BackLoafRiver
New member
Part 1 of a 2 part TR.
Headed out of Augusta at 6:15 this morning. Pulled into East Burke Sports at 9:50. My buddy and I each rented a Trek EX 8 for the day. For him, a HUGE upgrade. For me, trying out 26" wheels AND full suspension. After gearing up, we were on the trail by 10:40.
The guy at the shop recommended a loop similar to the one I rode a few weeks ago.
Darling Hill Climb (ugh) -> Harp -> Coronary Bypass -> Fence Line -> Coronary (climb) -> Loop -> Bemis -> Tap and Die -> Webs -> River Run -> Dry Feet -> Violet's Outback -> Old Webs -> Sidewinder (Holy $h!t) -> West Branch (I think) -> Border -> Darling Hill Road -> Bill Magill -> Sugar house run -> Worth it -> Kitchel -> Herb's -> DONE.
So first...trail stuff. Tap and Die was amazing and felt like a totally different trail on the EX 8. (I'll get back to this) The conditions are so good right now. Webs was great. Fast and flowy. Still one of my favorite trails in the network. River Run's bridge over the bog is awesome. By the time we hit the road, I was starting to peter out. My legs didn't have much climbing left which is too bad because Bill Magil and Worth it had some grossness in store. Kitchel is UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Woodcore, you were right. Easily the most fun you can have with clothes on....well...next to a powder day :smile: We are riding again tomorrow and plan on hitting Jaw and Kitchel in the loop. The berms are big and the hills are great!!!
Next, the bike. I am not sure which part of it I loved more; the fork, the rear shock, or the wheel size/ geometry, but I am pretty sure I am converted from my 29er. Turning was effortless and in the sections that were particularly rooty, I had no issues. It is amazing how quickly the bike responds. Acceleration was fast, snappy, and overall just a lot of fun. A great, playful bike. I also felt I had more endurance than I did on my HT. (this may sound retarded but never having ridden a FS that long, it seemed that at the same place I was wasted my first time here, I was just fine today) Tomorrow I have to ride my Cobia and it will be a real test to see how it effects the trails. Part of me doesn't dare ride it on Sidewinder because I know at the peaks of those turns, I am going to eat it. I really wish I could demo the Santa Cruz Blur LT they have. Unfortunately, it being a Saturday, everything was reserved a while ago.
the weather couldn't have been more perfect. 80, sunny, no humidity, and a slight breeze. Best day of riding this year to be sure. We cleared 15 miles on our loop but I am not sure how much more since my GPS was and didn't record a bunch of it.
Pics will be posted tomorrow following my second part of this TR. Now...on to beer :beer:
Headed out of Augusta at 6:15 this morning. Pulled into East Burke Sports at 9:50. My buddy and I each rented a Trek EX 8 for the day. For him, a HUGE upgrade. For me, trying out 26" wheels AND full suspension. After gearing up, we were on the trail by 10:40.
The guy at the shop recommended a loop similar to the one I rode a few weeks ago.
Darling Hill Climb (ugh) -> Harp -> Coronary Bypass -> Fence Line -> Coronary (climb) -> Loop -> Bemis -> Tap and Die -> Webs -> River Run -> Dry Feet -> Violet's Outback -> Old Webs -> Sidewinder (Holy $h!t) -> West Branch (I think) -> Border -> Darling Hill Road -> Bill Magill -> Sugar house run -> Worth it -> Kitchel -> Herb's -> DONE.
So first...trail stuff. Tap and Die was amazing and felt like a totally different trail on the EX 8. (I'll get back to this) The conditions are so good right now. Webs was great. Fast and flowy. Still one of my favorite trails in the network. River Run's bridge over the bog is awesome. By the time we hit the road, I was starting to peter out. My legs didn't have much climbing left which is too bad because Bill Magil and Worth it had some grossness in store. Kitchel is UNBELIEVABLE!!!! Woodcore, you were right. Easily the most fun you can have with clothes on....well...next to a powder day :smile: We are riding again tomorrow and plan on hitting Jaw and Kitchel in the loop. The berms are big and the hills are great!!!
Next, the bike. I am not sure which part of it I loved more; the fork, the rear shock, or the wheel size/ geometry, but I am pretty sure I am converted from my 29er. Turning was effortless and in the sections that were particularly rooty, I had no issues. It is amazing how quickly the bike responds. Acceleration was fast, snappy, and overall just a lot of fun. A great, playful bike. I also felt I had more endurance than I did on my HT. (this may sound retarded but never having ridden a FS that long, it seemed that at the same place I was wasted my first time here, I was just fine today) Tomorrow I have to ride my Cobia and it will be a real test to see how it effects the trails. Part of me doesn't dare ride it on Sidewinder because I know at the peaks of those turns, I am going to eat it. I really wish I could demo the Santa Cruz Blur LT they have. Unfortunately, it being a Saturday, everything was reserved a while ago.
the weather couldn't have been more perfect. 80, sunny, no humidity, and a slight breeze. Best day of riding this year to be sure. We cleared 15 miles on our loop but I am not sure how much more since my GPS was and didn't record a bunch of it.
Pics will be posted tomorrow following my second part of this TR. Now...on to beer :beer:
I will keep you posted.
