Me and the Moonlander!

I think the Moonlander needs to go in the Sig line. :)

Fantastic thread and awesome photos! I remember when we spoke on the phone about how excited you were about getting this bike. Looks like it has become a fantastic purchase and a great "vehicle" for exploration and fitness.

Hi Zach,
I added the bike to my signature line. Looking forward to seeing you in the Desert. By the way does Hydro Flask make a bottle cage for a bicycle?

I saw you halfway through your ride this morning. The Moonlander is looking good!

That is the problem with driving a White Van. I don't see you!


What sort of air pressure are you running when riding on the beach?

Tire pressure? I am not really sure because I really just go by feel. This morning I decided to add air to the tires. The rear was at 11 psi and the front was at 8 psi. On sand I would go lower then 11 maybe down in the single digits. Actually I would probable just flip flop the numbers so the 8 psi was in the rear. I find having the front a little bit firmer helps with steering. I ended up airing them both to 18 psi and I think my ride time today shows it. Less rolling resistance.

5-10 psi - Soft Sand
10-12 psi - Dirt Single Track
12-20 psi - Road

Side note - On todays ride I rode a new section of single track with some pretty good rocks. 18 psi is definitely to harsh and you end up receiving a lot of feed back thru the handlebars. I also had my foot bounce off the pedal twice due to the hard impacts.
 
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Mr. Gear, your having way too much fun on your bike. FedEx delivered my bike today so I am going to be poaching your secret trails at night.

Chad
 
Mr. Gear, your having way too much fun on your bike. FedEx delivered my bike today so I am going to be poaching your secret trails at night.

Chad

Very Cool. I didn't know that FedEx made bikes. Lets Ride!!
 
Please Hold the Rain! - February 15, 2012

Moonlander-HomeDepot-DoublePeak4-0397.jpg

Took off to San Marcos for another Home Depot Run. I found this new route down off the backside of the mountain. Makes a good shot of Double Peak(high point).

Moonlander-HomeDepot-DoublePeak3-0400.jpg

I made a quick stop at Lake San Marcos for this photograph. I left today without the GoPro. So I tried to make a point and stop so that I could retrieve the iPhone out of my backpack.

I need to make an order with this company for a Gas Tank Bag. That way I could stash a small camera and my phone for easy access.
http://www.porcelainrocket.com/blog/

Moonlander-HomeDepot-DoublePeak-0411.jpg

Next I rode from Lake San Marcos up to the Tower and then over to Double Peak. I wanted to hit another new section of single track that I found using Google Earth(Photograph - Double Peak looking South).

HomeDepot.jpg

Counter Clockwise from the bottom.

Distance 18.2 miles
Elevation 2744 feet
Moving Average 8.7 mph

Side Note - 8.7 moving average was a positive increase due to adding more air to the tires. I was running 18 psi in both tires for this ride.
 
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Very Cool. I didn't know that FedEx made bikes. Lets Ride!!

Not made by FedEx, just delivered by them. Its a Diamondback overdrive 29er, I am testing the theory of needing to spend $2k on a bike to have fun.
 
Lake Hodges - February 16, 2012

Moonlander-LakeHodges-0413.jpg

A nice peaceful stroll out at Lake Hodges.

LakeHodges.jpg

At the end I decided to try and climb up into Elfin Forest. I was met by a No Trespassing Sign once I was at the top. Bummer because the road leads right down to the Olivenhain Dam and the Cielo Trail.

http://olivenhain.com/files/docs/Park/trail-map2010.pdf
Map of Elfin Forest Recreation Reserve. Cielo Trail is number 25.

Distance 12.9 miles
Elevation 1326 feet
Moving Average 9.3 mph
 
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You 2 legged guys get to have all the fun :elkgrin:

Sweet bike, and it was nice running into today, Lets get out camping soon.
 
You 2 legged guys get to have all the fun :elkgrin:

Sweet bike, and it was nice running into today, Lets get out camping soon.

Jerry it was good seeing you! I hope you can make the SoCal Desert Rendezvous.:)
 
Picked up the Jeep - Went the Long Way! - February 17, 2012

Moonlander-LongWayAround23-7148.jpg

The Jeep Dealership called and my Jeep was ready to be picked up. I chose to go the Long Way Around.

http://www.mountainbikebill.com/blog/?p=54
My outing was inspired by the Archipelago Ride. I obviously changed it up a bit.

Moonlander-LongWayAround2-6842.jpg

First off the Switchback trail at La Costa Preserve. Up to the Boy Scout Kiosk and down the backside.

Moonlander-LongWayAround4-6863.jpg

Over at the water tank looking back at La Costa Preserve.

Moonlander-LongWayAround6-6926.jpg

Back trails thru Elfin Forest.

Moonlander-LongWayAround7-6941.jpg

I took the Cielo Trail up into the Elfin Forest Recreational Preserve. Here is the Olivenhain Dam.

Moonlander-LongWayAround10-6971.jpg

Looking East off the top of Elfin Forest I am about to drop down into Lake Hodges.

Moonlander-LongWayAround14-7007.jpg

Lake Hodges Dam. I am dropping in elevation as I enter the Del Dios Preserve.

Moonlander-LongWayAround16-7042.jpg

Spotted this guy on the trail.

Moonlander-LongWayAround15-7010.jpg

Cool Bridge

Moonlander-LongWayAround18-7093.jpg

Out of the woods and back on tarmac. I am making my way to the beach.

Moonlander-LongWayAround19-7097.jpg

Over I-5. I am getting close.

Moonlander-LongWayAround20-7130.jpg

Here I am getting off the beach. I rode it up from South Ponto. At this point I am trying to avoid any hills.

Moonlander-LongWayAround24-7161.jpg

Rolled into the Dealership in the nick of time. I load up the bike and head for home.

Moonlander-LongWayAround25-7154.jpg

Gotta Love 4800 feet of climbing on a Fat Bike.

LongWayAround.jpg

Lastly, the GPS map of my ride.

Distance 42.2 miles
Elevation 4863 feet
Moving Average 8.4 mph
 
Very cool thread, enjoy the pictures and I dig the gps maps. Surly should sponsor you or put the thread on their webby.
 
Rest Day - February 18, 2012

Moonlander-Wash-0418.jpg

Today I am giving my body a rest, but I am still playing with the bike. All washed up and ready to go!
 
Sunday Ride w/ Charlie - February 19, 2012

Moonlander-ElfinForestSundayRidew-Charlie5-7437.jpg

Sunday ride with my neighbor Charlie. He wanted to see how I was connecting several trails. So off we went. Here we are on a new found single track. This track was originally put in by horses. At times it was hike a bike!

Moonlander-ElfinForestSundayRidew-Charlie-7305.jpg

It is amazing how well cut this trail is considering its location.

Moonlander-ElfinForestSundayRidew-Charlie10-7723.jpg

Here we are making our way back into Harmony Grove.

Moonlander-ElfinForestSundayRidew-Charlie14-8024.jpg

Once home my boys wanted a turn on there bikes. So we headed out to a favorite loop of theres.

Moonlander-ElfinForestSundayRidew-Charlie12-8077.jpg

A new found jump that the boys were playing on.

SundayRideCharlie.jpg

Map of the ride.

Distance 16.3 miles
Elevation 2485 feet
Moving Average 5.6 mph
 

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