Downhill Disaster

[bor]

A new downhill course has just openned over here, near Garmisch.

www.bikepark-oberammergau.de/V2/bikepark.html

I though it would be great to try it as I've never done anything remotely similar before. So I threw my 10yr old Scott Vail hardtail, c/w Rock Shoxs and skinny tyres/skinny frame and drove down. The first clue that I was making a huge mistake was when I arrived at the car park/lift and saw everyone wearing full face helmets, body armour and bikes that resembled motorcycles without engines(plus additional strengthening).

Still, I took the lift up and started to ride down. Christ. What a big mistake. Even with my rim brakes full on, I could barely control my speed. I got off to walk through some of the worst sections, but I could barely stand up. Stopped before a particularly brutal looking drop, contemplating my imminent death, some kid took pity on me and pointed out an alternative route I could take back to the base. I still crashed a couple of times and really thought I was looking at serious injury at one point.

If any of you do this sort of thing for fun, you have my utmost respect.

BOR(ex-downhiller)

[bor]

I'm glad to hear that a proper DH bike makes a big difference and that I'm not a complete failure. You can actually rent a DH bike for the day, but I'm still feeling too emotional to even consider it.

Legs and arms still aching.

[bor]

You need a DH bike.