Discussion
By "rocks", I'm assuming you're on about the 'duck stones' that Chase Trails have (perhaps inexplicably) integrated into the general trail surface?
Those are nasty feckers and the grip varies a lot although generally is poor - dry and dusty can be as splippy as full wet and muddy. Tyre choice seems to make a massive difference and you could do worse than talk to the guys at the bike shop at the Birches Valley car park (start/finish of Follow the Dog) to find out the best local knowledge.
ETA if you mean teh few bits of rock garden they've recently put in - just keep as straight a course as possible and minimise braking, especially on the front wheel, and try to keep just enough speed to stop the bumps and steps stalling you out. Keep your arse of the seat and bodyweight over back of course.
Those are nasty feckers and the grip varies a lot although generally is poor - dry and dusty can be as splippy as full wet and muddy. Tyre choice seems to make a massive difference and you could do worse than talk to the guys at the bike shop at the Birches Valley car park (start/finish of Follow the Dog) to find out the best local knowledge.
ETA if you mean teh few bits of rock garden they've recently put in - just keep as straight a course as possible and minimise braking, especially on the front wheel, and try to keep just enough speed to stop the bumps and steps stalling you out. Keep your arse of the seat and bodyweight over back of course.
Edited by Digga on Wednesday 2nd June 11:47
mk1fan said:
Some tyres are better than others but they can't compensate for basic skills.
Absolutely.Best way to deal with those type of rocks is to 'go light'.
Skim over the rocks, or avoid them altogether by clearing them (jump) if you can. If you can't and you end up knowing you'll slide, make sure you put yourself in a position BEFORE you enter the section where you know that any slide will end you up in a situation you can ride out of.
For example: In Canada, there is often the slick rock which in the wet is lethal in places. However, if you compensate by oevrsteering if you will, you can slide into another line providing you're awake! Quite often you'll find a lower line that is oft ridden but slower and boggy - that's your get out clause. Avoid using it unless you slide into it - you'll want to be clearing the quick line OVER the rocks by going light as I suggested
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff