My journey into Indiana mountain biking

[lovemachine]

I have a good friend that lives in Da' UP. 3 hours or so north of Green Bay, WI. He's got a fat bike. He rides all winter long. Goes to more of a MTB when no snow on the ground, though. He's a ridin' fool.

Went full-bore into being a Youper, too. They started a sled dog race in their town a few years ago. Has grown and seems to have been rather successful. They've also started their own Fat Bike race. Still small - but growing. Additionally they now have their own pack of sled dogs and do sledding themselves, too. Quite a lifestyle change from him being a native West-Central Indiana boy.




So - how's that debt payoff going? ;-)

It's going good. But the only way I can get the fat bike is if I unload one of my AR15's and a handgun . And that's what I mean by "trying to talk myself out of it".

 

[lovemachine]

I want one.


Surly Pugsley - A1 Cyclery-Indianapolis, Indiana

 

[shinkle]

I got my specialized fatboy last year. that's all I ride now. trails whenever I can and I even run the road during the week. the looks I get are all worth it. we hit brown county trails last Saturday and southwest way last sunday. love it. my only weighted around 32# when I got it. I've made some changes over the winter and it is around 30# now. al least til I put my spare tube and 38 special in the bag.

I made changes and swopped out components not to save weight but to just customize it for me. I love it and really enjoy working on it and riding it. gray goat has been a great help since I got it and with all my upgrades.

this picture is from last summer. it shows it's original state. now the only components that are original are the frame, wheels and tires, and fork. I am having a blast.

it's like having my old jeep back. just fun to work on and fix up. not the fastest or most maneuverable, but it is an eye looker.

View attachment 38858

 

[RustyHornet]

Got mine out first time all year last weekend. Was camping in the Hoosier National Forest.



Nashbar 29er single speed full rigid. Had a blast, although I am way out of shape...

 

[lovemachine]

Anyone ever done the short track race at Town Run? Looks like they have one every Wednesday night.

 

[lovemachine]

I got my specialized fatboy last year. that's all I ride now. trails whenever I can and I even run the road during the week. the looks I get are all worth it. we hit brown county trails last Saturday and southwest way last sunday. love it. my only weighted around 32# when I got it. I've made some changes over the winter and it is around 30# now. al least til I put my spare tube and 38 special in the bag.

I made changes and swopped out components not to save weight but to just customize it for me. I love it and really enjoy working on it and riding it. gray goat has been a great help since I got it and with all my upgrades.

this picture is from last summer. it shows it's original state. now the only components that are original are the frame, wheels and tires, and fork. I am having a blast.

it's like having my old jeep back. just fun to work on and fix up. not the fastest or most maneuverable, but it is an eye looker.

View attachment 38858

You're making me jealous....

 

[lovemachine]

I ended up going to Town Run yesterday afternoon. I must be getting a lot better, I was able to do one whole lap without having to stop for a break. And it seems my speed is getting faster as well.

I saw another fat bike out there too. This just makes me want one even more.

 

[Fenway]

I rode TRTP for the first time in about 8 years last week. The trail is much different. For the better. Made one lap and did not stop. Not bad for first time out.

 

[lovemachine]

I rode TRTP for the first time in about 8 years last week. The trail is much different. For the better. Made one lap and did not stop. Not bad for first time out.

If you ever want to go ride, just send me a PM.

 

[handry8181]

Nice bike! Enjoy it! I have never had a good experience on a bike, which is sad. I need to get back into running! Since I married @hamsterstyle I got fat and happy! haha! I need to loose the "fat" part!

 

[patience0830]

There are no mountans in Indiana. You can't possibly be mtn biking!

More like off road riding, says I.

 

[esrice]

After 3 months of daily Craigslist searching I was able to score good-quality mountain bikes for my boys. Incidentally I found them only 1 day apart.

Alec (9) got a 2008 24" Trek 220MT for $160. Owen (6) got a 2012 20" Specialized Hotrock for $100 (brand new condition, steal of the century!).

This afternoon I introduced Alec to the trails at Southwestway Park. We had a blast! He's a natural rider and took the to hills with no problems. Now he's hooked and wants to ride all the trail systems around Indy. His comment to me was "It's like exercise, but while having fun!"

 

[gregkl]

Looks like you guys are ready to go!

One observation though; the front fork on the specialized is on backwards. Fix that and he will enjoy it even more.

 

[Jerry]

These shots are agonizing... Keep them up! I hope to be able to buy a decent bike this Fall and get back into riding.

 

[esrice]

One observation though; the front fork on the specialized is on backwards. Fix that and he will enjoy it even more.

Funny thing about that. . . .

The couple we bought the bike from said their son was "too wobbly on it" and that he "didn't have the confidence" to ride it. So they sold it.... cheap.

We got it home and snapped that picture. Then the 9-year-old looked at it and noticed the fork. So we spent 2 minutes spinning it back around properly.

Could that have been the reason the previous child couldn't ride it well? lol

 

[gregkl]

Funny thing about that. . . .

The couple we bought the bike from said their son was "too wobbly on it" and that he "didn't have the confidence" to ride it. So they sold it.... cheap.

We got it home and snapped that picture. Then the 9-year-old looked at it and noticed the fork. So we spent 2 minutes spinning it back around properly.

Could that have been the reason the previous child couldn't ride it well? lol

That was positively why it was wobbly! That thing would have been so twitchy...and I can't think of a funny ending to this sentence.

Happy riding!

 

[esrice]

Next day, next child.

He did well, but didn't go as long or as aggressively as his older brother. We stuck to the mild trails and he did just fine.

While we were there I noticed 30+ young teenagers on matching bright blue Giant mountain bikes. I asked one of them about it and he said they were part of a mountain biking summer camp. It looked to be arranged by the IndyParks folks. It certainly had my curiosity, as all the bikes looked brand spankin' new.

 

[lovemachine]

I've not heard of that park before. I may have to check it out, since all the other trails are closed

 

[lovemywoods]

Nice pics esrice!

 

[jblomenberg16]

Tagged. I'm starting to ride as running no longer cuts it with my knees and ankles. Riding a basic Raleigh right now with no suspension and only 7 speeds (single drive sprocket). I'm out of gear when riding on the road. Sounds like I need to check out Craig's list!