More Adventures In The Mountains

Two days ago, I stopped by Lincoln Peak for lunch and ended up purchasing a blue Sugarbush jersey.  Then I ran across Hazen from the bike shop who sold me a chest protector/suit for $60 – a great deal since it has pads for the chest, spine, shoulders, and elbows built in.  Determined to use all my new gear at least once before the summer season ended, I decided to hit up the trails the next day, Friday August 20.

I only took one run on Friday, but it was one that I’ll remember for a while.  I took the “easier way down” and ended up getting way too much speed on Lower Jester.  Just before reaching Header, I flew off a waterbar, launched over my handlebars and flew through the air, landing pretty hard alongside the work road.  I got right back up and on the bike, realizing that all my protective gear prevented me from having any serious injuries.  Without the helmet, I would’ve sustained some head damage.  I managed to ride down to the base, had some lunch, and called it a day.  I cannot stress enough:  If you go downhill mountain biking… wear your helmet and pads!

Within the week, I hope to get down to Killington to try their mountain biking trails which I hear from numerous sources that they have more terrain variety there (ie – terrain for beginners).  Regardless of how easy the terrain is, you can be sure I’ll be in full protective gear and will take it easy over those waterbars!!!

It’s New Helmet Day!!!

After several weeks of it being on order, the right size helmet (XL)was finally in the right box when I opened it at the Adventure Gear Shop at Lincoln Peak on Thursday July 29.  And while I was making the purchase, I decided to get the elbow and knee pads.  Now I’ve got full protection for when I go mountain biking and don’t need to rent anything!

My next mountain biking day is most likely going to occur at Killington, where I am told they have more trails suitable for beginner riders.  My visit there will most likely occur within the next week or so.  

Mountain Biking – Day 2 – Monday July 12

Monday July 12 I spent hanging at Lincoln Peak for a good portion of the day.  After acquiring my rental helmets and pads, I headed up Super Bravo, solo, with my bike behind me.  It was my second day of downhill biking and since I had the entire day off, there was no rush – just get some runs in, then have some lunch and enjoy the mountain.

First run was down Valley House Traverse –> Reverse Traverse –> Heaven’s Gate Traverse –> Lower Downspout –> Castlerock Runout –> base.  With the dry trail conditions, I felt a lot more comfortable and zoomed down the first two traverses in no time.  Instead of ducking into the woods past Domino on HG Traverse, I continued to Lower Downspout, where I found lots of loose rocks, stones, and gravel and lots of waterbars.  I slid out a couple times but made it down to Castlerock Connection to the Runout.  Once I got past the Castlerock chair, the runout was quite enjoyable, a trail I’ve hiked several times.  I got down to the base and was pretty amped up from the run. 

After a break for some water, I headed back up, had Joshman take some pics of me, then headed down again.  This time, instead of taking Heaven’s Gate Traverse, I remained on Lower Jester, which proved to be pretty challenging with even more loose rocks and gravel.  I took a couple of falls, sending me flying off the bike – nothing major but enough to shake me up a little bit.  Later, my friend told me not to go so slow and to just “bomb it”.  After reaching the last switchback on Lower Jester with Lower Organgrinder, the run was nice again, and I headed down Header to the C’Rock Runout to the base.  I was going to try the “junior” jump line in the park, but figured I’d save it for next time.

Afterwards, I returned my helmet and pads, ordered up some lunch at Castlerock Pub, and then ordered my own helmet (since there was no XL in stock).  It should be in soon, and then I’ll get my own pads and be ready to ride anytime, anywhere.  But I am quickly discovering this is more of a workout than I thought, more challenging, but still a freakin’ blast.  After lunch, I headed back up Super Bravo (leaving my bike at the bottom) to retrieve my camera.  After dropping my bike off back at home, I spent the afternoon with a friend swimming in the Mad River and having a few brews.   Another great day at Lincoln Peak and in the Mad River Valley!

The Downhill Adventure Begins… 7/1/2010

The night of June 30, 2010 was pretty crazy, filled with a lot of alcohol and debouchery.  Would I be up to the next day, my first day of doing downhill mountain biking? 

Despite us staying up till 3am, Marius and I met up at the base of Super Bravo.  I rented some pads and a full face helmet, and we headed up the lift.  As we got about halfway up, the rain began to come down at a much steadier pace and at the top, it was pouring.  But hell with it – I was ready to ride…..

We started down the incline from top of Super Bravo to Allyn’s Lodge, lowered my seat down, and began the cruise down Valley House Traverse.  I was getting up some speed, then slowed down when it got kinda sketchy.  It was still raining and I was not wearing any gloves, so I was having some difficulty maintaining my grip on the handlebars.  Coming down to the corner at the Valley House chair’s terminal, we turned onto Reverse Traverse to Lower Jester to Heaven’s Gate Traverse. 

Just past Domino on HG Traverse, we dove into Big Birch, a new woods run.  Now I had just wanted to take the traverse down to the work road to the base… never did I think I’d be in the woods on my first day.  Marius has been riding downhill for quite a while and is also on the summer lift and trail crew in addition to one of my co-workers on the winter lift ops staff.  So if he said that I could survive, I figured I could. 

I took it slow, easing my way around corners and between trees and over the rocks.  It was slippery, a little muddy in spots, and in a few of the steeper areas, I found it more comfortable to push my way through.  We took a few breaks on the way down and gradually made my way down, when Marius tagged me in action…

The last portion of the trail was a little more sketchy, with a bridge and a couple steep and narrow sections, but when we popped out onto Lower Jester, I breathed quite the sigh of relief.  From there, it was all downhill on work roads.  It was a pretty quick run and a non-stop run for me down Lower Jester to Coffee Run (while Marius turned onto Header and into the park).  He had taught me the proper way to go over the waterbars with the least impact and I cruised it.  Arriving back at the base of Super Bravo, the rain was still pouring, I was covered in mud and dirt, and had an awesome smile on my face.  I had survived my first day of downhill mountain biking.  I definitely need to get me some riding gloves and get my own pads and a helmet.  After just one run, I’m hooked and already itching to get out and ride again!