Goodbye Chameleon and hello Prince Albert.
Full spec and a write-up soon - first ride planned this Friday and Saturday.
Monday, September 08, 2008
New toys...
Goodbye Chameleon and hello Prince Albert.
Full spec and a write-up soon - first ride planned this Friday and Saturday.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Scotland weekender (again!)
SCOTLAND - 26th to 29th September 2009
Put the dates in your diary, the money in the bank because yes, Fearingout are off AGAIN for a long weekend in the Tweed Valley.
This time round the plan looks like:
> Friday - Ae Forest
> Saturday - Glentress (black, then park)
> Sunday - Innerleithen (black, then Caddon Bank)
> Monday - Glentress (red - then home!)
The B+B is booked and currently Jon, Chris, Leo and myself are travelling up and hopefully meeting Ste and Scott for at least a days riding if not more.
We'll be doing a little filming at the places new to this years DVD (Ae and Inners black) but focusing on photography this time out. We may even have some Wideopen longterm test bikes in tow ;)
I personally can't wait. See you there!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Lee Quarry - Bacup
Headed over to Bacup to try a new trail yesterday, the fairly new and unpublicised Lee Quarry. Jon, Chris, Ross and myself joined new boy Damian and after a few issues finding the trail head we were all set in decent weather.
The actual trail is graded red, and was built with grants from the North West development agency. It's fairly short, probably only 30-40 minutes - but that in itself is a positive as you can session it very easily. That would be a problem if it was pants, but it actually is very well designed and flows quite well.
After one circuit we went back up and sussed out the Black section - this was Black as in technically difficult, not knarly fast downhill and the rock slab sections were hard to negotiate on a full bouncer. Good fun though and again well designed.
Will we be back? I'd have thought so - though next time on a hardtail!
Friday, August 15, 2008
3rd time's a charm?
Well, Llandegla...
I tried to keep an open mind after my previous two visits (reports here: 2005 and 2006) so when Jon and I decided a mid-week blast would be good for the system, and with just a day and not wanting to travel too far, Llandegla seemed a logical choice.
So third impressions? The old bits are still rubbish... the black bits we'd ridden before better, but the new black sections - awesome!! Proper flow at last... and something to return for...
Jon was on board the Pitch and not really feeling it, so I ended up leading most sections on the Chameleon. Awesome fun flicking about on a hardtail, well worth the effort to push back to the top of the black, despite taking 30 mins!
I'd say up from a D to perhaps a C+ or B-. For me it still needs something challenging and flowy on the way back to the car from the last of the black sections... still maybe next time!
On a more personal note, a sad and happy day for me - the last ride aboard the Chameleon as it's getting stripped down to build up a Dialled Prince Albert. It's taken me across the country and been a solid part of Fearingout and my riding progression for the last 5 years - I know already I'm going to miss it - how long before parts get sourced to build up a 3rd bike? :) Not long I can tell you! :D
:: CLICK FOR SLIDESHOW ::
I tried to keep an open mind after my previous two visits (reports here: 2005 and 2006) so when Jon and I decided a mid-week blast would be good for the system, and with just a day and not wanting to travel too far, Llandegla seemed a logical choice.
So third impressions? The old bits are still rubbish... the black bits we'd ridden before better, but the new black sections - awesome!! Proper flow at last... and something to return for...
Jon was on board the Pitch and not really feeling it, so I ended up leading most sections on the Chameleon. Awesome fun flicking about on a hardtail, well worth the effort to push back to the top of the black, despite taking 30 mins!
I'd say up from a D to perhaps a C+ or B-. For me it still needs something challenging and flowy on the way back to the car from the last of the black sections... still maybe next time!
On a more personal note, a sad and happy day for me - the last ride aboard the Chameleon as it's getting stripped down to build up a Dialled Prince Albert. It's taken me across the country and been a solid part of Fearingout and my riding progression for the last 5 years - I know already I'm going to miss it - how long before parts get sourced to build up a 3rd bike? :) Not long I can tell you! :D
:: CLICK FOR SLIDESHOW ::
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Friday, August 08, 2008
110%?
Jon and I headed out for a blast last night - after a few wet days here recently the going was surprisingly dry. Setting off in the glorious sunshine was nice, and we had the video camera in the bag too! Jon (who was in jeans as he forgot his shorts) was fully faced up - and looking smooth on the Pitch.
We filmed a bit on the climb up, at the location of Scott's Swansong last year. Good little chortle, not that fast but looks quite arty.
On to the main event - Charity Lane - and we went to town filming, stopping in total about 7 times! FLAT OUT in highest gear down most of it, it looks awesome on film. Great camera work too from Jon, you can tell he's been watching a lot of the Extreme channel!
Out next Thursday, probably Llandegla, and then Delamere on the Bank Holiday weekend.
Will post one or two mini clips later.
We filmed a bit on the climb up, at the location of Scott's Swansong last year. Good little chortle, not that fast but looks quite arty.
On to the main event - Charity Lane - and we went to town filming, stopping in total about 7 times! FLAT OUT in highest gear down most of it, it looks awesome on film. Great camera work too from Jon, you can tell he's been watching a lot of the Extreme channel!
Out next Thursday, probably Llandegla, and then Delamere on the Bank Holiday weekend.
Will post one or two mini clips later.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Chris upgrades
After just 4 months of pecking Chris has finally sucumbed and splashed out on a fork upgrade for his Specialized Enduro. Replacing the 110mm AM SLs, which were a little short on his 140mm travel frame, with these 130mm beauties.
The 2004 model Z1 Freeride is a great fork, plush and great on the rough stuff as well as stutter bumps. I've had them fitted to the Coiler for 3 years - hopefully Chris will find they bed in as well for him over the coming months.
Reinstatement has been promised too... Chris we wait with bated breath!
In other news - planned ride for Thursday 14th August, and then the bank holiday weekend, Saturday 23rd August. Facebook me for more details.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Gwydwr delivers...
Well 6 months since the last visit and itching for a bit of North Wales trail centre action 5 of us made our way over to the real home of Fearingout - the Marin Trail near Betwyscoed.
A hazy start looked promising and as we made our way along the A55, making good progress in the light traffic.
By the time we arrived in the car park the skies had cleared and the first climb shaded by the trees was welcome rest bite from the sun - although the lack of a breeze made the atmosphere very close - good progress was made by all. After a quick breather at the top we dropped the saddles for the first 3 sections of singletrack. The first was lightning fast and got the blood flowing, especially in the dry conditions, tight twisty and a good surface. At the second extensive clearing had transformed this section visually, but no maintenance has made the trail quite rutted and off-camber and this has been worsened by people dragging brakes on full-sussers and drifting off course. Third up and the jumps are now just ruts due to the amount of traffic and again dragging brakes.
After another climb this time in the full sun - we re-grouped for a few quick singletrack sections which are in need of some repair. Still good fun and quite quick on a full-susser they're crying out for some decent jump and berm repairs. The short distance to Dragon's tail was reeled in quite quickly, and after stopping off to help some day trippers with rental bikes who'd had an off with a nasty elbow gouge we paused briefly to prepare for the assault. It's not worn out that much, being largely rock, but it's still rough as hell. For filming purposes we set off in tight formation, Jon and I cranking as hard as we could - in-advertantly leaving Ross and Chris for dust (in the dust!). Next up Ross offered to take the camera and after a small off after a front wheel drift he caught us dropping back onto the fireroad for the traverse round to Endor. Some lads with a Blur 4X (nice bike) and a Orange Crush were stopped with a puncture and no tools, so we helped out with Chris donating his spare. Endor is totally different - it used to be so dark through there now it's so light! 80% of the trees are down I'd say... The rest of the route passed by quite quickly with the short sections of singletrack interspersed by fireroad climbs - which were by now almost unbearable in the sunshine - so so hot.
Eventually we made it to the summit and the top of the last 3 descents. The first is hardly worth the extra height and was knocked off quite quickly. The second was dry dusty and fast and we did a bit of filming on the bottom jumps with a train of 4 - quite a good laugh and hairy if anyone had crashed. Jon was finding jumping the full-sus a different game to the hardtail and Pete was enjoying himself getting some air for the first time.
The final descent had some clearing work done on it as well turning into a dry dusty speed fest - absolutely bloomin amazing! I don't think there are enough supalatives in the english language for me to describe how good it felt for the 2 or 3 minutes it took to rag the arse of my Coiler through the rough sketchy conditions. I've said it before but I was grinning from ear to ear. Pete did a good job filming even capturing Jon's crash - blamed on 'showing off for the camera'.
Gwydwr yet again delivered in full. 100% satisfaction. A good ride, just long enough, not too many climbs, good for the fitness and awesome final descent. Beats the pants of Llandegla. Shame it's not a patch on the Tweed Valley... still first love and all that, I'm sure we'll be back before the end of the year!
:: CLICK FOR SLIDESHOW ::
Check out Facebook group for any one elses snaps!
A hazy start looked promising and as we made our way along the A55, making good progress in the light traffic.
By the time we arrived in the car park the skies had cleared and the first climb shaded by the trees was welcome rest bite from the sun - although the lack of a breeze made the atmosphere very close - good progress was made by all. After a quick breather at the top we dropped the saddles for the first 3 sections of singletrack. The first was lightning fast and got the blood flowing, especially in the dry conditions, tight twisty and a good surface. At the second extensive clearing had transformed this section visually, but no maintenance has made the trail quite rutted and off-camber and this has been worsened by people dragging brakes on full-sussers and drifting off course. Third up and the jumps are now just ruts due to the amount of traffic and again dragging brakes.
After another climb this time in the full sun - we re-grouped for a few quick singletrack sections which are in need of some repair. Still good fun and quite quick on a full-susser they're crying out for some decent jump and berm repairs. The short distance to Dragon's tail was reeled in quite quickly, and after stopping off to help some day trippers with rental bikes who'd had an off with a nasty elbow gouge we paused briefly to prepare for the assault. It's not worn out that much, being largely rock, but it's still rough as hell. For filming purposes we set off in tight formation, Jon and I cranking as hard as we could - in-advertantly leaving Ross and Chris for dust (in the dust!). Next up Ross offered to take the camera and after a small off after a front wheel drift he caught us dropping back onto the fireroad for the traverse round to Endor. Some lads with a Blur 4X (nice bike) and a Orange Crush were stopped with a puncture and no tools, so we helped out with Chris donating his spare. Endor is totally different - it used to be so dark through there now it's so light! 80% of the trees are down I'd say... The rest of the route passed by quite quickly with the short sections of singletrack interspersed by fireroad climbs - which were by now almost unbearable in the sunshine - so so hot.
Eventually we made it to the summit and the top of the last 3 descents. The first is hardly worth the extra height and was knocked off quite quickly. The second was dry dusty and fast and we did a bit of filming on the bottom jumps with a train of 4 - quite a good laugh and hairy if anyone had crashed. Jon was finding jumping the full-sus a different game to the hardtail and Pete was enjoying himself getting some air for the first time.
The final descent had some clearing work done on it as well turning into a dry dusty speed fest - absolutely bloomin amazing! I don't think there are enough supalatives in the english language for me to describe how good it felt for the 2 or 3 minutes it took to rag the arse of my Coiler through the rough sketchy conditions. I've said it before but I was grinning from ear to ear. Pete did a good job filming even capturing Jon's crash - blamed on 'showing off for the camera'.
Gwydwr yet again delivered in full. 100% satisfaction. A good ride, just long enough, not too many climbs, good for the fitness and awesome final descent. Beats the pants of Llandegla. Shame it's not a patch on the Tweed Valley... still first love and all that, I'm sure we'll be back before the end of the year!
:: CLICK FOR SLIDESHOW ::
Check out Facebook group for any one elses snaps!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Blog updates...
After some feedback on the blog - I've made a few mods to the Fearingout site to make it more useful.
First of all are the two boxes at the top of the blog.
The one on the left is a Chain Reaction Cycles part search - so for any of those last minute spares you need use the search bar and make your life easy!
The second is a BBC Weather search. You can enter a town name or a postcode.
Secondly, I've added a feed to the Wideopen News blog so you can keep track of developments in the wider bike world without needing to keep checking the Wideopen site.
Towards the bottom of the blog you'll find a button to take you to the Fearingout group on Facebook, along with a simple 'Update' link so you can easily sign into the Blogger to update the blog with your own stuff.
Any other suggestions or improvements give me a yell via Facebook or email.
First of all are the two boxes at the top of the blog.
The one on the left is a Chain Reaction Cycles part search - so for any of those last minute spares you need use the search bar and make your life easy!
The second is a BBC Weather search. You can enter a town name or a postcode.
Secondly, I've added a feed to the Wideopen News blog so you can keep track of developments in the wider bike world without needing to keep checking the Wideopen site.
Towards the bottom of the blog you'll find a button to take you to the Fearingout group on Facebook, along with a simple 'Update' link so you can easily sign into the Blogger to update the blog with your own stuff.
Any other suggestions or improvements give me a yell via Facebook or email.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
July - summer right?
:: CLICK HERE FOR SLIDESHOW ::
Chris and I headed out for a ride this evening - and the wet weather didn't hold off with the ride up to Charity Lane being spat on kept things 'fresh'. By the top it looked pretty threatening so we pushed on quickly... Charity Lane was quite grippy tonight but very wet - quite hard to find a line through the middle section. We continued on to do a full loop whilst the heavens opened! Ooogling the recently cleared part of the forest from the bridleway it would make a great place for a bike trail - what are the chances!?!! Slim to none! Don't you love Macclesfield Forest... anyway then down the bridleway descent Chris and I got into a bit of a 'race' situation, but the spray made it difficult to see - mind full pelt in top gear it was awesome fun - just a bit too easy on the full bouncer.
Project hardtail starts next week. Keep an eye out for that over the next 6 weeks or so...
Also started making enquiries about a September weekender so keep your eyes peeled.
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