When the promised rain didn't seem to come - a couple of drops in the morning notwithstanding - I decided to take the Hilset out into the Meerdael Forest for a climbing session. There was a bit of drizzle in the air and the wind was blowing from the west. Felt not too cold though.
The trails were semi-wet and when I started the climbing I was amazed at the traction the Hutchinson Python Air offered on the wet surface. With the Schwalbe Rocket Ron and Racing Ralph, tyres that have bigger knobs than the Python, I always have the wheel slipping when on these uphills. Not so with the Python. I had to really pull down the hammer to make them skip, and then only over wet roots. Good points again. In the downhills I was careful because of the lack of real braking power and the fact that I was not confident in the Pythons as being grippy enough on slick trails. I shouldn't have worried. Of course they do not grip like Continentals Mountain King but they offered a certain comfort cushion. Careful traject choice was necessary - I am on a non-suspension bike don't forget - but all went well. Even the steepest downhills were taken - slowly but surely. I can see this tyre mounted on some of my "real" mountain bikes as well. Especially on the rear wheel. In front nothing beats the Mountain King.
When I was finished I was enjoyed with the 500 heightmeters on my Garmin. The ride that had started with light drizzle became wetter near the end when a light rain set in.
Endomondo track
Ride Stats : 24K and 505 heightmeters (Garmin) in 1h41mins
2624/26755
09-04-2012, 15:57 geschreven door Big Bad Wolf
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