This crazy weather

Well, the crazy weather that we are all having continues to be nuts.  Two days ago I rode in single digits with the wind chill below zero.  Yesterday we had 4-6 inches of snow and temps in the 20's.  It was a dry snow and I was not feeling well so no ride.  Today we went into the 50's with winds topping 30 mph.  Needless to say, today's ride was a bit different. 

I installed the Carver O'Beast fork yesterday and got out to test it today.  The weather conditions dictated nothing more than knickers and a light wind break. Riding along the beach at low tide, I was forced to go directly into the wind.  Needless to say, it was like riding up a hill.  At times the wind conspired to get me in one of my lowest gears.  Just nuts to think that 3 days ago I was knee deep in snow and pushing more than riding.

I have been spending a tremendous amount of time in a coastal environment with the Mukluk and as such, salt and rust is a huge issue.  Anything on my bike that is not Titanium or Carbon Fiber shows massive signs of rust.  I decided that moving to not only a lighter fork, but one that was entirely Carbon would be a good move.  The O'Beast weighs almost half of what the Enabler fork does, coming in at a scant 560grams.  When I pulled the Enabler, I was shocked at the amount of rust that had accumulated in my head tube.

The first ride on the new fork was amazing.  It is extremely rigid, yet not jarring.  I realize that is a strange combo, but that is how it felt.  I have a stretch along the beach that I like to ride that I refer to as the Rock Garden.  It is made up of stones big enough to make riding extremely challenging and somewhat dangerous.  Not keeping your wheel in a upright position can cause your tire to slide off at an angle that is guaranteed to deposit your backside on the ground before you know what to do. 

I have been riding this stretch for quite a while so I have become very adept at dealing with the rocks, most of the time with a very positive outcome.  Today, I was shocked at the ease with which I was able to clean this stretch of beach.  What was the difference, well the rigid nature of that fork.  It held the line in a way that I had never experienced.  It was simply amazing to cruise through these rocks with a confidence and a speed that I had never before experienced.

Today's ride was not long, and this is not intended to be a gear review, instead more a first impression.  I am looking forward to some more time on the fork this week as I get used to how it performs in a wide variety of conditions.  I already thought the Mukluk was the most versatile bike I had ever owned, but I am now reconsidering the possibilities that a lighter version of this bike could provide.  Suddenly, a 27-28 pound mukluk with narrower tires could truly be the ultimate expedition touring rig capable of going just about anywhere, anytime, and carrying whatever load you required.

Stay tuned for more....