Today was my first day riding this year and one word can summarize it: epic! Not only was it my first day on wheels this season, but the dirt out in batch was nice and dry, I got my first laps in on my new setup and the posse of 10+ was amped. Seems like everyone I love who I haven't seen all semester was out shredding with big smiles all round. The fresh trail is definately seeing some early season action and getting broken in fast! The other thing that was so nice was just to be outside!! Studying, working and training inside makes for some pent up fresh air frustration! The other day the track at the TCC was dry and I was out there like noones business running my legs off (actually pulled my quad), but it still wasn't the quite the same. Today on the bike out in nature the lungs were definately happy.
The new bike was awesome! My old girl fought hard for all it was worth year after year but I am definately happy to have some new and improved wheels under me for this season. The ride on this years Glory DH (http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/mountain/2271/32155/) is really smooth and the bike feels like it just wants to go! When you get on the pedals out of corners the suspension is super efficient and the bike picks up speed really quickly. Overall the bike feels very balanced - in the small amount of air I got to take it felt confidence inspiring and on the ground the bike feels really agile. I am looking forward to the suspension breaking in more so I can get it tuned exactly the way I like it. Even on my first ride of the year with narrow bars, wrong tires and breaking in suspension, by the third run I was starting to feel it, enough to get zesty in a gully, drift a corner and take out a big tumbleweed. What fun.
The other new addition today was my Troy Lee Air Crow Moto helmet (http://catalog.troyleedesigns.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=663_664_690&products_id=1873), which I recieved yesterday. The first thing I and everyone else noticed when they picked it up was just how light it is. Scotty picked up the box with everything in it and remarked that it weighed less then his D2. The quality on the moto Troy Lee is noticeably higher then on any bike helmet I have seen. The lining is so soft it makes you happy to just put it on, and is removable with snaps, not velcrow, to take out and wash so it will stay nice and clean all season. The paint and graphics are top notch and pictures do not really do it justice to the finish. The other thing it offers - and the reason I am in it - is the safety quotient. We are riding our bikes so much faster then our helmets are rated for - at moto speeds - through trees, over huge gaps and pushing the limits of our abilities all the time, it is time we all did our due diligence to our protection levels and stepped up our helmet safety. Head injuries are scary - above almost any other injury you can sustain. Everyone knows someone who's life has been dramatically changed by a head injury - the kind of thing that steals a persons personality and their ability to go about their life. I have had enough concussions personally and seen enough of my friends hurt to say enough is enough and go for the full deal, and after one day I am super satisfied on every level. If you are at all interested or curious, definately feel free to come up and ask me questions or try my helmet on.
Anyways I am out for now, but sounds like tomorrow holds more riding and hopefully will see some pics to post up here shortly.
All the best!
Justin Terwiel
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