Just back from a recce.. yep soft in places then, dry, soft again.
Mainly dry but the mud you collect sticks around, so to speak
. There are two v soft puddley bits that are 4m long at best, beyond that it's typical off-road good- to -soft stuff. Imagine cannock chase without the bike destroying element to it, more organic.
Nobody is going back the carpark with a clean bike or lower limbs
I have no bike wash facilities either unlike last year( bloody cutbacks)!
I have given my navi skills the workout to remember today with trying to minimise the boggyness and give us some tarmac to clear tyres. think i've cracked it.
As i typed 'more organic' on paragraph 2, light powdery snow floating about! Now as i type, i'm blinded by the sun with blue skies, must close the window blind so i can carry on typing.
The bottom line....
I'ts gonna be a fairly easy ride with mildly challenging but very short, sections, so it can stay as a grade 2. plenty of mud around/curry paste sections. plenty of hard-pack easy riding though. according to forecast any light showers expected 3pm-ish, we ought to be back at start point by then. only a serious deterioration in weather can make it worse or cause us to postpone. Also, i felt like i was the only person within the place today, sh*t weather has it's benefits.
just a note....
I'm going to run this(weather permitting) even if i'm lonesome, i'm bored stiff and tired of our bloody weather :facepalm: . Although, any riders that are travelling any good distance i will 100% understand if it's a grind to attend for a less than 20 mile ride.
Tips...
v-brakes won't stop you riding but, can clump up. cantis or ahem....
disc cough...will be optimum. maguras may be ok.
Front crud advised. once we hit the hard trails, you get a mud face pack that you don't want, free but it tastes bitter and gritty
rear crud also a good thing to help keep your seat clean. no bottles in cages, just...no!
Granny ring for some sections, martin will have to drop to middle ring.
I got round a 9-10 mile recce on a old marin with well worn paracer 2.1 with no real beef. I did have to stop and negotiate a muddy puddle at the side of a gate but, 1 metre out of 10 miles aint bad.
So far thurs and friday look ok but i will keep my eye on things.
some dry/ mildly moist bits.....
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n48 ... d3a384.jpg
This is the worst bit, stick to the right, power on and you through! 4-5 metres long.
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n48 ... 301bf2.jpg
so, where are ya?
http://i1136.photobucket.com/albums/n48 ... a7498a.jpg