The monkey is back, with some fun new additions. I got a hall pass from work this morning, to take M to the dental surgeon, and managed to fit in an early test ride.

I may need to modify the XXL Surly cable hanger for more tire clearance. If it weren’t for said space issues, trying to install the canti would have been quite easy.

The new Conti Mountain King tire is pretty sweet. Tiny for a 2.4 (volume of an Ignitor, with bigger teeth). Massive, massive grip, sheds mud and gluck with ease, and rolls surprisingly fast for so much meat.

Mike’s candy colored wheel is pretty nice, too.

I thought I caught a better view of the frosted San Francisco peaks off on the horizon, but it didn’t work so well.

The fly in the ointment was the horrendous horse damage to parts of the trails out by Williamson Valley. I hate horses, and this is just one more reason.

I’m psyched to use it this weekend.

Unfortunately, my suspicions were confirmed. My singlespeed fitness has declined, and my rigid riding finesse has done more than that. I foresee lots of time on this tool in the next few months.