Saturday 5th May 2007 - Ae - 7 Stanes
Saturday saw our first trip away from home, to the place they call “Ae” .
23km long and graded Red with some Black sections.
Its part of the Seven Stanes, so you basically know what your gonna get, but this time it was a first ride for many of us on new terrain.
The time was set for 11am but after having to wait for some to do their usual faffing about it was more like 11.30 by the time we set off, at least they remembered their seat quick release this time!
The trail starts gently enough on a loose gravel path along the river bank and then turns into the forest where the real fun begins. It’s straight into tight, steep, singletrack climbs. Very loose and rocky in places and this certainly gave everyone a wake up call and made them wish they hadn’t bothered with the beer last night!
Heading up again and out along some really good trails, a puncture was picked up but easily fixed and we were all back on the trail again. A short forest road climb and we dived down into the forest again following some sweet trails over roots, rocks and so so many rocks.
There was some serious climbing, too, using a mixture of singletrack and forest roads, and some high, exposed, if bizarrely named, singletrack – Granny Green Luv, Bran Burn Bash. The Edge makes more sense, a stretch of singletrack over a high ridge, dropping steeply down to the river on one side, before plunging into the dark forest, for a trail that swoops down thanks to some fast bermed corners and with the impression of speed enhanced by the proximity of the trees.
New guy Giles had a minor embarrassing off at 1mph due to being clipped in, but we’ve all had them! This however was nothing compared to what was to come.
After a feed stop at the top it was the start of the downhill!
23km long and graded Red with some Black sections.
Its part of the Seven Stanes, so you basically know what your gonna get, but this time it was a first ride for many of us on new terrain.
The time was set for 11am but after having to wait for some to do their usual faffing about it was more like 11.30 by the time we set off, at least they remembered their seat quick release this time!
The trail starts gently enough on a loose gravel path along the river bank and then turns into the forest where the real fun begins. It’s straight into tight, steep, singletrack climbs. Very loose and rocky in places and this certainly gave everyone a wake up call and made them wish they hadn’t bothered with the beer last night!
Heading up again and out along some really good trails, a puncture was picked up but easily fixed and we were all back on the trail again. A short forest road climb and we dived down into the forest again following some sweet trails over roots, rocks and so so many rocks.
There was some serious climbing, too, using a mixture of singletrack and forest roads, and some high, exposed, if bizarrely named, singletrack – Granny Green Luv, Bran Burn Bash. The Edge makes more sense, a stretch of singletrack over a high ridge, dropping steeply down to the river on one side, before plunging into the dark forest, for a trail that swoops down thanks to some fast bermed corners and with the impression of speed enhanced by the proximity of the trees.
New guy Giles had a minor embarrassing off at 1mph due to being clipped in, but we’ve all had them! This however was nothing compared to what was to come.
After a feed stop at the top it was the start of the downhill!
Now for the climactic final sections of downhill singletrack - Nil Desperandum and the Omega Man. Progress was halted after Giles decided to land on an unsuspecting novice in our path!!! He took some punishment with a broken helmet and many cuts and bruises to match. Dusting himself off, we kept going. The trail was quite spectacular and drops back to the car park via numerous bermed corners, tabletops, jumps, double jumps and some serious drop-offs that might not be best approached at top speed. And right at the end – as if there hasn’t been enough – there is the option to try ‘north shore’ beam bars and other obstacles before the ride is over.
This sure left us all ready for a nice burger and piece of cake from the “fish & chip” van!
Members here today were;
Richie
Big W
Charliecheese
Pinkeye
Gilesm
1985
Extra members;
Trev
Maj
and 3 other lycra clad strangers.
Members here today were;
Richie
Big W
Charliecheese
Pinkeye
Gilesm
1985
Extra members;
Trev
Maj
and 3 other lycra clad strangers.
Mountain Bike Borders
