© Alternative Solutions2002. All rights reserved
 1st December 2002 |
||
|---|---|---|
    |
Well, with 'Pierpoint' having their Xmas meal on the Saturday, it was
always going to be a shakey start, but we lost one before we left Oxton ! There
was no rousing Nu Pixie from his slumbers at 08:00, his neighbours were not so
difficult, so with heavy hearts and a spare seat, PV and I headed off to Hopton
in search of assisted ascension ! 2.5 hour drive down there, not a bad drive,
and despite our later start, we made it there just in time to get the first
lift up, Thanks for waiting guys (& Gal) ! Trailer is a piece of work (check phot) and does the job brilliantly. This was our first time there, so we're following to see where we go, signposts saying 'Downhill exit, keep clear' & 'downhill start' is are a sign the place is well sorted (tho' locals are less than friendly ... more later). OK, start is at the highest point, and drops down thru' the trees, via a muddy, rooty track, some hideous brake bumps and the worlds allocation of roots, all viing for a place across the track, best to use as many of the little kickers as possible to stay clear of em ! Dont brake and steer by telepathy...and dodge the stumps, loads of really well positioned ones around.... Of course, this maxim results in a terra firma interface or 2 .... Track crosses a couple of wider tracks, (there really are 'sharp corner' signs !) and is a bit more open, following a nice lil' jump over some stumps, with some nice berms and jumps, dropping into the last third via a steep, grooved single track, zig zaging around a few of trees (one of which I hit laterly, whilst over-estimating the grip available from my Fire-Pro DH's..) Ends with a descent over a couple of 'steps' and finally over a nice jump (pic), plenty of kick here, and after our first run, stood there watching the others, one guy did cartwheels off into the brambles and got up smiling, pixie material ? On the lift back up, coupla guys tell us of 'the other ' run, seems the bottom section differs winter and summer...... Lets check it out then ! Same start and top section, but there is a fork in the track in the second section, winter course goes left (to where the lift is waiting, a crucial point) summer to the right ( ending past the pick up point, and with a steep scramble back up ... in the summer, the bottom field is rented by the race organisers) Anyway, this is more like it !!!! Much faster, more berms, coupla big jumps, the last one into a steep, well bermed zig-zag descent, very fast and loose, down a couple of 'steps' then over a medium sized double, followed swiftly by a launch ramp, landing into a sharp chute, to the end because at this time of year, the table top finish is on the other side of the fence, in a field. OK, so its a cool spec, the rides are gnarly and technical, with the root factor providing the luck requirement (apparently someone called 'Peat' had an off on it too ...... hehh !), its well organised, the lift flava definitely works, Dave (pearce) an' co do a good job. On the downside ? Well from our point of view, a little too far a drive for a regular day ride venue or for the winter series..... And the locals.... tho' its all legit etc. some are definitely NOT with the biking thing. If it were nearer, we'd frequent it, as it is, we'll go when its drier, and enjoy the speed ... ! |
|
 |
 |
|