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Saturday 3rd March 2007 -  Glentress

6 of us met at the pre-arranged 10am  (well, some of us were fasionably late...) up in the Buzzards Nest carpark and, after the obligatory intros, the two racing snakes (Pinkeye and Pdc) shot off to tackle the black run. That left us mere mortals (rossi46, Big-W, Sniperkona and Tallchrist) to hit the red.
  At an easy pace, we meandered up the fireroad to the bottom of the Spooky Woods Climb. The sun was out and it was mild for the time of year, but the threatening, angry-looking clouds were never very far away. Undeterred, we pushed onwards: me literally pushing - the rest cycling and it wasn't very long before we were taking cover from the rain in the sparse greenery at the top, looking over the infamous Spooky Woods Descent.
After a biscuit, some water and a chat we hurtled down the switchbacks and jumps. It doesn't seem to matter to me how many times I belt down there, I always find a new line or jump a different way from the previous time. It just gets better every time I go down it. I'm a big fan of Spooky woods. I especially love the vicious looking drops that are actually p1ss easy - it's an illusion that fools me every time. You just have to force over the edge at speed like some kind of blind leap of faith to notice that the drops are neither vicious nor scary at all. Before long, I heard the now-familiar cry of "On your right" as Tallchrist flew past me on his Trek at a rate of knots.
We sampled the Pie Run at the bottom, which was a first for me, and it's quality. Very narrow, technical singletrack with exposed, slippery roots and steps waiting to catch pedals, cranks, or anyone not paying 100% attention 100% of the time. The Pie Run is really short on distance, but huge on fun and that's what's important at the bottom line. Especially the sudden drop at the very end, which only 50% of us cleaned, the rest taking the handbag alternative route (not telling who..!)
After hurlting down through the last two descents (I forget the names) to the valley floor we had the grim delights of the Sair Fecht climb to look forward to, then the lactic-acid-flushing climb that serves as a warm-down, back up the fireroad to the car park.
Before heading home, we had a couple of plays down the freeride area, with sniper impressing all present with his drop-off flying trickery, making it look  easy. I elected to save the big wooden drop for another day when I have my flat pedals on and have taken my bravery injection before leaving the house.
All in all a top day out with mud, rain, top company and tons of laughs.
Roll on summer

Paul