Usually a person’s first mountain bike is a basic hardtail (that’s no rear suspension, for you people who aren’t bikers!).  They’re cheaper and more simple, making it easier to get into a new hobby.  However, when I started I just jumped right in with a badass full suspension bike!  I loved that thing and have bought and sold a few more bikes over the years.  For a while now I was intrigued by the thought of building an ultra lightweight little hardtail bike to tool around the forest on.  Well, just like with my truck project (that’s still in the garage unfinished… but that’s another story.) I found a frame randomly for sale for a good price and snatched it up sight unseen.  I had grand aspirations to paint the frame some godawful hilarious color and just do a super cheap build up from parts in the garage.  As usual, one thing led to another and I scored killer deals on new wheels, carbon fiber crankset, high end used suspension, etc.  And after all the dickering around with paint schemes when the frame arrived the color was almost neon red and I loved it so I didn’t end up painting it at all! Go figure!

Either way, for my first hardtail it’s super rad.  I can’t explain why this thing is to much fun.  It’s easy to just toss around like a little toy even though it’s not actually any lighter than my other bike.  it’s also on “plus” size tires, which are wider and fatter than normal tires. It’s like riding a monster truck! only a really fast monster truck. I’m hooked.

Since I’m always the one with the camera I don’t ever get any photos of myself riding my own bikes.. so here are some staged shots with another one of my favorite things: abandoned cars! Turns out there are two of these rusty old hulks hiding among the trees in Banner Forest.

Anyone up for a photoshoot in the abandoned cars?