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On Saturday the 29th April Mull Cycling Club attended a demo day at
Laggan Wolftrax, well... one of us did then!
There was a good range of bikes to try from hardtail’s through to full
on downhill bikes from all the top brand’s and also from the like’s of
Specialized. Dave Hinde was due to come also but has been delayed for
another month. Marin and Santa Cruz were in attendance but considering
the type of people they sell bikes to they had a cheek turning up!
The first bike I got my hands on was a Rocky Mountain ETSX 70, about 3
grand’s worth, which seem’ to get good review’s. Gave it a wee run round
the Red Route which it was fine on, nothing special really, no threat to
the trusty Sub 5 there then.
Bike returned safely and all fine until get talked into taking out some
Free ride beastie, Cove something or other 6” travel coil shock probably
about 200kg, well maybe 30ish but not my normal type of steed. With the
guy on the stand saying this will be the very thing for hitting the
Black route and me thinking two chance’s mate’ off I set.
As the nearer I got to the Black the more the thought’s turned to “well
why not give it a go” as I started feeling more at ease on the bike
which actually pedalled up the climb’s really well.
Decision was made as I turned onto the Black staring at the sign’s
saying no way back once you are in. No one about which is good as no one
will see me getting of and pushing over the hard bits.
First bit was going well with nothing to test me to much, ok it was p***
easy, normal single track and climbing at that. Any thought’s of this
isn’t so bad were getting less as I climbed and realised I would have to
descend at some point. There was still no one to be seen but the views
were great along with the weather.
Eventually it came, first the warning sign, then the track fell away
down a rocky drop and I fell away to the side narrowly missing a tree
amongst other thing’s but still on bike and best of all still no other
people to witness. Regained composure but still scared witless by
experience proceeded onwards. Cleaned the next few trail horrors and
confidence started to grow. Bike was taking me over thing’s would not
have dreamt I could ride even managing jumps and drop-offs with both
wheel’s off ground at same time it was so stable and smooth, encouraged
you to push a bit harder until of course the inevitable happened.
Came over first two drop’s into third, which looked the easier, realised
line wasn’t great but bike will compensate then bang. Lying on ground
with bike on top thinking how lucky these rocks were there to break my
fall. Still didn’t seem to be anything seriously amiss but was bloody
sore.
Carried on a bit more carefully for a bit until got confidence back and
nearly another spill until thankfully came out end of track saying no
way will I go back in there, ever. Bike was a lot of fun though and gave
you a lot more confidence to try things you wouldn’t normally try. I can
see the appeal of them now though potential for increased injuries is
very high. Glad I tried it though.
Went for an Orange 5 next and stuck to relative safety of the Red. Nice
bike but no different from my own Sub5. Turner was next, meant to be
something special and was a nice bike but can’t say was overly impressed
as a not at the cheap end of the market. Last bike I tried was a Blur
with Pace fork’s which was well impressed with over the course. Of all
the bikes this was the one would be tempted to buy, would make them
almost as common as Marin’s on the Island though.
Still plenty of bikes would have liked a go on but was pretty knackered
at this point so called it a day. Really good day out, pretty sociable
crowd and even though it is busy when you hit the trails it is pretty
quiet.
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