Helderkruin Open Day

[patches]

On Saturday (29th) and Sunday (30th) the Gravity All Stars guys put on an Open Day at Helderkruin DH course.

 

I managed to go through for the Saturday and took 2 friends who had never been on a DH bike before (nevermind ridden DH). In fact one of them hadn't been on a bike in about 8yrs (those days when you're a young teen cruising the neighborhood on your 18speed).

 

Both my friends learnt some skills, and had a ton of fun in the process.

 

Big thanks to the guys from Gravity All Stars for organizing this event. There were 2 shuttles running (so riders could basically hop straight back on after a run). They had spare kit there (so my 2 friends had use of full face helmets and the much needed knee pads)... and in general it was a fantastic day!

 

Again... big up to the GAS team

 

...and for those who couldn't be there... here are some pics from the day (sorry, there woulda been more... but I was having too much fun riding )

 

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/media/kunena/attachments/262/gearingup.jpg

Here are just a few of the riders gearing up. Kudo's to the only lady rider of the day (in the blue bandana)

 

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/media/kunena/attachments/262/theshoot.jpg

'The Shoot'

 

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/media/kunena/attachments/262/riderenteringtheshoot.jpg

Rider entering 'The Shoot'

 

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/media/kunena/attachments/262/thechichenrun.jpg

Off camber alternative line. (Down below you can see the turnout and the 2 shuttles)

 

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/media/kunena/attachments/262/chickenrunningit.jpg

Super hot Trek Session coming down the off camber section

 

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/media/kunena/attachments/262/almostOTB.jpg

Almost OTB... but well saved by the rider

 

http://www.cyclenation.co.za/media/kunena/attachments/262/helderkruin-001.jpg

Bombing it down the shoot (Pic rotated to show true angle of the drop)

[patches]

if any one else that attended has any other pics or comments on the Open Day, please post em up!

 

Thanks!

[nolipoli]

Hey Patches

 

Sorry I missed you. I was there on Sunday. (Xterra with wife on Saturday)

 

There were a few first timers on Sunday, some bravely trying to muscle their Hardtail XC bikes down the track. One of them unfortunately had a bail and got a fright, so two of them went home. The guy on Specialized Hardrock kept riding to the end - Smile on his face the whole way!

 

Overall Sunday was cool. Not as big a turn out as Saturday, but I think everyone had a great time.

 

To the GAS guys - Thank you! It was really cool to just be able to ride for the fun of it, without feeling the pressure of a stopwatch.

[patches]

yeah man, pity I missed riding with you too.

 

There were 2 hard tail XC riders on saturday. One was a friend of mine, so after he had 2 runs on his bike (just to see what it's like on a hard tail) he switched to my Morewood (I rode the Yati most of the day).

 

Francios was kind enough to lend the other Hard tail rider his Morewood for a few runs.

 

So yeah, it was cool that the first timers got to try it out on the big bikes.

 

And like you said... it was great to be able to ride for fun and try the alternate trails without the stop watch.

 

oh yeah... and I was the one who told Mark (the guy on the Spesh Hardrock) about the event. He emailed me after to tell me how much fun it was

Edited February 1, 2011 by patches