training. By doing this I was getting myself heat adapted meaning my body got used to the heat and would be less of a shock later. Though as have learned since I apparently have some genetic gift that allows me to handle heat ok. Though doesn't mean be stupid, means still need to follow heat protocols to be safe.

It would be a few years later would learn the missing part of the equation. While no longer doing Tri/Du I still read up on training methods and such. And one of the books read was Chris McCormack's book I'm Here To Win. It was while reading this learned of the other half of the equation which was something called muscle cell hydration which is something that happens in the week to 2 weeks prior to the race/event. If hadn't read McCormack's book wouldn't have learned of this.

 

I have experimented with this and used it a few times on hot days and rides. It does work. And that is the most important thing. experimenting with it yourself and see what version works for you. Some need less salt and electrolytes with water to work while others need more- think of Scott Molina who found out he needed salt almost by the teaspoon full as he had a high electrolyte loss in the heat.

Reality is most of the electrolyte drink and drink mix info we are given via various sources focuses on during the day of the hot event/race. It doesn't bring up the days leading up to that day which is part of the equation when you think about it logically.

Also at the beginning of August the Gravel Cyclist posted a blog entry as well as a YouTube video about riding during the heat of N Florida.

Cycling in the Heat of Summer: How We Ride

Are any of these methods perfect? No. Because everyone has different requirements based on how their bodies handle heat and humidity. As mentioned at the start of this entry I wrote this to make it easier to share in future. As well as easier to not forget any links due to memory issues. 

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Surgeon's Orders And Milk Foamers-Basic Requirements

 Considering the injury factor and that my physical trauma injuries have a long term effect and issues. To figure out what the requirements I would have to consider especially geometry wise to seek a solution.

Team No Fixed Income Diaries: Surgeon's Orders and Milk Foamers- Injuries and Why

With the injuries and what have learned from the 2020 Chromag Stylus is that there a lot of things that can be triggered injury wise. Especially with the long, low, and slack geometry that is pretty much every frame in some form now days. Also keeping in mind that the majority of bike companies don't do special frames and such that would work for those with long term traumatic injury issues.

For example the Stylus it took me 2 years to get it to the point  it is now where the least amount of injury triggering will happen. It took a bunch of trial and error tinkering to get to this point. And while doing so learned that long, low, and slack in my case isn't great with the injuries.

What have realized that in my case bars to low causes neck and shoulder injuries to bo triggered and hurt. Same as the top tube length. Top tube length? Well best can explain is....the bars stay at the same height while you say go from 25" to 26.2" top tube which means your hands are further out. Which means then your arms are further reaching out and that causes you to lean forward more. It sounds insignificant yet that small say one inch or 25.4mm can mean in someone with traumatic physical injuries. Can cause those injuries to be triggered. And therefore causing pain and aches needlessly.

So that means having to address a pile of issues to get things worked around. Add in if not careful that this could get expensive. Reality is that if went with an off the rock full suspension frame that would bring up the expensive issue of figuring out what set up works which gets expensive when have to swap bars, stems, and so on to get it t work best. Or seek out a solution that will get close to the 2020 Chromag Stylus already have geometry wise and be a solution with the least hassle.

With all the above in mind the top three requirements are pretty simple.

1- Whatever frame choose it will be based on doing as simple as possible frame swap.

2- Needs to be 27.5" wheels capable fully.

3- Anything top tube length longer than my current 2020 Chromag Stylus is too long to work with long term injury effects.

4- If at all possible avoid anything with internal cable routing. Really don't need the headache of something that is more cosmetic than useful.

Based on the above the Chromag Darco and Lowdown frames sadly do not meet requirements which sucks. However the reality is not all frames would potentially meet requirements. 

Now that have the rough outline of what I will need. Now will begins the looking around the internet to see what might work. Though there is one option that could go with which is Marino Bikes and get a frame built using say 2020 Chromag Stylus or Samurai geometry but in full suspension if possible. Only downside is would still need to get a rear shock.

Marino bikes Custom

Marino is potentially the option will have to go with. However still needs a bunch of looking at frames online at various sources from Pinkbike to frame companies to see what might work. As well as to do more research and self education on basic from geometry and such when it comes to full suspension. So next things to learn about are Effective Top Tube, and how suspension changes seat and head tube angles.

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Surgeon's Orders and Milk Foamers- Injuries and Why

 In a previous post wrote about testing out a full suspension bike from a friend to see how it felt. Specifically the sizing and such to get an idea if it would work. Keep in mind that the last time rode a full suspension mtb was in 2001 so a lot has changed obviously.

Surgeon's Orders and Future Milk Foamer Frames

Some would ask why  am looking at this for the future. Well the answer is that last year at my last meeting with the Orthopedic Surgeon Dr Bardana. He informed me that eventually my right knee would develop arthritis and hurt due to both the physical trauma it received as well as the work he did to replace three destroyed ligaments. Dr Bardana instructed me at that point to switch from a hardtail off road to a full suspension. 

Last year kind of off and on looked at it. However was both busy as well as not in the right mental state to look better into it. Also add into it that was looking back now my brain and body needed the time to essentially deload from all the stress and such for almost 4 years. In 2024 am better able to now ook at this better.

Injury wise as mentioned above the right knee needing three ligaments replaced. That is only a small look at the traumatic injury situation. Just to be clear, the injuries from March 4th 2019 caused by the driver are,

-Traumatic Brain Injury

-Whiplash

-Right knee major cartilage damage, three destroyed ligaments, lower right femur severe none bruise 

-Lower back was a complete bruise and muscles messed up

-Right shoulder muscles messed up

-left eye swollen shut with orbital bone fractures

Reality is as have learned from discussing with physiotherapy based on Dr Bardana's long term medical instructions. That eventually would have to  seek out a full suspension mtb frame adaptation to work around future issues around all these injuries. As was explained to me that muscles are much more interconnected than we think. And they can cause issues elsewhere in the body. And apparently can have issues longer down the road due to traumatic injury. The physiotherapist mentioned that could cause more aches and pain developing long term so should consider adaptations.

Based on things since being maimed I have noticed increased aches and such since. So obviously have to expect things to slowly get a bit worse. Now can hear some say to decrease riding and so on because of this. Well that isn't what was instructed by those who are the actual medical experts. Though I did learn something which supports me riding and creating a future adaptation.

Researchers Work To Reduce, Delay Arthritis After ACL Reconstruction

While mine was a bigger surgery it does back what Dr Bardana and physiotherapy have advised and instructed for the future. 

With all this in mind this after trying out the Devinci FS and getting a better idea of needs. Have begun looking more into what will be needed to meet Surgeon's Otders from long term adaptations.

Previous posts,

Surgeon's Orders and Future Milk Foamer Frames

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True and False Peak Peak Bagging and Gan Perimeter Loop-July 18th 2024

 

Couple of days before July18th made the decision to have another go at the Eastern Ontario regions Blue Mountain.  My first visit and bagging was in 2021. Almost 3 years ago.

Blue Mtn -Eastern ON July 30th, 2021

This time I added the Gananoque Perimeter Loop to add more to the road trip. So once had bagged Blue Mtn again and returned to the Dirtbag Ute. The next phase of the adventure would be to do the loop of Gananoque's Perimeter.

There was one other little addition to this trip which was if was possible and enough daylight would attempt to get to Little Blue Mountain near Gananoque. If there was time that is. Say that as was leaving later in the day then had roughly planned I would. However Blue Mtn was the priority as wanted to keep bagging peaks or high points if could in 2024.

So headed up to first the north end of Blue Mountain Rd where the parking spot is and the trailhead was for the start of the adventure afternoon.  The YouTube video linked from YouTube channel shows both rides so no reason to add more then what is there.

Blue Mtn- False and True Peak GPS

Though I should observe that having bagged Blue Mtn a second time I noticed one thing. That being that there seems to be actually to high points for Blue Mountain. One is shown on the Peakbagger website as the peak or high point. However it seems that there is a second that could be it too. I didn't have a altimeter to get an accurate measurement as that wasn't something would think to have or need. So when you watch the video I bagged both just to be sure. And easier to do then overthink it all to the point of not making a choice. Rather be having fun.

Peakbagger Blue Mountain Eastern Ontario

Back at the Dirt Bag Ute it was off to Gananoque for the next phase. And like the Blue Mtn portion of this road trip. All the details are there in the YouTube video.

First go at the Gananoque Perimeter Loop was last November. This would be the same loop though a wee bit warmer and without the worry of rain.

Gananoque Perimeter Loop November 5th 2023

Gananoque Perimeter Loop- Ride 2 GPS

Due to nearing the end of the Gan Perimeter Loop as the sun started setting as said in the video it for safety reasons meant that wouldn't be attempting to seek out the Little Blue Mtn access and peak/high point. That would have to be another attempt at an earlier time in the day. And probably wait till September when less bugs.

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