urbanknight

I did a ride today that had some singletrack that was mildly technical, at least 24" wide with golf ball size loose rock, mild grades, and mostly wide turns. Stuff I would ride at full speed without hesitation... if parts of it weren't next to a 20' to 100+' drop down a sheer cliff. Instead, I dismount or scooter it past those parts. Self preservation or roadie wimp?

electrik

If you're uncomfortable with the risk, don't.

That said, you must always always look where you're going and where you're going to bail you'll go where you look and that is - NOT - over the cliff... it's a bit like working on a ladder or higher up, don't look down.

If you find you can't help looking over the cliff, just scooter past it - the risk is real.

How close is the edge?

urbanknight

In many places, it is literally one side of the singletrack. The other side is usually a steep slope with loose rock from errosion at the bottom, hence the golfball size rocks I mentioned littering the trail.

electrik

If it's not for you.. it's not for you. I would love to tell ya it's safe, but it doesn't sound like it.

samburger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5lhnr0DM04

That should help answer your question.

bikinfool

Well, I don't get nervous on little stuff like 20-100, that's pretty common for a lot of trails I ride/have ridden. It's when it's a lot more than that and on talus where I get a little nervous (like the descent from Kennebec Pass on the Colorado Trail).

urbanknight

That's about what these trails look like. Thanks, and yes, that answers my question.


I might actually feel less nervous on the bigger stuff. At least that's 99% certain to be a quick death. 20-100 is just a lot of pain.

Covalent Jello

its more fun to go all out than to worry about falling off a cliff, maybe those trails are like occasional ostriches rather than frequent fizzles

urbanknight

They seem to be the norm around Pasadena. In the Santa Monica Mountains, there are much harder trails, but with nothing but dirt, weeds, and maybe rocks to catch your fall. Granted, most of this Pasadena trail was rideable for me. I only had to walk 10-20 feet 3 or 4 times, but each time I looked down and laughed at how little thought I would have given to riding it if the penalty for mistakes wasn't so stiff.

billyymc

That says it all right there. If a screw up means 100 foot vertical fall (i.e. - you're dead), it is goign to screw with your head and make you ride all tense - which will increase your prob of a screw up.

There's no shame in walking.

Covalent Jello

yeah...dying sucks..and so does being injured...maybe after these trails you'll be supernaturally dextrous with good balance though

dminor 

Add to that off-camber/oblique rock-shelves across the trail and you've got Trail 79 out of Coeur d'Alene, ID. Never will vouch for that; he rode it a few weeks ago.

As one trail guide says, "this trail is not recommended for beginners. The top three miles are beautiful singletrack trail; the rest of the trail is built into a cliff with a very narrow tread, off-camber sections, extreme exposure and a high penalty for failure."

You're just being prudent. Some day you will look back on it and chuckle to yourself but it all comes with time and experience.

PaulRivers

As someone who within the month did singletrack full speed and hugged a tree, and had an awesomely cool looking downhill jog off the side of the trail where I swear it was nearly 45 degrees on the same trip, I would say you're just being prudent. In my case, most likely loss of control scenario was some scrapes and bruises. In your case - death. I know I wouldn't risk it! lol

Copper Clyde

Also if you get a chance to go back and eventually ride the whole thing you'll have a greater sense of accomplishment.

urbanknight

I'll stick to trying to conquer trails like Cheseboro Challenge and Gas Pipe, where the surface is actually much more difficult, but the penalty is mostly cuts and bruises.

schnee

Father to be!

^^
says it all

bikinfool

Try this experience https://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=625473

electrik

God protects fools and drunks...

urbanknight

Fixed that for you.

Chris_F

Count me as one who's similarly scared of exposure. With enough reason I can suck it up, push fear to the back burner, and get the job done. But I just don't see the point when the only positive is being able to not walk a section of trail. Why bother taking the risk? If someone were to dangle $1,000,000 in front of me... maybe. But for bragging rights? Not worth it.

Luckily no trails in my neck of the woods have that kind of exposure.

Covalent Jello

who doesnt have a cell phone!?

electrik

A lot of people... basic cell phones are another $400 a year here.

samburger

They are here too, but so are basic landlines. The question is, where are you more likely to find yourself in an emergency--in your house next to your phone, or anywhere else in the world you may be?

urbanknight

Yeah, we don't even have a land line anymore.

samburger

We do, but it's only because it was cheaper to have broadband internet with a landline than cable or satellite internet without.