Some guys take building trails seriously!

[toolonglegs]

My 6 year old boy asks "Daddy can you do that"
Me "No"
6 yo "why not..are you too old" cheeky bugger!
Me "No...I just don't want to break all my bones"
6 yo "Well you could try"
Me (in my head) " I think not!"
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE792g55 ... r_embedded[/youtube]

[trailgumby]

Cool vid. Like you, not for me.

Those guys have a couple of strategies to manage the risks while learning to do that stuff.

One is obviously to start small, but for the bigger stuff like back and forward flips they get their technique learned by getting a junker bike and building a ramp though the backyard that will land them in a swimming pool. Others I've seen use foam pits. That way they don't break their necks when they get it wrong.

Frequently they do get it wrong, though. Lots of broken bones. I think the latest Kranked vid is called Dust and Bones. No prizes for guessing why.

[toolonglegs]

Yeah I got Dust and Bones a while back...it is good but not as good as I was hoping.
I can ride down hills fast and get over pretty much any techie section but I am really crap at jumping...I was on motox bikes as well.Maybe I need to build a foam pit .
I will blame it on being 194cm...means my center of gravity is bit high...thats my excuse anyway!.

[foo on patrol]

Where's your sense of adventure? I'm to old to do that now, what's you're excuse? Great vid though.

[toolonglegs]

My excuse...I am no good at jumping and crashing a lot hurts...that and cross country mtb's aren't great for jumping so I am not likely to go out and buy another bike.
I can do drops well...just a bit funny about launching lips and have enough scars and pins already .

[foo on patrol]

I do hear where you're coming from.

[trailgumby]

Ditto!

[ve safari]

So I take it that stuff is not easy to do? Not talking about the flips and summersaults, understand that would be difficult, but if a road rider rocked up on a mountain bike to ride that trail, are you saying it would end in tears?

/showing my MTB ignorance
(although I did to Woodford to Glenbrook twice many years ago on a rigid MTB!)

[toolonglegs]

It doesn't get much tamer than Woodford Glenbrook...that is pretty much a road ride even at full speed.
Yeah if a novice rocked up to that course (in the video) they would be doing it all on their feet...those guys are really good.

[Kalgrm]

So I take it that stuff is not easy to do? Not talking about the flips and summersaults, understand that would be difficult, but if a road rider rocked up on a mountain bike to ride that trail, are you saying it would end in tears?

Only for the roadie. The MTBers would be having a ball - at the roadie's expense.

I love that video TLL. Not only is the riding good, but the camera work is brilliant. It's one of the better ones of this type of video I've ever seen.

Cheers,
Graeme

[trailgumby]

The cable cams are awesome.

Gap jumps just scare the crap outta me. Approach speed has to be just right. Undershoot and you slam into the lip of the downramp. Overshoot and you land from great height onto flat. Very easy for the bike to get out from under you in flight. Don't get me started on those high ladders.

Trust me, those guys are very good. With the lack of B-lines, it would end in a helicopter ride for an inexperienced rider.

The timber all seems rather new so more than likely that stuff was built for the film.

[ve safari]

The thing that got me is that these guys seem to be riding in jeans and t-shirts. No body armour, no gloves and stuff, nothing more than a helmet for protection. I figured it must be pretty easy then....lol

[Mulger bill]

Damn, I wish I was half that good.

+1 on gap jumps, penalty for failure is much pain and often a damaged bike.

Shaun

[jules21]

i just wish i could handle my bike that well, they can keep the jumps

[Ant.]

Holy crap, me as a former motocross rider, I have to say that is awesome!!


I need a mountain bike ....

[Jean]

i just wish i could handle my bike that well, they can keep the jumps

They certainly are smooth. I get the same feeling watching ski videos. Some ex-World Cup downhiller (who never quite 'made' it) cutting loose in deep powder. You marvel at what they can do and wish you could do it, but know that unless you'd started skiing when you were 4-years-old and spent years on skis year round you're not even in with a chance.

They can keep the jumps, but I wish I could corner and throw a MTB around like that.

[MattyP]

Amazing stuff!

[aeroslave]

I dont think anyone here in BNA oldies group can do what those kids can do.....

Breathtaking!

[alchemist]

/showing my MTB ignorance
(although I did to Woodford to Glenbrook twice many years ago on a rigid MTB!)

That is a road race.

BTW Entries are now open for this year's edition of the Woodie Worlds

[kukamunga]

A nicely choreographed and edited piece..... I can only dream of riding like that !

Now let's see the 'bloopers' tape and their health insurance premiums.....

[ve safari]

So...hypothetically speaking...if a middle-aged roadie wanted to try out a little bit of dirt action in Sydney...where would said roadie go?

[trailgumby]

Terry Hills is a great introduction. It's mostly fire trails, but will give you a taste of what it's like to get out in the bush. It has a few climbing and descending challenges without putting you in harm's way. Some spectacular views are on offer. Typical loop or out-and-back is between 14-22km. Allow 2 hours riding time which includes a bit of taking in the scenery. Occasional singletrack sections if you know where to look.

Some TH trails have just been run over with a grader and are too sandy to ride at the moment, but we're waiting for a bit of inclement weather which will sort that out quickly enough and then we'll be business as usual.

Cascades is another option if you are fit but less accomplished with bike handling skills. Again, mostly fire trail. Lots of climbing and descending.

Manly Dam circuit trail is NOT recommended as a first time rider's introduction to the dirty side. Moderately technical in a number of places, you can get hurt if you don't respect your limits. I'd say the same about Ourimbah.

The Oaks trail is another good one, between Woodford and Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains. Best to get an early start to avoid the (bike) traffic. Some very high speed fire road sections running into tight hairpins and long drops off the edge, and a reputedly excellent section of singletrack towards the end of the descent. Nasty climb out to the railway station. It's been on my to-do list awhile, but mates' schedules and the weather have conspired to prevent it happening so far. Soon!

I organise group rides on weekends around the northern beaches. PM me if you're interested in tagging along. They're great fun, very social, and we operate with a "no rider left behind" rule.