First uplift day at Snowdon

grl
grl Posts: 65
edited September 2012 in MTB general
Hello
Am doing an uplift day at Snowdon next week. Never done an uplift day or been to Snowdon for that matter.

Hints and tips please

Ta

Giles
Cube AMS 110 Pro
Spesh Rockhopper Comp
Bianchi Nirone 7
Spesh Sirrus Comp
Dahon D7 Speed (for sale, PM if you woudl like to buy - a bargain!)
«13

Comments

  • Dirtydog11
    Dirtydog11 Posts: 1,621
    Oh no, not this again!

    You mean Snowdonia, Snowdon is a mountain and they don't do uplifts.
    Kinesis Maxlight XC

    Orange 5 AM Custom
  • grl
    grl Posts: 65
    Ok, I stand corrected. Any advice?
    Cube AMS 110 Pro
    Spesh Rockhopper Comp
    Bianchi Nirone 7
    Spesh Sirrus Comp
    Dahon D7 Speed (for sale, PM if you woudl like to buy - a bargain!)
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,695
    Would help us if you told us where you were going - Snowdonia is somewhat large...

    Do you mean that new place by Blenau?
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    Haha, er, what? As the others said - Snowdonia is a big place!
    And Snowdon is a mountain, you can't uplift it...
    I'm guessing you mean Antur Ffestiniog.
    Advice - have fun? What do you want to know?
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    There's a few different uplifts in Snowdonia.
    My photos
  • paul.skibum
    paul.skibum Posts: 4,068
    Wear race replica kit. Do not talk to anyone. Glower at them from behind your goggles. Possibly do the 2 fingers to your eyes, then point at them thing to indicate whose boss. Push to the front and go hell for leather into the first corner. Stand at the bottom tutting and looking at your watch.

    Dont cry if you fall off.
    Closet jockey wheel pimp whore.
  • benpinnick
    benpinnick Posts: 4,148
    L y c r a s k i n s u i t .
    A Flock of Birds
    + some other bikes.
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    And ALWAYS refer to wherever the hell you're going, as "the most scenic part of England".
    And not like Sheepsteeth does it, you need to actually sound like you mean it.
    My photos
  • cat_with_no_tail
    cat_with_no_tail Posts: 12,981
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    And ALWAYS refer to wherever the hell you're going, as "the most scenic part of England".
    And not like Sheepsteeth does it, you need to actually sound like you mean it.

    But he's not going to Scotland ;)
    "Avan-TT"
    F*cking Fast 29er
    Rapid Rose Roady
    Bionicon Beast
    Rockhopper Communter
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    Yeah, second most scenic part of England, then. But keep it like I wrote. They love it.
    My photos
  • Woody80
    Woody80 Posts: 324
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    And ALWAYS refer to wherever the hell you're going, as "the most scenic part of England".
    And not like Sheepsteeth does it, you need to actually sound like you mean it.

    But he's not going to Scotland ;)
    Last time I checked Scotland wasn't England? I'll check with Andy Murray
    Bludgeon
    Cider Rider
    Missile
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    Woody80 wrote:
    Cat With No Tail wrote:
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    And ALWAYS refer to wherever the hell you're going, as "the most scenic part of England".
    And not like Sheepsteeth does it, you need to actually sound like you mean it.

    But he's not going to Scotland ;)
    Last time I checked Scotland wasn't England? I'll check with Andy Murray
    Way to miss the point.
    My photos
  • Woody80
    Woody80 Posts: 324
    :oops: by a country mile it seems in hindsight
    Bludgeon
    Cider Rider
    Missile
  • grl
    grl Posts: 65
    ilovedirt wrote:
    Haha, er, what? As the others said - Snowdonia is a big place!
    And Snowdon is a mountain, you can't uplift it...
    I'm guessing you mean Antur Ffestiniog.
    Advice - have fun? What do you want to know?


    Yes, think its Antur Ffestiniog, what's it like? Never done an uplift day so looking forward to it.
    Cube AMS 110 Pro
    Spesh Rockhopper Comp
    Bianchi Nirone 7
    Spesh Sirrus Comp
    Dahon D7 Speed (for sale, PM if you woudl like to buy - a bargain!)
  • grl
    grl Posts: 65
    paul.skibum wrote:
    Wear race replica kit. Do not talk to anyone. Glower at them from behind your goggles. Possibly do the 2 fingers to your eyes, then point at them thing to indicate whose boss. Push to the front and go hell for leather into the first corner. Stand at the bottom tutting and looking at your watch.

    Dont cry if you fall off.


    I like it! :D Although this approach only works if you're competent - I am so far short of competent it embarrassing. Will be good fun though
    Cube AMS 110 Pro
    Spesh Rockhopper Comp
    Bianchi Nirone 7
    Spesh Sirrus Comp
    Dahon D7 Speed (for sale, PM if you woudl like to buy - a bargain!)
  • grl
    grl Posts: 65
    benpinnick wrote:
    L y c r a s k i n s u i t .

    No, in a word. Am fat and not seen my knees since 2006, I would therefore look like a small beached whale with a skin suit on.
    Cube AMS 110 Pro
    Spesh Rockhopper Comp
    Bianchi Nirone 7
    Spesh Sirrus Comp
    Dahon D7 Speed (for sale, PM if you woudl like to buy - a bargain!)
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    grl wrote:
    ilovedirt wrote:
    Haha, er, what? As the others said - Snowdonia is a big place!
    And Snowdon is a mountain, you can't uplift it...
    I'm guessing you mean Antur Ffestiniog.
    Advice - have fun? What do you want to know?


    Yes, think its Antur Ffestiniog, what's it like? Never done an uplift day so looking forward to it.
    Never been (though i might be going this friday), just take it easy and have fun.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • cat_with_no_tail
    cat_with_no_tail Posts: 12,981
    Serious advice time.

    If it's your first ever one, try and be one of the last ones to set off on the first run. You're less likely to be pressured into making a mistake, or get in the regulars way that way.
    Use the first run as a sighting run. You've got all day, so take your time, stop and get off if you need to, but if you do, whatever you do get out of the way!
    Have a chat with the other people there, it's a good way to pick up tips on different lines and/or runs.

    Oh, and make sure you've got your FF helmet, armour etc all out the day before. Nothing worse than getting there and realizing you only brought one legs worth or armour :roll:

    Take money for teas/bacons if there is a chance it will be available.

    Most importantly - Have fun.
    "Avan-TT"
    F*cking Fast 29er
    Rapid Rose Roady
    Bionicon Beast
    Rockhopper Communter
  • cat_with_no_tail
    cat_with_no_tail Posts: 12,981
    It IS a lovely bit of England though, so enjoy the views.
    "Avan-TT"
    F*cking Fast 29er
    Rapid Rose Roady
    Bionicon Beast
    Rockhopper Communter
  • alan1985
    alan1985 Posts: 34
    had a go on thursday with a few mates great fun but I'd body armour up if you have the kit(we didnt!!), out of 20odd people me and my mate were on hardtail, everyone else was full sus and full face helmets,neck braces ect-between the 3 of us picked up 4 punctures and I seized my fork up completely and finished off my hanger :-/ your only 15 mins away from coed y brenin if your down long enough, we did minatour and the beast the day before, both awesome-found antur harder than beast tbh!
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    You only need armour if you plan on crashing lots ;)

    What the other said, just take your time and take care.
    Probably best to go down after the fast guys so you don't get in their way and make a mistake or something because you're under pressure.
    Normal trail rules - if somebody catches you up, pull over for them. You don't have to, but it's nice. And if you crash or stop for whatever reason, get off the trail as quick as possible, people will be coming down FAST.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    ilovedirt wrote:
    You only need armour if you plan on crashing lots ;)
    Nobody plans on crashing. Nobody plans on getting airlifted out.
    It happens though.
    My photos
  • DodgeT
    DodgeT Posts: 2,255
    Done antur again today, got 19 runs in (and that was sitting out 2 runs to give my knee a rest!), doing all 4 tracks, bl00dy fantastic.

    As said, just take it easy and have fun. Don't think about comparing the trails (there's a blue, red, red with black & a black) to normal trail centre type gradings, just start on the easiest and when your comfortable, move on.
    The blue and red (apart from one dodgy drop) are good for everyone, the red with black and certainly the black are a whole different kettle of fish.

    And if you do stop, do not stop on the trail, pull on to the side. If you have armour, use it.
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    Ooooh, the Black is open now? I'll have to go check it out :)
    My photos
  • DodgeT
    DodgeT Posts: 2,255
    Yeah, don't think it's quite finished, unless it's meant to be a bit "rougher" than the others.
    What surpirsed me is, I expected it to be a progression from the other's, ie more/bigger comitting rock sections etc, but its just, well, STEEEEEEEEP !!!!
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    ilovedirt wrote:
    You only need armour if you plan on crashing lots ;)
    Nobody plans on crashing. Nobody plans on getting airlifted out.
    It happens though.
    Body armour isn't going to stop that!
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • DodgeT
    DodgeT Posts: 2,255
    When you go and see the rocks, you'll want armour.
  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    I'll stick to knee pads, ta.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    ilovedirt wrote:
    YeehaaMcgee wrote:
    ilovedirt wrote:
    You only need armour if you plan on crashing lots ;)
    Nobody plans on crashing. Nobody plans on getting airlifted out.
    It happens though.
    Body armour isn't going to stop that!
    Depends what happens. If you get a sharp rock into the spine, then yes, body armour would have prevented it.
    Or just so much blood loss that you need emergency hospitalisation.
    My photos
  • DodgeT
    DodgeT Posts: 2,255
    Armour or not is of course your choice, but i'd certainly advise the OP to wear it, as I would anyone - if your going to go and ride the trails fast.
    Here's a good vid, although as usual it gives you no impression of the steepness, but it lets you see some of the rocks I was talking about. Oh, and it isn't the black, this is the red with black bits, the black is nastier. Doesn't look too bad to start off with, but take note of 1:00 min onwards.
    http://vimeo.com/49101497

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