posted 2/18/05

My rear XC rim, which I proudly displayed as being completely intact after the Dead Campers road gap last Sunday, gave up the ghost after but one more ride. However, I stacked pretty hard on the steep and muddy chute on "Blake's Line" on Side O yesterday, and possibly would have done the same to any other rim. Today is a total rest day, as my body took a good beating as well. Not only that, but my Giro Zen took a good hit for the team.

"Blake's Line" consists of a muddy off-camber chute, that has a drop off between two trees half way down it's face. The line is difficult to ride without the drop, as using your brakes doesn't actually do anything but cause your tires to break free on the off camber descent. The chute and the drop aren't even the difficult part of the line though. Immediately after the drop, there is a hip jump over a short ravine. It is extremely difficult to set up for, as you land the drop at a high rate of speed. Did I mention that the landing/ take off is off-camber as well? Add the wet and muddy conditions, and you have a section worthy of being designated as a "pro/expert only." I'd cleaned it once, but I'll be honest, it didn't look good.

Yesterday was worse. We rolled up on it, and I promptly went for it. Traction into the chute was nonexistent, and my back tire started washing out, forcing me to dab. I released the brakes, straightening out long enough to put my foot back on the pedal, but not long enough to set up properly for the drop. I landed front heavy, and nose-wheelied directly into the jump, which sent me straight over the bars and to the left of the landing, where a log jumped right at me. I managed to break the log in half with my new Giro helmet(fortunately for me, it was rotten) and my bike went sailing. Needless to say, I took it easy the rest of the way down, especially when I realized my rear tire was rubbing against the stays.

But hey, you gotta pay to play. It doesn't appear very difficult in the picture does it?