Friday, 11 April 2008
Sunday, 6 April 2008
Holden
Even though its on my doorstep, I never seem to get up here. BUt rising fuel costs are forcing me to look for trail gold on my doorstep.
Ben and Phil loaded up the van and within 15 minutes we were unloading at Holden carpark, sweet.
5 minutes after that we were hammering down the newly rebuilt Rat Run and I have to say I feel it's a vast improvement than the older versions. The top section flows, there's places to jump if you want, or not if you're less confident. They were doing work there at times, but the Rangers said it's open when I asked. Later in the day someone took a tumble and the Air Ambulance was called, hope they're alright.
After a rocky section you hit a few berms and then its a sweet little section that lets you practice carrying your speed over rough sections(atleast it does if you have a super low BB like the Goose or Mini DH!).
We legged it down the fire road to the alternative red run start and blasted off down the berms. The first few berms b4 the uphill section are close to perfect, especially if you fire into them flat out.
The uphill bit in the middle's a bit of a downer, and the lower berms aren't quite as good, but it still makes a very satisfying run. We ran this track a few times b4 Ben got his first of several pinch flats.
Then we tried out the new shore section it's short, it's not finished, but it's fun, well built and ends in a dropoff at the mo.
Andy arrives(he's only an hour late, not bad for him)
I tried the new 3 pack next to it and stacked into the side of the bank(not the jump for once), they look alright, I know they've been getting a bit of a slagging recently, but they're much better now than last time I saw them(good work guys).
Bumped into Tom K and Anna who was out testing her new bike(looked sweet), Tom demonstrated a new jump he'd discovered, styled it(apparently just before we got there he'd jumped up the bank and bounced off the tree back down!)
Lunchtime now and a quick trip to Alphington reunited Andy and I with an old friend from our 2003 Euro trip, Lidl's Tiger energy drink.
Short break, quick stop at Partridge Cycles(lots of bargains on Giant, GT, Kona and Mongoose bikes), then up to Holden's underground trails up at the Cafe side.
It's big up here, we played on the smaller stuff and ragged it down the Wall of Death a few times, b4 finding a sweet hip to session. I need all the practice in the air I can get. And we stayed here until it was time to head home.
Fun day and only 15 miles of driving all day, not bad.
Pictures and video to follow.
Later
Tom KP
29th March
Last Saturday was my 29th birthday, I hadn't planned on celebrating cos I started work at 4am in the morning. But my wonderful girlfriend invited a few friends round for drinks and nibbles.
It was a fun night and I think everyone enjoyed themselves at the chilled affair. Although Andy felt like beating people round the head when they started discussing bathrooms and kitchen units(which always makes enthralling conversation)!
Alice got me a new pack for biking(loving the Camelbak Uproar), my mum bought me some body armour(such a mum thing to buy!), Steve got me a mini Citrus tree(another random Steve present) and Phil found me some knee pads.
Alices parents got me a Next giftcard(a hint that I'm to scruffy maybe? LOL)
Apart from the work I had a great day. Thanks to everyone that came
It was a fun night and I think everyone enjoyed themselves at the chilled affair. Although Andy felt like beating people round the head when they started discussing bathrooms and kitchen units(which always makes enthralling conversation)!
Alice got me a new pack for biking(loving the Camelbak Uproar), my mum bought me some body armour(such a mum thing to buy!), Steve got me a mini Citrus tree(another random Steve present) and Phil found me some knee pads.
Alices parents got me a Next giftcard(a hint that I'm to scruffy maybe? LOL)
Apart from the work I had a great day. Thanks to everyone that came
Puddletown
30th march 2008
Had to visit the dentist's back up my parents way this week, so decided to fit in a little biking while I was up there.
Meet up with my bros Steve, Phil and his mate Rich.
Steve doesn't ride very often, but what he lacks in skill and experience he more than makes up for with balls and ignorance of consequences!
Rich was trying out his new Astrix Havoc(I thought my bike was heavy).
Puddletown was the destination of the day. Being nice and sandy it tends to dry pretty quickly.
Started off with a few jumps by the car, unfortunately all the best jumps had super tacky mud at the foot of the takeoff.
Found a massive road gap, although I don't think it's finished, no run out or run in. But it was MASSIVE!
And some pretty big ladder drops.
Then we headed over to Sleepy Hollows for spin, found it to be in serious need of repair, wobbly, wet, broken in places, still gave it a bash though.
The trail below there is sweet, usually flows perfectly, berms, whoops dips and pump bumps, it's just like a Mini DH pump track. Today it seemed full of ponds! We all got soaked, but it was still great fun. New 5. 10s are much drier than my originals(if not quite as comfy yet.
Found some huge shonky shore by the BMX jumps(see pictures attached).
The next area we played at was a big table, you fly down a steep bank and launch off the lip, it's fairly safe, and a great place to build confidence. Steve started off looking shonky, but was soon charging down the run in and hitting it up. Not bad for a guy who hasn't tried jumping since we were about 13(15 years ago!).
Phil and Rich were hitting it up like only youngsters can. As usually it took me a few to get my eye in(I'm not a natural jumper)before we were all clearing it with ease. Rich and Phil proceeded to start experimenting with whips and flatties.
Finally we blasted down the single track to the car and headed home for tea.
Had to visit the dentist's back up my parents way this week, so decided to fit in a little biking while I was up there.
Meet up with my bros Steve, Phil and his mate Rich.
Steve doesn't ride very often, but what he lacks in skill and experience he more than makes up for with balls and ignorance of consequences!
Rich was trying out his new Astrix Havoc(I thought my bike was heavy).
Puddletown was the destination of the day. Being nice and sandy it tends to dry pretty quickly.
Started off with a few jumps by the car, unfortunately all the best jumps had super tacky mud at the foot of the takeoff.
Found a massive road gap, although I don't think it's finished, no run out or run in. But it was MASSIVE!
And some pretty big ladder drops.
Then we headed over to Sleepy Hollows for spin, found it to be in serious need of repair, wobbly, wet, broken in places, still gave it a bash though.
The trail below there is sweet, usually flows perfectly, berms, whoops dips and pump bumps, it's just like a Mini DH pump track. Today it seemed full of ponds! We all got soaked, but it was still great fun. New 5. 10s are much drier than my originals(if not quite as comfy yet.
Found some huge shonky shore by the BMX jumps(see pictures attached).
The next area we played at was a big table, you fly down a steep bank and launch off the lip, it's fairly safe, and a great place to build confidence. Steve started off looking shonky, but was soon charging down the run in and hitting it up. Not bad for a guy who hasn't tried jumping since we were about 13(15 years ago!).
Phil and Rich were hitting it up like only youngsters can. As usually it took me a few to get my eye in(I'm not a natural jumper)before we were all clearing it with ease. Rich and Phil proceeded to start experimenting with whips and flatties.
Finally we blasted down the single track to the car and headed home for tea.
Friday, 4 April 2008
Searching for the Sacred Trail
This Wednesday, Ewart and I went in search of pastures new.
His wheels still aren't built so I lent him my skinny Mega wheels. Only he didn't have any discs, Out came a random selection of bits including Phil's bent 8" Formula disc and a 160mm XC rotor. Turned out that only 2mm of his pad actually touched the disc and the 160 went on the front. Smoking hot was an understatement.
We loaded up the White Water Assault Vehicle MkIV and headed onto the moors. What we found were some gems.
First off we pushed up Cox Tor(mainly cos it looked steep and rocky from the road. It was great fun and fast to blast down, but not very challenging.
Next we headed to or regular training loop by Princetown and pushed up the final 5 mins of downhill.
If you like fast rocky and open it's sweet. It also drains fast and has been ridden on some of the wettest conditions I've ever ridden in.
Two back to back runs here testing different suspension settings in preparation for the Megavalanche.
Finally we headed to a place that shall remain secret for the time being. It's a 20 minute push for 2.5 mins flat out gravity assisted fun, but boy was it worth it.
Starts out with a straight run to accelerate you to warp speed(out pedaling my gears in seconds), firing you into a series of closed in rocky corners(both of us over cooked the entry flat out!) jinking left, right, harder, tighter, in the gully, out the gully. The crux move is a series of 4 snaking corners that with practice could be almost straightlined.
The valley floor's a long way down and an off would certainly smart in the morning.
Next on the list was a tight(6 - 18 inches wide) trail that you just hammer down flat out! The drop off the side doesn't bear thinking about, 200 feet of vertical bank. This trail is straight an fast, it's got it all, including a rock slad section(that I hit way to fast!). Ewart managed to get his rotors smoking. From the top, you start with a gentle rolling start before you scream down the hill(remember it's 2' at it's widest) dodging trees, and plummetting river level, not much line choice, just hold on, tuck in and go. The off camber slabs are upon you before you know it pump them and keep the front wheel where you want it. Suddenly you're spat out into the car park,
laughing at the smoke off Ewart's roters.
Then it's time to head back for tea and medals.
His wheels still aren't built so I lent him my skinny Mega wheels. Only he didn't have any discs, Out came a random selection of bits including Phil's bent 8" Formula disc and a 160mm XC rotor. Turned out that only 2mm of his pad actually touched the disc and the 160 went on the front. Smoking hot was an understatement.
We loaded up the White Water Assault Vehicle MkIV and headed onto the moors. What we found were some gems.
First off we pushed up Cox Tor(mainly cos it looked steep and rocky from the road. It was great fun and fast to blast down, but not very challenging.
Next we headed to or regular training loop by Princetown and pushed up the final 5 mins of downhill.
If you like fast rocky and open it's sweet. It also drains fast and has been ridden on some of the wettest conditions I've ever ridden in.
Two back to back runs here testing different suspension settings in preparation for the Megavalanche.
Finally we headed to a place that shall remain secret for the time being. It's a 20 minute push for 2.5 mins flat out gravity assisted fun, but boy was it worth it.
Starts out with a straight run to accelerate you to warp speed(out pedaling my gears in seconds), firing you into a series of closed in rocky corners(both of us over cooked the entry flat out!) jinking left, right, harder, tighter, in the gully, out the gully. The crux move is a series of 4 snaking corners that with practice could be almost straightlined.
The valley floor's a long way down and an off would certainly smart in the morning.
Next on the list was a tight(6 - 18 inches wide) trail that you just hammer down flat out! The drop off the side doesn't bear thinking about, 200 feet of vertical bank. This trail is straight an fast, it's got it all, including a rock slad section(that I hit way to fast!). Ewart managed to get his rotors smoking. From the top, you start with a gentle rolling start before you scream down the hill(remember it's 2' at it's widest) dodging trees, and plummetting river level, not much line choice, just hold on, tuck in and go. The off camber slabs are upon you before you know it pump them and keep the front wheel where you want it. Suddenly you're spat out into the car park,
laughing at the smoke off Ewart's roters.
Then it's time to head back for tea and medals.
Monday, 11 February 2008
Mafia this Saturday
Andy, Phil and I headed up the Mafia woods again for a bit of biking and building fun.
Changed the new feature at the bottom I put in last week.
It's now a banked corner into what will become a 5 - 6 foot stepdown, just need to extend it a bit and add a downslope.
This will pretty much finish DJ Red Belly's Big Snake for now as it's reached the bottom of the land.
Not sure what Tim's plans for his line are, but I hope he gets on with it soon, as I can't wait to hit up whatever he does with the 8 foot high cotton reels! They're massive.
Photos to follow...
Changed the new feature at the bottom I put in last week.
It's now a banked corner into what will become a 5 - 6 foot stepdown, just need to extend it a bit and add a downslope.
This will pretty much finish DJ Red Belly's Big Snake for now as it's reached the bottom of the land.
Not sure what Tim's plans for his line are, but I hope he gets on with it soon, as I can't wait to hit up whatever he does with the 8 foot high cotton reels! They're massive.
Photos to follow...
Work Work Work
Not been up to much this week, had to go up to Manchester for a works course, which was fun. Experiencing a Big city depot.
Asked the guys up there what the area around the hotel was like for running and was informed that if I did I'd probably get shot, stabbed, murdered or raped!!!
Nice area
Next I had to cruise over to Northampton for another course, this time customer care and conflict resolution, again interesting.
Went to Milton Keynes and saw the concrete cows(don't ask me?).
Then headed back home.
Overall a fun week.
Asked the guys up there what the area around the hotel was like for running and was informed that if I did I'd probably get shot, stabbed, murdered or raped!!!
Nice area
Next I had to cruise over to Northampton for another course, this time customer care and conflict resolution, again interesting.
Went to Milton Keynes and saw the concrete cows(don't ask me?).
Then headed back home.
Overall a fun week.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Dropping the Bomb
The plan for today as simply, meet up at 0900, head to the Mafia Trails and have a fun day.
All was going well until Andy forgot to wake up!
Anyway, 1030 and we finally make it to the land.Andy started off by riding in his usual "cagan ne" style(spainish for "little shitting boy"), but eventually relaxed and got down to some serious hucking(even though he spent the whole day asking if anyone fancied doing some XC!).
Phil started off going big and continued to do so until he managed to bounce off a tree whilst trying the Big Booter, he also thought he'd concussed himself, but appeared not to.
Andy managed to hit up the gap at the bottom, surprise everyone by ragging his bike around the tight berms and hit up Goldilocks and Baby Bear. He also gets a mention as the best improver of the day, he's nearly got the table dialled as well.
Check out the photos
All was going well until Andy forgot to wake up!
Anyway, 1030 and we finally make it to the land.Andy started off by riding in his usual "cagan ne" style(spainish for "little shitting boy"), but eventually relaxed and got down to some serious hucking(even though he spent the whole day asking if anyone fancied doing some XC!).
Phil started off going big and continued to do so until he managed to bounce off a tree whilst trying the Big Booter, he also thought he'd concussed himself, but appeared not to.
Andy managed to hit up the gap at the bottom, surprise everyone by ragging his bike around the tight berms and hit up Goldilocks and Baby Bear. He also gets a mention as the best improver of the day, he's nearly got the table dialled as well.
Check out the photos
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Mafia - Gangster Style
Hit up the Mafia trails yesterday with my baby bro, had an ace day. I finally started hitting up the table good and proper. Rather than just squashing it. Actually spending some time in the air.
Phil also coaxed me into dropping Goldilocks(at last), can't believe how gay I've been about doing that.
All that's left to conquer are the Big Booter, Mummy Bear and the mighty Daddy Bear(Don't hold your breath for that one).
The foam pit is coming along nicely, it's almost time to start thinking about a kicker for it.
On a less fun note, can everyone please put any tools that they use away when they've finished, I'm getting pissed off with finding hammers, spades and saws lying around outside and I know Ewart feels the same.
Phil enjoyed himself to, although he did spend a significant part of the day crashing into trees! He's got the table dialed and is even starting to think about tweaking it as he goes over.
Talking of crashing, I managed to wipe out twice in quite spectacular fashion, especially considering that both times were on tiny little features(shin really hurts though).
We also messed around trying to see if we could switch between lines mid run for a bit of variety, with varying degrees of success.
Tim's got a lot of wood and cotton reels up there at the moment and apparently he's not keen on people using his stuff.
Just a note for anyone thinking of driving onto the land, it's still pretty wet up there on top and I've managed to get the van stuck twice. Even the Hick truck took a few minutes to get out last time.
Check ya later,
TomK
Phil also coaxed me into dropping Goldilocks(at last), can't believe how gay I've been about doing that.
All that's left to conquer are the Big Booter, Mummy Bear and the mighty Daddy Bear(Don't hold your breath for that one).
The foam pit is coming along nicely, it's almost time to start thinking about a kicker for it.
On a less fun note, can everyone please put any tools that they use away when they've finished, I'm getting pissed off with finding hammers, spades and saws lying around outside and I know Ewart feels the same.
Phil enjoyed himself to, although he did spend a significant part of the day crashing into trees! He's got the table dialed and is even starting to think about tweaking it as he goes over.
Talking of crashing, I managed to wipe out twice in quite spectacular fashion, especially considering that both times were on tiny little features(shin really hurts though).
We also messed around trying to see if we could switch between lines mid run for a bit of variety, with varying degrees of success.
Tim's got a lot of wood and cotton reels up there at the moment and apparently he's not keen on people using his stuff.
Just a note for anyone thinking of driving onto the land, it's still pretty wet up there on top and I've managed to get the van stuck twice. Even the Hick truck took a few minutes to get out last time.
Check ya later,
TomK
Wednesday, 16 January 2008
Hucking Great Fun on Woodbury
Sunday saw Ewart and I brave the wind and rain to try to find somewhere rideable. In the end we hit up Mini Afan,
We bumped into Greg(Max Powers) who explained the trail situation(everything's gotta be natural and no built up man made structures) and pointed out a few new tuns he'd put in.
Rode there for an hour or so b4 we dived into the mighty Hick Truck and gunned it to the mafia trails, our top secret testing and training ground.
For those of you uninformed, the Mafia Trails are an area of land set aside for the construction fun. The builders there fall into 2 groups at the moment, those who want to build fast flowing trails(Ewart and myself included), and those who want to build big hucks straight down the hill. A good combination at the moment. There have been some good things built ad a few unrideable monstrosities, but we're learning fast.
The main thing we're struggling with is a lack of dirt. So if anyone's landscaping their garden and want to get shot of some, drop me a line.
Anyway, back to Sunday, we tried the new booter Tom K put up and decided it's pretty sweet, then played on Ewart's new off camber hip things. We spent a while tweaking them until Ewart started getting them wired.
Next we hit up the table a few times, and then rode some half built virgin shore, man that rode sweet!
After that we started mixing up the lines, swopping over, seeing what flowed and what ended up with hitting a tree!
Finally we decided that hitting the the little gap down the bottom flat out would be the best way to end the day. With light fading we dropped off Baby Bear and hooned towards the take off in a close train.
To say that we over shot the landing would be an understatement. We moved the landing back a few feet and I hit it up again. We were clearing at least 14 feet, so next time I'll move the take off back 5 or 6 feet and try again, it is such a smooth gap and such a good place to get confidence gapping.
Pics and video to follow
We bumped into Greg(Max Powers) who explained the trail situation(everything's gotta be natural and no built up man made structures) and pointed out a few new tuns he'd put in.
Rode there for an hour or so b4 we dived into the mighty Hick Truck and gunned it to the mafia trails, our top secret testing and training ground.
For those of you uninformed, the Mafia Trails are an area of land set aside for the construction fun. The builders there fall into 2 groups at the moment, those who want to build fast flowing trails(Ewart and myself included), and those who want to build big hucks straight down the hill. A good combination at the moment. There have been some good things built ad a few unrideable monstrosities, but we're learning fast.
The main thing we're struggling with is a lack of dirt. So if anyone's landscaping their garden and want to get shot of some, drop me a line.
Anyway, back to Sunday, we tried the new booter Tom K put up and decided it's pretty sweet, then played on Ewart's new off camber hip things. We spent a while tweaking them until Ewart started getting them wired.
Next we hit up the table a few times, and then rode some half built virgin shore, man that rode sweet!
After that we started mixing up the lines, swopping over, seeing what flowed and what ended up with hitting a tree!
Finally we decided that hitting the the little gap down the bottom flat out would be the best way to end the day. With light fading we dropped off Baby Bear and hooned towards the take off in a close train.
To say that we over shot the landing would be an understatement. We moved the landing back a few feet and I hit it up again. We were clearing at least 14 feet, so next time I'll move the take off back 5 or 6 feet and try again, it is such a smooth gap and such a good place to get confidence gapping.
Pics and video to follow
Creekin' Fun
Had a cool morning on the Upper North Fork of the Dart on Saturday, we managed to get 2 runs in and still get back to Monkey HQ(Andy's pad) for lunch.
The first trip was cold, mainly due to the sun having only just peeked out.
I managed to do most of this run on my head, but only the shallow rocky bits.
The second run was much more successful, I traded the Jefe for the mighty barge-like Nomad and put a bit more style and effort in.
Like I said, we wre back at Andy's for tea and medals.
Great day
The first trip was cold, mainly due to the sun having only just peeked out.
I managed to do most of this run on my head, but only the shallow rocky bits.
The second run was much more successful, I traded the Jefe for the mighty barge-like Nomad and put a bit more style and effort in.
Like I said, we wre back at Andy's for tea and medals.
Great day
Friday, 11 January 2008
Beacon heath Skate Park
Alice at Holden
Megavalanche start line
Megavalanche mass start
Phil at East Hill
Pines ridge woodburySunday 30th December - Mafia Trails
We repaired
all the wear
and tear to
the woods,then built a little rollercoaster at the bottom of Red Belly's big Snake.Then we rode a bit.
It's raining
Well according to the river spies, the Erme's up and the Dart is about an inch below the ledge(although that was from Andy and you know how easily he gets 3 and 8 inches confused). Looks like there could be some boating this weekend.
Unfortunately the weather means that the big pile of dirt will have to wait a little longer before it's transported to the mafia.
Ewart's foam pit's coming on, It's about half full now, and about time he thought about building the ramp.
Even Captain Obnoxious himself , the infamous Leo will be out boating himself this weekend. I haven't seen him since he went to the Arctic(which was about 100 years ago).
Tune in next time for the next update.
Tom
Unfortunately the weather means that the big pile of dirt will have to wait a little longer before it's transported to the mafia.
Ewart's foam pit's coming on, It's about half full now, and about time he thought about building the ramp.
Even Captain Obnoxious himself , the infamous Leo will be out boating himself this weekend. I haven't seen him since he went to the Arctic(which was about 100 years ago).
Tune in next time for the next update.
Tom
Mafia trails
Hit up the mafia trails(top secret location) on wednesday 9th and had a great time.
Trail boss Ewart and I rode a bit, then put together a little seesaw to extend DJ Redbelly bis snake(his pride and joy at the mo). The seesaw comes just after to mini hip gap thingies he put in last week, basically you hit them then hanger hard right between 2 narrow trees to the seesaw, it's not that high off the ground, but it's for learners as well as adding a little more tech to the run.
Trail boss Ewart and I rode a bit, then put together a little seesaw to extend DJ Redbelly bis snake(his pride and joy at the mo). The seesaw comes just after to mini hip gap thingies he put in last week, basically you hit them then hanger hard right between 2 narrow trees to the seesaw, it's not that high off the ground, but it's for learners as well as adding a little more tech to the run.
Exams Suck
Just sat an AS level exam this week and remembered how much I hate them.
Not sure how well it went, but don't think it was a total disaster or a total ace. let's see in 6 weeks time
Not sure how well it went, but don't think it was a total disaster or a total ace. let's see in 6 weeks time
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