Monthly Archives: June 2023

Ride Review: The Ilsa ‘Bad Ass’!

I recently had the good fortune – and the immense pleasure – of spending a week riding a pre-production version of Velorangutan’s in-house full-suspension Ti build. To be sold under the Ilse brand, the ‘Bad Ass’ ate up everything I could find to throw at it. Fast on the straights, snappy on the corners, and with some rather fancy wireless technology, the bike pretty much rode itself. I hit the new bermy trails at Forrest Creek, the chunk and climbing of Steiner Ranch, a lap at Walnut Creek, and a long, humid ride on the South Austin Trail Network.

The build:

  • The flowing line of the Ti lower tube means two water bottles!
  • 29 x 2.4″ Pirelli Scorpions – based on the legendary Euro car tire
  • Rockshox Pike 140 fork
  • Rockshox Deluxe Ultimate 130 rear shock
  • Head angle: 66 °
  • Seattube angle 76 °
    • SRAM AXS wireless shifter and dropper
    • T47 bottom bracket
    • Magura quad piston brakes

For more info, contact Wes@Velorangutan.com.

Forrest Creek Ranch – new trail report!

It’s always nice when private landowners allow singletrack to be built on their land. Forrest Creek Ranch, out past COTA in Dale, Texas, now has around 10 miles of sweet, bermy, flowy singletrack on it – and plans are in the works to add to this. With about 600 feet of climbing, it’s not the hilliest trail in Central Texas, but each small climb pays off with fast-rolling dips and berms, so it’s really fun to ride.

Plenty of lovely, fast berms built by the crew at KOM Trails
A Paul Uhl-grade mud pit
A stock pond in one of the few unshaded areas
A rock outcrop has been used to add a little kicker on this short downhill
A nice straightaway with a great view to the left and a herd of young deer ahead

The trail is 95% shaded, so definitely a good option on a hot day. It is not open to the public at this time – open hours and events are posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/659192675547555, or you can email Todd@Endurarace.com.