The tuffest, most technical, grueling ride you`ve ever done?
Discussion
Just wondering what other riders have experienced in the past and consider a "real tough" ride as I enjoy a challenge?Mine personally was "The Three Passes" based around Kentmere in the Lakes. Start at Stavely, up The Garburn Pass to Kentmere, up The Gathscarth Pass to Small Water and up The Nan Bield Pass passing Kentmere Reservoir and onto Stavely. More than enough "Hike a Bike"
for my liking particulartly to get to Nan Bield, but in return, some of the the best singletrack I have ever experienced! 
I've never managed to complete the High Peak Loop - http://www.mbruk.co.uk/Free/mbruk_route_highpeak.p...
4000ft over 48km starting at Whaley Bridge incorporating Rushup Edge, Hollins Cross, the Pennine Way & Jacobs Ladder amongst others. A brilliant, brilliant ride, but both times i've attempted it I've had to call it a day before getting to the end for whatever reason. I'd thoroughly recommend it to any in the area, it includes some fantastic descents & views.
4000ft over 48km starting at Whaley Bridge incorporating Rushup Edge, Hollins Cross, the Pennine Way & Jacobs Ladder amongst others. A brilliant, brilliant ride, but both times i've attempted it I've had to call it a day before getting to the end for whatever reason. I'd thoroughly recommend it to any in the area, it includes some fantastic descents & views.
Great route you were on, its one of my favourites. There is some great riding on Helvelyn: Capel Cove track being a stand out decent for me.
I did a great ride last year in Scotland(but definitely one when you know you will have good visibility, and good navigation skills). Across the hills from Blair Athol, over the minigaig, leave the main pass to reach one of the summits, single track decent, climb back up to another summit then rocky landrover track into the valley - Glen Feshie (700m or so of uninterrupted decent IIRC) and on towards Aviemore. Not as gnarly as some of the 'tracks' in the Lakes, but definitely not a place to crash or wreck your bike if you get carried away. Loooooooonnng walk out if you do.
Happy days.
I did a great ride last year in Scotland(but definitely one when you know you will have good visibility, and good navigation skills). Across the hills from Blair Athol, over the minigaig, leave the main pass to reach one of the summits, single track decent, climb back up to another summit then rocky landrover track into the valley - Glen Feshie (700m or so of uninterrupted decent IIRC) and on towards Aviemore. Not as gnarly as some of the 'tracks' in the Lakes, but definitely not a place to crash or wreck your bike if you get carried away. Loooooooonnng walk out if you do.
Happy days.
Edited by MTY4000 on Friday 11th April 15:32
I did this race last year - 100km, 2850m climbing, fantastic amounts of singletrack and still managed to clock 70kmh on one firetrail section.
http://www.arocsport.com.au/MTBenduro/mtbenduro_course.html
Hurt, too.
http://www.arocsport.com.au/MTBenduro/mtbenduro_course.html
Hurt, too.
WildCards said:
I've never managed to complete the High Peak Loop - http://www.mbruk.co.uk/Free/mbruk_route_highpeak.p...
4000ft over 48km starting at Whaley Bridge incorporating Rushup Edge, Hollins Cross, the Pennine Way & Jacobs Ladder amongst others. A brilliant, brilliant ride, but both times i've attempted it I've had to call it a day before getting to the end for whatever reason. I'd thoroughly recommend it to any in the area, it includes some fantastic descents & views.
I've done that route (or something very, very similar) a few times. 4000ft over 48km starting at Whaley Bridge incorporating Rushup Edge, Hollins Cross, the Pennine Way & Jacobs Ladder amongst others. A brilliant, brilliant ride, but both times i've attempted it I've had to call it a day before getting to the end for whatever reason. I'd thoroughly recommend it to any in the area, it includes some fantastic descents & views.
It is an absolute killer, one time was particularly bad. I was riding solo, the rain came in, the wind picked up, the ground was so boggy I had to walk. Ended up walking almost all the way from Hayfield to Edale with a gale and hailstones into my face. Not fun at all.
snotrag said:
WildCards said:
I've never managed to complete the High Peak Loop - http://www.mbruk.co.uk/Free/mbruk_route_highpeak.p...
4000ft over 48km starting at Whaley Bridge incorporating Rushup Edge, Hollins Cross, the Pennine Way & Jacobs Ladder amongst others. A brilliant, brilliant ride, but both times i've attempted it I've had to call it a day before getting to the end for whatever reason. I'd thoroughly recommend it to any in the area, it includes some fantastic descents & views.
I've done that route (or something very, very similar) a few times. 4000ft over 48km starting at Whaley Bridge incorporating Rushup Edge, Hollins Cross, the Pennine Way & Jacobs Ladder amongst others. A brilliant, brilliant ride, but both times i've attempted it I've had to call it a day before getting to the end for whatever reason. I'd thoroughly recommend it to any in the area, it includes some fantastic descents & views.
It is an absolute killer, one time was particularly bad. I was riding solo, the rain came in, the wind picked up, the ground was so boggy I had to walk. Ended up walking almost all the way from Hayfield to Edale with a gale and hailstones into my face. Not fun at all.
Obviously on a different theme to a fitness based tough ride, for me was the Champery World Cup Downhill track.
Having ridden a few big tracks, and generally not phased by much, I am bemused as to how on earth they were getting down it in 4 minutes. Granted it was in a pretty sorry state after the World Cup & bad weather, but some bit were just laughably hard, combine that with the 'if I fall here, i'm really going fall a long way & hurt myself' thought process, it made for interesting progress.
However, it did introduce us to one of the best tracks I have ever ridden on the same day. The Champery Walkers Trail. If you are off to the Alps this summer & like your DH, its got to be one to check out. Utterly brilliant fun.
Having ridden a few big tracks, and generally not phased by much, I am bemused as to how on earth they were getting down it in 4 minutes. Granted it was in a pretty sorry state after the World Cup & bad weather, but some bit were just laughably hard, combine that with the 'if I fall here, i'm really going fall a long way & hurt myself' thought process, it made for interesting progress.
However, it did introduce us to one of the best tracks I have ever ridden on the same day. The Champery Walkers Trail. If you are off to the Alps this summer & like your DH, its got to be one to check out. Utterly brilliant fun.
-C- said:
Obviously on a different theme to a fitness based tough ride, for me was the Champery World Cup Downhill track.
Having ridden a few big tracks, and generally not phased by much, I am bemused as to how on earth they were getting down it in 4 minutes. Granted it was in a pretty sorry state after the World Cup & bad weather, but some bit were just laughably hard, combine that with the 'if I fall here, i'm really going fall a long way & hurt myself' thought process, it made for interesting progress.
However, it did introduce us to one of the best tracks I have ever ridden on the same day. The Champery Walkers Trail. If you are off to the Alps this summer & like your DH, its got to be one to check out. Utterly brilliant fun.
i did it just after world cup too! was absolutely mental, spat my dummy out big time with having to ride,stop,ride on it all the time, doesnt help with bits being wet when we went there too. It was literally a case of riding and crossing fingers on most bits, think it took us best part of half an hour to get down! lol!Having ridden a few big tracks, and generally not phased by much, I am bemused as to how on earth they were getting down it in 4 minutes. Granted it was in a pretty sorry state after the World Cup & bad weather, but some bit were just laughably hard, combine that with the 'if I fall here, i'm really going fall a long way & hurt myself' thought process, it made for interesting progress.
However, it did introduce us to one of the best tracks I have ever ridden on the same day. The Champery Walkers Trail. If you are off to the Alps this summer & like your DH, its got to be one to check out. Utterly brilliant fun.
mark.h said:
-C- said:
Obviously on a different theme to a fitness based tough ride, for me was the Champery World Cup Downhill track.
Having ridden a few big tracks, and generally not phased by much, I am bemused as to how on earth they were getting down it in 4 minutes. Granted it was in a pretty sorry state after the World Cup & bad weather, but some bit were just laughably hard, combine that with the 'if I fall here, i'm really going fall a long way & hurt myself' thought process, it made for interesting progress.
However, it did introduce us to one of the best tracks I have ever ridden on the same day. The Champery Walkers Trail. If you are off to the Alps this summer & like your DH, its got to be one to check out. Utterly brilliant fun.
i did it just after world cup too! was absolutely mental, spat my dummy out big time with having to ride,stop,ride on it all the time, doesnt help with bits being wet when we went there too. It was literally a case of riding and crossing fingers on most bits, think it took us best part of half an hour to get down! lol!Having ridden a few big tracks, and generally not phased by much, I am bemused as to how on earth they were getting down it in 4 minutes. Granted it was in a pretty sorry state after the World Cup & bad weather, but some bit were just laughably hard, combine that with the 'if I fall here, i'm really going fall a long way & hurt myself' thought process, it made for interesting progress.
However, it did introduce us to one of the best tracks I have ever ridden on the same day. The Champery Walkers Trail. If you are off to the Alps this summer & like your DH, its got to be one to check out. Utterly brilliant fun.
We were laughing between us on the way down, following the signs from the big telecabin station right at the top of the mountain as you came off the fire road, the route down to the start of the track was tough enough!
Really enjoyed it though, and will definately be going back there this year. Rumour has it they have been doing some work to the track to make it more weather resistant, I guess in the hope they will hold another WC round there (Hope they do).
Bit off topic, but still relevant is Le Plenny is having a rework this year. With a couple of extra 'official' tracks. About time they made use of the mountain. Although some of the unofficial routes are great. Have you ever tried the VTT course where you turn right immediately after the tunnel? Thats pretty hairy!
-C- said:
Brilliant! We were exactly the same! It got a lot easier after the fire road IMO, but in the middle of the top section it was pretty mad.
We were laughing between us on the way down, following the signs from the big telecabin station right at the top of the mountain as you came off the fire road, the route down to the start of the track was tough enough!
Really enjoyed it though, and will definately be going back there this year. Rumour has it they have been doing some work to the track to make it more weather resistant, I guess in the hope they will hold another WC round there (Hope they do).
Bit off topic, but still relevant is Le Plenny is having a rework this year. With a couple of extra 'official' tracks. About time they made use of the mountain. Although some of the unofficial routes are great. Have you ever tried the VTT course where you turn right immediately after the tunnel? Thats pretty hairy!
We were laughing between us on the way down, following the signs from the big telecabin station right at the top of the mountain as you came off the fire road, the route down to the start of the track was tough enough!
Really enjoyed it though, and will definately be going back there this year. Rumour has it they have been doing some work to the track to make it more weather resistant, I guess in the hope they will hold another WC round there (Hope they do).
Bit off topic, but still relevant is Le Plenny is having a rework this year. With a couple of extra 'official' tracks. About time they made use of the mountain. Although some of the unofficial routes are great. Have you ever tried the VTT course where you turn right immediately after the tunnel? Thats pretty hairy!
lol, spent 3 weeks 50m from base of plenny and rode with the seasonaires so yeah, did em all, including the 10-15 other "hidden" tracks that the kiwi's, pedro and alex evans had been making, hell of a laugh, unforunatly i clipped a tree at about 30 and i cant ride anymore, you may of seen me about, kawasaki green orange 224 with "holroyd" on the downtube?
pedro's track was as steep as 10% but on about 3inch of pine needles and lots of carving through trees, best one of the lot, pretty hairy though, as usual by end of first week everyone was lauching into 10% going silly far...good times!
Edited by mark.h on Monday 14th April 17:00
Not good, as in can't ride ever?
It doesn't ring a bell, but the name Alex Evans does, as in the guy who rides for Empire now?
We have never had anyone show us 'officially' where the tracks are, but more often than not when you're taking some of the less well used ones you stumble across them anyway, they often make the best days riding
Only trouble is, stumbling on them yourself means you never know the names of them!
It doesn't ring a bell, but the name Alex Evans does, as in the guy who rides for Empire now?
We have never had anyone show us 'officially' where the tracks are, but more often than not when you're taking some of the less well used ones you stumble across them anyway, they often make the best days riding
Only trouble is, stumbling on them yourself means you never know the names of them!
yeah, not ever, used to race and i cant ride hard enough without finishing in severe pain, i cant sleep on that side of my body anymore either, or lift weights with it...but according to the surgeon who ct scanned/xrayed and poked it there is nothing visibly wrong with it! go figure...i know who's wrong and it aint me! yeah thats alex.
pedro's track was on plenny...out of tunnel,LAUNCH!!!... s bend, straight on over big roots and a double drop off thing (v-fast) into a left onto where it flattens out where the photo dude was...hang a right just as you exit the left onto the afore mentioned flat bit. (its about 100m after the tunnel)
pedro's track was on plenny...out of tunnel,LAUNCH!!!... s bend, straight on over big roots and a double drop off thing (v-fast) into a left onto where it flattens out where the photo dude was...hang a right just as you exit the left onto the afore mentioned flat bit. (its about 100m after the tunnel)
Ouch. Good to see the experts know whats going on as usual. Thats pretty crappy though, hope it sorts itself out for you!
I think I know where that is, and I think we've done it. Where the track flattens out & starts traversing left across the mountain, there is a track that drops down right over some routes & straight down through the trees?
If thats it, yes its very good!
I think I know where that is, and I think we've done it. Where the track flattens out & starts traversing left across the mountain, there is a track that drops down right over some routes & straight down through the trees?
If thats it, yes its very good!
I've just got back from the Cape Epic and that was easily the most gruelling thing I have ever done, but equally the most amazing event as well. Routes are often not that technical, but the length of the days' ride, combined with the elevation gain and heat made it really brutal at times. Still, it was a fantastic experience and one I'd definitely do again, so it can't have been that bad!
mark.h said:
pedro's track was on plenny...out of tunnel,LAUNCH!!!... s bend, straight on over big roots and a double drop off thing (v-fast) into a left onto where it flattens out where the photo dude was...hang a right just as you exit the left onto the afore mentioned flat bit. (its about 100m after the tunnel)
One of my mates broke his finger in 2006, falling off on those double drop-offs (straight on after the tunnel) after it'd been raining pretty hard for the whole morning. It's a f
king long walk down the mountain from there carrying two bikes 
Last year that section straight after the tunnel was taped off, but the one to the right looked pretty interesting (although it wasn't draining as well as the 'main' run, so it was completely waterlogged the week we were in Morzine).
JPJ said:
I've just got back from the Cape Epic and that was easily the most gruelling thing I have ever done, but equally the most amazing event as well. Routes are often not that technical, but the length of the days' ride, combined with the elevation gain and heat made it really brutal at times. Still, it was a fantastic experience and one I'd definitely do again, so it can't have been that bad!
The bloke who set up Cape Epic is a good friend of a good friend of mine and we were given the chance to take part in the first Epic, 10 years ago. I couldn;t go at the time, but friends who went said it was awesome. Its still on my "To Ride" list, along with the Conquistadors in Costa Rica. The event didn't break even for the first three years - it was just the belief that it was a great ride to do that kept it funded. Gotta love people like that.It as my first one and I can only say that it is the best organised sporting event I have ever been to - it was fantastic. The amount of work that goes on behind the scenes must be phenomenal, and the South Africans have really got behind it to make it a massive success and get some really big sponsors involved. I'm already applying for the lottery for next year, and want to go back.
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