Biking and Climbing

[Ascentionist]

That's killer! When did you do that?

I've always wanted to do Foxfire by bike. Leaving the bike at the trailhead of course...

[Ascentionist]

tell me more- one can adapt a mountain bike without serious welding?

Well, you used to be able to. Apparently Xtracycle has stopped making the FreeRadical conversion kit. http://www.xtracycle.com/freeradical

I've had mine since 2011. You need some bike wrenching skills, but I'm nowhere near on the level of a bike shop mechanic and did my own conversion.

They say the weight limit is 300lbs including rider. That's just so they don't get sued. I've hauled both of my kids and a week's groceries. I've hauled potting soil and four tomato plants. I've hauled a charcoal grill, "The" Mike of Mike's Hike and Bike, a wheelbarrow, chainsaws, all of my stuff when I left my Colorado office for the last time, climbing gear (still haven't figured out the best way to haul a crashpad), car parts, watermelons, other bikes, etc.

Here's a detail of the FreeRad and the donor bike frame: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1161 ... 9285263757

It's a three point connection and is pretty solid. This is just behind the bottom bracket: https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1161 ... 9285263757 and https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1161 ... 9285263757

[Jackiefreesh]

If the Xtracycle is hard to find, cargo trailers are available including the B.O.B. which I've been using with my rigid frame MTB for ten years. It can easily haul a full climbing bag and more: biketrailershop.com/BOB-Ships-Free or rei.com/BOB-Bike-Trailers. They mount on the rear axle. The only drawback is the wheelbase is 3 feet longer so tight trails are pretty difficult to handle but getting to most all approach trails in the gorge should be no problem.

[Ascentionist]

My cargo bike is hard to find. There are still tons of options out there. The Surly Big Dummy is a great one for this type of thing. Also, you can probably find FreeRadical kits and/or full Xtracycles built on MTB frames through craigslist. There are good/great longtail cargo bikes out there.

Kona Ute (and now MinUte): https://picasaweb.google.com/1161021703 ... 6081869842

Yuba Mundo: https://picasaweb.google.com/1161021703 ... 2563190082

Cheaper option: https://picasaweb.google.com/1161021703 ... 6090819618

Years ago when FS 9 was closed I rode in two or three times to climb (once with a guided client) and used an InStep trailer (the kind you can buy at Walmart) with the top folded down and the packs strapped flat on top of the trailer. I BOB would be more efficient, but they run $300.

You could also use a standard commuter/touring bike with panniers with the gear stuffed in the bike bags and your empty climbing pack on your back and just load it at the trailhead. Pick a crag you can ride all the way to the wall and you wouldn't even do have to do that. That's a little more tricky though.