Twisted - new stunt line on Hellboy

[benl]

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

I need to check my cleats to make sure I have them on the right sides for the shallow release angle. I thought I did, anyway.

I thought about trying The Highway (P.s. Are you going to sign the lines?), but with the difficulty of unclipping I decided the potential fall was too big to risk it. The entrance to the third from the left (what is its name?) was definitely more difficult but being shorter and with an easy exit to the right it wasn't so risky.

[reidabel]

I thought about trying The Highway (P.s. Are you going to sign the lines?), but with the difficulty of unclipping I decided the potential fall was too big to risk it. The entrance to the third from the left (what is its name?) was definitely more difficult but being shorter and with an easy exit to the right it wasn't so risky.

I have been thinking about making signs for each line, yes. The lower line does have a name, but I'm no longer liking it and am open to suggestions. I've been batting around a few in my head, related to the lowness or the bending - LowBall, LowLife, Serpent, Serpentine, etc. I, too, use it for doing warmup runs before the more risky lines, and I like that it can be done more slowly than The Highway, in terms of getting accustomed to making adjustments to my line while I'm on the boards.

Don't say it can't be done. I have cinematic proof of test pilot allmountin' clipping out lightning fast as he misjudged his ascent on fitchfork. He simultaneously veered right, clipped out his left foot, planted it between boards for a fraction of a second, before jumping off, bike and all, ready to repeat - all with a smile on his face. He didn't want this on the internets, but hopefully this description is sufficiently vivid.

Cool! AllMountin' is the Chuck Yeager of our time! I can hardly wait to hear how he does on Twisted! Maybe we can arrange that group test-ride I mentioned earlier? I'll check my availability on the weekend ...

[benl]

You know, Brad Potter (Anderson Park Trail Coordinator) mentioned the possibility of planning a skills clinic at Anderson Park - but I think a more advanced session would be better at Burchfield. Actually, it would be interesting to have two skills clinics - one beginner (basic XC trail skills like posture on the bike, clearing logs, cornering, climbing, etc.), and one advanced (all the freeride stunts).

But just a group test-ride would be fun and educational in itself.

[dwthcky68]

Hey Reid, This is Greg Harless, I was the guy that rode the pitchfork line the one day you were there working on the twisted line. I rode the new twisted line on Thursday, it was a lot of fun. It is pretty technical but I was able to ride the whole thing on my first try. Nice work, it turned out great!

Hi Greg - thanks! Yes, I remember you letting me film you riding Pitchfork, and I'm glad to hear that you rode Twisted successfully and liked it. You may have been the first one besides me to ride it clean. Were you clipped in?

No I just use platform pedals, they worked good for me riding it.

[AllMountin']

I rode this for the first time yesterday, clipped in, of course. I didn't even bother to inspect it, knowing the quality of Reid's work. I was expecting it to feel like a low speed wall ride, since that is what it looks like. I gave it a couple hard pedal strokes and figured I'd sail around it. It felt a lot different than expected. There is something about the way the angles manipulate the bike. I think it is more difficult than it looks, but rode it 4 times in total, without issue.

Not sure that I would try it when wet without something for traction.

We rode through with two guys who hadn't been out in awhile. They were pretty impressed with the work when they came around the corner. It looks amazing.

[reidabel]

I rode this for the first time yesterday, clipped in, of course..

Of course! (Everybody else - don't even think about doing this ... see below). Impressive!

I didn't even bother to inspect it, knowing the quality of Reid's work.

Okay, everybody else please inspect it for the angles and line before riding it. You may take for granted that (unless it has been sabotaged!) the boards are solid, nailed in, and that there are no nails sticking up through the deck.

I was expecting it to feel like a low speed wall ride, since that is what it looks like. I gave it a couple hard pedal strokes and figured I'd sail around it. It felt a lot different than expected.

It sure does, I found the same thing. Had I built this out of dirt it would be so easy to add some here, take some out there, and tweak it. But instead we get a technical rather than flowy line. Still fitting the overall concept of having character, though.

There is something about the way the angles manipulate the bike. I think it is more difficult than it looks, but rode it 4 times in total, without issue.

Glad to hear that you had no problems! I am planning to ride it a lot more and determine the best line for smoothness and then put an indicator on the deck boards, such as roofing shingles to indicate the path of the front tire (as with Pitchfork). No luck on getting roofing shingles yet, though. Since it is more difficult than it looks, I'm glad to have the funky entrance - it should keep the unsure off of it. No way I want an easy ramp to the banked corner ... (think lemmings)

[benl]

I just remembered one thing - the "Heckboy" sign at the trailhead is a nice touch! Kid friendly.

[rvd]

Two more unsuccessful tries tonight, but then I finally did it; also clipped in . For me speed was key. I really had to hit the onramp pretty fast, add two more pedal strokes and then sail around the curve.

[reidabel]

Two more unsuccessful tries tonight, but then I finally did it; also clipped in . For me speed was key. I really had to hit the onramp pretty fast, add two more pedal strokes and then sail around the curve.

Congratulations! You guys are so brave to ride it clipped in, I'm impressed. You must really have built some speed up, I always seem to need one additional pedal stroke just before the exit (while still on the curve) to get the job done - counteracting the fall to the right. I often seem to end up stalling out and having to jump off to the dirt on the right. But that may just be from not taking the right line through the curve.
.

[rvd]

Cool! AllMountin' is the Chuck Yeager of our time! I can hardly wait to hear how he does on Twisted! Maybe we can arrange that group test-ride I mentioned earlier?

How about this Wednesday evening?

[SteveF]

Congratulations! You guys are so brave to ride it clipped in, I'm impressed. You must really have built some speed up, I always seem to need one additional pedal stroke just before the exit (while still on the curve) to get the job done - counteracting the fall to the right. I often seem to end up stalling out and having to jump off to the dirt on the right. But that may just be from not taking the right line through the curve.
.

Dude, your irrational fear of clipping in is silly. I can ride anything clipped in that I would try on flats. I don't ride your more extreme stunts because they ain't my thing, not because of my choice in pedals.

[reidabel]

Dude, your irrational fear of clipping in is silly. I can ride anything clipped in that I would try on flats. I don't ride your more extreme stunts because they ain't my thing, not because of my choice in pedals.

I just believe it increases the chance of injury, and I think there are those who would agree. I have many other fears that are way more irrational

Cool! AllMountin' is the Chuck Yeager of our time! I can hardly wait to hear how he does on Twisted! Maybe we can arrange that group test-ride I mentioned earlier?

How about this Wednesday evening?

Wednesday (tomorrow) works for me - anybody else interested and able to make it tomorrow?

[AllMountin']

I can likely make it down.

How is the fishing in the river/ponds at Burchfield? Thinking of bringing the pole with. Snagged 11 bass out of the Shiawassee this evening, and am looking for more.

[reidabel]

I don't know about the fishing, sorry.

I just found out that my new bike's seat is broken ... when I jumped off of it on my last failed attempt at riding Twisted today, and let the bike go its own way, apparently one side of the seat caved in when it hit the ground upside down. I rode it afterwards and it felt weird, and I thought it was just out of position. However, it's broken, and I should take it into the shop tomorrow instead of trying to ride on it. I'm annoyed, shouldn't a Trek be tougher than that?

[rvd]

I just found out that my new bike's seat is broken ...

If you want, I can bring a spare seat tomorrow.