Rolling down DT felt great, I figured I would hit LFL since it's very easy and non-tech. It felt good, so I hit UFL (even made the Log Jam turn). Got to the step at the beginning of Chunk with an easy pull, no problem, figure, ok, I'll ride to EBD. A silly pedal strike in the Tree Hugger area (looks like a smaller version of the Cradle) was my first dab. Got to EBD and said, ok, I'll ride to Satellite and then turn around. I'll definitely stop at Satellite.
Heading up the Ravine Drop - the step up with be the final dab of my ride out - it was more of fitness dab...just didn't have the gas to mash it up. The remainder of the ride was awesome - like an old friend...but wait - this was my first time riding Pre-Plunge - I LOVE IT - in the direction it's PERFECT - going from the original trail head (as Mike has stated) there are 2 turns that need work. I have dubbed the big step up "Spongebob" - it's looks like a big sponge with all the holes.
So, grinning all the way I rode out and to the Sport Park for a water refill - I did not guesstimate the amount of water I needed to ride back - this would hurt later. On my way out I did chat with Marty and Carlos for a few minutes.
So, H2O refilled-ish I headed back to tackle it head on. I made it to Pre-Plunge and decided I would take a quick break to eat a clif bar - I had not planned the ride, so I had not eaten much.
Rolled on after a quickie...uneventful until I reached my nemesis - I don't know why it get's me. After the Ravine Drop section - the highest line in the area, goes along the retention pond, before the turn/drop I like to call "Ray's Collarbone" - there is that down then up that step up is nothing, but I'm probably 50/50 on it. Dab #1 on the way back.
Had a completely blast riding everything especially the turn in the Hollows right beside the EBD climb - THIS is the last point I had ridden to before surgery. Cum Drop, Mini-V - love them - and Mike didn't think Cum Drop could be a line - he proved himself wrong on that - sweet ass job there Mike.
Oh shit, EBD! What, you mean I have to pay to play. Who the fuck thought this line was good idea...I am a bag of dicks! I am not even calling EBD a dab, I couldn't make it to EBD...10 feet below it my quads LOCKED. Completely cramped up. I had the dismount and squat for 5 mins to stretch them out. I didn't even think about trying it again, fuck that. I hobbled up and kept motoring. Oh, I forgot to mention I ran out of water right after Ravine Drop!
The whole places is money, Chunk is bad ass, Upper Fence Line...loving it. My ONLY other dab was on that slippery ass root climb on the trail before Big Oak, above LJ - spun out on the root. Damn. Rode the rest out, even rode Rawk Garten and the fresh stuff Mike cut today!
I did this with no fitness - on a 26er squishy that saps the efficiency out of every stroke, I did not bitch ring once and I don't ride that pussy 10spd shit either. This place must be a 29ers wet dream - elevating their sense of worth ;)
I was so euphoric on the way home - going down Avery Ranch I shouted insanely at a group of roadies, "STRAAAAAAAAAAAVAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!" - Really
I know I am biased, but this is really one of the best trails in all of Austin.
Baller re cap
ReplyDeleteHahaha "Ray's Collarbone" ....just now getting that one. Nice.
ReplyDeleteAnd for the record again, I call that one you bonk on a lot "Squeeze Play"....it's a nothing hit in terms of size, but it takes some doing to get up it cleanly. I kept getting tripped up going UP Ray's Collarbone, but I finally found a line to smooth that one out.
DeleteI got up it (squeeze) tonight, but was too slow once I cleared it so it was a dab. That, EBD and the root were my dabs. I was actually up EBD, but slid back down because I spun out up top. Ray's and Jammer for some reason don't pose much problem, that silly Squeeze Play pisses me off.
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