Downhill mtb'ing.

[ihatesissycars]

Hey all,

Any of you go proper full on, 8" travel downhilling?

If so where do you go and what do you ride?

[P-Jay]

I do a bit of DH on this:



I don't race though. I think there's a big difference between riding DH and racing DH, some go so far to call it Downhill Freeride.

Anyway, I ride at Cwmcarn and a few local unofficial trails. Also make a trip to the alps every year although we're switching to Whistler next year. A trip to UK Bike park has been on the cards for ages, probably in August now.

Edited by P-Jay on Thursday 3rd July 14:47

[-C-]

Yes, thats pretty much all we ride.

I ride a Socom & my girlfriend has an M3.

Places to ride are a little limited with proper perminant uplift, Cwmcarn is a bit old hat now. We get out to Wales to ride a few of the other tracks on the Dragons uplift days, such as Rheola, Gethin, Mynydd Du etc. Have done a few of the Scottish tracks, mainly Ft. William & Innerleithen. There are only so many places you can go to ride bigger tracks.

Normally we are out in the Alps each summer, in fact we leave in a couple of weeks for 3 weeks in the PDS region. Sad reality is we will ride countless times more in those 3 weeks than we get to in total here all year.

Must address that balance a bit more really.

Both of us race, first season of it really. Racing regionals right now. I'm hovering circa mid table, to around top 1/3, but I seem to keep crashing my brains out, so I should once a bit more consistent be top 1/3 of my catagory. The womens is a bit more open, all going to plan, due to her results this year my girlfriend has enough points to race the Nationals next year & a sponsor who will help contribute towards that

And yes, racing is VERY different from a days uplift.

Edited by -C- on Thursday 3rd July 22:37

[P-Jay]

-C- said:

Sad reality is we will ride countless times more in those 3 weeks than we get to in total here all year.

Edited by -C- on Thursday 3rd July 22:37

Aint that the truth. I only live about 35 mins from Cwmcarn and still don't ride DH nearly enough.

I have raced before, but wasn't my cup of tea. Spent all day hanging around worrying about it, 2 practice runs, a seeding run (crashed) and timed run (crashed again).

Should really get on one of those Dragon DH uplift days. At the moment I would be far, far cheaper to rent a DH bike than to have bought one for the time I actually get to use it.

[Gingerbread Man]

P-Jay said:

Anyway, I ride at Cwmcarn

I'm only been to Cwmcarn two or three times and that was a good few months ago.....

But I'm sure I saw your Cove making a appearance. I ride a G Spot, so Cwmcarn downhill isn't my best suited place but had to amire the other Coves about the place.

[Tim.s]

Think ive seen you too!! Didn't i ask you to borrow a chain tool which prompted you to remember that you had forgotten your seatpost and saddle!?

Could of been someone else with a Shocker of course.

[Darkslider]

Used to do plenty of racing on this



Not so much any more though with the rising cost of entry fees and uplift, as well as the fuel to get to and from events. Cheaper to go on a hoon on the motorbike all weekend!

[P-Jay]

Tim.s said:

Think ive seen you too!! Didn't i ask you to borrow a chain tool which prompted you to remember that you had forgotten your seatpost and saddle!?

Could of been someone else with a Shocker of course.

Sounds like something I'd do, ha ha.

Might have been me, I was running a pony seat post for while (seen in pic) while the shop that built my bike sorted a proper one. I'm pretty sure I took of the crap one to fit the new one and forgot it one day. I've a terrible memory, what do you ride?

[Tim.s]

Aha! I would of been mincing around the lower section on my little Spesh hardcore hardtail my buddy rides a nice Iron horse Duel slalom. We mostly just mess about on the lower jumps and bridge section or the freeride park at the top. Occasionally break out the XC bike for a lap, Occasionally!

[Gooby]

Being a bit lardy - gravity is my friend and the downhill is great. My bike is more "all mountain" than downhill but it has more ability than the rider!

[shalmaneser]

don't ride it nearly enough. done a few seasons in France though, the rig held up will (went singlespeed as you can see after first week - too many snapped shifting bits!!).

Now got an MRP and some new battle scars - it's an old pic!