Maiden Ventoyage

We got back from our Phoenix trip around 12:30pm. We had planned to go mtn. biking… it was beautiful, 70 degrees, sunny, perfect. This would be the 1st trail ride on the new Ventana. ~2:15pm we’re on the bikes and heading north on Overland, plan is up and over, out to Lori to meet up with April, Leif and Nicole. Then over to and up Towers, down Mill Creek and back.

I’m a bit concerned off the bat… it was originally going to be just K8 and I. With my bike being new, foreign, I was a bit nervous when I heard talk of doing “Towers.” And considering the line-up, I knew this would be a haul. Due to the snow, up until now I had only ridden the bike on the street to get it set up. I had switched up the stem and seat, eyeballed the levers and pods. In picking up my shock from PUSH, they set the sag and air for me so I figured that was good. Never touched the fork….

Needless to say, and to get to the point: we hauled ass, it went like this..

Mood goes down –
K8’s up front. Being unfamiliar with the steering, I was all over the place through Lori. The suspension felt stiff/harsh, too much tire pressure, shifters are placed awkward. Disappointment was setting in.

Mood goes up –
Climbing up Towers… K8’s up front, I’m hangin in there just behind with Nicole thinking “DAAMMmmnnn, the V climbs like a goat!” For a quick moment I thought it might be better than the Fuel, but no way, thought dismissed.

Mood goes down –
I’m flying down hill on the back of Leif’s heel’s and wipe out half way down Mill’s Creek, smacked my hand. I’m cool, manage it all the way back to parking lot. My hand is swollen and throbbing, just sprained.

Mood goes up –
K8 and I bug out as the rest pack up their car. On the way home, heading up the back side of Machaud there is a short steep. As cooked as I am at this point I have doubts of making it. But “DAAAMMmmnn, the V climbs like a mo-fo!” It truly may be better than the Fuel, a few more rides will tell…

On the spin home down Overland I make a mental list of adjustments to make on the bike. Promptly lay down on my back in the middle of the living room and stay there for an hour.

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