Trying out our new mountain climbing setup: 38x11-42 with 27.5x2.2 Kenda Honey Badger XC tires. Felt unstoppable on most grades of single track and fire roads, especially on those fire roads. Definitely need to start seriously thinking about an 11-50ish cassette, we’ll need it when loaded on bike packing trips and longer rides in the mountains. These damn State derailleurs aren’t gonna cut it much longer. Had to service mine about 2 miles in, wouldn’t hold onto the lowest 3 gears. Then Zoey’s dropped the chain behind the largest cog and between the cassette and hub about 3 miles in. I had never dealt with that particular issue before, so had a good and frustrating lesson on the trail. Got it done thanks to google. Made it to the top even though Zoey was having trouble breathing. She fucking killed it! She is my inspiration for enduring suffering on the ride. Fortunately she thought it was all worth it! Then flew down, through some of our favorite neighborhood streets and across town to Wienerschnitzel. Feel pretty wiped! Can’t wait for more.