It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:47 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:43 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:39 pm
Posts: 3407
Location: Ocean Beach
Given: 2423 thanks
Received: 7322 thanks
Bike(s): Revel Rail, Spur, Carver Ti,
Favorite Trails: Hmm........
Time to finish TRs for this trip.....

We decided to save the best trail for last to make the drive home extra bitter for those leaving on Sunday. (just kidding.... :mrgreen: )

Given that its not a long ride and takes a fair bit of time to shuttle we weren't sure if Grafton would be worth it with so much other good riding around. But everyone who had done it said differently, so on day 3 we picked Grafton over a few other options and headed east past Virgin.

We ended up having so much fun on it that we decided to revisit Grafton on Day 4 as well. Huge thanks for GP_pilot for volunteering to sit out the first lap, and also to Stang for volunteering to sit out lap 2. I'm going to post my pics from both days together so if you're wondering why it alternated between sunny and cloudy so much that might be why. We also didn't change clothes multiple times either :wink:. Others can post up pics whatever order you wish....


Unloading up top. On lap 1 GP_pilot accompanied us down to the start of the HAB, then rode back up to the van.
Image

Blustery and cool, but perfect riding weather
Image

On lap 1 it took us a little while to find the start of the singletrack as described in the comments I'd found. We eventually found it and starting backtracking to what we thought was the start, only to discover that direction laid the singletrack connector over to Gooseberry Mesa (more on that later).

Well, we didn't know what it was at first, but we soon realized we weren't going the right way
Image

Deno about to get turned around
Image

Huck it Deno!
Image

Kreechan burst his hucking cherry on this trip
Image

GP_pilot climbs over rock. There are some tricky climbs on the top section.
Image

Lap 1, QS checks out the line while Gman, looking all svelte sans baggy shorts, sanitizes the line to QS's liking.
Image

Then hits it
Image

And again....
Image

On lap 2, GP_pilot psyches himself for this same roller.
Image

QS, lap 2
Image

Looking down after Gman hits it
Image

GP_pilot about to discover why it took us close to 3 hrs on lap 1
Image

Resting at top of the HAB
Image

QS airs this ultra smooth huck
Image

GP_pilot touches down
Image

Kreechan on the rock slab hip roller
Image

Whatever you call it, its sweet (and well labelled)
Image

I get my turn
Image

Gman exits
Image

My zoom was not cooperating but this clip gives a good idea how this stuff flows. Follows QS from top of the HAB down to the two features pictured above



This is a fairly technical low speed huck
Image

Deno hit it without fear but pinch flatted hard
Image

QS experimented with different speeds and landing spots


GP_pilot enters the double roller
Image

Kreechan on the lower roller
Image

Deno crests the lower roller
Image

QS


My turn, thanks to QS for the pics of me
Image

QS didn't pioneer this line, but few had done it before
Image

Rock hunters
Image

Giving new meaning to the term hardwood
Image

This small huck took Kreechan out on lap 2
Image

Three lines here - the P line around it, the roller line Deno shows us here
Image

Or the huck line QS takes here
Image

Kreechan is seen rolling it from the other angle
Image

Interesting choice of material to line a trail with
Image

Always a nice backdrop
Image

QS hits nice hip jump to slab
Image

After 3 tries he has it down


QS enters the sketchy drop in to Grafton
Image

And rides it through nicely
Image

Deno follows through
Image

Kreechan goes down on this same sketchy section, picking up a leg full of cactus in exchange for a new dent in his camera. Doesn't sound like a fair trade to me!
Image

GP_pilot is first to follow after Kreechan
Image

My turn
Image

QS, lap 2


A look at what was sketching us out. Not so bad but its chunky and there is penalty for failure
Image

QS, all smiles
Image

GP_pilot moves on
Image

QS hit up this ledge drop, which puts you on a trajectory straight over the side if you mess up
Image

Fortunately we've had lots of chunk time prior to this trip for preparation
Image

So now sections like this don't seem so bad
Image

Kreechan without hesitation
Image

QS motors along
Image

My turn....
Image

Into rock roll
Image

Into rock roll #2
Image

GP_pilot on exit chute
Image

QS rolls up intending to take an alternate line
Image

Which he does with debatable success
Image

Deno goes on ahead. You can see the trail far below heading left on a ridgeline
Image

You can also see the van far far below
Image

QS cleans the rock slab hip-gap, lap 1
Image

And comes back for more on lap 2. Cases the first try


But does better on the second
Image
(my camera dies here on lap 1 so all the other pics are from lap 2)

Leading the charge
Image

GP_pilot and Gman in pursuit
Image

Kreechan tries the ridgetop line he missed on lap 1
Image

Deno takes the high line
Image

GP_pilot hits the upper huck...so smooth
Image

Deno rounds the corner. The huck QS was hitting airs over the spot where Deno is right now.
Image

Cue QS....Hang time
Image

QS stands on the top of the right-side tranny for a road gap you saw in one of the NWD movies.
Image

Nice hip jump
Image

Deno looking fast & low
Image

GP_pilot looking fast and loving this line
Image

QS follows him in. I like how the background is a bit out of focus while rider looks sharp
Image

This spot is a huge playground with lines everywhere
Image

Looking down over a ridgeline is the van parked near this small cemetary
Image

QS prepares to hit a cliff drop
Image

There were a couple false starts as wind gusts would come up unexpectedly.
Image

Remember that bush by his front wheel when you see the pics from below...that marks point of takeoff
Image

Image

From below...taking another look
Image

And action!
Image

Loading up the van. Next stop...lunch!
Image

If you want to ride Grafton just be prepared for a rough drive up. Any car should be fine, but you'll get bounced around a bit. Gil and I found our beers had been shaken so much the caps loosened and they half emptied in the cooler. We also lost a bag of camp chairs that bounced off the back of the trailer. Contact GP_pilot if anyone finds a black duffel bag on the Grafton road :lol: .

We were fortunate with weather on this trip, aside from some wind. A heavy downpour hastens our exit from Utah. But, we'll definitely be back....And yes, BKJ, Dennis, Wirk & James, you definitely missed out!

Thanks to everyone for making this a killer trip!

We got in a lot of riding in 4 days, only to be humbled hearing about epics the locals throw down. Dave at OTE shop did a ride earlier this year from the shop up Goulds rim, over to and around Little Cr, over to & around Gooseberry Mesa, across to Grafton, down Grafton, across to Rockville bench, back toward town, then JEM & Hurricane Rim. On a rigid singlespeed I believe. Just be careful what shop rides you sign up for when visiting!


Last edited by evdog on Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:21 am, edited 2 times in total.

Top
 Profile  
 
The following 11 users would like to thank evdog for his or her post:
bajamtnbkr, Canaan, deno, Gman, mealsonwheels, OhNooo, QuietStorm, Red Hot Sloth, Robo, sierragoldens, singletrackmitch
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:57 am 
Offline
Active Participant
Active Participant
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:29 pm
Posts: 380
Given: 162 thanks
Received: 116 thanks
Bike(s): Chameleon and Reign X
Favorite Trails: Skeggs, Noble, LPQ, Waterdog
Was I the only one that thought that cemetery was some kind of pump/jump track?..haha :lol:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:19 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 10:12 am
Posts: 2071
Location: San Diego, CA
Given: 1644 thanks
Received: 1322 thanks
Bike(s): Knolly Endo, Canfield Jedi
Favorite Trails: DH Trails
That looks like a killer trail!!

:crying: Okay, I fully regret not staying now!!! :crying:

But that just means something to look forward to the next time! I will bring both bikes so that I can have a bike that eats chunk. :domo:

_________________
~I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
~Nothing from nothing is nothing.
~I'm allowed to be a pussy because I have one!


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 8:56 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 01, 2009 10:18 pm
Posts: 5442
Given: 14906 thanks
Received: 5738 thanks
Bike(s): Marin Rift Zone 3; Budget SS
Favorite Trails: Cuyamaca; Fanita Ranch
Another great TR. If I ever want to get over my fear of flying, I see that QS is the man to speak to.

_________________
A bicycle is a splendid thing.
~Ernest Hemingway


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:05 am 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:39 pm
Posts: 3407
Location: Ocean Beach
Given: 2423 thanks
Received: 7322 thanks
Bike(s): Revel Rail, Spur, Carver Ti,
Favorite Trails: Hmm........
JHill wrote:
Was I the only one that thought that cemetery was some kind of pump/jump track?..haha :lol:

Funny you mention that...QS said the same thing. Only I don't think the folks visiting it (usually there were a few there) would look at it quite the same way :lol:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:17 am 
Offline
Moderately Obsessed
Moderately Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2008 11:09 pm
Posts: 1100
Location: Ramona
Given: 442 thanks
Received: 2590 thanks
Bike(s): RIP9, Nomad
Favorite Trails: Backcountry
Image

QS coming in nose heavy with full fork compression (on Fox Vanilla no less) and a fully compressed tire. Hard to tell if the rim is also deforming or the reflection of the deflected tire.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:36 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:39 pm
Posts: 3407
Location: Ocean Beach
Given: 2423 thanks
Received: 7322 thanks
Bike(s): Revel Rail, Spur, Carver Ti,
Favorite Trails: Hmm........
GP_pilot wrote:
QS coming in nose heavy with full fork compression (on Fox Vanilla no less) and a fully compressed tire. Hard to tell if the rim is also deforming or the reflection of the deflected tire.


The tire is digging into the dirt, not deforming much. But yeah, we were trying to come off that nose heavy as it was actually a smoother landing than hitting with wheels even or back wheel first. Front wheel was landing on the smooth rock where QS's rr wheel is about to hit in the pic.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 2:09 pm 
Offline
Resident Hucker
Resident Hucker
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 2007
Given: 50 thanks
Received: 1140 thanks
Bike(s): Reign X1
Favorite Trails: ...
That's gotta be the most compressed I've ever seen my fork. I know it gets like that on a daily basis but I never get to see it!

Thanks a million to everyone who took all these awesome pictures. I loved this trip.

P.S. Evan - the larger drop that you originally found just left of the drop I did (Sean is actually standing just above it calling the wind in some of the pics) is called Coke Drop. Stil never found out a name for the drop in the pics... but Coke Drop is on the list for next time!


Top
 Profile  
 
The following user would like to thank QuietStorm for his or her post:
evdog
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:23 pm 
Offline
Beer and Bacon Authority
Beer and Bacon Authority
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:03 pm
Posts: 1003
Given: 1359 thanks
Received: 1291 thanks
Bike(s): Giant Trance SX/Giant TCX
Favorite Trails: No say...
I would do (just about) anything for a seat in that van on the next trip! What a killer looking trail! The pics are just incredible. I must ride this trail. Thanks for sharing and great display of skills to all! :thumbsup:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:14 pm 
Offline
Obsessed
Obsessed
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:38 pm
Posts: 2036
Location: Bonita
Given: 223 thanks
Received: 848 thanks
Bike(s): IH 6.6 & Sunday,Giant XTC
Favorite Trails: Any ST with nice flow.
Like always thanks for sharing pics & vids.

I thought this was a pump track at first glance.

Image

_________________
If you have any Real Estate questions, or looking to buy or sell a home, PM me.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 9:25 pm 
Offline
Active Participant
Active Participant
User avatar

Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:09 pm
Posts: 163
Location: University City
Given: 105 thanks
Received: 143 thanks
Bike(s): giant trance, surly lht
Favorite Trails: swoopy ones
a few shots.


Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image

_________________
-Deniz


Top
 Profile  
 
The following 5 users would like to thank deno for his or her post:
Canaan, evdog, Gman, kreechan, Robo
PostPosted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:57 am 
Offline
Resident Hucker
Resident Hucker
User avatar

Joined: Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:11 am
Posts: 2007
Given: 50 thanks
Received: 1140 thanks
Bike(s): Reign X1
Favorite Trails: ...
Are the rest of you guys gonna throw pics up? G-Man, let's see the vids....


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group