I participated in the speedy beaver's down hill women's clinic at Dry Hill in Port Angeles. Ann offered to drive, so Jenn, Marizel, Brandell and I all enjoyed our chauffeur's gracious offer. It took 3.5 hours to get to Dry Hill and another 3.5 hours to get home. I got up at 4:45am and managed to crawl in bed at 10:30pm. I took the Nomad as my preferred bike and joined the beginner group (I didn't want the pressure of trying to keep up). I decided being one of the best in a group was better than being the worst. I think it was a good decision. The first beginner trail we rode (white knuckle) was steep and muddy. I rode most of it. I walked a rock face that I had hoped we would go back and actually ride. There was an eleven year old girl that rode almost everything that I rode...she was awesome. Next was cakewalk (that is not what I would have named it). I had a tough time keeping the Nomad's speed down without locking up wheels; thus there were many times I was riding too fast down some crazy steep and rocky trails.
Our second run was on Limbo, this was more like cross country with some steeps and drops thrown in. The drops were a bit much for my Nomad, so I climbed down them. There were a few long wood bridges that I rode really well. I handled the switch backs well and when we got to the last short steep section I decided riding it had to be better than sliding down with my bike which I did on the first run. So I rode it and had a tough time keeping the bike in control, I almost missed a turn (went over the berm and then back over it again to get back on the trail) still carrying too much speed and almost missed the bridge (rode on the very far left of it). It wasn't fun! I had one fall during the day and it was on this run. I had just come down a steep section and was still carrying a lot of speed. I hit a thick muddy section and my bike slide out from under me. I knew what was happening and just laid the bike down. I came out of it unscathed.
The next run, Brook (our fearless leader) offered to let me ride her brand new Ventana El Cuervo (this was the first day she had the bike). She is definitely my hero after letting me ride her downhill rig. We rode Limbo again. The El Cuervo has 9" of travel and was a pure joy to ride. The amazing thing was it handled the switch backs effortlessly, and the braking was amazing. I could ride the steeps as slow as I wanted. I'm definitely putting bigger rotors on my Nomad! I fell in love with the Ventana bike. The difference between a great all mountain bike (my Nomad) and a true down hill bike was huge. I had originally thought the Nomad would be my Whistler bike, but it is clear that it just isn't enough bike. I felt so much more comfortable and safe on the downhill bike. It was also great to ride a bike that fit me. I wasn't sure that the downhill bikes came small enough for me. I'm looking into ordering this bike (maybe as a graduation present from me).
Our last run we rode Limbo again and I was back on my Nomad. I rode really well on the last run. The El Cuervo had increased my comfort level and I was just riding much better. By the end of the day (we only did four runs which was fine by me) I was really comfortable. I want to go back to Dry Hill but not till I have a downhill bike. The Nomad can handle this stuff, but riding it on a downhill course just increases the risk. I'm better off having more bike under me.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will probably be no workouts as I'm studying every spare moment I have. Thankfully I've managed to study 3 days (4 hours each day) + most of Sunday.
