Trails > Santa Cruz:
updated 3/31/05

After we all launched the drop, James and I got the bug to go and launch the road gap we did last month. We rolled down, and set up our cameras, and James booted it. Then it was my turn. I knew from last week, that I could clear it going fairly slow, but after hitting the other drop, my confidence and ju-ju were strong. I walked my bike up and checked the launching point out. Like the first drop, I had walked my line and visualized my path, the take off, and then the landing. I picked a point in the trail and designated it the point of no return. I was resolved to let go of the brakes there, and gather speed. From that point, I was committed to my line. Staying loose and relaxed on the bike, I rolled down the trail towards the hit. I let go of the brakes exactly at the spot, flew down the hill. As I hit the ramp, I pumped off the lip, and flowed smoothly over the gap. In the air, (about where I was in the picture to the right) I spotted my landing, and sucked up as much of the landing force as I could in my arms and legs. I pumped the brakes hard, released them, and then flew around the berm at the bottom. I was stoked. It couldn't have gone any better. I landed exactly where I wanted to, and in control. Oh damn it felt good.

Then it was Blake's turn to try it. Like me, he was on his Heckler last time we were down. I was feeling good, so I hit it on the Heckler. Blake waited until this week, and he was feeling strong on his new DH bike, a Giant DH Comp. He wasn't sure how much speed to hit it with. "A bunch," is what James and I recommended. "You basically want to go as fast as you feel comfortable rolling down down it. Than go faster."

So Blakie hits it, and he's mach'n like a cruise missile. He's looking good until he touches down and wipes out.

Check out the aftermath- but be prepared to be grossed out!