Ok, now in more depth....though I'll no doubt write an article for soulmusic if requested....?!
Friday was a sweet drive up. Some laughs in the new mobiles and we hit red route at Glentress straight off. I was feeling the benefit of intense prep the week before, so the legs pushed all the way to the top of spooky woods, no probs, so was performing better than I did on the GT on previous Glentress trips.
Jimbo even managed the 1st fall, woop woop! First ride on spooky woods and bam, my rear brake fails. Going hard into a berm, I pull the lever, get jack, over compensate on the front brake and fly over the handlebars in true wrestling style to be slammed into the ground. After cursing for a while, we headed onward, still pushing the limits, but i sat at the back, learning how to use front brakes only! Good skills though. Got to the hub to be greeted with less than helpful staff (cursed them too). So I bought a bleed kit and the boys did me proud as we all mucked in and pulled a blinder. The impromtu bike stand was genius in particular!
Day 2 and Innerleithen beckoned. 3 of the boys ignored advice and chose the unrewarding pain of the Black XC route (black cos you end up at the last 2 sections of DH!). The rest of us had an awesome play onthe DH route. James H and me knew of the 2 last sections, but to our delight we were directed towards further push ups, revealing 5 sections in total, with the open section proving an absolute gem. After the immense climb up, we rode each section in full, to the bottom and had a breather. Time to take in the enormity of how awesome Innerleithen is. In the dry FS may not be required, but I was loving every penny I'd spent on the Stinky. Think I've upped my limits and the bike can give me even more! All the boys were loving life though. After a chill, we hauled poor Leo up with us for an attempt number 2. Every bit of pain in pushing up is worth it. We started some filming and pics, some awesome stuff. Once at the open section we kicked in FO style. Pulling jumps, speed, the lot, i got a little carried away. Massive air at about 25-30mph, i landed then the front tyre ruptured, snakebite to the tube and I went one way, the bike the other. Big up to my new lid, pads and all. A massive bruising to my left thigh and a few others. Bike took a ding to the shifter, but who needs the indicators anyway?!!! I fixed her up, cursed the 'slight' bending to fork, and got back to it!
Further sections were filmed and we left the hillside absolutley buzzing. Chris and Stew joined us after pushing back up, with Stew joining the fall action! All in all a top day, followed by curry mission.
Day 3 and red route awaited. Unfortunately Chris's weekend was prematurely ended, we all felt a bit sick, but the lad is made of sterner stuff, he'll be back with pads next time! With team rider Steve (http://www.thesingingfeet.co.uk/fearingout/team/fearingout_team.html) joining us, we rode the red route til it wouldn't ride no more! Lots of top shots and big air. Good effort from all. And a fall from Leo! After the rest of the sections, we chilled and had a blast on the new Freeride trails. I attempted above my level, Steve showed the way. I was Chuffed to throw myself off the north shore style drop offs, somewhat balls out style, but HELL YEAH i loved it! As the energy sapped, I just made the end box jump before caning my knee on my bars, so I retired til Monday!
Last day and the original 4 from friday returned to give Innerleithen one more "seeing to"! Absolutely awesome. We pushed it hard, but I'm sure we were all a bit wary of final ride injuries! Plus, I was physically fucked from a few injuries, but adrenalin pushed all the way.
If 4 days can feel any better on a bike, then surely Whistler is the only place that is better. Weather; awesome. Banter; top. Accomodation, spot on (cheers Jan at Winkston Framhouse!). Riding; incredible. The whole experience; to be repeated as soon as possible!
I've got my usual bent wheels, forks slightly fucked, but hey, I know I can mend/replace them. You simply can't replace the feeling of riding Innerleithen with that massive grin inside you.
Check out the pics, top stuff. Ok, enough ranting.
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