HNBFMK Day!

[sunvalleylaw]

Happy new bike (mountain bike) for my kid day! Just scored a really nice used Giant Trance X2 off craigslist from a guy who was moving to a 29'er hard tail. Very well maintained and upgraded. Frankly, I would ride this bike, though I love my 29'er.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/sunvalleylaw/IMG_0651.jpg

Here is the link to the listing in case you are interested. http://boise.craigslist.org/bik/2862259997.html A good mix of Shimano XT and SRAM X9, Hayes hydraulic disc brakes, and good tires. Not bad! Based on completed listings on ebay, it was a good buy, and it was local so I could check it out. We wanted full suspension for him as that is what he enjoyed on a recent trip, and to get any where near this level of frame and componentry new, I would have been spending a ton. Craigslist can be your friend!

[Tig]

Nice score, Steve! This is my kind of parenting. :AOK

[NWBasser]

Very nice bike Steve!

I bet he'll have a ton of fun on that one.

We bought our son a Jamis 24" hardtail on the local CL since he's outgrowing his Kona. For $100 it was quite a good deal.

FWIW, I had a great ride yesterday at the new mt. bike park near Issaquah called Duthie Hill. Sunny and hot at last and the trails were perfect for traction.

Let me know next time you're out this way and I can show you the place. The trail system there is really something to behold.

[sunvalleylaw]

Thanks! We had the first test ride yesterday. He is a conservative kid, and is taking his time getting used to it, but you can tell he likes the bike. He will get the feel of it in no time I bet. Frankly, I am tempted to "borrow" it on some rides, just for fun! That sounds great out in Issaquah. My brother lives in Lake Forest Park, and goes up to some park near the north end of the lake to bike. I have not heard about the new Issaquah system. Is it full of ramps and stuff? I am pretty leery of the bigger hit jumps or anything with a gap in it. Tables are fine as a guy can ride it out if he is short. If I get up there to do some biking, I will be sure to let you know!

[NWBasser]

Hey Steve, I live pretty close to Lake Forest Park. Your brother most likely rides in St. Edwards State Park and the adjoining Big Finn Hill County Park.

I live right by those trails and take my son riding there quite a bit. We ride together right out of the garage. No driving to get there, it's about a half mile or so away.

The Duthie Hill Park has all sorts of features including log rides, big gap jumps, tabletops, drop jumps, and even X-C terrain. There's a skill area where you can practice riding skinny logs and drop-offs.

I don't have a monster travel bike and body armor, also I'm old and brittle, so I keep the aerial stuff fairly minimal.

Real info. here:

http://evergreenmtb.org/wiki/index.php?title=Trail:Duthie_Hill