Starting to write today's blog entry this again at 23h30, I’m annoyed because my phone somehow lost my creation that I had been constructing all day, so this from memory not notes, the order of events may be wrong.
First we have to blast along the road then onto a trail; blast because almost anything on these two-strokes includes an injection of adrenaline. Starts off as a heavily rutted once asphalted road, out of a populated area and turns into a logging road through the forest, once we pass a dam and reservoir. After some tricky muddy sections interspersed with exposed rocks, Bobo asks if we want to take a hard route to a good view. Do ducks swim? This leads to a steep muddy trail, chaos and the most challenging riding we’ve done.
Bobo, Chris and Steve set off, me following behind. Steve gets stuck, I pass. I get stuck spinning my rear wheel, block Steve, who has managed to get free and no doubt creates a queue behind him. The riding gods, Bobo and Chris have zapped ahead, but finally I too reach the top after having rocked the bike back and forwards to find traction, passing Bobo back on the way down to help out. But it wasn't an elegant accent, imagine me hanging on for dear life as the bike pulls me along. I park and walk down to record the entertainment.
Steve almost reaches me, but gets stuck again, and throws me the most dejected look of resignation. He’s there for a few minutes spinning the wheel to get free, while Ray sails past with a determined ‘get the feck out of the way!’ look on his face. The progress soon terminates as he stops just in front of me with a pained expression on his face. He manages to restart but stops just past me, spinning his wheel and eventually toppling over. Then it’s Danny, making steady progress who chugs by, but suddenly from behind Charlie's on a roll trying not to lose momentum and he whizzes past. Danny stops above Ray and then he too topples over. We gather ourselves and eventually all make it to the top where we take off our helmets, sweating profusely.
Snacks, lunch and more muddy, rocky trails.
Bobo stops to let Steve go ahead to film, but ends up helping Steve traverse a narrow, very slippery, wooden path with deep puddles either side, Danny gets boot full of muddy water. Paddling the bike here is a sensible option.
We crest a hill overlooking a town and an old castle. After a few pictures it’s a steep downhill section, which I enjoy balancing the front and rear brakes as they teeter on the verge of locking up and throwing you to the ground. On our two-strokes there's not much controllable engine braking to assist and prevent the rear wheel locking up, making it seem much harder. Following me, Ray demonstrates how not to do it, gains too much speed and goes airborne in style and grace until he lands with all the elegance of a fledgling gooney bird, ending up in a (shit) heap at the bottom. This is why we wear protective gear and it works, except for the ego, which is suffers a severe bruising!
Through the forest again, with challenging stream crossings and a short steep inclines.
The last section before the road is a narrow overgrown path where you can’t see further than the front wheel. Then it’s a sweeping road section before reaching the hotel
Dinner was an excellent goulash washed down with plenty of laughs.
The day has stayed dry, despite being in the clouds for some periods. 95km 382-1477m. Tomorrow longer but with more views as we traverse ridgeways.
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