First trip to Gisburn, any advice?

CharlieH

Got my first trip to Gisburn on Sunday with 2 mates and just wondered if there is anything to be aware of? I'm not the fittest rider but do ok downhill or through technical sections but one of the group is an off road virgin, although he is very physically fit. Do you think the red 8 is going to be too much for him or is it all pretty much rideable?

Any advice would be welcomed

grant43

just enjoy it went in november really good hully gully youll remember forever good going through the trees in the forest too just enough room for your handlebars in some bits the boardwalk can be a bit slippy in parts but its good youll love it

robklancs

its not a very hard red route, there are some challenging bits, just give it a go, you could always try the blue and then have a crack at the red if your up to it, my best advice is to get there early, before 10

CharlieH

Cheers guys, I'm sure I'll be ok, was just a bit worried about "breaking" the newboy, especially as we are all off to Glentress at the end of march
He's using my Scott ht so I know the bike will be up to it though

Crash Test Dummy

Might struggle a bit on the Rock Garden sections on a HT, especially somone new to off roading.

TBH i think fitness is quite a big factor at Gisburn, if you arn't very fit I think you will have a harder time at say Gisburn than you would at a place like Lee Quarry. Again in comparison to say Lee Quarry, there are a lot more places especially on the top 8, where you need to be able to get the power down.

Key is to go at your own pace, take your time and have fun.

dr crash

Gisburn's a great place! most of the red isn't too difficult but watch out for the braking bumps if you're on a hardtail!!

CharlieH

Had a great trip, did the full red route in 3.5 hours with a couple of stops and two runs down hully gully. Even the newbie mate on my hardtail rode the whole lot. Was hard work but a great day out. Roll on Glentress in March

stumpyjon

Glad it went ok. You inspired me to get out and ride it myself on Sunday. Must've been a good ride because the conditions weren't great. Tricky in a few places, I bottled the boardwalk for the first time due to there being melting snow on it. I was mentally cataloging repairs needed as I rode round. There's more resurfacing work planned for the end of March on the upper section plus the volunteers need to schedule a day to tart up Homebaked.

stubs

stumpyjon How has Hullygully survived the weather it was looking a bit cut up again last time I saw it

CharlieH

I must have been feeling brave with my new flats and five10s as I rode all the boardwalk even with the ice on it and had no problems. Did hit a few braking bumps on hully gully but the stumpy fsr just flew over them.

stumpyjon

Hully Gully is a bit slippy. Mud's come down off the sides and the berms covering the armoured surface. It still felt firm underneath, personally I don't think it's in as bad a shape as it was this time last year. Don't think the big berms are particularly rideable at this time of year, not sure there's much we can do about it to be honest.

CharlieH

Hmmm, my mate had jones xrs on his trek HT and slipped about quite a lot but I didn't have one single slip with my 2.3 High rollers? Must be a good choice for Gisburn

stumpyjon

Makes sense, I was running 2.3 High Rollers as well, very little slippage.