MTB: Nassahegan, CT RAW - 10/8/08

[rueler]

I actually have to start my skiing "time of the year". I'm going to be painting the interior of the race building at Mt. Nothington.

 

[o3jeff]

Greg, I am sure 2knees will be looking for a bigger air to show everyone up on. You can bring him to the tree one near to the road after you cross Scoville after the warm up twisties.

 

[rueler]

I'll hit that Scoville one on most days and I won't do the Hobo Cave drop yet...From what I saw of him last week, 2 knees will drop that thing without even thinking about it. I hear that the Hobo drop is easier than the ladder drop...I'll find out soon....IMO the ladder drop is pretty smooth and I'm definitely not a jumper!

 

[bvibert]

rueler showed me some interesting drops and such on the trail that comes into our normal warmup route right before the caveman bridges, you guys should check it out if you're in the area tomorrow. You get to the drops going the other direction, but I don't know exactly where it cuts in. They're not far in though, so you could take the normal route and then go up to check them out, it'll only take a minute.

 

[MR. evil]

rueler showed me some interesting drops and such on the trail that comes into our normal warmup route right before the caveman bridges, you guys should check it out if you're in the area tomorrow. You get to the drops going the other direction, but I don't know exactly where it cuts in. They're not far in though, so you could take the normal route and then go up to check them out, it'll only take a minute.

That sounds like fun.....How large are these drops?

 

[bvibert]

What I saw was a wooden platform drop (a few feet off the ground I guess) type thing similar to the drop in the little loop right at the beginning part of the trail on the other side of Scoville, but much much more sane looking. Before that is a ramp type jump over a down tree, that looked to me like it could launch you, but I guess you can't carry much speed into into so the launching is kept to a minimum. Neither of those I'd be likely to hit, even in the day light (it was pretty dark by the time we got to them tonight). Before those is a big A frame that you ride up, over, and down the other side. It looked intimidating to me, but rueler assured me that it's actually pretty smooth and not that difficult. Based on that I might have at least scoped it out for a potential attempt if it was light out. I didn't even get really close to it, so I can't give any real personal opinion.

You guys would like all 3 I think.

rueler could give a much better explanation of them than I could...

 

[MR. evil]

What I saw was a wooden platform drop (a few feet off the ground I guess) type thing similar to the drop in the little loop right at the beginning part of the trail on the other side of Scoville, but much much more sane looking. Before that is a ramp type jump over a down tree, that looked to me like it could launch you, but I guess you can't carry much speed into into so the launching is kept to a minimum. Neither of those I'd be likely to hit, even in the day light (it was pretty dark by the time we got to them tonight). Before those is a big A frame that you ride up, over, and down the other side. It looked intimidating to me, but rueler assured me that it's actually pretty smooth and not that difficult. Based on that I might have at least scoped it out for a potential attempt if it was light out. I didn't even get really close to it, so I can't give any real personal opinion.

You guys would like all 3 I think.

rueler could give a much better explanation of them than I could...

The jumps sounds a little sketchy, but the other 2 sounds do able. I have been working on my wheely drops in the backyard and have gotten really comfortable with them. Now I just need to get the balls to do them on the trail. I have noticed that the farther from the truck I am, the higher the stunts looks.

 

[rueler]

The a-frame at the top is where you get your speed for the 2nd jump...it's a 2 footer...if that!! The challenging part is that when approaching the jump you have to take a line between a super small stump and a large root...the jump is a longish ladder type jump. if you take an outside line you will not have ANY speed when trying to get all the way up the ladder and over. The last one is a ladder bridge drop to a pretty flat landing ( i've had some real smooth landings and some where the suspension was fully used...I know that Brian thinks it's more sane than the drop across the street, but the landing is flatter than a pancake. You need to have serious speed and pull up or you're going to crunch yourself. The jump on the south side of scoville is all about rolling with a moderate speed and pulling up at take-off. From personal experience, I personally feel that the 2nd and 3rd jump/drops on the north side are more technically challenging due to the approaches and landing zones. I've seen dudes land the south side ladder drop without a bob or weave on a hardtail.

 

[migs 01]

What time does this ride officially start? 415/430?

 

[MR. evil]

What time does this ride officially start? 415/430?

Good question. I am going to try and be there for 4:00 and get a solo lap in on the warm up twiestes. I may even look for those stunts Brian mentioned and scope them out.

 

[migs 01]

Good question. I am going to try and be there for 4:00 and get a solo lap in on the warm up twiestes. I may even look for those stunts Brian mentioned and scope them out.

I'll meet u there at 4.

 

[MR. evil]

I'll meet u there at 4.

I will be in a silver Ford Ranger pick up and riding a red Ibex

 

[Greg]

Wheels down for the main ride at 4:30. I hope to be there a few minutes before that.

 

[Greg]

I may even look for those stunts Brian mentioned and scope them out.

I'm sure migs will show you, but if you guys don't connect, you can find them by entering the swamp twisties the normal way. At the first junction, head left. I think there might be another turn in there, perhaps to the right. Just head down towards the stream from there and you'll find them. An alternative is to head the normal route. Right before you cross the caveman bridges, turn around. You will see a trail leading up the hill that you may have never noticed before. I think you might even be able to see the stunts from there IIRC. There's also another route in there with a well-built bridge, covered with chicken wire. I recall the stunts in question also being well built ladder drops / A frame. Very sturdy. Might be fun things to play around on later this afternoon.

 

[Greg]

Ladder stoke

BTW, here's some stoke to get you guys pumped. Here's the flat ladder drop:

The A Frame:

The ramp:

And finally the other ladder drop across Scoville:

 

[bvibert]

That looks like the drop and A frame that I was talking about, but the ramp doesn't look the same to me...

 

[MR. evil]

Something just came up and for now it look like I am out for this ride unless I can pull a miracle out of my a$$. I am also going to have to leave my bike and my gear at the office so I won't even be able to do a local ride when I get home.

 

[migs 01]

BTW, here's some stoke to get you guys pumped. Here's the flat ladder drop:

The A Frame:

The ramp:

And finally the other ladder drop across Scoville:

I have no clue where any of this sh!t is. It all looks brand new. I haven't ridden nass in about a year. which twisties are the swamp twisties? the set on the same side as the parking area or across the street?

 

[Grassi21]

after the boulder i rolled @ lunch yesterday (would have been easier to jump it) im looking fwd to trying that A frame...

 

[Greg]

That looks like the drop and A frame that I was talking about, but the ramp doesn't look the same to me...

It's possible it's the wrong one. I've only been through there once, but that pic was in the sequence with the others so I just assumed that was it.

Something just came up and for now it look like I am out for this ride unless I can pull a miracle out of my a$$. I am also going to have to leave my bike and my gear at the office so I won't even be able to do a local ride when I get home.

The ladder stoke scared you, didn't it? :razz:

Seriously, I hope you can make it. You've got 4-ish+ hours to clear the decks. I hope I don't see you browsing AZ instead of getting it done!

I have no clue where any of this sh!t is. It all looks brand new. I haven't ridden nass in about a year. which twisties are the swamp twisties? the set on the same side as the parking area or across the street?

The swamp twisties are on the north side of Scoville. Head in there (the closer entrance pretty much across from the lot) and in about a third mile or less you'll come to a junction. Hang a left and just try to work yourself down to the stream. It's not a big area so if you just ride around in there, you should find them.