Came across this scorching video of a technical bit of urban trials/ freeriding. Some mad as riding.. If you haven't already watched it, then its well worth a shufty.. quality stuff..
** Cool Video Here **
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Friday, June 02, 2006
Traditional 'Wild' Riding vs Bike Dedicated Forests
I'd be interesting to read people thoughts on the 'evolution of bike dedicated forests'.. Personally, i've got mixed opinions of them..
What i have noticed, especially in N.Wales, is that since bike dedicated forests have opened, the odds of bumping into a family of 6 on a bridleway has dropped significantly. I reckon the vast majority of beginners and intermediate level bikers that struggled on the gnarly 'wild' uphill routes have opted for the relative ease of the hardpacked man-made/ enhanced forest and singletrack trails.
I have only used the Marin Trail once, it was late afternoon on a week day and it was still uncomfortably busy with traffic blocking the majority of the downhill sections. I can appreciate dedicated forest routes as a training aid and to evolve techniques, but are they starting to pull people away from considering the more 'wild' rides that take time and preparation? Are we becoming Americanised in the sports department as well where we want it all handed to us on a plate? Rather than using dedicated forests, I tend to opt for the fusion of rideable ascent, carry-ups and technical descents on the bigger hills which offer a level of uncertainty and most of all tranquity and awesome views. Is it just me or is there becoming a definite distinction between the 'traditionalist' mountainbiker and the dedicated 'forest rider'? Is the ease of arriving at a dedicated forest with a cafe, cleaning facilities, parking and a pre-designed trail starting to remove the element of adventure from the realms of the biker?
Have a great weekend everyone and remember to do everything in your powers to keep Bridleways open..
What i have noticed, especially in N.Wales, is that since bike dedicated forests have opened, the odds of bumping into a family of 6 on a bridleway has dropped significantly. I reckon the vast majority of beginners and intermediate level bikers that struggled on the gnarly 'wild' uphill routes have opted for the relative ease of the hardpacked man-made/ enhanced forest and singletrack trails.
I have only used the Marin Trail once, it was late afternoon on a week day and it was still uncomfortably busy with traffic blocking the majority of the downhill sections. I can appreciate dedicated forest routes as a training aid and to evolve techniques, but are they starting to pull people away from considering the more 'wild' rides that take time and preparation? Are we becoming Americanised in the sports department as well where we want it all handed to us on a plate? Rather than using dedicated forests, I tend to opt for the fusion of rideable ascent, carry-ups and technical descents on the bigger hills which offer a level of uncertainty and most of all tranquity and awesome views. Is it just me or is there becoming a definite distinction between the 'traditionalist' mountainbiker and the dedicated 'forest rider'? Is the ease of arriving at a dedicated forest with a cafe, cleaning facilities, parking and a pre-designed trail starting to remove the element of adventure from the realms of the biker?
Have a great weekend everyone and remember to do everything in your powers to keep Bridleways open..
FREE & Premium Advertising Available for Outdoor Recreation Companies
If any fellow bikers have got friends or colleagues that own a company or association within the OUTDOOR RECREATION, UK INDOOR SPORTS, UK TRAVEL, or INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL sectors, then please tell them to go to my site ACTIVE BRITS and place a small company logo on one of the pixel advertising grids as noted in the header bar. The vast majority of the advertising is FREE, the site currently has a Google Rank of 4, and only a small charge is placed on premium exposure which helps cover my web and development costs... (see the Premium grid at the base of this page). I just want the site to be the biggest collage of targeted active lifestyle advertisers in the UK, its what my life is all about...
If you add a logo/URL to one of the pixel grids and want to backlink, then you can add a text link or small banner of Active Brits to your site by going to the 'Link Us' section at the top of the page..
Thanks, and i hope i can help send some targeted traffic your way and further enhance the UK active lifestyle scene.. we've got a lot to offer if you ask me..
If you add a logo/URL to one of the pixel grids and want to backlink, then you can add a text link or small banner of Active Brits to your site by going to the 'Link Us' section at the top of the page..
Thanks, and i hope i can help send some targeted traffic your way and further enhance the UK active lifestyle scene.. we've got a lot to offer if you ask me..
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