Headshot Posted October 20, 2014 Posted October 20, 2014 It was a windy day which had its advantages - firstly, it was a lot cooler than it was the day before and the wind made for some lekker dh speed when you had it behind you. Also great to hear the full sound effects from tyres scrabbling for grip down the dry and rocky trails of Conties. Negs are obvious - the climbs were a biatch into it and there were some steering and control issues with all that extra thrust. This thing was well run. The timing system was by the CPT, Great Time guys who came and did it manually because all their kit was stolen after the CPT. More people on the trails to do the work, but it went smoooothly.We were off in groups of ten from 9 am from the farm coffee shop area. Three stages - shortest to longest. Ewald and Thomas were there filming. SS1 This started about 2/3 of the way up the Conties main loop climb. It did not descend existing trails but was freshly mowed grass in places with flat and off camber corners. It was tricky and foot out was the best tactic in the corners. some of them had ruts which could be used like berms but this SS made you appreciate berms and rock gardens and the stuff we usually ride. Nice to have a track like this for a change. I met my wife and son on the way back up the climb and spotted Flowta at the track side with a flat tyre. The Q was long as it always is on SS1 but it was fun chatting to other riders there. SS2 This started about 3/4 up the Conties main climb, It kicked of on the blue route and then quickly entered the so called Free Ride track. It was fast and had a couple of tricky corners and one very interesting rock drop/jump thing that looked as if it could inflict some pain on the unwary. There were a few other steep rocky sections but nothing too free ride really. We had been able to watch some of the riders taking a jump or two while waiting at the start of SS1 so I knew what was coming. There were two plank ramps, the first bigger than the second. The first one is a gap jump with a lower landing. I decided to hit it and managed to stick the landing. This was a fun stage and ended at the midway point of the blue route which it crisscrossed using a few sections of mowed grass track again. SS3 The big long one. Back up to the mast. We started down the DH main line switchbacks. These are a gnarly set of corners full of rock gardens that look like teeth. This stage cost me a few places. Just before the end of these s/backs I rode a rock drop/jump feature and landed off line and off went off track. I can confirm that the new shorts handle abrasion very well and left me with minor skin damage. The rest of this track was literally sick man :-). After the switchies it headed into the old DH line which is marked double black. It is huge fun. The gnarliest longest rock garden I have ever managed to ride as fast and unseen. I picked the right line by fluke (its the top r/h line) and sailed through this. From here it got faster and faster into new off camber grass track and back on the dh line and finally on to a finish about 1 km before the end of the singletrack that ends at the entrance to Conties. Tech notes: The bike worked like a charm. I discovered Kashima in a can - its called Mr Min. It smoothed up my fork amazingly - stiction, what is dat? No chain issues for obvious reasons. I love my Dartmoor Trail top and bottom guide - the chain stays on with the clutch on or off. I have new respect for Contermans - there is some fun track there - just need some time and lungs to try it all... Pics are views from the top of SS3.
clement Posted October 20, 2014 Posted October 20, 2014 A slightly shortened version of stage 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCQB1_Aq1DI&feature=youtu.be
Quantum Theory Posted October 20, 2014 Posted October 20, 2014 A slightly shortened version of stage 1 You okay?
Flowta Posted October 20, 2014 Posted October 20, 2014 A slightly shortened version of stage 1 Ouch!!! FYI still have your Allen key set
clement Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 You okay? Yeah, an impressive amount of scrapes and bruises and sprained fingers but generally all the important bits are still working. More importantly the bike is fine (Just a bent brake lever) Ouch!!! FYI still have your Allen key set No problem, will get it from you at the next enduro.
Headshot Posted October 21, 2014 Author Posted October 21, 2014 Bummer Clement, wondered what happened to you... Those bridges can be tricky - no doubt the wind assist did not help.
Dan Dob Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Really had fun on Sunday! A bit of everything, the raw tracks kept it nice and physical and kept the surprises coming. Even without the timing chips, the event seemed to run well-I only had a short wait on SS3 (but I left in the first group Was nervous being on an old school un-tested rat bike (a Swiss bike with the exciting name of MTB-Swiss-tech ) I had just built and still sporting a shoulder injury from being a muppet with SA alpine addiction 2 months ago. Being back on 26er wheels was so much fun but having no dropper post and a broken front derailleur was not ideal. Did not risk any of the jumps with the wind that was blowing but felt rather sheepish afterwards for not doing it. Safe=fast Well done to WP Downhill for a great event and a lot of hard work. Follow them on facebook if you didn't know about the event!
clement Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Bummer Clement, wondered what happened to you... Those bridges can be tricky - no doubt the wind assist did not help. Classic pilot error though, way to much speed, not enough suspension or brains. The wind assist was pretty cool though, it really added a lot of speed and the grass corners was surprisingly grippy.
MoreTrails Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Tech notes: The bike worked like a charm. I discovered Kashima in a can - its called Mr Min. It smoothed up my fork amazingly - stiction, what is dat? Dude! Not sure that is the best thing to put near your suspension...however Fork Juice is probably a far better alternative....
Flowta Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Classic pilot error though, way to much speed, not enough suspension or brains. The wind assist was pretty cool though, it really added a lot of speed and the grass corners was surprisingly grippy. Have to say the 2nd part of SS1 was real fun, foot out stuff
Flowta Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Dude! Not sure that is the best thing to put near your suspension...however Fork Juice is probably a far better alternative.... Reviews for Fork Juice seem good (what's the price of a can?) If you go by overseas websites, fork juice is a silicone spray with a bike specific label. But it depends on what the solvents are that are used that may make the difference. Not sure what's in fork juice but here is what's in Mr MinButanePropaneSorbitan Mono-oleatePerfumePetroleum waxSilicone FluidIsoparaffinic Hydrocarbon Solvent Apparently Teflon based chain lube is also the business.
Hairy Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Dude! Not sure that is the best thing to put near your suspension...however Fork Juice is probably a far better alternative....tell me more RE what, how much and obviously where from please?
Flowta Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 tell me more RE what, how much and obviously where from please? I believe the where may be Stoke
Hairy Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 I believe the where may be StokeJa ... but I want him to actually work for a living
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Ja ... but I want him to actually work for a living I think it's like R 100 or so.
Nofearnofun Posted October 21, 2014 Posted October 21, 2014 Dude! Not sure that is the best thing to put near your suspension...however Fork Juice is probably a far better alternative.... Reviews for Fork Juice seem good (what's the price of a can?) If you go by overseas websites, fork juice is a silicone spray with a bike specific label. But it depends on what the solvents are that are used that may make the difference. Not sure what's in fork juice but here is what's in Mr MinButanePropaneSorbitan Mono-oleatePerfumePetroleum waxSilicone FluidIsoparaffinic Hydrocarbon Solvent Apparently Teflon based chain lube is also the business. tell me more RE what, how much and obviously where from please? I have been advised that a few drops of a 5w motorex on the seals to lubricate and clean the dirt out after each ride. I used to use Q20 until I was told by a trust suspension guy that it tends to separate the grease and oil once it gets below the seals
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.