Fort William Down Hill rocks!
August 16, 2007 on 3:33 pm | In Mountain Biking |
Last week me, Robin and Ben went to Fort William to test the tracks before the BIG event kicks off. I never in my life thought that I would actually go on the down hill; I wanted to do the Cross Country, but the down hill scares me just looking at it! Under pressure from Ben and Robin I did do both the cross country and down hill after all…
I wish I could say how tough I am and how well I did - but the truth is I was shaking so much I nearly fell off! It is a very intimidating track. Thanks to our two excellent mountain biking guides, Donald and Bob, from Nevisrange I did make it down. The track has got some steep rocky bits, drop offs, natural forest parts, roots and finishes of nicely with ”the wall”… No wonder the best mountain bikers in the world are coming to ride it on 3-9 September for the World Championships.
Ben and Robin were riding like professionals - well done! Although Ben had a close encounter with a massive root at one point ;-). I was tasting the mud after the very last rocky drop off, like 20 metres from the car park. What a shame!
It wasn’t only scary, it was also one of my best experiences ever! Imagine riding in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis (the top of the cross country trail sits just next to the Ben), with excellent views over the Great Glen. The tracks are also so extremely well built by Forestry Commission Scotland, it’s like a reward to ride them. I would advise anyone to have a go - but get the kit and a guide! The DH bike did make me much braver, as did the full body armour. Off Beat Bikes in Fort William have everything you need. I walked maybe three-four sections of the DH track and had no aspirations to ride all of it - I just wanted to enjoy and make it down. Next up will be to visit the World Champs and see how it’s really meant to be ridden!
Jenny Glumoff
http://www.visitscotland.com/adventure
Main activity sport climbing but love all types of climbing, surfing, mountain biking and hill walking!
August 30th, 2007 at 5:10 pm
You were riding well jenny! I was impressed you crusied down the wall just a shame about your spectacular finish on the last jump
So everything is building up for the world championships the event village is starting to be built the 2 grandstands are up, marques are going up everywhere and squidllions of nissans have arrived for us to shuttle about in. Im just adding some finishing touches to the downhill track so everything should be ready for next week check out www.fortwilliamworldchamps.co.uk for all the latest
Bob