June Monthly Giveaway - Shimano XTR Cranks Courtesy of Webcyclery

[DirtyDog]

http://ridemonkey.com/giveaway/logo_webcyclery.jpg (http://www.webcyclery.com)

Thanks to Webcyclery for making this possible! (http://www.webcyclery.com)


Ridemonkey monthly product giveaways are back and better than ever. This month we will be giving away Shimano M970 XTR Cranks with integrated bottom bracket. Description from Shimano's website:


New composite chainring design for improved durability
Titanium/Carbon composite chainring
Optimized lightweight design for reduced weight while maintaining rigidity
Hyperdrive technology for best front shifting
New easier installation for left crank with better bearing adjustment


The drawing will be on Monday, June 30th. To be eligible for this drawing you must be a Ridemonkey member in good standing with at least 15 posts as of today, June 1st. Members obviously padding their post count will be disqualified and publicly ridiculed. As always, we are the deciders* on all matters of RM policy.

To enter the drawing, simply post in this thread ONE TIME describing your best ride of 2007. Everyone that posts in this thread will be entered in a random drawing to determine the weiner.

Only post in this thread one time! If you post more than once, you are disqualified.

Note: by entering this contest, you are agreeing that if you are the winner of the prize, a permanent record will be added to your user profile describing the prize you have received with a link to the prize page.

Now that we have adequately restricted your civil liberties with an array of Draconian rules, let's get to it.

Good luck!

http://ridemonkey.com/giveaway/xtrcrank.jpg

*TM GW Bush

[loco-gringo]

Every ride in 2007 was my best ride. Nothing stands out any more awesome than another, but any time I can ride and don't get wounded, it can very well become my "best" ride. I had so many that ended with cold beers, so those move up more quickly.

I had hoped my ride in Austin when Westy visited would be my best ride, and while he was a super solid dude, the wet trails made for a slick time and limited our badassness. My beers and mexican food could actually make that the best. It was certainly most memorable of 2007.

[sanjuro]

My best ride was at the Soquel Demo Forest, the day after St Patrick's Day.

I had a few to drink on St Paddy's, but I wanted to ride the next day, so I cut myself off by 10pm, despite friends ready to party the night away. However, the guys on the ride were still stinking from their session.

Despite being a few hours late, we get going and it turns out to be a great day. We ended up doing two loops, first down Tractor, a smooth flowing singletrack, then back up the hellacious Sulphur Springs Road to Braille, which is full of drops and stunts.

Just before the last 5 mile climb to the cars, I shoot a gu shot and I start off. I am keeping up with my friends, who are much better climbers than I am. But I feel aggressive, so I take off on them. I averaged a faster speed up the climb than I ever have before, and I ended up minutes ahead, a rarity.

A great day and a great ride.

[pinkshirtphotos]

My best ride in 2oo7 was a cross country race. There was an old zoo in the 70s run by warner brothers. Got shut down and nj biking advocacy groups (jorba) got approval from the start to build bike trails in it. The race was threw old monkey cages, tunnels, and other various pens. I raced 8 miles on a downhill bike. Even though I came in last in my class, by 10 minutes I had fun. Kicked ass too with times, would have finished first in the age class below mine, and all the womens classes. If I was given the chance to do it again I would in a heartbeat. Ever since that race I have been riding more cross country and less downhill. I have recently sold my downhill bike to focus on more cross country riding.

[mantispf2000]

My best riding for '07 was during the NorthStar Thursday night mtb series. I was too out-of-shape, too short of time to train, and too worried about being lapped each week. Week 6 (out of 7) proved differently, as it was the one race I didn't get lapped. Dang those experts can go fast!!! When it was all said and done, I did score enough points to take the overall for my division (beginner men, big deal, I know).

Why did I put myself through this? Because it was at NorthStar (Granny Gear's 24/Tahoe '03) that I decided participating at select events was going to be my way of honoring Alaina. I think I'm starting to hear her giggle with me when I ride. She sure can keep me going at times................

[Rip]

My best ride of 2007 was during a very foggy morning in early November. Headed out to Round Valley, one of my favorite trail systems in NJ. The place has a bunch of variations in terrain, anywhere from flat hard pack to very rocky singletrack. What made it stand out from the rest was that I was the first one in the park that day, had the trails to myself, and the surreal feeling that it provided when going down the switch backs and riding through the fog line while cornering. Everything seemed to click during that ride and allowed me to reflect despite all of the bad things that happened family wise in my life in 2007, that 2007 was actually a good year for me, both personality wise and ride wise.

[Toshi]

my best ride of 2007 was my commute in may of that year from my jackson, wyoming condo to the hospital just down the street. grand teton national park loomed on the right, and the place was just incredibly beautiful.

[Beast]

Collegiate nationals in North Carolina. Hot dog suit. 'Nuff said.

[valve bouncer]

Rode along the river with my mate on a pleasant spring day. Reminded me why I like mtbiking so much.

[Morgan]

went to mam's on the last weekend and was able to ride in the dry, wet, and snow, such good times, bike are good stuff

[Uphiller]

This past Saturday was the best so far....rode with an expert mtb'er and finally hung with him on the downhills (my weakness) and got a couple minutes rest waiting for him to get to the top of the long climbs (2+miles at 15%). Even though I'm getting better going down, I'll still take a brutal climb over a fast long descent any day!

[k9handler]

Les Gets/Morzine....now in Montana so unless I get up to Whistler that trip to France will be tough to beat.

[Mr. Furious]

Best ride of 2007 - Sunshine Coast XC ride.

90 km over 2 days, some sweet flowing singletrack (and some horribly loose logging roads too). The company hosting the trip had a breakfast station set up each day, a mid-morning snack station, lunch/sandwich buffet, mid-afternoon snack, and dinner was BBQ salmon cooked in lemon, garlic, and butter along with a nice nectarine relish. Simple green salad and pasta with garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese rounded out the plate. Beer and your choice of red or white wine to accompany. Second day was as good as the first.

The best part about the ride was rediscovering XC after an 8-year break.

[Mtnman]

was the first warm day in Spring. No rain, sunshine on my shoulders (makes me happy), birds singings. Santa Teresa rangers gave the go-ahead and all the trails were tacky, not packing.

Ah, I love Spring.

[Discostu]

Best ride of 07 for me was the gravity east finals at Plattekill. Did both the collegiate easterns race and the GE finals race. Did well in the collegiate race and won the GE race, picking up just enough points to take the series championship. Spent the rest of the day freeriding. All around awesome day of riding.

[Bldr_DH]

Hmm, best ride of '07 will have to be the trip to Fruita. Riding Kessel Run at 10PM with only the full moon to light the way was nothing short of amazing. That one will go down in the books!

[Silver]

August 28th 2007, from 1-4am I rode with a friend up Blackstar Canyon during the lunar eclipse. Perfect night, and we were the only ones out there. It was also my first night ride. Incredible...

[lucky13]

My best ride of the year was due to a road trip in which I got to know some of my closest friends maybe a little more than comfortable. Basicly if you cram three men into a '76 VW bus for a week, if someone isn't dead it's a success.

So there we were riding up the last bit of elevation gain to start the descent of Porcupine Rim in Moab and my buddy catches up to me and asks if we could talk about some miscommunications over the week that were obviously pissing us off. We got to settle up with without throwing each other off any cliffs and we continued our ride as better friends than before.

Nevermind all the views, singletrack, technical rock gardens, and sunshine.

It's a lonely trek in the desert without someone to share it with.

[Christiaan]

Best ride of 2007 will have to the the MEGAvalanche. Man, standing at 3330metres higth, with so many people, the tension, waiting for the start, can't be beat!

People falling left and right, trying not to hit anyone. It was tough on my DH bike, but I made, hopefully again next year, not time this year, unfortunetely

[DHRonSUNDAY]

My best ride of 2007 had to be opening day at Northstar on june 29th.everything was open and everyone was out there super stoked to be riding at Northstar for the ride time all year.it was nice and tacky not that dry and dusty like Northstar is known to be.me and a couple buddies just rode all day and loved the brand new trails that they had just put up. best part was that no one got hurt and everyone was just killing it.

[asa]

Best ride of the year had to be the day I nailed all the jumps on Livewire for the first time.

[Jorgen]

One of my best rides of 2008 was a particular downhill run in Hafjell, Norway.
http://www.hafjell.no/sommer/

Tailing a friend my third run last year, and sticking two drops, two jump and a wallride, that I had never done before in ONE run... a great feeling. Good friend too, having the patience to guide me down the different lines, showing me the speed and lines needed to stick the obstacles.

Also doing this without stopping the entire run, just flowing all the way down. Great rush, on a great day :)

[stinkbat]

Best ride of the year. My first ride up Whistler with my adopted son. We arrived first thing saturday morning, my son is only 7. He has been talking about riding Whistler all year. After the 6 years wait to adopt a child, 4 years ago I adopted a child from Thailand. I never thought I would be so fortunate to have such a wonderful experience. The smile on is face was just the best -another mtb addict is born!! He just started ice hockey this year. He said that he would prefer to have one day on the mountain rather than a whole season of hockey. If I'd only known!!! Whistler was great, the riding was amazing, and the snoring and smile on my son's face tonight on the drive home to Richmond BC was the best. No big crashes and the only thing was broken was his V-brakes... they were totally bent from all the hard braking he had been doing!!!:banana:

[Espen]

Don't remember a specific ride of 2007, as all rides are good.
DH bike is gone, so the trails around Oslo is the playground.
Rides at 7AM in the morning, at summertime, no poeople on the trails, just the quiet forest, animals and my bike. Jeeez, this can be so good.


E

[dan wask]

Best ride of 2k7 had to be one of the rides in town. Nothing can beat a day of digging, and then going out and enjoying the summer night on a bike. Riding around in town to all the different spots with about 10 other riders forms a certain sense of camaraderie unparalleled in other sports.

[PeteJB]

My Best ride of 2007 was the first day I got my son to ride without training wheels on the way to kinder garden .

[ctrailfreak]

I'd have to say my best ride in 2007 was when I took all 3 of my kids out on the trail together to show them the sport I've grown to love now for 15 years. The best part about it was finding out that my kids are not quitters. If they couldn't get over a stump, or off a rock ledge just right, they went back and did it over and over again, till they got it right.

Riding with your buds, or having a Epic ride all day long, just doesn't compare to teaching my kids how to ride better than my self one day, and love the sport as much as I do, and make it stick with them, so they can pass the passion on to their kids later on.

Ever since... my kids won't let me go on a ride to the local trail, without taking them at least once every weekend. My son is now almost 11, and wants me to get him his first Freeride bike so he can hang with Dad, when I go to Arkansas and Colorado.

[Internal14]

Shoot...I guess the best day of riding in 2007 was a group ride I led of about ten riders in total. Started at the top of Mt. Rose Hwy. in Nevada and rode the Rim Trail all the way to Marlett Lake Overlook. Then around the lake and back north on the FLume with it's great views of Lake Tahoe. Got to the fireroad and six riders went downhill to the waiting cars, while four of us forged on ahead and got back up to the Rim Trail and road that all the way back to Tahoe Meadows, where the rest of the group was there waiting for us. Then it was a quick drive down to Incline Village for a seriously grubbing burrito and beer fest.

[ballaholyk84]

My best ride in 2007 was my very first ride ever and it happen to be at Downieville, CA.

All I can say was that it kicked my butt and boy was it fun while it lasted. It was the main thing that got me hooked into DH. I went up with a buddy who rode BMX his whole life and I was burning him. I rode my Specialized Bighit that held up like a champ the entire way without any problems.

Unfortunately it took me about 1 hour 45 minutes to get down the 16 mile run but was well worth it. This year I am going back up with a new rid being built and going to try and accomplish it around 1 hour 15 minutes.

Keep on riding Monkeys, keep on!!

[Daner]

My best ride of 2007 was with Skogling and Markus in Görväln. We met up at the Preem station, but I had given Markus slightly confusing directions and he was riding in so it took him a while to find us. Markus was on the Handjob that I had sold him years ago. Skogling was bouncing around energetically on his NRS and I was on yet another of my weird bikes, this time a Slingshot with a rigid Ti fork, I9 singlespeed rear wheel and standard MTB front crank and derailer (RIP Sheldon). 44/32/22 front and 16 rear works very well, you ought to try it sometime!

We cruised out along the paved roads and when we got to the trail we were surprised to find the first stretches crowded with hikers. One mother was even pushing a baby walker. First time we had ever seen that on this trail.

As we rolled further along the trail the traffic thinned out and we enjoyed perfect fall conditions - just moist enough to provide great traction but not wet enough to make things sloppy. Markus was coming off a cold so he was taking it easy, but that made it easy for me to feel strong. Skogling raced ahead on his full-squish XC bike, stopping to take pictures every once in awhile. I restricted myself to the 32/16 as a low gear to make things more interesting, and only ended up pushing up in one particularly steep and loose section. The light and rigid setup proved to work very well in the tight but flowy forbidden section of trail just past the castle, but it was too short and just an out and back.

Standing and cranking up the paved road up the ski hill I looked forward to the upcoming bare rock sections even though the lack of suspension up front was starting to give my left thumb and wrist a bit of trouble. Getting older isn't all fun, but it beats the alternative, and I appreciate the 600g Ti fork when carrying my travel bike through airports on the way to fun destinations.

We dropped off Skogling at the Preem station on the way back, and Markus followed on to my house to top up his water bottle and have some fruit juice before riding back home to Årsta.

http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v129/10/21/696892643/n696892643_172601_2174.jpg

[jaking]

As always, my favorite ride is my hometown ride in Farmington, NM (northwest NM). The ride is on the Kinsey Ridge trail north of town. The ride is primarily fast single-track through pinon and sage. The ride starts out on the crest of Kinsey ridge, weaving in and out of the trees just a safe distance from the cliff's edge. You can still see where the trail had to be re-routed because the over the years the portions of the trail right along (and somewhat over) the edge have eroded away.

The trail runs approximately 10 miles north of town, crossing sandy sections and slick rock, where you can choose to loop back at several different places. This trail is part of the famed "Road Apple Rally" race that takes place every fall.

This was where I took my very first single-track ride, and I hope to keep riding this every time I am back in the area.

Happy Riding!!!

- Kinger

[jaking]

As always, my favorite ride is my hometown ride in Farmington, NM (northwest NM). The ride is on the Kinsey Ridge trail north of town. The ride is primarily fast single-track through pinon and sage. The ride starts out on the crest of Kinsey ridge, weaving in and out of the trees just a safe distance from the cliff's edge. You can still see where the trail had to be re-routed because the over the years the portions of the trail right along (and somewhat over) the edge have eroded away.

The trail runs approximately 10 miles north of town, crossing sandy sections and slick rock, where you can choose to loop back at several different places. This trail is part of the famed "Road Apple Rally" race that takes place every fall.

This was where I took my very first single-track ride, and I hope to keep riding this every time I am back in the area.

Happy Riding!!!

- Kinger

[TA..]

Best ride of 07 was riding with my girl of the time, most memorable was labour weekend hitting the tracks on the SS DJ bike and riding with her all round the park doing some jump sessioning and passing the torch to her on how to get the wheels off the ground, picnic consisting of mars bars and goofing around with the camera and smelling the roses, sometimes its not all about hauling ass, just simple good times. It was all smiles that weekend.

I know there were many good rides of 07 I think however this one seems to stick at the mo, even with my lack of memory for 07 for many reasons:cheers:

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r211/trailadvent/SUZ/Suz%20Labour%20Weekend/IMG_0027-1.jpghttp://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r211/trailadvent/SUZ/Suz%20Labour%20Weekend/IMG_0041-1.jpg

[Willy Vanilly]

Best ride was the first one after I got my bike built back up. It had been shock-less for quite a while and I was so excited to go ride. Anyway, it was one of those long road climbs and then a descent all the way back down.

Turns out I hadn't properly reinstalled the brake lines on my brakes and they started to lose fluid on the way down. I went back up to the top (saw some people working on the tv towers up there) to see if tightening the compression nut would help... it sort of did.

Anyway, a 2 hour ride turned into a 4 hour ride with lots of getting lost, hopping barbed wire fences, cow pies, worrying about losing all my braking power and a major calorie deficit.

Good stuff.

[caputo1989]

My best ride of 2007, was riding my new enduro for the first time. I was in Montana for school, and just down the road was the Sourdough trail. Its nothing too special a logging road that goes up quite a ways to another trail following a creek. The seccont trail is a nice rocky rooty singletrack that goes up to Mystic lake. I just couldnt stop thinking that it was such an awesome inogeral ride on the new bike.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1282/dscn0139ay9.jpg

[clarklewis]

i don't know if i've made 15 posts yet, but those cranks are purdy and i'd like some. my best ride this year was last weekend in pemberton (north of whistler) on a fast flowy trail called "reserectum" that just gets better and better as you go. fast berms, some steeps, some kickers, and nice g-out/step-up, chasing 2 friends who are way faster than me! good action!

[markcm]

Worst "ride" I ever had... was freak'n fantastic.

[adza]

best ride 07... oh yes, I can picture it now.

The top of the You Yangs Ranges located outside of Melbourne Australia, just pulled down my full face helmet and then got the countdown. 3, 2, 1 Go.

The adrenaline started pumping... it's always about getting through the first few corners, then you can try relax and remember the course. A burmed lefthander followed by a rocky right hander.... here comes the sky bridge, do not touch your brakes through here..arghh scary. Hurl down the palette drop, float over the creek gap not far from home... Blur and I arrive across the finish line.. panting, heaving, knackered.

But damn that was fun.

[Caine]

My Best ride of 2007 Came in December when my collarbone and my ankle was ready to ride again.

I had one May the 18. broken my collarbone and efter that been in for surgery 2 time's.
Then 4 months later i crash and brake my Ankle also Surgery 2 times.
Now i have 4 screws and 10cm titanium in my shoulder, and 7 screws and 20cm titanium in my ankle. both that are never coming out.

So the best Ride of 2007 was when i was able to get back on my bike a COLD winther day, Clear Sky, -5 Celsius and my girl friend running along side me to make shure i don't fall off, Just like my dad did the first time i learned to ride my bike when i was 5 years old,

Now i am back rideing my DH machine again.
My Collarbone
http://android.dk/crash/1.jpg


My Ankle
http://android.dk/crash/3.jpg

[nomadic]

Best run for me in '07 was my first ride down Tunnel Trail in Santa Barbara on my Nomad. After riding up the road, started down knowing only that it was "rocky". Got into my best flow ever and had a blast, hopping, manualing, drops- everything worked out perfectly, and the trail just melted away. Had a smile on my face for months after that one.

[chicodude]

My best ride of the year was through the park on the way home from work...Full moon....80 degrees out, doesn't get any cooler.

[mini-dub]

My best ride of '07 was riding a long loop trail in the Snoqualmie National Forest (forget the actual name of the trail though) with my brother. It started out on a gravel access road and after several miles of climbing that we crossed a river and headed back the other direction on beautiful singletrack. The ride was amazing despite having to lift our bikes over huge trees that had fallen in a wind storm and had yet to be cleared.

We also spent about 40 minutes on the trail figuring out how to bleed excess oil out of our Juicy 5's because they managed to lock up in the heat. In actuality it only takes about 8 seconds to bleed excess oil out of Avid brakes, but it was the first time we had tried to do it :imstupid: . Needless to say we had a good laugh about our ignorance and how much time we wasted trying to figure it out. I also got a flat while hauling ass on the access road and hit a large immovable sharp rock on accident. And to top it off by the end of the ride my legs were cramping so hard I could barely walk. I consider this the best ride of 07 because I learned so much from it, such as how to bleed my brakes on the trail without the manual, and that on a long ride I need to pack more food so my legs dont cramp so hard.

[bsphere]

the best ride was my first ride after 2 months of rest because of a neck whiplash caused by a downhill crash.
it was a light XC right but it was great :)

[CoyoteRun]

How can I not to mention North Stars @ Tahoe? :banana: It closed in 2006 becuase of construction, and re-open in 2007 with brand new express lifts. And the trails were fun!!! I can't wait to be up there this year.

http://ridemtb.com/images/2007/072207_NorthStar/072207_NorthStar_ao.JPG

[UNHrider]

my best ride in 07 had to be during my trip to Guatemala. My GF at the time and I hooked up with one of the local guides in Antigua and signed up for the volcano ride, which unfortunately didnt involve any active volcanoes. We started heading up some double track for a few miles before turning into some nice loamy single track that eventually climbed above the city. it was a great ride through varying terrain, and most of the trails were created by the local farmers foot traffic and their donkeys traveling to and from work.

was definitely a killer experience in a foreign place doing a familiar activity that i love.

[sAFETY]

My best ride of 2007 was probably on Seymour on the North Shore in the fall. It was later in the afternoon and met some friends for a lap after work, we started on CBC and right from the start my balance was off. This is is a trail that I would normally be able to ride with both eyes closed, but I just couldn't get it dialed.

Missing corners, ejecting from skinnies, and even a near disaster on an elevated log ride that hadn't been an issue for me since last century, my mind was elsewhere. However, no matter how close I came to injury or (even worse) breaking parts, I still had a smile on my face. My riding buddies commented on how my riding seemed off and as the ride progressed, my riding got even worse. It was a nice fall evening and the conditions were great so I suppose they assumed that was why I wasn't letting my poor performance sour my mood.

In reality it wasn't the fresh air, the exercise, the weather, or the friends. The real reason I was distracted is that I found out a few days prior that my wife and I were going to have our first child (but hadn't told anyone yet). I assumed I'd be nervous and over-cautious but the reality was that I was just too distracted by thinking about how awesome it was going to be to teach them to ride a bike and this pastime I love with them.

Between training wheels on the pavement to when they eventually beat their old man in DH laps, I was overwhelmed by the excitement of what was to come. That was my favourite ride of 2007, and maybe one of my favourite rides ever. The fact that I escaped injury just made it that much better.




As an epilogue to that story, my son was born May 15th and my riding has gotten even worse ;)

[blender]

best ride of 2007 would have to be my last visit (of the season) to Mammoth.
this is a bit long, but the memories kept coming, and I kept typing.

During the previous trip, which was 3 weeks earlier, I got injured on my 2nd (of 3) day of riding. Got a nice 2" slice in my forearm from a rogue tree branch, that requred 14 stitches in the ER. That thing was deep and nasty!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1340/1058742920_2e2ce72b30.jpg?v=0
I was forced to sit out my last day in fear of getting an infection. So, needless to say, I was out for some revenge on the trails.

This time, I was riding solo, tagging along with random riders when I got lucky. First day was a bit shaky, I was trippin' a bit on riding alone and from being sliced by the tree last time, so I was holding back quite a bit and not hitting things as fast or aggressive as I wanted. Skipped the drop on Flow, kinda rolled the table jumps on Pipeline, took it easy in corners, and brake checked constantly in places where I would normally be pinning it. Overall, played it very safe, and went to bed that night very unfulfilled.

Second day developed in an interesting way. When i got to the top, I met up with a random rider that had followed me down one of the runs on the previous day and recognized my bike. We exchanged names and greetings, and decided to head down Off The Top together for a warm-up.

Legs and lungs felt good the whole way down, I pedaled hard and pinned corners, connecting all the way to the "illegal" shortcut to Kamikaze to get down to lower Shock Treatment. I let go off the brakes and opened it up on the last section of Kamikaze. Drifting around the last sweeping right turn that spits you into the small doubles on the entrance to Lower Shock Treatment, I counter-steered hard and put a crap load of pressure on my front wheel. When, to my utter surprise, the Michelin DH32 I was running up front, decided to fold over on me. I pinch flatted faster than I could say "should have run tubeless!", and exploded into the small doubles on the entrance to Shock Treatment. I then proceeded to cartwheel down the trail in a big dustball of kitty litter, with my Transition Dirtbag following not too far behind.
..........
......
few moments went by... that felt like an eternity.
I was on the ground. In one piece. All limbs still moving. Vision and hearing clear. Holy fukk! I'm alive!

I got up and dusted myself off. The guy I met earlier was following me, and was standing right beside me, askid me if i was ok. I took off my helmet, and checked my body for brakes or cuts. Everything seemed totally fine, except for the fact that I reopened the 3-week old slice wound from my last trip to Mammoth. I was pissed now!! :disgust1: The mountain was obviously trying to get me back.. again.

I collected my sh!t, and got back on the bike, pissed and determined.
We hit lower Shock Treatment to X-zone. I pedaled like a madman into the step-up lip (you know which one i'm talking about), and aired it as hard as I could throwing a nasty whip that represented all the adrenaline, anger and frustration I had inside me. Braaap!! That felt good. We got back on the lift, and headed back up for more. This time, destination was Skid Marks to Flow to Pipeline... adrenaline from the earlier crash was still pumping hard and I was determined to pin and shred everything in my sight. Skidmarks flew by like it wasn't even there. Corners and rockgardens disappeared, and I kept pressing to go faster and faster. Rolled off the Flow drop, landing smooth... sweet! A few pedals, and we turn left to Pipeline for some jumps that I've been rolling all weekend. Not this time! We charged ahead cracking the tables with speed and style. Feeling smooth and in control! This is it.. the sweet taste of revenge.. getting back at the mountain that has been trying to beat me down 2 trips in a row! A few more turns and rock chutes, and we were down at the village.

What a rush! Bleeding, dirty and grinning form ear to ear!
That's what great rides are all about :monkeydance:
ride on fellas!

[H8R]

I had many great solo mountain bike rides rides in 07, but my best ride was in a speedboat out on the fjords near the island of Tromoya near Arendal in Norway. We were performing at a festival and they had boats set up as recreation for the artists. We went out on the water with some beers in the sun and tore it up for a couple hours.

Then I went and watched Chamillionaire.

http://www.last.fm/event/79571

[Defenestrated]

My best ride of 2007 would have to be at Mammoth. The top half of velocity was a blast, deep dusty loose over rocks and super fast open sections. However that deep loose stuff would be the end of me when I crashed and injured my neck >_>

[JewBagel]

Best ride of 2007 was a summer day before work. There was a section of trail which used to be a part of my weekly ride until it became a little too overgrown and brimming with poison oak a few years back. Earlier that summer I had spent about 40 hours cleaning it up and I had just finished building my 6" travel fully. It was really fulfilling to be able to enjoy the fruit of my labor on a new bike.

[synchro]

best ride of 07 was a weekend shuttle fest on the SSC with TSW

[DHS]

Finally able to ride in the rain, it was a misty rain out here in socal. its very rare that one can ride in the rain offroad here. with out sinking into the mushy sand. best part is. cold/rain scares most the people away from the trails here. so did some nice flowy trails on my Sir9 single speed.

very nice to have the grounds wet and tacky. instead of sliding out in the sand everywhere

[CarbonMike]

My best ride in 07 was my first ride on my handmade carbon frame. Three years of work behind me and I was sitting on my baby, riding it in the woods. My dream come thrue. I was enjoying every root, every bump...

[zahgurim]

My best ride was my first race on the Bottlerocket.
It showed me just what the little thing was capable of, and how good it felt doing it. Has made me a lot more comfortable getting big/fast air... perfect bike for the trails here.

Also, '07 saw me riding a lot more XC again during the week. Was good to get my legs/lungs back! Those were all pretty good rides, too. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/zahgurim/Riding%20in%20Korea/DSC_8028.jpg

[mr_dove]

As an at-home dad to three little boys I don't often get much time in the saddle these days. My best ride of 2007 is likely a bit underwhelming to many.

I live near a state park what has alot of different activities inside (shooting range, boating, biking, horseback riding, etc). Since I spend my days taking care of my boys most of my riding is at night.

One night I packed up all my riding gear, charged up my headlight and headed over to the park. The park is very dark at night and there is alot of wildlife around. I usually spot at least 5 or 6 deer each time I ride there.

On this night I happened upon a narrow and sandy path that was marked with a sign designating it as a wildlife refuge. I hit the brakes and made the turn onto this sandy trail. The riding was a bit difficult because my tires had a hard time griping in the sand but I eventually got past the soft stuff and got into an area that was easier to ride.

The trail had numerous forks and it was exceedingly dark. My headlight was the only source of light and the trees came right up next to the trail. Everything was dark and eerie. I took one fork and then another and then another until I was nearly lost. According to Murphy's law, just as I started to wonder if I could find my way back to the main trail, the battery on my light started to run out. I knew at that point that I had only about 10 minutes to find my way out or I would be hopelessly lost.

I turned myself around quickly and started back the way that I had come. My light got dimmer and dimmer as I went and my level of anxiety increased every moment. Each minute spent backtracking and looking for the right path cost me precious moments of my remaining light. The light failed about 50 yards from the main path but luckily I was able to find my way by that point. I found the main path and slowly worked my way back home.

There were no big drops or fancy moves on my ride but it was a great ride and very memorable for me. Also a few lessons learned.

[wilfred]

Best ride of 2007 was a nice competition for 75 km in Belgian. My new bike (just rebuild) a Giant NRS C1, dit worke perfect and everything goes smoodly,
Nice people, frieds, great muddy terrain and more than 1500 bikers.
Nice to see so mutch mountainbikers all over the hills.

[hooples3]

74 degrees, Sunny. 5 full hours of riding the roller coaster like Mackensie river trail while visiting Oregon last year. Man I wish i lived closer!!!!

[Ridge_Rider]

Best ride of 2007 - The Big Kahuna, back in October 2007. 20 miles point to point of pure east tech. Rocks, roots, drops, etc. It's a great time every year and by one of the toughest rides of the season.

[dblspeed]

good luck! :busted:

[A Grove]

Most memorable ride for me would have to be my first trip to Rays this past October. I was like a little kid in a candystore!!

[MtnBikerChk]

So many good rides - how to choose....


hmmmm - probably our trip to KT last fall. I love VT in the fall. The weather is cooler and the leaves are changing color.

Yeah, definitely KT with IAB.

[jmzd4]

Dark Mountain was the best so far.

[RSutton1223]

Windmill @ Windrock for the first time...that was a rush.

[Del]

My best ride was at Patapsco State Park, in Maryland. It was my first time riding there and I was on point for the whole ride. Every turn was pinned, every jump and drop executed perfectly. We rode for about three hours and finished it by having a monster burrito and several beers at a great restaurant.

[FriedRys]

This is an easy one for me, Opening day at Sunday River. It was like coming home again. Good friend, good beer and great trails, all I could ask for out of life.

[maddog17]

so far my best ride has been at Bradley Palmer. the only reason it's been my best is because it's been my first of the season since i had surgury. one down and many to go.

[Quo Fan]

MS Charity ride, June 2007. Rained for the first half of the ride, and I raised a bunch of money for a good cause.

[antimony]

I am getting my bike from NH this month! Antimony will have a bike soon... :shocked:

...does that mean I can enter this contest? :weee:

[CDtofer]

Several longer and shorter rides last summer on an ancient three speed bike that belongs to my GFs father. We spent the weekend at her old family house and rode to several different towns close by. Spent the day at a lake she used to swim in growing up and stopped for beers in any number of small pubs when we were thirsty.

First time she told me she would like a bike of her own to be able to ride with me more.



Hmm thought I had a few more posts over here, doh!

[BadDNA]

Monkeyfest '07. Nothing beats chillin' with a bunch of friendly monkeys and riding bikes for en entire weekend on the buffest singletrack in the northeast.

[redtaco]

Last June we opened our skills park at Cannonsburg ski hill. We had been busting our butts for 4 months to get the trail and features buffed, but watching everyone ride, smiling ear to ear made all the work worth it.

[X777]

My best ride in 2007 was definately BM downhill camp in Jasna - Slovakia.
There was a race on the final day and I finished 2nd in my category, I was pretty stoked about that... This year I'm going again, I'll step up to a higher category and I'm determent to win! :) aaaah we shall see how it goes...

[runnin12s]

I had hundreds of great rides for 2007, but that being said nothing can compare to The 2008 US OPEN so I will right about that instead.
Held at Diablo Freeride Park in Vernon, NJ in May 2008 was a great event. The top names in the sport were there to rip it up at the premier downhill/freeride mountain bike location on the east coast. There were said to be over 500 athletes that attended to test their skills against the best riders in the world. I grabbed my trusty Marin Quake 7.3 on friday morning and headed down to Vernon for 3 days of extreme riding and racing. This weekend was not only going to be my first world class event but also my first time racing in the pro division. Friday morning practice came for the downhill discipline. The course featured a great amount of features to meet everyones like for biking. It started off with a great downhill offcamber couple of sweepers, a smooth rock ledge drop about 2-3 feet to smooth slick rock transition to a couple of rocky highspeed switchbacks that dropped you off a kicker into smooth lift path crossing. you reentered the next section that was sponsored as the Toyota Rock Garden that immediately launched you into a 3 foot natural rock kicker landed into a double left hander, up over rock pile with a hard right and dropped you down into an extremely baby head rock section for a hunred feet or so. Pulling an offcamber smooth left hander lifted you up over some VW sized bolders and dropped you into the premier spectator spot that consisted of a hundred yards of rock outcroppings, 4-5 foot natural drops into more rocks and several tricky rock puzzles to work your way through. When you finally see the light of the ski trail and over the last rock kicker you had a good couple hundred feet of krank it hard on smooth downhill with a little wall ride thrown in, exit the smooth fireroad up over another VW sized bolder that dropped you down a two step 15 foot high shoots, through a right hander/left hander full speed berms, exit the left hander to a 3 foot step down when taken at speed launched you 10-12 feet down to a right hander natural 8 foot tall berm to your first gap jump, 8-10 foot total max. By this time I was peak speed running faster than I have ever ran on a mountain bike in the woods, performed a quick brake check and entered some of the best left/right/left/right berms that when taken properly could be achieved at full speed. One more 3-4 foot step down to right hander that put you out to a couple of rollers into the main field where you see the hundreds of people cheering you on as you make your approach to the Red Bull Pro jump. The jump was nearly impossible to clear, a 6 foot lip followed by a 40 foot gap then a 100 foot sprint to the end. By the end of practice I realized the jump gap was not going to be possible for me to clean so I opted to take the go around. I realized mid morning that equipment abuse was the highest for me than I have ever pushed my equipment. It was time to put the bike up for a little while and check out some of the awesome sights that the Open offered. My son had the privalidge of having Sam Hill autograph his jersey and get his picture taken with him. We sampled the liquid lightning where my son became a regular customer (by the second day he was wearing lightning bolts shaved into his mohawk ridden head) Friday ended with the Dual Slalom qualifiers. 64 top pro's were fighting for 32 qualifying positions. I had been paired against a rider for Vitamin Water. The course was a couple left/right hander mixes around gates over a small 4' drop/gap jump finished through a half dozen gates to the finish line totalling about a quarter mile in length. The first run I sunk deep into the first berm (Freshly made the night before the open). resulting in a loss by one second to my opponent netting a time of 21.04 seconds. The next run against the same opponent in the opposite lane ran differently. I had a sweet gate launch great berm action and the racing lasted to the end of the course, where I came out .1 seconds ahead of my competition with a 20.13 second run, the 34th fastest time of the day. Not good enouph to qualify by 2 spots. Saturday I returned to qualify for DownHill starting with morning practice, I put in 5 or 6 good solid runs where I hooked up with Fred from FastFreddy racing a semi-local pro from Massachusets. He helped point out some smoother lines in the downhill course and my practice for the day ended flatting in the toyota rock garden. A few hours later it was time to race. The anxiety level was peaking and it was time to throw down and see what I had. The approx. 2 mile course was going to be the most grueling riding I have ever put my body and machine through at top speed, and top speed was going to be required to qualify as only the top 60 racers were going on to sunday's main event. I was 68, so I would be the 68th pro to hit the course. I entered the starting gate and watched the 1 minute time count down, the last 10 seconds hit and it all became a blur as I entered the zone, it was time to hit it and hit it hard. The 5 second start marker beeped and I was off, ripping it for all I had. A little mix up in the rock garden through me off to the right/downhill side forcing me off a 4-5 foot drop to flat where I had to pedal to retain my speed, netting a 5 or 6 second loss of time, not a problem, I was stoked and taking the lines faster than ever before. I got to the bottom flow sections and damn things were coming at me faster than I could comprehend. I entered the ending field still numb from adrenaline pedaling for all that was in me. I cranked across the finish line to look around and see how my efforts had panned out. 3 minutes 24 seconds, a few quick calculations in my head thinking that it was a good secure time, then I noticed out of the 67 other riders that rode before me I was sitting in 40th position. Oh well I gave it my all, my chances of keeping a top 60 spot were little to none. The next couple hours showed pro after pro coming in with lightning times. with the fastest qualifier going to several year world champion Sam Hill. A 2min39sec. time. When all was said and done I ended 104th place. On one hand I was depressed that I had not qualified, then reality set in. My first race with world cup athletes, my first race in the Pro division, heck it was pretty good. I finished the perfect weekend riding Diablo sunday with my son, Nate, uncle Will and cousin Chris. We had a blast and continued to enjoy the venue. The US Open goes down in my book as one of the best events I have ever attended and one of the best riding weekends ever. Strong recommendations go to anyone looking to go to this event. Thanks to all the locals as well as the Pro's that helped show my son and me the time of our lives. See you all on the mountain again real soon.

[jwiffle]

One of the great rides of 2007 was the Shenandoah Mtn 100. Did it on my rigid singlespeed. Everything hurt when I was done, but it gave a strong sense of accomplishment. Can't wait til this year's race!

[shortbusrdrmose]

wow this is exactly what i needd!!!

[TN]

My first ride in Milwaukee was my best '07. I discovered an 8 mile + single track trail system right out our back door, more pubs & taverns within in riding distance than we ever imagined & a beach on the big lake perfect for an after ride beverage.

[Buddhak]

Best of 2007 for me occurred when I visited Oak Ridge TN from Philadelphia last summer. I was down there for a week long course, so I posted a "bike loan" request on the Knoxville craigslist. One guy wrote back and said he would let me and two of my friends(!!!) borrow his bikes without charge, and ride with him at Haw Ridge. Not only was Haw Ridge a great trail, but this generous individual was a great host. Easily, this was the best ride of 2007, and I owe it to the good will of a (former) total stranger.

[JohnBoy]

Any day riding with my brother and friends in the woods on peddal bikes.

[rayhaan]

best ride of 2007...
without a doubt has got to go to the day out mid summer here in Ireland, barnaslingan, our local berm track, it was dry, dusty, there was loads of people absolutely ripping it, I happened to be going pretty good as well, so that made the day even better! no matter what you can never get sick of hitting berm after berm, and then ruts, ruts and open corners! incredible!
although they cut down the forest that it was in recently, so that place is ruined now, so that's what makes that ride even more incredible, last day there and I had a blast!!

[nestorlinks]

best ride of 07 was clearing all obstacles at Middle Run (newark, de) and waiting for my riding friends to catch up.

[MantoR]

Best ride of 2007 was three weeks after my son Xander was born, we took him out to the freeride park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He didn't get any riding in, but probably was one of the best rides I've every had.
http://24.231.144.194:8088/xtremebaby.jpg

[Tex Mex]

My best ride in 2007 was in Sedona, AZ. It was in October. The weather was perfect. We rode for 5 hours in Bell Park across from the Bike and Bean Bike shop. Awesome riding. The only reason we came out was that we ran out of food and water.

We met freinds from Texas that had a brother from Pheonix as our guide.

Of course, every ride with my wife, Pam, is a great ride. She has been with me through broken collar bones, broken ribs, broken vertebraes, concussions. She has also been through the surgeries and recoveries with me. SO how can I ever have a BAD ride with her?

[dboatman]

Solo on Bull Creek during a 5" down pour form abot 8 am to noon. The creek was raging. it was awesome.

db

[Ian F]

My best ride of 2007 was a road ride. Nice Summer day, nothing planned... and my nice, hilly 70-odd mile hilly route... a nice break from the constant car-wrenching that occupies most of my free time these days...

[Trainwreck]

Best ride of 2007...
Was the 24 Hours of Old Pueblo, one of our team mates started to get sick in the middle of the night so we picked up the pace and laps to cover for him until he could get back on the bike. Best weather yet for this event that year.

[dogdude]

best ride for 2007 was my first ride after arthoscopic surgery on my knee. my knee hurt, my back hurt, my legs hurt, my lungs hurt but i never felt better ;)

[esr]

MY best ride of 07............That is a challenge to pick out of so many good rides, but lucky it pops right into my head after onyl a few secounds of though.

My best ride was in late september around the 15 or 20th. I had been lookng for someone to go ride some DH with me and none of my normal riding buddy's could make it. After being depressed my soon to be wife (OCtober 6th) said " you call everyone and you forget your live in buddy". Wellmy soon to be permenent rding buddy and me went out to a small DH course and did runs for a few hours and also worked on her DH techniques. It was great seeing her progress and willingness to push herself. The ride wasnt that diffrent then most falls, fun and great talk after. It was the realization that as of October sixth 2007 I would have a permenant live in riding buddy that is always willing to go ride.

[excessive]

Best Ride of 07 for me was having the opportunity to ride in another country. I was in the Netherlands, and although it was cold, had an absolutely amazing ride. The Dutch are such wonderful people, and being able to share something I love with people of a much different culture than mine was great.
I can't wait to go back

[stealth71]

My best ride I hit this jump and flew it was fun. Now 15 posts damn.

[topCat]

Best ride was hitting Diablo for the first time. drove down from MA and met up with a bunch of friends from CT and NJ. awesome trails, sweet transitions, all around amazing time.

[Commencal-guy]

My best ride of 2007, was the 3rd MT. Snow race. The reason, becuase it was the only race in 2007 for me when all my equipment didn't fail on me before the race.

[I Are Baboon]

The Churn and Burn 24 hour race in Ashford, CT last September. I did the two man with Splat and we scored a 2nd place finish. MtnBikerChk also did the two person race with her cousin and it was great having her there.

That was the most tired I've ever been from riding and I have never felt hunger like that before. And thanks to the dietary research MBC did, this was the first 24 hour race that I did where I didn't have stomach issues. 24 hour races are so much more enjoyable when you're not sick to your stomach. :)

[bad mechanic]

In March of 2007 I snapped my left leg in half. After a surgery and titanium rod later I spend the next month on my couch, then the several months after that limping around on crutches, going to PT, and generally feeling like an idiot. Finally, in September my orthopedist cleared me to ride my bike again. The same day after work I grabbed my bike and headed up to the local xc loop. I was slow, my bike handling wasn't great, and everything hurt, but it was the absolute best ride and kept a stupid grin on my face the whole time. I'd been slowly going insane up until that point, but when I got home, everything was just good.

[phiercetmx]

Best ride of '07 was the first day Sunday River opened after a very long lay off.
The trails were better then ever and I was the first down the new tombstone since they closed!

[wildkona]

My best ride this year is always the one I just had.

[marlopez]

Monana de Oro in SLO after not being there for a year

[hardtales]

Rode Marsh Creek, Downingtown, PA in the middle of the winter. Trails had 3 inches of snow and a crust of ice. It was like pavement. Then rode on the lake.

[mike_243us]

My best ride in 2007 was the first ride of the season it was in jan in allaire I was the only person in the park did 12 miles and it was close to 50 degrees.
that was the ride I found tiger woods...so wicked single track.

[antm]

Best ride of 2007. Well, it has to be Markham park in the rain back in July. Got caught in a downpour and only made me ride harder. Then the sun came out and made for an even better ride. Post ride refreshments capped off a great day at the trails.

[If_Rider]

I took my 2 boys (5 and 7 at the time) to some mellow singletrack nearby for their first MTB ride with Dad. Seeing their big smiles as they rode through the woods was priceless.

[MTB_Rob_NC]

Best ride of 2007: There were a lot, but I would have to say that 2 days in Mammoth, lift assisted really took the prize.

[Lifer]

City Park in Austin :)

[stuntmanmike]

My best & worst ride were both in the same day,the day I broke my arm at Diablo .Earlier that day I bought a season pass, I was riding better than I ever have. I hit every transition & drop with grace & ease,it felt like flying without leaving the ground, like I could do anything. I had a full day already then someone suggested "lets do one last run". Knowing better from past experience I did it anyway.Needless to say fatigue got the best of me & I wound up "taking the truck down" & ending my season the weekend after opening day.
I learned a lot that day, a painful but useful lesson. I had a year to think about it in Physical therapy and this is my thesis:
Never-Ever say or do "ONE LAST RUN",its a bad omen......

[46chief]

Seems like the last run of the day of every sunday was my best ride, but the ride that sticks out is the mount marston trail in lincoln county, long buff singletrack is hard to beat.

[andym]

2007 had so many good rides it's hard to pick the best but I think rides of survival seem to always be good to me. We were riding Iron Mtn in December of 07. It was colder than we would have liked and the trails had a little snow on them. Trails were in great shape and going into a slight two wheel drift in the turns made it seem so much more fun. There was one rider in our group slowing the pace down alot. The planned loop was 35 miles. With our average speed in the neighborhood of 4-5mph, we're looking at 7-8hrs on the bike. That isn't good when start time was 10am and it gets dark at 5:30. Somewhere around the half way point we came to one of many creek crossings. One rider tried to cross the ice thinking it would breakaway under his weight but it didn't. As soon as both tires hit the ice the bike jumped out from under him. The weight of a rider slamming down on the ice was enough to break it. We get him out of the creek, the rest of us wade the creek, and once we see everyone seems ok we head on out the trail. We decide to change our route to take us on a hike-a-bike that should save us about an hour. We head up a fireroad to catch Skulls Gap realizing at the top it's getting dark and cold. This is our last technical section so we decide to take it in what daylight we have left. Once we reach the bottom we make the decision to take Straight Branch back rather than Iron Mtn to Lum since it's shorter and easier. Riding by braile we find our way back to the cars, tired, cold, and hungry. Once it was done we said we'd never try that again, but just yesterday we were reliving the ride and planning the next trip this fall.

[Arutha]

Had to be the first ride of the season, surprisingly dry for western PA in the spring. Bike worked without issues and even I rode without feeling like I hadn't rode in months, which I hadn't. It's the start of a great biking season.

[spam16v]

anytime on 2 wheels is a good ride if you ask me.

[banchee man]

my best ride was whistler, by far. it was probably my best ride ever, it rained the whole time but that just added to the full experience of riding in BC. The only time i crashed was walking around an obstacle; i rolled my ankle bad, and learned a valuable lesson never cheap out on a jump because if you do it will just bite back hard.
:cheers:

[tammy]

As anyone who knows me (and my blog) can attest, I believe every ride has its special and unique moments. But I think my best ride of 2007 would have to be the first time back on the bike, once I could actually turn the pedal all the way around, after extensive knee damage and subsequent surgery that kept me off the bike for a couple of years. It's good to be (getting) back! :biggrin:

[chipper]

My best ride of 2007 would have been the msc race at angel fire. one of the Best courses i have rode

[gonefirefightin]

best ride of 2007 was the first race out of the hospital after two years of inpatient after injuries in iraq. I believe it was my second place finish at nationals.

i take it back, it was the naked crit on the pit bike!!!!

[Pat Tellier]

As silly as it sounds, my best ride in '07 has been on pavement. I was riding from home to my girlfriend's workplace to wait for her to finish. That was the day she announced me that we should move closer to my job, meaning that I could now ride to work. She took a bus back home while I rode the hell out of my little hardtail and got home before her. Every heartbeat was in the perfect timing, each pedal stroke had so much power, the overall ride was awesome!

[Yanick]

My best ride of 2007 is definitely the 24Hr race of Albion Hill that I with my club. all week-end long we had fun and good ride. The organization was just great, the course was awesome and the team simply fantastic.

Did I mention that we won the gold in the 175 and over:thumb:

Thanks for this giveaway.
Y.

[dancorley]

My best ride of '07 was a nice spin along the Cherry Creek Trail in Colorado w/my then 4 yr old son. He was just getting his new bike dialed in and we had a blast, snow all around, clean bike path and sunny skies. He has since moved on to our little backyard dh run and is really starting to rip! Video to follow in a few days.

[kenyee]

My best ride was on a dirt trail passing a beach one morning and riding past a few girls suntanning topless :biggrin:

[Jeremy R]

My best ride in 07 was the third Snowshoe DH Race last year.
The course was perfect, the conditions were perfect.
Everybody was smiling because the vibe of the weekend was so good.
It was the most fun two days of riding I have had in a while.
I even flatted out halfway through my race run that weekend, but it didn't matter. The good times were already had.

[keith13]

My best ride in 2007 was my last ride of 2007. We went to Hall Ranch in Lyons Co and niether myself or my friend had ridden there before. We got through the rick gardens unscathed and made it almost to nelson-loop before we started to run out of time so we turned around and started to make our way back. We made it through the rock gardens no problem but... When I got close to the parking lot I stopped to wait for my friend and she had been only 30 seconds behind me the whole way down and now she was 2 minutes late so I rode back up the trail to find her spread eagle and road rashed on both elbows and knees, needless to say our time restraints were null and void at that point :) This was mid October'ish. then 2 weeks later I twisted my ankle at work and had an avulsion fracture which turned me into a couch potato for the months of November, December and most of January. Made my first ride of 2008 very VERY tough!

[blkmrkt91]

my best ride of 2007 was at arastadero preserve march 28th. It was a beautiful day out and i was in shape(at the time hahaha) and it was a fast and smooth ride. very fun.

Thanks webcyclery!

[SMcGill]

My best ride of 2007 was with my wife along the Tuscarawas river.

[brandmatika]

My best time last year was definitely the Virginia IMBA Mountain Bike Festival at Stokesville VA. "The Big Ride" down Redish Knob was insanely fun, with stunning scenery, and an amazing trail. :biggrin:

[seth505]

My best ride of 07 was riding a big line at Highland mtb park and I came up short flipping a big jump. As I rotated around my rear tire clipped the landing real good and sent me the opposite way into a front flip crash...all while being filmed from a zip line. It probably looked awesome and made me look like a big fool!:bonk:

[el-cid]

My best ride in 2007 was my most challenging race I'd done up to that point. I built a rigid single speed 29er (yes, the t-word, gasp!) over the winter of '06/07 and to that point had done some riding on a single speed but never on a rigid bike. Riding some trails earlier in the season had proven to me that the combination of a ti. frame, carbon rigid fork, and fat 29er tires was magic and made me either more bold or dumb, not sure which.

As Summer came into full swing, a friend decided to host a 100 mile race in August. He also offered 50 mile and 50 km options so another friend and I signed up for the 50 km since neither of us had done any kind of endurance race before. I wasn't sure which bike to ride; had geared hardtail and full suspension options available to me, but the day of the race I grabbed the SS. The race was pretty challenging in the heat and had quite a bit of climbing but I pushed harder than I had ever pushed in a race before and took 3rd in the open 50 km class. I had proven something to myself, but most importantly I had a blast.

[hank]

I had unfortunately broken my leg on July 4th, 2007 while on a ride. About a 1.5 mile crawl to the trailhead too while mosquito's ate me alive. So i spent the entire summer in an air cast while the better part of the summer drifted by. My wife and i had just bought a house in NH and the day we moved, i got the OK to take the cast off. We live where there are a lot of dirt roads right out our back door. Sometime that September i was able to sling a leg over my mountain bike and road to the end of my road and back. It was painful but it was good pain! Can't describe the feeling of finally getting back to what you love to do. That was the best ride of 2007.

[DIRTWRKS]

Best ride of 2007 was at Whistler up on Garbanzo.

[corbearofskiing]

haha funny thing is i just got my 15th post the other day, just starting to get into this site


I would say my best ride of 2007 has to have been my trips to highland in august. we were vacationing in maine and were only an hour and a half away so we went a bunch of times on the weekends they were open, this was a great trip because there was something for all of my family there, my younger brother loved the jump park and pump track, I'm a freerider so all of the lift access stuff was amazing, my grandmother and mom loved sitting around at the base reading and hanging out in the sun, and my dad and the dog had a blast videotaping everyone and taking pictures of all the biking,

definetly worth the trip if your considering heading there to ride

[biandon]

when I flew out to whistler for a week - everyday was awesome. good trails, good frields, good parties.

[DSM]

I think I would have won these cranks, if only I had enough posts by now. Darn it! I am not even close!:bonk:

[rky mtn srfr]

Have been fortunate to do many excellent rides last year, some solo and some with friends. My 'best' ride of 2007 was probably an early season (June) ride I did with my friends up Mammoth Basin Road towards James Pk and back down. We got to treeline and were halted and turned around by some nasty storms. Riding above treeline in a bad storm with lightening is just too sketchy. So, instead of back tracking our ascent, we hid in the tree's for a bit to see if the weather and rain would pass, which it didn't. We also studied the map, and turned the day into a freeride session by dropping 2000' through evergreen stands, meadows and aspens right down to the truck. Pretty darn sweet day that provided plenty of stoke from doing something new and different.

[slimshady]

Well, 2007 wasn't the year I've rode the most. In fact, it was by worst year riding. But one thing I have to rescue: the ride I did with my girl in Cordoba, here in Argentina. A whole week to sink into the mountains, fresh air and natural kindness of the people from Tanti (visit http://www.verdetanti.com.ar to get an idea of what I'm talking about). Nice slopes, not too steep for a rookie girl as mine is, nice jumps (boy if I could some day have a summer house here, things would be soo very different from now!). It wasn't my first trip to Tanti, but taking my girl with me AND the bikes really made the difference.

The Altas Cumbres' sierras, at the Cordoba Province, here in Argentina, has a main city carved into them (Villa Carlos Paz), and very close to it there's a number of small villages such as Tanti or Los Cocos. They've a great number of non-paved roads and small mountain tracks connecting them, mostly used by the local people to go from town to town or to take their cattle to graze over the sierras. Lots of beautiful singletrack and many, many good moments got imprinted into my retines.

Plus, this trip got me closer to my girlfriend, and brought to her a new look on how I like to ride. A couple of high speed, open downhills got her adrenaline sky high, and with her heart pumping as a drum, she realized I'm not as crazy as she tought. Or maybe yes, but not in a very bad way ;-)

[Earthmover]

Hands down, my best 2007 ride during the Moab trip. I went there with just my wife, who doesn't ride, so when I was out on the trails I wasn't pushing too hard. The whole buddy system bit, you know. On my second to last day, though, I took a shuttle trip through Poison Spider Cycles (awesome shop, BTW). We were to run the Porcupine Rim, but starting as high as possible, on the Hazard County trail. There were only 2 other guys on the shuttle, and they'd been doing this same run all week long, and they had it dialed. Worked out great, those two were super cool. One guy was a tad faster than me, the other a bit slower. We cranked it up! The trails were in great shape, crazy fast and flowy, and we were pinning it all they way down. I'd never seen the trail before, but was just glued to Chris's wheel, and letting it rip! 32 miles, 4000 vertical feet, and 4.5 hours later, we came out down by the Colorado. We had stopped to session a couple spots, and check the view at a few others, but we pretty much ripped the entire way down. I was exhausted, but so happy! Best, most epic trail day of my life, not just 2007. Wow.

[J-Dubs]

I'd have to say it was in Essex MA, with a few great riders.
I was just on my game. The trails are really technical, rocky, rooty(?), steep and narrow. A lot of the features in that system are damn near impossible to clean, but yesterday, I crushed it.
There have been other days when I have hit a jump that had freaked me out, hit a big drop or rode a high skinny that made me dizzy, but yesterday was more fulfilling all around.

An XTR crankset would have made it that much nicer, so you should give it to me for next time.

[NuMexJoe]

Although 2007 was a bit of an off year, there were still some excellent rides. I'd say the best was the Gold Bar - Portal ride with some buds last November. Good times, no mechanicals, and I was particular "on" that day and cleaned some stuff I never had before. Happy trails,
- Joe

[Fighting Bob]

The very best ride of Aught-seven my ride near Flagstaff, AZ. Mt. Elden is a great ride area and when I'm done, I can come down off the trails and have a great cup o' joe at Macy's.

[johnbryanpeters]

The 2007 Vermont 50. Rode it, enjoyed it, placed second in Masters II Novice class.

[konarider1283]

My best ride of 2007 was at the US Open of mountain biking at Diablo Freeride Park. All the people there, the sick riders, the wild and crazy fans. It was purely a sight to experience, and since it was my first ever US Open, or any type of mtb event of that magnitude for that matter, I was truly changed by the event, and it showed me the true spirit of the mountain biking community and how awesome it is to be a part of.

[Kanter]

My best ride of 2007 was riding Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier Park with my wife before they opened to cars. We made it all the way to the top.

[laura]

My best ride of '07 would have to be my last road ride in Memphis. It was hot as hell (Mid-September) and I went on my usual weekend solo road ride early on a Sunday trying to beat the heat and the church traffic, knowing it would be the last time I would ride that route. I was the only person on the road the whole time, I hit up all my favorite sections of street to ride, visited the river and then came home. It was a typical road ride, and that's what made it so great.

[paulbug]

New trails are always the best, no matter the year or the day. I went to Tahoe and rode part of the Rim trail--a new section for me. It was swooshy, smelled like pine, and had lots of wildlife, but little oxygen. At the end, there was this HUGE fallen tree field, with some obstacles and elements built up on them. There's so much more space up there than in Santa Cruz. We rode up and over the balance beams and on the log challenges numerous times--a great end to a great ride.
Paul Miller

[jakec]

My best ride in 2007 was in the summer when I visited Longmont, Colorado. I started riding after having not been on a bike for 20 years (yes, you read that right, 20 years). "Back in the day" we had no such thing as "Jump Lines," only single hit jumps.

I got to ride at The Fix in Boulder several times during that visit and was able to work up to hitting 3 of the 4 jumps in the "newb" line. I had not been that stoked about anything in years!

[Aman112]

xc ride at haw ridge in oak ridge TN, an amazing spot for some xc, am type riding

[eaterofdog]

Best ride by far was the first time back on my bike after getting the cast off of my ankle.

Now gimme some candy!

[proglife]

best ride of 2007 was the one around the neighborhood where I didn't feel like my lungs were going to burst. horribly out of shape, little riding year. already feeling much better on the new ride

[jbrookeiv]

My best ride of 2007 was discovering a secret trail that was 5 minutes from my house after driving 45 minutes every time I wanted to ride for the past year. It was an epic singletrack which twisted back and forth hundreds of times, squeezing as many miles of trails in the smallest area possible. It felt endless, and I loved every minute of it.

[JohnE]

Best ride in 2007? All of them. Every time I throw a leg over a bike, I am reminded of how lucky I am to be able to ride. With all the crazy stuff going on in the world, I am just grateful to be able to pedal every single time...

[Bikerpunk241]

Best ride of 2007.......Dyke trail, Crested butte. It was great to be out there with 6 of my good friends, looking down a flowing expanse of single track, obscured solely by the wild flowers that grow into the trail. The first half of the trail is rolling with short steep climbs, and flowing downhills, then comes the long hike-a-bike, and when you do finally get to the top, it's truly all downhill from there. the first quarter mile after the hike-a-bike is like riding a roller coaster, no brakes are necessary due to the awesome natural berms and wide open trails, then it drops back into dense under growth with logs to hop, corners to rail, some rocks to skip over, and eventually, the bottom......dang.

[Nick]

Best ride of '07.
About 4 months after breaking up with my ex and moving out of our house. It was probably August or so and I had spent the previous 4 months pretty much dying from way, way, way too much booze and depression. I had been riding all the while, but the joy of it was gone. So, this one Sunday afternoon I grabbed my hardtail and went for a street ride session, playing around my normal spots. I guess I had a 'moment of clarity' and was so happy just to ride my bike that day. Everything flowed, hopping and manualing everything I wanted, basically riding on auto-pilot. At that point I remembered the good things I had in life.

Sorry this is SO cheesy, but because of my situation last year I didn't travel anywhere and barely enjoyed my local rides. When I read the topic, this day immediately came to mind. So, there. Riding is good for the body, heart and soul. I'm sure you know what I mean.

Cheers.

[Big B]

Bootleg Canyon, hands down. I was in LA for a couple months, and some local guys let me tag along on a trip to Boulder City to ride Bootleg Canyon for a day.
Ginger...triple black diamond :eek::shocked: I didn't even know these kind of trails existed. Didn't get to ride as much of it as I would have liked. Simply the hardest trail I've ever ridden. It was awesome!

[Spero]

My '07 best must have been a saturday that a few of us took the big squishies out to Bandera, did a few sketchy runs then headed back to town and hit up one of the local universities for stair gaps and randomness. We eventually ended up bar hopping on the bikes and had a hell of a night.

[EvilShenaniganZ]

Well I didn't get to ride in 07. I was at Lackland Air Force Base in BMT. Then Mississippi for training. But at the begining of 08 I bought a new bike and rode for the first time in almost 3 years. I've yet to locate any bike parks but I make due with the local spots. That first ride was great and only one small enconter with a barbwire fence.. My bike is a 08 Garry Fisher Mullet and this part pretty much costs as much as my bike did. Defanitley a upgrade for sure.

[hucked2bend]

Every ride that starts out with my new son smiling at me before I leave the house (he knows his time is coming for a new bike, even at 5 months old), the sun is shining & the trails are brown & tacky!! As long as I'm not gone too long, the wife needs her singletrack fix as well. Now come on Central Oregon, lets see the summer!!!

Cheers!!!

(can I have my cranks now please ; )

[Baillie]

Road trip from Atlanta to Louisville in the fall. Hit up Nasheville skate park and Greenville skate park on the way north. We crashed in a hotel room until 1am, then rode the skate park from 1:30 am until 9am! Such an amazing night. Drive back home sucked, but we'll definatley do that same gig again soon.

[Danabeck007@com]

...2007?? That's so long ago. Well, the best ride of 2007 has to be Whistler Bike Park in Canada!!! That place is amazing! The trails are so well built and it's impossible to stop riding, even when your start getting blisters on your hands. Karate Monkey, Devil's Club, Angry Pirate:banana:... Can't wait to go again.

Did I win the cranks?:brows:

[DRB]

Riding with IAB, MBC, JeremyR and Mtn_NC_Rob at Catawba was awesome.
My first solo 12 hour race at Tsali.
All the rides on the Colorado trip with the fellas including that hippy scum SS.
The SWANK 65 just because 43 miles in Pisgah can never be a bad thing and most likely will defy description.
Pretty much every Tuesday night ride with the Regulators.
One stupid Saturday doing 60 miles on the road in the morning and then another 20 on the trail in the afternoon just to avoid a yardsale.
Hell pretty much everytime I get on the bike is pretty freakin' awesome so I refuse to jump thru hoops and pick a best oppressors.

[Ti22]

Best ride in 2007 is when a friend of mine who used to ride pro cycling took me to a trail that he discovered off the I-17 close to flagstaff.. it wasn't listed in any guide, but it was about 5 miles long and went east off the trail head near the freeway. The weather was perfect at about 65 degrees and overcast and it had rained earlier that day so there was no dust... for a good few thousand feet the trail had roller coster type berms that were a blast to go up and down!

[jtdcg]

For me it was a memorial weekend romp that a friend and I did across southern NH. We started at Fort Rock, then Fomba, (pause) then Gnome trails in Milfod, then Yudicky, (pause) then Beaver Brook.

[dust4life]

Got to Diablo and for the first time the dirt jumps WERE OPEN OMFG they're always so careful and overprotective... i finally was able to take a bike i'd purpose built for dirt jumping on a nice line of jumps. They weren't anything spectacular but it flowed pretty well and since in my town we only have 1 jump the feeling of linking hits was amazing.

[jimmydean]

Portland Bridge Pedal with my wife and daughter. The last ride with the trailer and I can't wait for this year with the tag-a-long.

[hasaccol]

My best ride of 2oo7 was at Sunsire Ski Park near Greer, AZ. With my new downhill set up on a Cannondale Gemini 900 I was able to both take the mountain straight downhill and take the switchbacks on the side of the mountain.

What made it so good is that I was able to excel in both trails. The bike was light enough to handle the quick turns on the switches, but still did fine on the hill. I still have that bike, but will be adding another to go even faster on the hill :busted:

Also, Phoenix is usually 100+ degrees in the summer, going up to the mountain is usually 20 degrees cooler or more and I'll never complain about that :thumb:

[MRUFF]

I think my best ride in 07 was Lake Waldo in Oregon, mid 60's perfectly clear august day with a bunch of friends. Swimming and hanging out at the lake afteward in the sun!
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1408/1195536306_c3cec8d30c.jpg?v=0

[smokeybear]

i want some cranks

[1soulrider]

There have been so many great times on the bike it is hard to pick just one.
Best ride of 07 for may well have been an early winter run down Toad's Wild Ride in Tahoe. We had a great crew of good friends and enough snow on the ground to make the rock gardens really interesting.
Some may have said it was too cold or too hard to ride in the snow, but we all just had a lot of fun.
Good friends and great trails make all the rest of the bs worthwhile.
Ride on.

[stripes]

My best ride of 2007 was in September, 3 months after breaking my wrist. It was my first ride back, and I felt free again.

I even tried a quick little manual, but just to be pedaling again instead of riding the sofa was wonderful.

[syadasti]

My favorite ride last year was the three week MTB tour of the Northeast. Thanks again to all the monkeys and otherwise who made it possible. It was quite an awesome trip for me and Peter. Its always awesome to ride new trails and I liked the trails in MA the most and ones in VT were pretty close, just not new for me :D

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=182933

[tomacdaddy]

Considering I was out most of the year with broken wrist...:disgust:

...I'd say my February trip to Bootleg Canyon was one of the highlights of the 2007 season. It was a great riding trip with some great buds on some nasty trails.... and it was in Vegas.

Quite the welcome break from the snow engulfed mountains of home.

[blong]

easy

tram trail

barely made it

almost lost dave

[HAB]

My best ride of 2007 was at Blue Mountain Reserve in Westchester, NY. I drove down with one other guy, and we met two more people there. The ride had everything. We got lost. We rode more than 22 miles. I blew up my rear derailleur, and zip tied it back together. The trails were fun, technical, and plentiful- in a word, perfect.

[Benton]

My best ride of 2007 was a true epic. 12 people, 30 miles of point to point single track, starting at 10PM finishing at 4:45 AM. It was a celebratory ride for my friend Geoff's 30th birthday, and for me leaving the bay area. The trail was awesome. Tight and technical and up and down. We started at 2,500' and finished at the ocean just as the sun was starting to rise. Somehow all 12 of us managed to finish the ride without any serious mechanicals, without anyone's light going dead, and with only a minimum of bonking. Really really cool.

When we got to the ocean everyone crashed in my friend's yard for a few hours, then went down to the beach for barbecue and beer and a really nice going away party.

[nhmtns]

My best ride was cleaning a technical trail that has given me fits for years. Right from the start, everything felt right. I didn't clip my pedal on this jagged rock that I always hit where the trail starts. I landed the first drop very balanced and set up perfectly for the tight turn that followed. I flowed through a log bridge section with no problems, crossed a rocky stream with a tricky deep section, cleaned a rock garden, and landed the last drop on a wet slope without washing out. I actually yelled "Yeah!" as I rolled to a stop at the bottom. I was so energized I rode 30 minutes to get to another trail for another couple hours of riding. Definitely a great day.

[powderboy]

07 was a down year for me because we were in transition from the hell-hole of Phoenix back to the land of mountains, snow and awesome singletrack here in UT. So, my best ride was made in a Penske rental as we hauled all our stuff back to Utah! :-)

[UiUiUiUi]

i did not ride 2007
just got a new bike and so far the best ride was er... a trip around my house... damn :(

[rideitall]

Had many great rides in 2007, way too many on the big bike and not enough XC. I still entered into a race called the Test of Metal. A tough, and in places technical XC race of about 65km. Not even an hour in to race I was ready to bail with cramps and the feeling like I was either going to heave my cookies or crap my shorts. Got through one section and said to myself the worst is over. Not true, but it worked to get me to complete the race.

It was not my best time, but the fact that I managed to finish given my condition so early in the race made me feel like I accomplished something. After the race it was determined that a number of racers had similar issues, but most started near the end of the race or that evening.

That's my story, this year I am riding a little more XC and actually am having a blast doing it. Finding trails that I haven't been on in years.

It is all about the ride.

[Upgr8r]

Okay this was actually in 2006, but other than tooling around the neighborhood and riding the bluffs occasionally, this is my only real ride.

I know, I know I need to get out more but 2007 was a crazy year


On Saturday Zark and J.O. took me out on my first DH run at Knapps. On the positive side, I made it down (it only took an hour). On the negative side, I bit it four times, once pretty hard. The first time was the worst, my front tire caught in a rut and endo'ed me. Nice road rash and bruises to remember it by, but I got up and continued (what choice to you have). The funniest one is a toss up. I slipped off the trail on a off camber section then I endo'ed for no apparent reason. J.O. kept on looking for the rock I hit, sadly no rock, just too much brake. But I did handle the G-out pretty well, made it down and up the other side without biffing or stopping.

Things I learned:
I am out of shape
Speed is your friend
Trust my Iron Horse
Keep my *ss out of the saddle

I may be hurting and humbled but DH is fun. I look forward to doing it again, hoepfully with better results after spending more time on the bunny slopes of Ellwood

Hats off to Zark for taking a novice under his wing.

[adbaldwi]

Best ride this year was with all my college buds on a trip to moab coming down gold bar rim.

[hecktone]

I took my Specialized Epic Marathon on our family vacation on the island of Kauai in July of last year. And did only one ride over the 10 days we we're there, but it was epic, going up Powerline from Princeville, then riding through Hanalay Bay up the coast and then returning back home to the condo I tossed in a few laps on the golf course cart paths for good measure. It was perfect, and worth lugging that bike box all the way to Hawaii!

[Will_Jekyll]

My best ride of 2007 was the Monarch Crest Trail, Colorado. I hadn't ridden much last year and I really pushed my self doing the longer version of this ride and not taking any of the short cuts or dirt roads out. I was wiped at the end of the day but it was worth it.

[Runner]

I can never pick favorites, so I can't remember which ride of 2007 was my favorite. It could've been riding all the stunts at Nepaug, my first time to Diablo, staying at the Cabin at Killington, or one of the random rides around town jumping everything in sight. They were all amazing in their own way.

[Mudd]

Best ride in 2007 was the trip to Whistler! Can't get any better then that!

[kylelind]

My best ride was at the Demonstration Forest in the Santa Cruz mountains, on the “Tractor” trail. It is a long steep single track with some north shore style log rides, teeter-totters and jumps. It is a great time!!

[ghostrider]

Bend Oregon last August with my bro and some other monkeys.

I NEED THOSE CRANKS!!!!

[MK_]

By far the most memorable ride for me was right from my door step in Boulder, CO. I pedaled my bike to the bus station, took a 45 minute ride up the canyon to Nederland, hopped back on my bike and pedaled about 30 miles over Rollins Pass, via Eldora Mtn resort and Jenny Creek trail and then down a 2hr descent all the way to Winter Park. It wasn't the hardest, nor the longest, but it felt amazing to have covered so much terrain (seemingly) on a bike, since it takes about 90 minutes to drive to where I biked to in 5 hours. It was a true epic ride, too, complete with torrential downpours, steep, loose climbs, river crossings and high elevation. The high point was riding into the clouds that were pouring down on us, then emerging on the other side, into blue skies and tacky goodness for the entire descent. (photos 1 and 2)

The best ride, though, that's gotta be Crested Butte. There are some trails there that I can't shake the grin off my face from. The singletrack there is spectacular. (photo 3)

_MK

[Zark]

My best ride of 2007 was my last day at Whistler bike park in August. Our crew of 5 had been thinned and seperated somewhat. Dave had taken a nasty spill at the beginning of the trip and bike problems were troubling Jeff and Johnny. So Joe and I were left out to flog in the last runs of the trip. The weather had finally started cooperating and things were drying up a tad.

There's something about knowing you won't see Whistler for another year that puts an added incentive to making the most of the ride. Joe and I headed up the Garbonzo lift and discussed the planned route. Start off on Original Sin, link it up to In Deep. From there we'd pick up Little Alder, hit the fireroad and link it up with Too Tight to Angry Pirate then finish up into lower A-line. The route fit our emotions and attitude: Exhausted but eager to make to most out of our last day, starting off hard charging wet tech, then getting tight in the trees and finally opening up into a flowy jumpfest.

Needless to say it was a blast. Joe and I slopped our way down Original Sin, trying our best to imitate the PNW style on the roots (so-cal doesn't have rain, much less roots!) Staying off the brakes and predicting the slide were key. In Deep taunts me, as I try to stay upright....in a muddy sloped rootfest, it might not be as crazy as Goats Gully but it gives me plenty to wrestle with ;) Little Alder gave me a minute to breathe and we quickly head down to link up with the tight twisties.

Too Tight is a fun trail, really fun in my opinion. Nothing super tech, just twisty singletrack with little room to work with. Joe and I both start picking up the pace and the tree start getting just bit closer to our shoulders. Just before getting out of the woods there's a sweet log ride. Joe dabs and goes off the log but I manage a clean roll on it. After Joe's little spill he wanted me to take the lead on Angry Pirate, which I accepted ;) Joe leached onto the rear wheel and we went turn for turn down that sinuous route.

Once we get out of the woods I hand off the lead to pull it through A-line. Joe sends it on jumps and I have to push myself to hold his pace. Big floaty airs over tabletops.....its what strikes me as a classic Whistler moment, when you hear only your freewhweel as your floating in the zero g for a second, then pump down the backside.

As with all other great things the run came to an end. Sitting at the bottom of the Boneyard I look up at the mountain and remember there's always next year. I can't wait!

[Jon Kerr]

My best ride of 2007. That's tough. There were 2 major achievements for me in 2007.

The first was October 13th. My first time back on the bike after 4 years off due to some serious health issues. I'd gained over 100 lbs at one point from my condition along with a very painful back problem that took me off my bike and anything active. I finally had taken enough weight off with diet and medication that I was able to get on my bike and pedal for a little while without too much serious pain. The ride was short. Only about 3 miles. I went down to Spring Canyon @ Mission Trails in Santee. Probably my favorite trail close to home. An out and back steady climb out and steady decent back. I could only go about 1.5 miles in before back spasms and a nasty stitch in my side made me turn around and head back to the truck. But it was incredible. The feeling of getting back on a bike in the cool fall morning air. Rolling through the river rock and riding the single track switch backs. It was so much fun and thrilling to be able to do something I've missed for so long.

The second was a little over a month later. Thanksgiving Day. For years, one of the things I loved doing when I was riding before was to go for a ride by myself early on Thanksgiving Morning at San Clemente Canyon. An 8 mile loop up and down the sides of canyons, under overpasses, and up and down the hills next to the beach. In 2003, I was beginning to have the major back problems and the weight was piling on uncontrollably. (My thyroid condition still hadn't been diagnosed.) Thanksgiving Morning 2003, I tried to ride my traditional ride and couldn't. I got about half a mile in and had to turn around. I felt like the trail had defeated me. That was the last time I'd been on my bike until October 2007. Once I started riding again, my next major goal was to defeat that trail on Thanksgiving Morning. I got out to the trail early. About 7am. It was about 38ºF. Colder than any day I'd ridden since I got back on the bike. It took me a few hours, but I completed it. That was probably the hardest thing (physically and mentally) I've ever done. I'd only been able to get out on 5 rides before that day and none of them were more than 5 miles and nowhere near as much up and down hills. But the whole time I was on the trail, I pushed myself to do it. I had to beat the trail that beat me 4 years earlier.

[gsweet]

my best (and only real ride) of 2007 was the northeast fall monkeyfest. having not really been on the bike for ~3 years, and having just built up a new one, i found myself in the dangerous mindset of terrible physical shape accompanied by plenty of mental confidence. the result was me bonking at least 3 times over the course of 4.5 hours, and nearly killing myself on a handful of obstacles/trees.

but beer, pizza and good company cures all...

[SpasticJack]

Best ride of 07 was a last minute trip to SS with a buddy from college. Just a "thought it up and did it" type trip with perfect weather and conditions.

[moneytimetycoon]

Best ride 07...... Day long Urban session at UC Berkeley. Sunny 75 degrees no campus police and "smart" chicks all over the place. :)

[BigMike]

Members obviously padding their post count will be disqualified and publicly ridiculed.

:rofl::rofl:


My best ride in 07 was a Race at Snowshoe. One of my best friends/riding buddies and I got bored waiting around for our race time, so we headed to the other side of the mountain where the other trails are. They were EMPTY, and we did a ton of runs, and they were some of the best runs I've ever taken. We got back to the race as they were calling my number to get in line, I did my race run, and kept riding!

[max123]

my best ride of 2007 was definetely racing chdh. I was an add in for my race run early, and I rode in the back of a pick up sitting next to and talking with mark weir. I was so happy with the course, with a slightly tech section at the top leading into highspeed sections, off chamber sections, many different bank turns, and a solid number of jumps/step downs. i wasn't sure how I was going to place and I ended up in 5th. It was awesome.

[nickfr2000]

My best ride was at Tunnel trail in Santa Barbara CA. It was also my first ride on my first true DH bike so there were alot of unknown factors that made the ride ever so challenging. I took my time in the ride as I adjusted the shock settings and tire pressure to my liking, but stuff like stem lenght and seat angle / setback were stuff that cannot be adjusted on the ride so I just learned to compensate.

[cj51974]

My best ride was this weekend Dec 08, my wife had just purchased a new GT. We had riding together for the first time. We ended up rideing the Red and Black trails at Smith Lake, Fayetteville NC

[Nagaredama]

Railing Backbone at 35 mph into J-Drop then hitting all the drops and lines. Then heading to Pink's for some dogs, booya.

[partswhore]

Best ride of 07? Hmm that's a toughie...

Most likely riding Mt. Desous in Williams Lake, BC. Steepest trails I've ridden in a long time! Can't even remember the names as we were guided down but wow was it a blast! Fast in sections to super steep in others.

Highly recommended.

[berm banger]

My best ride in 2007 was a day out at Cwmcarn in wales, UK.

It was not only a fantastic track to spend the day on but the people I rode with that day made it even better. I was happy and content riding and I began to ride faster than I have done in such a long while. Every turn, jump, drop corner was nailed. I was in the zone and every run got better. All aspects of the day, the weather, the track, the up-lifts, the people, my bike etc all made it one of the greatest days I'd had but not only that, 2 days after the ride I was to go under the knife to have surgery on my knee, a job I'd been putting off for years. It was the best ride ever as it was my last ride for 12 months and I've still not been on a bike yet but every time I feel down about not being aloud to ride until my knee is totally repaired, I think back to that day and look forward to the days to come.

Peace

[lonewolfe]

I had a very enjoyable day of riding at Northstar last summer with a couple of new friends that gave me a ride up there. I crashed hard and have permanent scars on my left arm to remind me of the day forever and that was through my Rockgarden armour. I can't wait to hit Downieville and Northstar again this summer. :banana:

[GuruAtma]

My best ride was riding in the rain with a huge group of friends. We were all cold and wet, but happy.

[j.les]

My best ride was in July. Rode 52 miles on a towpath. It's a good feeling when you pass lycra-clad roadies on a mountain bike.

[Total Heckler]

I actually have 2 best rides of 2007.

DH - It was July 2007 in Santa Cruz CA on some of the local trails. My photographer friend really wanted to come out and test some of his new camera equipment. After hiking out to the trails, we decided to pretty much hit all of the biggest stuff out on the trails. Almost every jump I haven't actually had the guts to