Sunday 31 May 2009
A Great End to May.
Q
We all headed over to Pitch in the search for a new trail that had been spoken about, after a little head scratching and a phone call later we found the said trail. Which turned out to be an old trail by the name of Dirty blue jeans thats been under the trail builders spade and taken on a new form. Fun was had speeding through the tight and twisty trail into a bomb-hole transformed into a fast, pump worthy berm, tight switchbacks were attempted with varying degrees of success, and this only meant we would have to ride it again at "full speed ahead" as instructed by our ride leader, lots of fun.
Not a good day to be climbing over The Mother what with such heat, but still Giles was leading out from the front, i'm sure he's doing some secret training? Play time was looming for some, The Quarry jumps, New values, Donnie darko [the whole 3 jump section] and Roller-coaster.
New values took a victim? but as was pointed out to me, what goes on the ride, stays on the ride... Sort of? Another incident occurred in a game of human dominos, Giles cut across Sam, Sam fell onto Tom, Tom fell down a bank. Bruised leg, ripped shorts and a broken brake lever were the outcome. Oh' the unpredictability of Mountain biking?
A fast and furious blast down the Rookery finished off a great ride.
Friday 22 May 2009
Fruita and Moab Trip Update
However i knew you all wanted me to gloat on about how dry and hot it is - over 30 degress most days. The singletrack is so flowy and fast as its packed hard, but as you pick up speed beware of trail obstacles- rock steps, ledges, cacti, snakes and sheer drops off cliffs if you look at the veiws too long!
The scenery is awesome and soon I'll be boring you with it but there is so much to take in.
Some recommended riding in case you come out here:-
- Joes Ridge and Zippety Do Da at Book Cliffs area in Fruita where I camped day 1- sweet!
- Horsetheif Bench at Fruita- snaky singletrack, fun rock ledges, incredible views!
- Slickrock- the famous trail- so much traction you can stand on pedals in granny gear with your weight over thr front wheel and never lose traction up the steep steep climbs.
- Hazzards trail into Kokopelli and Porcupine rim- the most amazing 30 miles of downhill singletrack I've ever experienced from 9500 feet (3000m altitude), imagine singletrack without a break all day! Wow!
Well that is a taste of life so far- beware more tall tales will be forthcoming.
Hope you guys aren't missing me too much yet- wish you were here!
Sunday 10 May 2009
Playground Riding
With Simon away it was my turn to lead the Sunny ride today (albeit from the back)- much shouting was heard from there to redirect Gilles who was inadvertently leading from the front! 9 riders started out and I was determined to lose a few and beat Simon's record!
Up to Ranmore we headed along the North Downs Way at a good early speed then played on the big log ride before making everyone ride Abba Zabba with a few wipeouts on the 90 degree tree turn. Down blind terror where Chris had a few refusals concerned his height would lead to a man versus tree incident. He saved that for a later occasion.
Shooting down numb skull fast and rooty was a great thrill for all and we met up with Jonathan and John so in fact my numbers were gained - 11! (hmmm must try harder to lose riders)
We climbed over Holmbury for a great run down Golden Birdies - so fast and sweet singletrack in these conditions (that trail never fails to bring a grin factor). Group decision was not to stop for tea yet and just as well as the shop was packed with bikers!
So we rode up to the top of Proper Beau, at a blistering pace, to session the first jumps. There I was hiding behind a tree for protection when Chris in true RAF fashion took flight off the take off ramp, but decided to tweak a front wheel and land nose heavy on (get this) Locked out forks! I could see him in mid-air deciding "Hmmm man v tree or man v Claire" and as if frozen in the headlights I saw his bike and him hit my bike as I backed away and then bang- my leg was trapped and in receipt of a dent the shape of a Lapierre top tube. Wow injured whilst standing still!!
A few silent swear words later we rode off to find Dave's see saw. (I managed to lose Andy and Howie on the way there!) After a good look at Dave's woodwork and some doubt whether to ride it by all we decided to have spotters either side and one by one we all rode it. This one was grin factor 10 and we played on it again and again like little kids in the playground- Dave's handiwork is excellent! Kudos!
Peaslake was calling for Tea and cake in the sunshine and I managed to regain Howie and Andy, then up we ploughed back to the reservoir for more playtime. Some wooden strips of logs were laid out on stumps to balance along- some with rounded bark on and some flat planks. There is much footage at the repeated attempts to complete the run and some of the frustration along the way- mainly as we were not allowed to leave until Gilles got it! Here's who I think made it the whole length: Sam, Howie, Stef, Chris, Gilles, Claire, John C, Simon, Andy. Proving everyones skills and talents differ- but its just as much fun watchin the frustration of "Why can't I get this" attempts (Jonathan, George)!
Then Sam, Gilles, Simon and Chris rode over the wood stack which I've never seen done before. See the video for entertaining footage of Gilles determined attempts!
OK play time over we rode Parklife, Telegraph and Mutiny but at that point I managed to beat the record and lost 10 riders as I turned back to find George and Stef who had a flat, (I never found them) and everyone else rode back to the shop. (Howie and Andy following my verbal directions and therefore separated from the others).
So until that last lapse there were shouts of "move over Simon" -what a great ride we had- but as I broke the rider loss record maybe we need him back!
It's a long blog entry partially 'cos the great riding and partially as its my last Sunday ride for a few months- keep the blog going guys so I can see how your rides go while I'm away. And look out I may drop in with a few tales from my travels! Have a great Summer and thanks for being a fun gang to ride with!
Wednesday 6 May 2009
F&M Acrobats
Great ride today in the best sunshine to date (have I said that before?)- but honestly today was a lovely day!
We shot up to Countdown to Ecstasy that has really taken shape thanks to Jonathan's hard work and vision on Friday, we added a post jump trail clear up too. Then we took Sweet sweet bulbs which has bedded in so well and is really flowing now. Up to F&M and the tough bits at the start were so dry everyone made those without issue but on the Singletrack exit John decided to play up to the camera and try some acrobatics- watch the video.
Then we flew over heads roll which was really running well and from Coldharbour down the Summer Lighhtning DH and then up to and down Lust for Life and up to Leith Tower in hope of cake. Starvation changed to frustration that after last week's promise the tower kiosk was not open and no cake and tea were on hand to resuscitate us.
Energy bars and water were a poor substitute before we headed on to ride the winding challenge of Worth the Mither and a great run down Windy Willows that is enjoying the dry conditions and really flowing well right now- I love that trail!
The finishing flourish down Bossanova (Skids is for ids John) and then GSW to Rookery are as always a grin factor at the end of the ride.
Friday 1 May 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
