Got a call from Illy from Hotlines at 8:30am telling me that he was on his way to Glentress for the Future Publishing Bike Demo day (Sunday), and he was going to pick up up in 2hrs. Bit of a shock to me and the family, but bag packed, apologies made, we were on the road for most of the day due to a scenic but slow route thanks to his Satnav being set in “pretty roads” mode we got there about three, in the wind and rain.
The Hub was rammed, the coffee was good, and as the crowds started to drift home, I bought a new waterproof coat from the Hub bikeshop, the clouds started to drift apart, and by 5pm, I was at the top of Spooky Woods and basically had the place to myself.
From looking at the map, I seem to have ridden:-
Pennels Vennel, Super G, Hit Squad Hill, Blue Velvet, Betty Blue, Ewok Village, Double X, The Bitch, Magic Mushroom.
It was interesting to see this place that so many people talk about. Favourite Trail I think was Hit Squad Hill, with the nice Black shortcut at that corner, I remember Double X and The Bitch being quite interesting too.
So – some riding on Saturday, a meal out with Future Publishing on Saturday night, Sunday woke clear and blue and sparkly, and I shared a breakfast table with Nico, who was over as he rides for Lapierre who Hotlines distribute as well (awesome bikes, oh, and he’s not bad either).
Got another ride in on the Sunday, riding much of the same again. It was good. I’d not go again recreationally but as this was “work”, it was OK
Oh, and I was pleased to find the Tweak Ragley which was designed for riding ultra-tech trails in Calderdale works great with the combination of “stuff it down there, ride it up there” style of riding you need for trailcentre work. I can do berms now (though the ones at Lee Quarry are better), I can do doubles (though the ones at Lee Quarry are better), but yeah, for sociable types, I can see what the attraction is. There’s a shitload of riding at Glentress, and I love the feeling of just railing into stuff, or hitting rock obstacles knowing that they’ve designed it so they won’t kill you. ps: has anyone done Spooky Woods “brakeless” – I think that’d be a fun thing to try.
