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Despite the weather threatening rain, me and Tomks decide to have a mad day out in Afan. So up at 4.30 for the dash to the mountains!!

Leaving our GFBB to digest we arrived and scouted the scene. The car park at the Drop Off Cafe was on a smooth trickle filling up, so we kitted and headed for the start of Whites Level.

With still the threat of rain in the air and the temperature being much cooler than of late, it was with anticipation as to weather it would be a smooth run or not. The ground was damp under rubber, but not too much to cause too much spin over the rocks and roots littering the single track on the long climb up.

We had a lovely steady pace going for the whole climb and reached the summit in record time for us...I think we only stopped momentarily for a photo opportunity.

It was amusing to play cat and mouse with the xc riders the whole climb and still arrive at the top before them with less sweat oozing from all pores.

Hmm... Black or Red...

Red or Black... What a choice... quick smackrel to eat to decide...

Had to be the Red for the first dropin..

Windy Point was a blast, with fast flowing, dry rocky single track to begin the descent. I think I rode this the fastest and most in control than I have ever done before... How do I know?? Because of the wide-eyed expression Tomks gave me when we reached the gate... Can't really say what his actual comment was, but started with F and ended with Me!!!

Then on to Energy... I first rode this section on the opening weekend and although back then, it was most entertaining, was quite slow running. I'm pleased to say it has bedded in lovely, with the whoops and doohoops running much faster and smoother than before, although of course, you still have to work with some gusto.

Gate 20...Goodwood.

This is a great single track section to practice pumping and manualling. The speed increase this skill creates is so perfect for this fast flowing section. Onto the boardwalk, all good fun, with some slight changes noticed to the left hand side. It would appear the original single track that was there before the wood is being cleaned up with possible resurrection?? We shall see...

Slight rest up to enjoy the views and watch Tomks show me his shore skills on a LARGE fallen tree. For those who have ridden this trail before will know exactly where I mean... Show off!!!

Onto the Darkside... Hey the final descent, I'm ready, I'm willing. Let's go!!

This fast flowing singletrack section is great for getting into the attack position and kick manuellin off the large white slabs of rock. I reckon I only got a couple wrong, being too enthusiastic, causing too much fork compression, but I managed to hold it together til the end, much to the delight and total surprise of Tomks. I had a quite a big off on this section in July 2006 and I feel I have now conquered this by finding my friends speed, air and modulation braking... This definitely the fastest and most in control time completed.

Bloody starving...lunchtime. Whilst eating chilli chicken wraps, we mulled over the ride just done, both over the moon with the results of my much improved skills and that Tomks now has regular competition in riding with me. With the continuing blue skies, we decided to saddle up and ascend once again.

Take Two... The climb this time was much drier, but with slightly more traffic than before. But hey those wraps are good, we arrived at the top faster than before, but still with as much fun.

Black Run... I glanced down at the initial berms with hesitation. This was to be my 5^th ever dropin on this section. I've never had a problem with the first fast sweeping berms on the way down to the shore or the fast flowing jumps that lead down to the steep berms. Even these high sweepers have been tackled and enjoyed with confidence. It's just that blind summit to plummet down that has got me everytime...or rather a muddy bum, as I have never managed to stay connected to my steed at this stage and have always slid down after it. But not this time. I approached the summit in the attack postion and with good speed and modulation of the brakes down I went...hanging off the back and in total control I soon found myself passing the large rocks at the bottom and climbing to large left hand berm, dropping down to the last right hander before the gate. I hesitated slightly at this one, but fingers off the brakes and down I went...Wicked!

Tomks had chance once again to be almost speechless... "Enjoying yourself??!!" My whole body trembling I was unable to reply, but my grin spoke a thousand words.

Time to calm down and chill abit on the fire road back to Goodwood.

Again muchly fun had in this section and onto the final descent...

Although I found it much harder to hold on this time, it was much faster and more in control than the first dropin as the I had the rememberance of the previous time to work and improve on. My Kenda's reliable as ever, not missing any of the opportunities the whole section presents.

Seat back up and time to practice my wheelies...I will get there!!!

Back to the DropOff for a well earned Hot Choc...yummy!!

Absolute top day riding. My confidence and approach to trails is improving with each time I ride...long may it continue. Big thanks to Tomks for watching my butt all day and eating my dust!!

The next day... My forearms are still pumped, my lats feel like I've been hugged by a vice and my legs are aching a bit, but my cheeks are aching sooooo much from the grin factor had from a mad one at Whites...

Where next...............................................?!

Comments (5)

tomtomks said:

	... it was a pleasure to ride with ya miss.. lets go again soon
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May 18, 2008
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motomouse said:

	... Wow, it sounds like you had an awesome day.
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May 19, 2008
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stumpy_dan said:

	... Great stuff. I'm going to copy this into the trails section
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May 19, 2008
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waynerock64 said:

	... Coooooooool blog celly , where next ? Coedy-y-brenin of course Dragon's back well i see Tom has had a birds eye view off your bum lol fantastic blog well impressed ..
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May 19, 2008
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BigfootMark said:

	... Great blog.. looks like you hada good day out
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May 19, 2008
Votes: +0