Photos from your rides.

[DrakeRamoray]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

Size 53, I'm 5'11", used to ride a 56 but went down to 54 a few years ago. Running a 120 stem, 40mm Cadex AR bars. Was comfortable on a 110 stem, but the reach became a lot shorter when I went from mechanical Dura Ace to Force AXS + the new bars with a bit of a back sweep, so bumped up to 120.
The entire groupset is new Force (D2) except the shifters and brake calipers which are last-gen Force (D1), since D2 is disc only. Stopping power is ***excellent*** on the HED Ardennes RA rims, this coming from a fella who is a firm believer in the superiority of disc brakes.
Clearance is 30mm according to Ritchey. I have Schwalbe Pro One 28's on there now.

I ride a lot of high-zoot bikes and even with that frame of reference, the Ritchey is outstanding.

Thorough reply, thank you kind sir!

I also have a 53cm and managed to squeeze a pair of 32mm Gravelkings. It’s a tight fit!

[jamesdak]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

James, I am so jealous of that bike. How did you like the ride?

Initial impression was a stiff, nervous frame with a twitchy front end. Nothing like the other Paramount I had that felt too soft in the rear and seemed to sap power and speed as you got on it.

Ran into a forgotten about marathon when I got over to where I was going to get onto the bike to see what it would really do. Hopefully this morning I'll push it hard....if I don't take out the Poprad. Trying to decide where I want to ride right now. Hard and fast on the road with the Paramount or head into the gravel on the mountains to shoot fall color using the Lemond Poprad.

[Baron Blubba]

A little PSA, brought to you by Baron Blubba, the Elkwallow Picnic Area in Shenandoah National Park, and the fine folks at Ritchey.
A park ranger was lecturing some reckless drivers in the parking lot where I usually have my pee stop before turning around and heading home, so I had to pull in here instead. Fortuitous, as the lighting was perfect for bike photography and I needed to review my bear encounter knowledge anyway.
[IMG]Untitled by Michael Lock, on Flickr[/IMG]

[Baron Blubba]

Originally Posted by jamesdak

Initial impression was a stiff, nervous frame with a twitchy front end. Nothing like the other Paramount I had that felt too soft in the rear and seemed to sap power and speed as you got on it.

Ran into a forgotten about marathon when I got over to where I was going to get onto the bike to see what it would really do. Hopefully this morning I'll push it hard....if I don't take out the Poprad. Trying to decide where I want to ride right now. Hard and fast on the road with the Paramount or head into the gravel on the mountains to shoot fall color using the Lemond Poprad.

James, if the bike turns out to be too stiff, nervous, and twitchy, please give me the right of first refusal. Same goes for all your other pink and purple bikes.

[chrismoustache]

Plenty of exploring to do in PGH.

[SlowPokePete]

September 22, 2024 by SPP™ SlowPokePete, on Flickr

SPP

[Baron Blubba]

Originally Posted by SlowPokePete

on Flickr

SPP

Okay, you win, that's fantastic, otherworldly, right out of a bike packing Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. Evocative, that's the word I'm looking for!

@ChrisMustache, I love it when nature gets hungry. Great pics; which Soma is that?

[Likes2ridefar]

Hawes trail system near Mesa, AZ.

[AngryScientist]

I, for one, would like to see the rest of that Soma, looks like just my type of rig!

[SlowPokePete]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

Okay, you win, that's fantastic, otherworldly, right out of a bike packing Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. Evocative, that's the word I'm looking for!

Thank you.

SPP

[AngryScientist]

Good ride on the Pina today. This bike is really, really good.



And, some bonus cycling themed caffe

[fourflys]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

I, for one, would like to see the rest of that Soma, looks like just my type of rig!

gonna guess that's a Fog Cutter.. great looking bike, I just wonder about the reach on them..

https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/som...=fog#attr=4913

[Baron Blubba]

Fog Cutter frames were on ***super*** sale from my distributor last year and I was ugh blegh responsible and didn’t order one. Still regret it. The problem with framesets is you have to build them, and I always get carried away. Shoulda done it anyway.

[mass_biker]

Day 1 was 90ish miles/8K feet - down into the valley and then up and down Blue Knob and back up over the Allegheny Front. Day 2 was shorter - 50 ish miles and 5K feet, also into the valley through the fog and back up the Allegheny Front to the windfarms and beyond in the Laurel Highlands.

The climb up Blue Knob through the State Park is a not-to-be-missed climb if you find yourself in this neck of PA. Furthermore, the orchards up on Chestnut Ridge above New Paris are wonderful to ride through - albeit after some really stiff climbs from the valley before. I’ll be heading back there for sure.

[jamesdak]

Originally Posted by Baron Blubba

James, if the bike turns out to be too stiff, nervous, and twitchy, please give me the right of first refusal. Same goes for all your other pink and purple bikes.

Well, unfortunately it did just fine today when I took it back out. Ran it hard most of the ride and the only complaint was I didn't get it past 24 mph.

I did lower the psi a bit today in both tires.