A short update for day four of Cumberlandworx. Bikes were ridden, ice cream was enjoyed, awesome burgers were eaten, handlebars were swapped, and then bikes were ridden again. Then I fell asleep on my computer. Usually, a good sign that it is time for a rest day, or at least a rest morning.
Claire has put in more miles, faster, than last year turning bigger wheels on a heavier bike so in terms of our quiet Cumberlandworx riding goal – finding new normals – she is crushing it. Today (yesterday) we pedaled up Above & Beyond again. We checked off a bunch of trails we have ridden previously, the difference being that Vik joined us, and then in the afternoon we joined a gang of folks led by Claire’s friend June and went out an checked off some lower laps with whatever leg power we could muster.
For me, the afternoon lap was filled with lightly tagging the edge of my handlebar and fighting to discover traction for my Rock Razor rear as I adapted to a new, much higher, riding position courtesy of Vik’s 85mm riser steel riser bar. The body position is definitely better for hitting drops.
As with ovalizing the headtube on my Waltworks (WZRDxWalt) in Cumberland a couple of years ago, I recognize that the end of things and the beginning-of-the-end-of-things are usually quite far apart with steel. I rode the whole Queso line on Day 3 without concern, and when I looked down at my cockpit on Space Nugget on Day 4, well. I recognize that I did not break my beloved WZRD 1-piece bar/stem flowing blue trails.
Em is RAD, so she’ll WZRD me up a replacement, and I know that broken mountain bike parts fit the definition of ‘first-world problems’ to a ‘T,’ but this trip is getting a bit ridiculous. Clearly, the only amount of preparation/spares that would have been sufficient would have been to bring a second bike along.
The riding was fantastic for Day 4, once again Claire was all in on Upper & Lower Thirsty Beaver. It’s hotter than last year and I we have been drinking a ton of water, notable because the tap water here is the best tasting anywhere I have been (seconded by Claire). But the highlight was a burger at Cooks. I do not know how I have never been in all my times visiting Cumberland. Thank you, Vik!
I don’t imagine there will be a Day 5 update, but we’ll hit you for Day 6 before we begin the journey home to North Vancouver.
Welcome to MEATengines, I hope you enjoyed this piece. If you did, please consider buying me a coffee. Any questions, concerns, or comments – or to order a MEATengines water bottle – feel encouraged to drop me an e-mail, or join us at r/MEATengines.