NEW MTB TRAIL-JACKS HILL TO MARYLAND

Courtesy of our friends at “Fun and Thrills’ (thanks Marcus) who have already hiked this trail we decided to give it the explorer treatment.

It is very narrow most of the time, with steep sections and some of the trail “walls” are rock so we can’t hack them out to pass (sorry Kyle)!

There are plenty of little rock drops and tree roots. Boogie rode virtually everything, but I was bouncing too near the edge on my hard tail. This is definitely one for a full “susser”.

There are some nice tight hairpin berms and the best ones near the river are unrideable until we can widen them.

The rest of the trail is high grass, which hides the drop off on one side and at one point both sides.

Of course Boogie was waiting for me at the river, a tranquil spot amid the greenery, to see if I fell in-sorry, not this time!

Then comes the bad news, you have to climb up a twisty trail towards Maryland ( about 15 min). When you come to a little settlement ( Mind Peace) you turn right and go down a stony single track with a little river crossing at the end. Boogie was waiting again, but this time I got my pedal caught in a rock and remounting could line myself up correctly. 

There was more easy downhill and a concrete bridge over the river again with a rail. “Why is Boogie waiting with his camera?” I mused. Almost across the bridge and I saw that it has collapsed, there was a big hole to fall in and an impossible jump unless you had turbo assistance. Sorry Boogie, no paparazzi prize this time!

Finally we climbed up to the road. Verdict, with some cleaning up this is a good technical trail with a full suspension bike, a no-no for anyone who does not like drop-offs."

By David Linehan

View Mind Peace Trail in a larger map

NEW TRAIL-CONSTITUTION HILL TO KINTYRE (PAPINE)

Regular explorers Boogie and David were joined by Keith and Gavin, who was trying his first serious trail.

We rode up to Lindo’s Gap from Liguanea, a 90 minute negative gravity experience, where Boogie punctured twice and I muffed a gear change and fell without damage on one of the steepest bits.

We stopped at the Gap for Boogie to interview a Rasta man for more trail information and spent another thirty minutes uphill to Constitution Hill. It is in fact a Gap or pass with trails in several directions (more exploration to come!).At the village square we had some cold ones, whilst Boogie was interviewing further holders of trail information. One told us it would only take fifteen minutes to get down to Kintyre (actually it took 29).

The trail starts on a narrow tarmac road to local housing and gradually deteriorates. Finally we hit the loose earth and stones and were soon on a single track on the side of the big ridge that overlooks Kingston. At this stage there was a drop off on the right.

We then hit a well defined path but with tall grass making it difficult to see forward. The drop off was now on the right and vertical off the single track. Gavin slipped and fell slowly, fortunately to the left and avoided the big drop. We continued and came to a plateau at the end of the ridge, overlooking Kingston.

From here the real descent started with a narrow rocky single track but not too difficult, although us “hardtailers” had to walk some short bits.

Keith had been complaining of brake fade so he and Boogie swapped bikes: result Boogie with no brakes went faster and Keith with Shimano Saints (the bees knees) felt safe!

Then we met a farmer, (this signified a better defined trail from locals walking it) and the single track became really rideable and fun but Boogie had a puncture on Keith’s bike, so we stopped again.

The trail became wider and we zoomed down some steep slopes to the Kintyre road and back to Papine for breakfast and a cold Red Stripe (Thanks Keith).

Verdict on the single track trail: probably with de-grassing in the middle, most people with full suspension would enjoy it and the “buzz” from the sheer drops on the edge of the tail. It could also be linked up with some of the trails from Flamstead to make a marathon endure/downhill.

Let us also “big up” Gavin who complete what is not the best trail to start with, and no bitching! Congrats Bro!

By David Linehan

View Kintyre Trail in a larger map

TRAIL EXPLORERS REPORT AND FUTURE EVENTS

Boogie and I went up to Flamstead to check the long trails down to Dallas and the coast, on foot.

The newest, used only once needs some work but Obelix (Boogie) wielding his cutlass and Asterix (David), doing the lighter work, age has its privileges, cleaned up parts, particularly some sharp bends by removing rocks. We need to do some more work but enjoyed the secret waterfalls.

(NB. If you don't follow Asterix the Gaul and Obelix, you are missing a European cult, written in a language that is fun for kids and has sophisticated references for educated adults).
We joined the main trail, known to few, that we fixed up last year and walked up to the top and back to Flamstead Square ( to say I was kn***ered was putting it nicely).

The good news is that it has held up well including our re-engineering and we will have it ready for my birthday ride on 21 or 12 December next, followed by the usual “pot luck” pool party at my place (I supply the alcohol (this year I will have a connoisseurs surprise after the beer and wine has finished, as it always does).

The trail from Belleview to Dallas village is long but not very steep with few technical bits. There are four river crossings and it is single track mainly with a big drop off on the left so speed is to be avoided.

Now for the good news! Before all this Boogie and I explored the beginning of a new trail that goes from Flamstead to Millers Gap. It is not all down hill but the start is spectacular with a single track along the contour lines with regular berms to help the descent. Boogie went back and rode it on Sunday and got from Flamstead to Liguanea in 70 minutes, which means we could ride all the way in about four hours.

Who is up shortly for the latest “real ride”?

By David Linehan