Mountain Biking madness and Meeting the KING!

[Silly Moustache]

Just stumbled on this video, and thought you guys might enjoy it.

I stopped doing serious off road cycling in '96 when I hit the ground at 40mph head first and breaking my shoulder.

But I never met the king!

See:

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Just stumbled on this video, and thought you guys might enjoy it.

I stopped doing serious off road cycling in '96 when I hit the ground at 40mph head first and breaking my shoulder.

But I never met the king!

See:

That was entertaining.

My wife's cousin has been prodding at doing a ride like that or a mixed mode tour north across the channel from his home in Luxembourg. It has been fun looking at all the options and with retirement close looks more tempting.

[Ozzy the dog]

That's priceless. Following the Queen's passing last year, her personal protection officer told this story of her meeting tourists whilst out walking in the same area. Made me smile.

[Neil K Walk]

Yes, I saw that. It was nice to see that he's so personable after the way he was portrayed on "The Crown" on Netflix. I'm sure the truth is somewhere in between this and that program's "artistic license." What I see here is any seasoned gentleman who is not interested in hiding and instead chooses to get out and interact with the world around him and not behind podium surrounded by people who paid a price of admission and treat the event like some sort of festival.

You know that those people were probably in a sniper's crosshairs the entire time though! He is the king after all.

As for what those people are doing, it amazes me at how diverse the discipline of "mountain biking" is. I watch a lot of other videos on YouTube and there are disciplines that more resemble downhill skiing and BMX, but what they're doing here seems to be more along the lines of "cross country" or XC. I like the idea that they approach this as more of a camping style vacation with a central location where they can stay.

[FrankHudson]

I'll have to watch this longer video later. I'm skeptical that they really ran into Elvis Presley though, who after all would be well into his 80s if still alive.

From the looks of it, it looks like the kind of mountain biking I used to do (would still do, if I had the time and opportunity). Gravel roads, horse-paths, fire-roads, that sort of thing.* I've tried the roller-coaster style mountain bike trails and the more extreme examples aren't my thing. I still have my early 80s early production rigid mountain bike with 26 inch diameter 2.25 inch wide tires. My newer rough road bike is a Jamis Roughneck with 4 inch wide tires. I'm sure the modern full suspension bikes have their value, but I'm old-fashioned enough to let the tires air volume do the suspension work.

These days, my mountain bikes get used most often to ride in the winter on rutted snow and ice streets.

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by FrankHudson

I'll have to watch this longer video later. I'm skeptical that they really ran into Elvis Presley though, who after all would be well into his 80s if still alive.

From the looks of it, it looks like the kind of mountain biking I used to do (would still do, if I had the time and opportunity). Gravel roads, horse-paths, fire-roads, that sort of thing.* I've tried the roller-coaster style mountain bike trails and the more extreme examples aren't my thing. I still have my early 80s early production rigid mountain bike with 26 inch diameter 2.25 inch wide tires. My newer rough road bike is a Jamis Roughneck with 4 inch wide tires. I'm sure the modern full suspension bikes have their value, but I'm old-fashioned enough to let the tires air volume do the suspension work.

These days, my mountain bikes get used most often to ride in the winter on rutted snow and ice streets.

The encounter with King Charles is only a few minutes in the mid-beginning of the video - at 4:24.

As for the style of mountain biking you ride, I'd say you were a "klunker" from the Gary Fisher days.

My own first mountain bike was circa 2003 and was slightly undersized for me; medium size frame with a coil fork with 80mm of travel and quite skittish. My current 29er (also getting long in the tooth based on recent trends in the industry; because of its less slack head tube angle and long stem) is clunky in a different way. It wants to roll over things instead of navigate around them. It has a coil fork with only 100mm of travel (which acts more like a pogo stick than a shock absorber) and the rims aren't tubeless ready of even tubeless capable so the wheels themselves add to the bounce factor. I'm looking at going down a half size and getting something that can run tubeless (which improves traction but increases rolling resistance) and has an air fork (which can be adjusted for my weight.) I admit that I do ride a local flow trail on my 29er but I do so carefully and slowly. I don't heal nearly as fast as I used to!

[FrankHudson]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

The encounter with King Charles is only a few minutes in the mid-beginning of the video - at 4:24.

As for the style of mountain biking you ride, I'd say you were a "klunker" from the Gary Fisher days.

My own first mountain bike was circa 2003 and was slightly undersized for me; medium size frame with a coil fork with 80mm of travel and quite skittish. My current 29er (also getting long in the tooth based on recent trends in the industry; because of its less slack head tube angle and long stem) is clunky in a different way. It wants to roll over things instead of navigate around them. It has a coil fork with only 100mm of travel (which acts more like a pogo stick than a shock absorber) and the rims aren't tubeless ready of even tubeless capable so the wheels themselves add to the bounce factor. I'm looking at going down a half size and getting something that can run tubeless (which improves traction but increases rolling resistance) and has an air fork (which can be adjusted for my weight.) I admit that I do ride a local flow trail on my 29er but I do so carefully and slowly. I don't heal nearly as fast as I used to!

Funny. I watched the first five minutes or so, and saw them meet up with that helpful old gent who knew the area. I didn't recognize him at all, I thought it was local color. I could relate to the rider in the video who said he wasn't much for the monarchy and all, but that Charles seemed nice.

I've now watched the whole thing and some of the uneven rocks as walking path stuff late in the video was maybe more than I'd be comfortable with at my age, at least at the speed they were descending over it. That's the kind of thing that full suspension earns it's keep on: being able to maintain control with lots of things that would lead to too much bounce without it.

When I was young, the fun of something like that was more in the ride up it, picking the line that would let you ride it without dismounting or dabbing down a foot. And I got out into the country more often then. Now I practice the same thing on rutted or even unplowed side streets in the winter to get to a place for tea and breakfast in the morning -- but again, now older and out of shape, and the ability to stand on the pedals and manhandle the bike under you is less.

As to Gary Fisher et al. I sort of followed what I could read from afar, so when the first mountain bikes that would be sold through regular bike stores were announced, I was ready make the jump for winter riding if nothing else.

I biked through the Cotswolds a few years back on a rented touring bike. Some horse and hiking trails, but mostly paved side roads. If I had world enough and time, the Northern part of England or Scotland would have been a great choice for another trip I didn't take.

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

The encounter with King Charles is only a few minutes in the mid-beginning of the video - at 4:24.

As for the style of mountain biking you ride, I'd say you were a "klunker" from the Gary Fisher days.

My own first mountain bike was circa 2003 and was slightly undersized for me; medium size frame with a coil fork with 80mm of travel and quite skittish. My current 29er (also getting long in the tooth based on recent trends in the industry; because of its less slack head tube angle and long stem) is clunky in a different way. It wants to roll over things instead of navigate around them. It has a coil fork with only 100mm of travel (which acts more like a pogo stick than a shock absorber) and the rims aren't tubeless ready of even tubeless capable so the wheels themselves add to the bounce factor. I'm looking at going down a half size and getting something that can run tubeless (which improves traction but increases rolling resistance) and has an air fork (which can be adjusted for my weight.) I admit that I do ride a local flow trail on my 29er but I do so carefully and slowly. I don't heal nearly as fast as I used to!

The tubeless tires reduce rolling resistance in general and if or when not, they still contribute to increased traction, control and speed.

It's maybe counterintuitive but a flow trail is like skiing where you need to carry speed and hesitation buys you nothing or trouble. Search out a pump track in your area, put your seat down, and you'll build complimentary speed and strength in a hurry with WAY more fun than going to a gym!

Originally Posted by FrankHudson

Funny. I watched the first five minutes or so, and saw them meet up with that helpful old gent who knew the area. I didn't recognize him at all, I thought it was local color. I could relate to the rider in the video who said he wasn't much for the monarchy and all, but that Charles seemed nice.

I've now watched the whole thing and some of the uneven rocks as walking path stuff late in the video was maybe more than I'd be comfortable with at my age, at least at the speed they were descending over it. That's the kind of thing that full suspension earns it's keep on: being able to maintain control with lots of things that would lead to too much bounce without it.

When I was young, the fun of something like that was more in the ride up it, picking the line that would let you ride it without dismounting or dabbing down a foot. And I got out into the country more often then. Now I practice the same thing on rutted or even unplowed side streets in the winter to get to a place for tea and breakfast in the morning -- but again, now older and out of shape, and the ability to stand on the pedals and manhandle the bike under you is less.

As to Gary Fisher et al. I sort of followed what I could read from afar, so when the first mountain bikes that would be sold through regular bike stores were announced, I was ready make the jump for winter riding if nothing else.

I biked through the Cotswolds a few years back on a rented touring bike. Some horse and hiking trails, but mostly paved side roads. If I had world enough and time, the Northern part of England or Scotland would have been a great choice for another trip I didn't take.

Cotswolds, much farther north, and a trip I understand as a rolling party to longest day of the year are all among what my wife's cousin is suggesting. We don't get the amount of vacation they have in Europe so more reason to maybe retire soon! He's also suggested leaving their home in Luxembourg, a stop at his dad's family place in France, and then cross the channel to go to some of those places. It seems like weeks would be needed.

This cousin also has a place in Iceland and the riding there looks interesting or more so relative to the Scotland trips. Wow you got me thinking and I'm not even done getting excited for the next ski season.

More than a suspension bike for challenging terrain is what most of the modern bikes do. They have bigger wheels, wider rims, and the dropper seat post to get the seat out of your way. They have a nice feel that's more like ride in them than on them. They've solved the flaw for most riders that's not making most of the products for a racer.

Something important about age is the new gear (bikes and skis) makes so much more possible and control much easier. For sure I'm mindful of how much for hang time and dropping in but at age 64 I can more easily ride (bikes and snow) expert terrain now than for a lot of my life.

After purposely riding our old bikes and my not even very old skis against fully modern I considered it like comparing our 1930 Ford with a top rated modern vehicle where the performance and control are so far beyond. Unlike what's happened with automobiles, the fantastic bikes are quite affordable.

I remember the early Gary Fischer original I think just MountainBikes catalog that had some frames but more important an easier source of some parts when people all over were cobbling up bikes. They had the Magura levers for brakes, wider rims and snake pattern tires before the first branded bikes were retailed. My funniest time with him was my being one of the "adults in the room" at major bike event. As it got late some younger men were not getting why the younger women were flocking to the 3 older guys with him. We weren't sexy, but were safe!



P.S. Everyone needs to go try a fun modern bike for that thread on stress (happiness)!

[doctone]

Thanks, this is lovely! I chugged on how he complains a little about the weather, which is of course constantly so if you live there. Like we do over here in Northern Germany.

[Neil K Walk]

Originally Posted by imwjl

The tubeless tires reduce rolling resistance in general and if or when not, they still contribute to increased traction, control and speed.

It's maybe counterintuitive but a flow trail is like skiing where you need to carry speed and hesitation buys you nothing or trouble. Search out a pump track in your area, put your seat down, and you'll build complimentary speed and strength in a hurry with WAY more fun than going to a gym!



Cotswolds, much farther north, and a trip I understand as a rolling party to longest day of the year are all among what my wife's cousin is suggesting. We don't get the amount of vacation they have in Europe so more reason to maybe retire soon! He's also suggested leaving their home in Luxembourg, a stop at his dad's family place in France, and then cross the channel to go to some of those places. It seems like weeks would be needed.

This cousin also has a place in Iceland and the riding there looks interesting or more so relative to the Scotland trips. Wow you got me thinking and I'm not even done getting excited for the next ski season.

More than a suspension bike for challenging terrain is what most of the modern bikes do. They have bigger wheels, wider rims, and the dropper seat post to get the seat out of your way. They have a nice feel that's more like ride in them than on them. They've solved the flaw for most riders that's not making most of the products for a racer.

Something important about age is the new gear (bikes and skis) makes so much more possible and control much easier. For sure I'm mindful of how much for hang time and dropping in but at age 64 I can more easily ride (bikes and snow) expert terrain now than for a lot of my life.

After purposely riding our old bikes and my not even very old skis against fully modern I considered it like comparing our 1930 Ford with a top rated modern vehicle where the performance and control are so far beyond. Unlike what's happened with automobiles, the fantastic bikes are quite affordable.

I remember the early Gary Fischer original I think just MountainBikes catalog that had some frames but more important an easier source of some parts when people all over were cobbling up bikes. They had the Magura levers for brakes, wider rims and snake pattern tires before the first branded bikes were retailed. My funniest time with him was my being one of the "adults in the room" at major bike event. As it got late some younger men were not getting why the younger women were flocking to the 3 older guys with him. We weren't sexy, but were safe!



P.S. Everyone needs to go try a fun modern bike for that thread on stress (happiness)!

My experience with tubeless tires is sort of tragic. I had a blow out from the sealant drying out that put me in the hospital. It rattled my trust in my bike's entry level rims but agree that they were otherwise a game changer with regards to control. I also agree with your sentiments on dropper posts. I put one on my $800 hardtail and find it useful in all sorts of riding discipline, from city street to singletrack.

BTW, I also did find a local flow trail and agree that it's a lot like skiiing though rock gardens and roots are not much fun to go over with a fork with just 100mm of travel and no rear shock absorption whatsoever. In this, a dropper post and a good set of pedals with pins or clips is key. When you MTB you only really use the saddle when riding uphill.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

Yes, I saw that. It was nice to see that he's so personable after the way he was portrayed on "The Crown" on Netflix.

>>> This is what is so damaging about films like that! I find them infuriating to write their own stories rather than tell the truth. I'm sure the truth is somewhere in between this and that program's "artistic license."
It wouldn't be so bad but people sadly believe that history is as shown in Hollywood movies. <<<.

What I see here is any seasoned gentleman who is not interested in hiding and instead chooses to get out and interact with the world around him and not behind podium surrounded by people who paid a price of admission and treat the event like some sort of festival.

>>>> to meet the general public and be seen working with charities, being patrons of philanthropic organisations, meeting with other heads of state etc. Its a busy life and the job is until death. I don't know of any such "events" where people pay to see the Royal family. <<<<

You know that those people were probably in a sniper's crosshairs the entire time though! He is the king after all.

>>> Why would anyone want to shoot him? He's not a politician, he's above that. He has security of course but it is "subtle" (I know I "met" it once when photographing him at a polo match!) <<<

As for what those people are doing, it amazes me at how diverse the discipline of "mountain biking" is. I watch a lot of other videos on YouTube and there are disciplines that more resemble downhill skiing and BMX, but what they're doing here seems to be more along the lines of "cross country" or XC. I like the idea that they approach this as more of a camping style vacation with a central location where they can stay.

As far as the folk cycling on those rocks - not for me! even when I was their age. I quiet through the back alleys across town to the gym and back is enough for me.

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by Neil K Walk

My experience with tubeless tires is sort of tragic. I had a blow out from the sealant drying out that put me in the hospital. It rattled my trust in my bike's entry level rims but agree that they were otherwise a game changer with regards to control. I also agree with your sentiments on dropper posts. I put one on my $800 hardtail and find it useful in all sorts of riding discipline, from city street to singletrack.

BTW, I also did find a local flow trail and agree that it's a lot like skiiing though rock gardens and roots are not much fun to go over with a fork with just 100mm of travel and no rear shock absorption whatsoever. In this, a dropper post and a good set of pedals with pins or clips is key. When you MTB you only really use the saddle when riding uphill.

Bummer on the crash. If sealant dries out it just means slow leak and not sealing a puncture. Don't worry about 100 mm travel. A dirt jumper has less. Relax, look ahead, light hands, and heavy feet. Ride on!

[frankmcr]

I've always thought he was a decent bloke.

I wonder if you can entirely put it out of your mind, when you're taking what for most people would be a relaxing stroll in the countryside, that you are being monitored at all times by security forces to prevent a wide variety of creeps trying to advance their "cause" by killing you.

Maybe you get used to it.

[Scott O]

That was pretty cool. He seemed really down to earth chatting with the common folk.

But I can't be the only mountain biker here who thought they were going to meet Chris King, am I?

[imwjl]

Originally Posted by Scott O

That was pretty cool. He seemed really down to earth chatting with the common folk.

But I can't be the only mountain biker here who thought they were going to meet Chris King, am I?

No.

I guess the Chris King is a bit hidden here - headset - but for the posts on terrain, flow trail, and riding, this "gravel" bike rides everything, gets beat on, gets dirty and wet.

Moots just released a plastic helper/cheater bike made of Chinesium. I forgot to look if that meant they broke their all frames have King headsets rule.