This is a special first-person narrative written by Mike's OCLV 9800 Mountain Bike, taken out for a ride by Chain Reaction's Brian Krause.
A beautiful day finds many Chain Reaction staff and customers taking their bikes out on the trails of the El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. At the Skeggs Point lookout, the late group meets up with Chris, Leon, and Dave, pictured with Bruno Colchen from our Redwood City store. This parking lot is 3.9 miles north of Highway 84 on Skyline, not too far from Woodside.

I was a bit nervous about this Brian guy; I've met his mountain bike and its tires seem to have wasted away to these narrow things that would do better on pavement. That and it has no front suspension, so we're riding together today.
   
Leon and his Gary Fisher Big Sur navigate a wider, shady section of the trail. Since the ride starts out up top, you descend first, and then climb your way out, with ups and downs in between. It's easy to forget how far down you've gone. There are also narrow, rocky sections and sun. Here I am with Brian climbing up a short rocky section, after he got us covered with mud and dust. Trail dust, too, not just the stuff I collect sitting around in the warehouse at the shop!
   
Leon's chain was not having a good day. There were chain tools among our group to fix it, but by the second time, it made for a very short chain, since we didn't have any extra links that would fit. You'd think folks from a bike shop would know to carry spare links. Leon and Chris join the many hikers on the trail and walk out the last mile or so, while Dave and Bruno head up the last climb.

Not the best way to end a ride, but just once I'd like to have a mechanical problem from overuse instead of neglect. I was so excited when I found out I was being sent to a guy who loves climbing on TREK OCLV bikes. Nobody told me he had road bikes, too! Well, I shouldn't complain, since it's good to be out.
   
Back at the parking lot, we find Michael Hacke and his TREK Bruiser, tired after keeping up with the bikes with multiple chainrings. Michael's bike has been to Skeggs Point a lot Here's the early departure group, back from the ride. From our Redwood City store, Jarvis Opp, Jeff Magni, and Michael. Jeff and Jarvis have both mountain and road bikes and manage to give them exercise.
   
Michael and Jeff demonstrate how to handle their bikes over obstacles, attracting the attention of onlookers.

I must say it was great to be out on the trail again! Maybe next time Mike will come with me. I don't know what the problem is—I'm lightweight, I'm sturdy, I'm TREK OCLV carbon fiber, I didn't let Brian get hurt too badly. Is it the triple chainring? My grips? All I need is some grease and fork oil.

--Mike's hardtail-- (with an assist from Brian Krause)

You might want to check out our Perimeter Ride, where we did a loop around the entire park, as well as our piece about the use of radar to catch "speeding" mountain bikers in the park.

Last updated 05/06/05

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