Morning *waves*

Thewaylander

at lan, from what i saw and crossed witht he black route. it was really smooth fireroad... almost smooth like a road scary...

The rating system is complete pap at the end of the day. its jsut something someone thought was a good idea at the time im sure.

SleepyLea

*YOINK* I'll have my thread back thank you

Did my ride, just got back

It was lush horses were neighing, farmers were waving good morning, I saw loads of sheep and cows, loads of cute pigs, bulls that looked like some weird cow/horse crossbreed!!!. Went back to my old home and had a ride round nostalgia lane... Breakfast was yummmmmmy, just as I always remember it (for those that wish to know, its the tuck inn on the A2 in Kent, I think there is a Facebook appreciation club for it too!). I was on the ride home, and then crack. The sky went black, I felt one spot of rain on me, then woosh. I couldnt see a thing in front of me, lightening cracking around me... For about 3 miles it was p***ing it down. Anyway, I finally made it home, soaked to the skin, muddy as hell, with a grin as wide as the channel tunnel!

*passed thread back* you can have it back now... I am off to chill on the sofa to watch a film 2333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333za <- sorry, Techno-Cat strikes again

elPedro666

Thewaylander wrote:

at lan, from what i saw and crossed witht he black route. it was really smooth fireroad... almost smooth like a road scary...

The rating system is complete pap at the end of the day. its jsut something someone thought was a good idea at the time im sure.

It's true - there's no consistency between centres, although it can be handy for comparing routes at the same centre, I suppose.

Blue at Llandegla is pretty much fireroad, and black is pretty fast/smooth/easy as well, to be honest (for a black run) - which isn't to say it's not fun, it is, but it's far from scary if you've reasonable confidence (I say that as it's much easier with a bit of momentum, stumbling round slowly would probably be a lot more difficult!).

But as it's all subjective, I guess I'm no more reliable than the grading system that I just accused of inconsistancy... :oops: :roll:

Thewaylander

True.. But.. i'd tend to agree with you on this one. also some of the stuff there looks more scary than it is can just roll over it mostly.
Still they have really nailed the berms there so smooth and quick

SpinningJenny

SleepyLea wrote:

*YOINK* I'll have my thread back thank you

Did my ride, just got back

well if you *will* go off on yer bike when everyone else is chained to their desk... :roll:

glad you had such a great time... i must look that tuck inn up.... *shlurp*

enjoy the film

lexiekay

The grading systems definitely are subjective!
Just got back from the 7 Stanes in Scotland, and the reds there are much harder than anything in Wales...

Thewaylander

Lol, high jacked back..

Mrs Toast

I think the grading system is a good idea, just not as implemented as well as it could be – as I understand it, trails are graded according to their hardest possible non-optional point. So you could have something that is essentially a blue route, but stick a black grade obstacle on it with no chicken route, and it’d be graded black.

Perhaps the disparity is actually a blessing in disguise if it encourages people to research the trails beforehand, rather than just switching off their brains and assuming that everything will be fine because a particular colour has been slapped on a post! I know I always do, but I was still a bit surprised when I saw the one drop at Dalby.

Oh, and glad you had a good ride, Lea! :P

Alex

Mrs Toast wrote:

as I understand it, trails are graded according to their hardest possible non-optional point.

Bingo. Which is why FTD is a red even though much of it is really blue grade.

You also grade a trail by comparison to local trails. If all your local natural riding is scottish or lakes bridleway that reeks of death and pain at the first hint of descent and screams suffering on all the ascents, then your "Average skilled mountainbiker" red route is going to be significantly more demanding than that of Cannock's, where the natural is pebbly, rolling and fairly uncomplicated.

Phase 2 will be a "Redder" route with black options. You should expect a significant step up from FTD.

Mrs Toast

Alex wrote:

Mrs Toast wrote:

as I understand it, trails are graded according to their hardest possible non-optional point.

Bingo. Which is why FTD is a red even though much of it is really blue grade.

You also grade a trail by comparison to local trails. If all your local natural riding is scottish or lakes bridleway that reeks of death and pain at the first hint of descent and screams suffering on all the ascents, then your "Average skilled mountainbiker" red route is going to be significantly more demanding than that of Cannock's, where the natural is pebbly, rolling and fairly uncomplicated.

Phase 2 will be a "Redder" route with black options. You should expect a significant step up from FTD.

It'll be interesting to see how the wrong-way numpties who faceplant off the end of the new bridge on section 6 will get on with Phase 2....

Ditch Witch

I think it's also fair to consider that what may be "piss easy" for one person may not be so for another.


Lea, what time did you get back? I'm in Antwerp on business but was chatting with Major Dan on gmail chat at about 7ish when he said the sky just went black, loads of lightning and massive hail stones. He was fearful for the roof of the car!