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Justin Ball

First Time on the new Santa Cruz Blur XC, and Near Death Experiences

Posted on June 20, 2007November 1, 2021

My first chance to really use the new Blur XC came last night just a few hours after I picked it up. Aside from my test ride in the parking lot last night was my first real mountain bike riding in over a decade. David, his wife Leslie, his brother Brian and Marc – the bike shop owner all rode. Marc is hardcore. He just took first place in the Norba nationals in Deer Valley. Leslie and Brian were amazing as well.

I nearly died.

Our trip took us up Ricks canyon. Being completely unfamiliar with any trails in this area I didn’t care where we went. I was just excited to get on my brand new sweet bike.

Big mistake.

Ricks Canyon is a natural torture chamber. Someone forgot to actually make a trail and instead figured that anyone who would want to climb here was really stupid and deserved what they got – a constant stream of loose rocks and small boulders mixed with tree roots.

So ya I am a wus.

The climb left my heart pounding so heart I was sure it would exit my chest. This was my first time in the hills on clipless pedals. I used brand new Crank Brothers Eggbeaters. I like them, but having some platform on the pedal would probably be a good idea for a newb like me that has to try to clip in to the tiny pedals on a 10% incline. Not an easy task.

The views from top were amazing – the kind of thing you see in mountain bike brochures. Cache Valley is a beautiful place. On the descent I was glad to have full suspension. The bike took the trail well and saved my sorry butt more than a few times. At high speed down the single track it tackled large boulders with ease and flying off the tree roots that we had endured on the way up was a blast. The sound of rocks slamming into my thousand dollar wheels on the way down was not comforting, but during the entire ride I was glad every second that I bought this bike. It is light for a mountain bike. It is fast. It climbs well. It descends well.

Its capabilities far exceed the skills of the rider.

That’s a good thing. I went blasting through a section at high speed – didn’t mean to just didn’t brake soon enough. It was one of the more terrifying moments of the ride. I was going way to fast hitting 2 foot boulders and racing through loose gravel. I am pretty sure that the bike save me there.

In the mean time of course this was just another day for Marc. Leslie and Brian took the entire thing with ease.

I need to ride more.

So my return to mountain biking was a good one. I love being in the outdoors on a bike. The scenery is amazing. The uphill should help me build a stronger heart. Every second of the ride I couldn’t help but smile and think to myself this is awesome. Santa Cruz has my vote. The Blur XC is a great bike and the SRAM X0 group did exactly what I asked it to every time.

I have the MS150 this weekend so it will be a few days before I am on the bike again. Regardless I can’t wait to find myself in the dirt more often.

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