Clutcher vs Biker

Thumb throttle or pedal?

Having experienced mountain biking over the last few days, if there ever was a question (not much of one) I am here to let you know that I am a died in the wool "CLUTCHER"

Thursday evening, after setting up camp a ride around the lake was planned - 11 miles. I donned Justin's trusty helmet, gloves and mounted the bike he so graciously had loaned me, and peddled off to the races. After about 300 yards of an uphill climb (elevation 9,500 ft.), I realized there was no way I could survive the climb and so swallowed my pride and went back to camp to help the cook prepare the evening meal.

Friday was the day planned at Brian Head. You take the ski lift to the top and bike down on a variety of trails. Danny Barney, one of the Priests that is an avid biker, convinced me that the beginner trails were terrible (because no one uses them and they are filled with rocks) and I should take an intermediate trail, which I did. Someone had to be at the back with the radio in case someone had a problem and so I volunteered (not magnanimous as you would think - did not want anyone to watch me suffer down the mountain). After about 5 minutes, one of the boys had a flat and so when I caught up to him, the Bishop and YM Pres. were stopped to help him. He had a new tube and thanks to Justin we had a pump and were able to solve the problem. The trail was muddy and slick on the top part but I managed to maneuver it without falling off. If the beginner trail was considered rocky, I am glad I didn't see it because this one was full of rocks, both large and small, loose and buried. Everyone told me that you needed to use both the front and back brake as if you only used the back brake the rear wheel would slide around to the front and obviously if you only used the front brake the back end would flip over you. The trail was about 4 miles long with only a small amount of uphill. I will admit that I used all of the trail and then some and negotiated the hard part of it without falling off, doing an endo or having the rear wheel get in front of me.

I got to the part that was a gradual down slope and for some reason had a brain cramp and pulled the front brake too hard. What an experience, I could feel the back wheel come up and knew it was going over the top. I did the manly thing and rolled - now I know why you wear a helmet - it banged on the rocks but the only injury sustained was to my pride - No Justin, it didn't damage your precious helmet). The worst part is that I got back on the bike and did the same trick within about 50 feet. The fall was much gentler and no head banging this time. The greatest of all is that there was no one around and so only those in Heaven (undoubtedly my guardian angel (once again wondering why I continue to do "stupid things")) are witnesses to my misfortune. At this point, I took my hand off the front brake and decided that if there were any further "incidents" it would be of the back wheel sliding variety.

My goal was to make it to the bottom once before the boys made it twice and to not make the 10 o'clock news and my goals were accomplished. Once safely down, I loaded the bicycle and vowed never to mount a bicycle on a mountain trail again. This will be a vow easily kept.

When I got home I called Justin - remember the rule that you have to clean the equipment you use if you want to use it again - and suggested that since I never intended to use his bike again that there was no obligation to clean it.

Reasons to clutch rather than pedal:
1. Thumb throttle far easier than using legs to propel machine.
2. Shocks are much better on clutchers than bikes.
3. Seats on clutcher - big and comfortable - bike seat small and hard.
4. Brakes on clutcher forgiving and hydraulic, brakes on bike require correct pressure from each hand.
5. Shifting on clutcher - smooth, simple and easy - bikes - too many options, slip and slide from gear to gear
6. Much easier to remain on seat and upright with clutcher - too many options to fall off bike.

You can make up your own list - as it is endless.

Who wants to go clutching?