flattyres mtb routes
To keep warm we tried to keep riding as much as we could. I have to hold my hand up to the two long
stops, one puncture and one mechanical. The puncture was easily fixed but the mechanical had me
scratching my head for a while. I hit my pedal on a rock and spent the rest of the descent trying to clip
back in. At the bottom I found the back of the pedal cage had been ripped off, oops. Zip ties came to the
rescue as I used them to strap my foot to the pedal. All I had to remember was not to crash or try and put
stops, one puncture and one mechanical. The puncture was easily fixed but the mechanical had me
scratching my head for a while. I hit my pedal on a rock and spent the rest of the descent trying to clip
back in. At the bottom I found the back of the pedal cage had been ripped off, oops. Zip ties came to the
rescue as I used them to strap my foot to the pedal. All I had to remember was not to crash or try and put
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As I made my way to the Marin Trail I wondered whether anybody would actually
turn up. Driving down the dual carriageway I was battered by a high, gusting
wind and lashed by rain. It was forecast to ease up a bit for the ride but I wasn’t
so sure. At least when I got to Conwy valley it wasn’t flooded. In the car park I
stayed in the car with the heater on. I sat looking at the water streaming down
the windows wondering how long after 10am I would wait before heading back
home.
Thoughts of staying dry soon disappeared when Steve’s car pulled up next to
mine. That was it then, decision made, we would be riding. I find it hard to
motivate myself to ride in these conditions when I am on my own but if there’s
somebody else to ride with I always find I really enjoy it. While getting ready the
rain eased off and we notice two other people assembling bikes in the car park.
It turned out they'd also decided to brave the weather to come out with us.
The four of us set off on the first long climb, glad to be in the trees and out of
the wind for a while. The wind never let up and whenever the trees thinned we
turn up. Driving down the dual carriageway I was battered by a high, gusting
wind and lashed by rain. It was forecast to ease up a bit for the ride but I wasn’t
so sure. At least when I got to Conwy valley it wasn’t flooded. In the car park I
stayed in the car with the heater on. I sat looking at the water streaming down
the windows wondering how long after 10am I would wait before heading back
home.
Thoughts of staying dry soon disappeared when Steve’s car pulled up next to
mine. That was it then, decision made, we would be riding. I find it hard to
motivate myself to ride in these conditions when I am on my own but if there’s
somebody else to ride with I always find I really enjoy it. While getting ready the
rain eased off and we notice two other people assembling bikes in the car park.
It turned out they'd also decided to brave the weather to come out with us.
The four of us set off on the first long climb, glad to be in the trees and out of
the wind for a while. The wind never let up and whenever the trees thinned we
| Me and Steve hiding from the rain |
| Nic, Steve and Mark on the first climb |
| Nic on the first couple of descents |
were blown about. Instead of being an ordeal we all agreed the conditions just made it more fun,
especially with big puddles to splash through. It would have been much different if it had still been
chucking it down but thankfully we only had to suffer a few brief showers.
especially with big puddles to splash through. It would have been much different if it had still been
chucking it down but thankfully we only had to suffer a few brief showers.
| Steve (above) at the end of Blue and (left) finishing Pandoras Rocks |
| Mark on the rocky berm at the end of Pandoras Rocks |
that foot down. It was only after we set off I was
reminded when hadn’t gone past the unrideable
steps yet. It was like a three-legged race with a
bike when I got to them, not graceful but I made it.
We managed the rest of the ride without any further
incidents and just enjoyed the trails. It wasn’t too
long till we were at the top of the final descent and
looking forward to the fantastic trail back to the car
park. It didn’t disappoint. As usual the twisting
singletrack and jumps had a manic grin plastered
across our faces by the bottom.
reminded when hadn’t gone past the unrideable
steps yet. It was like a three-legged race with a
bike when I got to them, not graceful but I made it.
We managed the rest of the ride without any further
incidents and just enjoyed the trails. It wasn’t too
long till we were at the top of the final descent and
looking forward to the fantastic trail back to the car
park. It didn’t disappoint. As usual the twisting
singletrack and jumps had a manic grin plastered
across our faces by the bottom.
| Nic on the last descent |
My zip-tied
foot
foot
It was just a shame the weather had put so many off coming. I'm not
surprised though and count us lucky for the break in the weather we
got. We enjoyed the ride and it was a good end to another great year.
Thanks to everyone who joined me for another years riding and I hope
to see you all on the trails in 2007.
surprised though and count us lucky for the break in the weather we
got. We enjoyed the ride and it was a good end to another great year.
Thanks to everyone who joined me for another years riding and I hope
to see you all on the trails in 2007.
Related Pages: The Marin Trail 2003 & 2004
The Edge Marin Shop Ride Jan '05
The Edge Marin Shop Ride Jan '05
| www.flattyresmtbroutes.com |