Western: Yankee Springs

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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby Alexg » March 20th, 2012, 6:57 pm

I'm doing Barry roubaix on Saturday and we're getting a hotel room in Kalamazoo and going partying Saturday night. But my plan is to go ride Yankee Springs on Sunday. With the expected rain on Friday and Saturday, how bad do you think the trail is going to be?
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby mntn-biker » March 20th, 2012, 10:31 pm

Alexg wrote:I'm doing Barry roubaix on Saturday and we're getting a hotel room in Kalamazoo and going partying Saturday night. But my plan is to go ride Yankee Springs on Sunday. With the expected rain on Friday and Saturday, how bad do you think the trail is going to be?


Rain does nothing but good things for Yankee. Yankee is typically quite sandy so the rain will tame it down.
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby dirtjunkie » March 21st, 2012, 11:32 am

Alexg wrote:I'm doing Barry roubaix on Saturday and we're getting a hotel room in Kalamazoo and going partying Saturday night. But my plan is to go ride Yankee Springs on Sunday. With the expected rain on Friday and Saturday, how bad do you think the trail is going to be?


Yankee is in need of rain right now. As things are forecast....if you hit it late/am or so on Sunday, you'll be in for "hero-dirt" for sure! Traction for days....should be absolutely perfect.

If you see a short middle aged guy in a yellow/black team kit gasping for breath....don't be alarmed. :D
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby kyleRIG29er » March 30th, 2012, 9:40 am

Planning on running Yankee this Sunday, as I have never ran it, and want to run the Time Trial in april, how's everything looking?
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby rwright » March 30th, 2012, 11:20 am

kyleRIG29er wrote:Planning on running Yankee this Sunday, as I have never ran it, and want to run the Time Trial in april, how's everything looking?


As of last night Yankee was in great shape, just a few of the normal spots getting some light sand build up. The rain we are getting today should help pack that down and make for a fast course on the weekend.

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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby xtremelow » April 1st, 2012, 9:13 am

I know a few people to include myself plan to be there around 2pm this afternoon. See you on the trial

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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby kyleRIG29er » April 2nd, 2012, 8:35 pm

I rode yesterday, the trail was awesome, never been before. What do SS guys usually run on this? (I'm a 29er too) I am running 2 to 1, and it was a bit tall for some of those longer climbs, but I liked it for the faster sections, I'm confused what gears to run for the time trial.
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby mntn-biker » April 2nd, 2012, 10:36 pm

kyleRIG29er wrote:I rode yesterday, the trail was awesome, never been before. What do SS guys usually run on this? (I'm a 29er too) I am running 2 to 1, and it was a bit tall for some of those longer climbs, but I liked it for the faster sections, I'm confused what gears to run for the time trial.


My 29'er is new to me this spring and I rode out there this year a couple of times and I run 33x18 (1.83:1) and it is great for the climbs (almost too easy) but I long for a higher gear on the flatter sections on this trail and most other trails I have ridden so far this year.... I'm thinking a 2:1 might be better gearing (for me anyway).
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby kyleRIG29er » April 3rd, 2012, 9:02 am

mntn-biker wrote:
kyleRIG29er wrote:I rode yesterday, the trail was awesome, never been before. What do SS guys usually run on this? (I'm a 29er too) I am running 2 to 1, and it was a bit tall for some of those longer climbs, but I liked it for the faster sections, I'm confused what gears to run for the time trial.


My 29'er is new to me this spring and I rode out there this year a couple of times and I run 33x18 (1.83:1) and it is great for the climbs (almost too easy) but I long for a higher gear on the flatter sections on this trail and most other trails I have ridden so far this year.... I'm thinking a 2:1 might be better gearing (for me anyway).


You're right, I think I'd miss the taller gearing on the flatter sections. I also didn't realize until last night, that I hadn't given myself a rest day in 6 days, my legs were probably a bit worn out too.
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iamkickstand wrote:my weakness is scrubbing off drops on DH races and runs
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby Bigtymer » April 3rd, 2012, 9:18 am

kyleRIG29er wrote:
mntn-biker wrote:
kyleRIG29er wrote:I rode yesterday, the trail was awesome, never been before. What do SS guys usually run on this? (I'm a 29er too) I am running 2 to 1, and it was a bit tall for some of those longer climbs, but I liked it for the faster sections, I'm confused what gears to run for the time trial.


My 29'er is new to me this spring and I rode out there this year a couple of times and I run 33x18 (1.83:1) and it is great for the climbs (almost too easy) but I long for a higher gear on the flatter sections on this trail and most other trails I have ridden so far this year.... I'm thinking a 2:1 might be better gearing (for me anyway).


You're right, I think I'd miss the taller gearing on the flatter sections. I also didn't realize until last night, that I hadn't given myself a rest day in 6 days, my legs were probably a bit worn out too.

You really only need a 1x9 or a 1x10 in Michigan for a geared bike. The only place I have ever needed granny gear in Michigan is on the Redbridge section of the NCT trail. If you have more than one bike, I would make one into a 1x9 or 10.
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby kyleRIG29er » April 3rd, 2012, 9:40 am

Bigtymer wrote:

You really only need a 1x9 or a 1x10 in Michigan for a geared bike. The only place I have ever needed granny gear in Michigan is on the Redbridge section of the NCT trail. If you have more than one bike, I would make one into a 1x9 or 10.


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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby werne1nm » April 3rd, 2012, 11:49 am

looking at yankee springs for saturday morning, trail good?
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby cramer » April 3rd, 2012, 1:13 pm

Bigtymer wrote:You really only need a 1x9 or a 1x10 in Michigan for a geared bike. The only place I have ever needed granny gear in Michigan is on the Redbridge section of the NCT trail. If you have more than one bike, I would make one into a 1x9 or 10.


I ride that section of NCT all the time with my single speed, no need for ANY gears in MI.
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby mntn-biker » April 3rd, 2012, 1:14 pm

werne1nm wrote:looking at yankee springs for saturday morning, trail good?


Most likely. Yankee is 1 of the few trails in the W. Mi. area that you can ride most anytime. Even almost right after a heavy rain like we had today.
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Re: Western: Yankee Springs

Postby mntn-biker » April 3rd, 2012, 1:27 pm

cramer wrote:
Bigtymer wrote:You really only need a 1x9 or a 1x10 in Michigan for a geared bike. The only place I have ever needed granny gear in Michigan is on the Redbridge section of the NCT trail. If you have more than one bike, I would make one into a 1x9 or 10.


I ride that section of NCT all the time with my single speed, no need for ANY gears in MI.


Ah-hem...... Only 1 gear needed :lol:
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