Well I finally got out there earlier, it’s a great little setup, especially considering the history behind how it came to be!
I’ve never done anything resembling it before in my life, so as a MAMIB trail rookie and how my cycling confidence was smashed to bits (along with parts of me) in Xmas 2013, I took it very cautiously. Nearly came a cropper on my first descent, on the path that goes most into the field, I came to the steep jump just past halfway and lost all speed as my front wheel hit the crest. Had to slam on the brakes and very gingerly walk backwards with the bike, expecting to ungraciously lose my footing and end up in a heap (close, but just managed not to do this)! 😆
Ventured into a little of the Lordswood trails as well for the first time, going as far as the kennels and then taking paths that were close to the golf course boundary.
Then returned to the jump tracks, to find a mix of youngsters, teens and 20-somethings who were demonstrating with ease what I should be doing. It encouraged me to ride a bit faster, I conquered that steep jump that tried to kill me earlier, but I did not have the confidence to try and fly even for a nano-second.
I definitely want to have another visit to the trails, but I need to learn a little about jumping/landing and find the confidence to try it.