|
Author |
Message |
KLR600 |
This post is not being displayed .
|
KLR600 World Chat Champion
Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :
|
Posted: 18:18 - 21 May 2014 Post subject: |
|
|
Looks like some trail centres are taking trail grading into their own hands then. I thought most parks/trail centres used this or something very similar to this:
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/serenaur/gbforestry2_zps996976bc.jpg
The exception being that the final red grading would be a double black diamond - similar to ski slope grades. If I saw a yellow/orange graded trail I'd assume it was between a blue and a red and would probably get a bit of a shock to find some advanced technical trail features and compulsory airs like on Air to Surface (I haven't ridden that trail but I have seen videos and would love to ride it).
With regards to the North Shore ladder stuff I see a lot of riders unnecessarily scaring themselves on it. I find the key is to look as far ahead as you normally would and keep your speed relatively high for the trail. The most crashes and falls I've seen on that stuff is when riders slow down too much and don't look past their front wheel. They get all wobbly, lose balance and then have nowhere to fall but off the ladder. That obviously goes out the window a bit when you're riding the really narrow "skinnies", see saws and really tight corners that you sometimes see on these ladder sections. Saying that, following my advice can lead to broken arms so take it with a pinch of salt ____________________ Now: '00 Kawasaki ZRX1100R - Past: '84 Yamaha DT125, '89 Kawasaki KLR600, '97 Yamaha XJ600N
<My Bikepics Page> <My Yootoobes> <My Websites> <My Photos>
<Take Cool Photos!> |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Nb |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Nb World Chat Champion
Joined: 17 May 2005 Karma :
|
Posted: 19:34 - 21 May 2014 Post subject: |
|
|
If im going somewhere new i always search youtube for that trail so i have at least a little idea of whats coming. Having looked on youtube numerous times i can honestly say they look easy on youtube but are somewhat harder/steeper/bigger when you get there. ____________________ Cbr1100xx blackbird gone, mk4 golf gt tdi chav now
Colin1 wrote 'Im grateful for what i can get, which isnt all that much.'
Columbus travel insurance are crap!! Do not use! |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Tristan. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Tristan. World Chat Champion
Joined: 26 May 2007 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Llama-Farmer |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Llama-Farmer World Chat Champion
Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
The Tot |
This post is not being displayed .
|
The Tot World Chat Champion
Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Karma :
|
Posted: 01:10 - 05 Aug 2014 Post subject: |
|
|
I'm getting a lot of stick from Silky, Doovy et al on facebook because I haven't been out on the blade in a while.
Downhilling is all about baby steps and getting your technique down and practicing where and when you can on gentle trails!
FOD is a cracking trail, but if you've never been downhilling before, I wouldn't go on ANY of the orange graded trails yet - Verderers is plenty fast for a noobie!
THIS is what happened when I did my first DH run at FOD - Corkscrew, on my Trek Fuel EX
I didn't recce the run - THAT resulted in 3 cracked ribs and a bruised back 3 weeks before I was due to fly to Bali!
But the Blue Verderers Dragon's Tail run is a nice beginners to DH. Not as gnarly, but the rythmn sections are pretty rapid
But I ended up getting a 29er Specialized Enduro with 160mm travel and headed out with the guys from Noah's bike shop in Stroud. They showed me some hidden gems near the back of my house that puts the FOD to shame! Plus, it's empty!
Cotswolds DH runs near Cranham - you can see the suspension travel nicely there. And you can see how far I hang off the back too!
If you want riding tips
IMB Bike Mag's youtube channel has got some useful videos on every element of riding
Search for any How To Vids with Fabien Barel too
But what I've learnt over the last 18 months of seriously getting into mountain biking, especially over technical stuff
Walk the trail first, or at least do a slow speed run
Drop your heels on descents - have a good idea what the attack position is - most how to vids will show you how.
Get your saddle out of the way and hang your hips over the rear wheel
Have your weight in line with the bottom bracket. The steeper the terrain, the further back you want to be, whilst still being in control
It may seem counter intuitive, but stay off the brakes! You'll get better grip and reduce the risk of washing out on a rock or root, moreso when wet
Ride with flats - Clipped in whilst downhilling = sprained ankle and 6 weeks being unable to train for toughmudder
Besides, everybody's banging on about Enduro now! ____________________ The Tot 2007 Yamaha R1 4C8 2002 Yamaha FZS1000 Fazer &
www.youtube.com/Titot182 for your bike gear reviews and pop punk covers
Earl Of Easycore Pop Punk Will Never Die! |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Old Thread Alert!
There is a gap of 1 year, 297 days between these two posts... |
|
|
dlinkered |
This post is not being displayed because it has a low rating (Spam). Unhide this post / all posts.
|
dlinkered L Plate Warrior
Joined: 27 May 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Fin |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Fin World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Feb 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Tristan. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Tristan. World Chat Champion
Joined: 26 May 2007 Karma :
|
Posted: 17:52 - 02 Jun 2016 Post subject: |
|
|
I was on a super fancy borrowed dh bike, so I can't blame that, just me
Tot, didn't see your reply last year, haha that tabletop I did literally exactly the same as you on my first (and only) run too. In retrospect I'm a bit annoyed that my friend who knew I had 0 experience took me the route he did, I may have lasted a bit longer if I had built it up slowly on some less steep more open trails, but oh well. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Fin |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Fin World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Feb 2016 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
stinkwheel |
This post is not being displayed .
|
stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 7 years, 330 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
|
|
|