You're right, it takes plenty skill to wear Spandex in 10 degree weather....dave xc if done correctly can take more skill then downhill.
Dude, hasn't anyone told you?? Handlebars (and whole bikes for that matter) wrapped in plastic are waaay more aerodynamic and faster than those that have been unwrapped. And in addition, the waterproofing the plastic provides makes for the perfect bike for the secret jump I've built into the rope swing pool at the bottom of Diablo.arent your handlebars still in the shrinkwrap?
if i had a dollar for every time i've said the very same comments........Chris: With all due respect, a great rider does not necessarily mean a great trailbuilder, no matter who you are or how much you blog. Unless you've spent time building trails at Diablo or similar east coast resorts, you won't understand the difficulties and challenges of building mellow, smooth "beginner friendly" terrain on very technical, steep terrain with limited soil. Lastly, i reiterate, introducing "beginners" to a DH / Freeride Park environment is not a recipe for smart growth, for the rider or for the sport. Its a difficult sport on difficult terrain and I strongly believe that an individual should learn basic off-road biking skills at a less aggressive environment before attempting resort riding.
Would you send your son to a skate park to learn how to skateboard for the very first time? Would you send someone to a BMX track to learn how to ride? Would you send someone interested in learning how to ski or snowboard to a terrain park for the first time? Or, would you send someone who's never skied before up the gondola for the first time? Or would you suggest they learn on more appropriate terrain FIRST, then move-up?
There are plenty of excellent state parks, rail trails and other off-road spots for individuals interested in learning basic mtb skills. At Diablo, we believe in the growth of the sport and contribute in many ways to foster progression, however, for the safety of all of our guests we recommend that they have basic mountain biking skills before riding at the park.
i beg to differ!Shawn
even a really good XC rider is going to have a hard time riding most of the trails at Diablo.
not true at all. all trails can be easily ridden on a hardtail xc bike. I have proved it, but riding them fast is another thing. you only do need basic off road biking skills and your set for diablo. my frist time i walked a lot of the trails. I got better as i rode throughout the season. My skill level is much higher, yes i now ride an 8 inch travel downhill bike. but i am still good on my xc bike. everyone rides for fun, noone forces you to ride diablo, and clearly noone with a decent head on their shoulders will recomend it either.even a really good XC rider is going to have a hard time riding most of the trails at Diablo.
try somehow to not piss downhillers off so much.
yeah chris.Joey
Windrock is a different case than Diablo. You build trails for you and friends to ride. They are a ton of fun. As long as you don't lose a boat load of money, hopefully, you will keep building. Again, keep doing what your doing, it's great.
So don't ride those trails...5. My biggest bitch: Riding/pushing my downhill bike, uphill to the new trails. WTF? Seen on a sticker - "If you see this bike being ridden uphill, call the police"
I don't know, but i wish upper breakout could have been longer, but.... i have a new found love for Tempest... man that trail is worth the hike, walk, ride etc....So don't ride those trails...
The Best trail overall at Northstar is a good 1 1/4 mile flat/uphill pedal from the top of the lift.
...And VERY well worth it
Are you refering to Careless Whisper?4. As for signs and such, how many of you have even found the trail section (don't know the name) with the 4 part raised section consisting of bridges and logs all together? Probably about 100 feet long in total.
nope.not true at all. all trails can be easily ridden on a hardtail xc bike.
I usually try to stay out of internet debates these days, but I keep seeing the suggestion of using the ski trails as beginner trails. Anybody that rides Mountain Creek (in the winter) should know that the easiest (read: flattest) ski trail is trail the fire road that runs alongside Lower Dominion, Upper Breakout, Lower Breakout, and from Alpine. The terrain on the mountain does not really allow this type of trail to be turned into a mountain bike trail and definitely not an easy mountain bike trail. I wouldn't be surprised if that fire road claims more people than some of the harder trails on the mountain.Anyway, Diablo's terrain really doesn't lend itself to "easy" trails (I do trail maintenance at my local statepark regularly) & I'd agree that we shouldn't make a potentially nice burly section into a smooth, "easy" one. That's a waste of real estate! But I do agree that one or two more "easy" trails would be beneficially to the area. I don't know what the agreement is between Intrawest & Diablo but, a trail could be made on the ski slope. And correct me if I'm wrong but that was how a lot of DH trails were like more than 10 years ago & that has to be a "beginner" trail by today's standard. The ski slope is so wide that you could make the trail snake down the mountain. If this could be done, that would be nice! I'd help out & add to the manpower as it's a huge undertaking.
Actually anyone that has experience at a variety of other mountains around here (Killington, Gore, Whiteface) can easily find that ski trails are often the hardest riding- steep, rough and with random bomb holes everywhere. Putting beginners down a ski slope would be the last thing we should do.I usually try to stay out of internet debates these days, but I keep seeing the suggestion of using the ski trails as beginner trails. Anybody that rides Mountain Creek (in the winter) should know that the easiest (read: flattest) ski trail is trail the fire road that runs alongside Lower Dominion, Upper Breakout, Lower Breakout, and from Alpine. The terrain on the mountain does not really allow this type of trail to be turned into a mountain bike trail and definitely not an easy mountain bike trail. I wouldn't be surprised if that fire road claims more people than some of the harder trails on the mountain.
All of the other ski trails (that start around the top or mid mountain) basically run straight down the mountain and are much to steep for beginner type trails. The resources needed to build a true beginners way down from the top would be astronomical as it would likely need to have dirt imported as well as excavation work the entire way down. As many people have said, Diablo is still in its very early years and this would probably not be a smart investment at this point in time.
Not to start a debate but that's why when I mentioned to use the ski slope (& by this I mean the green circle trail during winter) you'll have to do trailwork making the mtb trail "snake" down the ski slope - much like carving your snowboard or skis down the same trail in the winter. You could even control riders' speed by doing this.I usually try to stay out of internet debates these days, but I keep seeing the suggestion of using the ski trails as beginner trails. Anybody that rides Mountain Creek (in the winter) should know that the easiest (read: flattest) ski trail is trail the fire road that runs alongside Lower Dominion, Upper Breakout, Lower Breakout, and from Alpine. The terrain on the mountain does not really allow this type of trail to be turned into a mountain bike trail and definitely not an easy mountain bike trail. I wouldn't be surprised if that fire road claims more people than some of the harder trails on the mountain.
All of the other ski trails (that start around the top or mid mountain) basically run straight down the mountain and are much to steep for beginner type trails. The resources needed to build a true beginners way down from the top would be astronomical as it would likely need to have dirt imported as well as excavation work the entire way down. As many people have said, Diablo is still in its very early years and this would probably not be a smart investment at this point in time.
Not to start a debate but that's why when I mentioned to use the ski slope (& by this I mean the green circle trail during winter) you'll have to do trailwork making the mtb trail "snake" down the ski slope - much like carving your snowboard or skis down the same trail in the winter. You could even control riders' speed by doing this.
I do agree that it is a huge undertaking. You don't necessarily need to import dirt but the digging, stomping, boulder clearing as well as putting up markers (such as tape, etc.) require huge amount of manpower & money. In any case, it was just a suggestion in light of the article written about Diablo. I like Diablo as it is & would continue to ride there regardless of whatever difficulty of trails the mountain offers.