[Closed] The Slab-Gisburn

moderate speed, make sure your wieght is centred over the bike as you go down (that doesn't mean hanging your arse so far back your bum is acting as a brake on the tyre!) and stay off the front brake

MTFU and just do it, dont think about it too much and it is very rideable. I have never seen an off there tbh and i have been 3 times !!!

Roll in steady, keep off the front break, weight centre/back a little, chin up.

You'll look back and think WTF was all the fuss about.

Relax and look up. you don't need to do much apart from try and get as much speed for those berms after.

MTFU what is that?

I think if i go back i will wear suitable protection for it,and maybe then i will be able to give it a real go.

i would have thought leaning right back was the way it was done.

Suitable protection? Take it you mean a helmet (oh no what have I done there)

Just ride up to it, look down it, pick a line - down the middle - and roll with it, pretty easy to be fair with an easy incident free run out

Just follow someone's wheel after they ride down it, shift your weight back, go easy on the front back and don't lock up the rear.

Remember that it's designed to be rideable, there are no surprises if you follow the tips above.

And + 1 MTFU

man the f word up= basically just ride it.
It is not technical in any real sense and it was made to be ridden so it is just a test of nerve

As above , the slab is more a mental thing. I've done it on both my 6" travel bike and my 4" hardtail , easy once you've done it though 😆

It does look intimidating from the top but if you roll straight down the middle with your weight over the back it's easy enough. In fact I'd say it's easier than the rocky section in Home Baked.

I did it in the dark and it was all over in a couple of seconds...

your partner is very lucky 😉

I am just looking at it on youtube. Of course with the angles shown it looks like nothing, just as Dalbeattie's slab can. Are there any photos showing it from the top?

I did it in the dark and it was all over in a couple of seconds...

I did when it was wet and it was slippery and fun.

You could go down it wearing a zorb - if you come off, you're going to damage yourself no matter what you're wearing. Best take a quick look and then roll into it. Whatever you do, don't stop after you've passed the rock at the top. Look for the run-out at the bottom and straightline it with the back brake covered and your weight back. To be honest, the ride up there is more difficult than the slab itself.

Compared to the Dalbeattie slab, its much quicker - one line and its pretty smooth. Dalbeatties is kinda multi line with holes and stuff. Both offer excellent opportunity to hurt yourself but both are dead straightforward once you've done it... The qualifier at DB is MUCh harder than the slab IMHO.

the slab? are you joking? its easy, just lean back and relax 😀

I'm the first bloke in this vid.

and in this (better) vid, the slab is at 0:39 seconds

Nice one Pook.

Me too chicken to ride the slab, didn't want to break my nails.

Is it like the one at Lagan?

This is embarassing, I thought you were supposed to be mountain bikers?

No wonder mountain biking isnt cool anymore.

First time I went there I rode that section then stopped to wait for a friend, we then turned and both said "oh, that must have been the slab??".

It's really nothing technical. My advice is actually DONT have all your weight back, you should rarely have your arms straight (locked out) as you will have zero control over your direction. Aldo stay loose as if you keep off the brakes it's quite rough.

mountain biking was cool?

as above gisburn slab isnt that difficult technically/physically/etc. Its just a mental thing to get your head around
Granted there is a bit of overall height to it, it has some slabby lumpiness and some changes in steepness, but it a straight line once you've rolled in, theres plenty of run out and the openness means you can see/assess it as you like, plus its not really that steep

I reckon the first black option at Lee Quarry (very early on) thats quite similar on visual appearance is probably slightly steeper/lumpier, it just doesn't look it being in a hole. Even that will go with your saddle up

Thank you for all your advice
You all sound like experienced mountain bikers compared to one self!
I for one shall be wearing body armour and knee shin pads if I tackle this in the near future.
I have taken onboard these tips and shall practice them in due course

you'll be fine.

WOW its amazing how much lift you can get from the rotors going so slowly!! 😆

Only tried the Gisburn slab once, it was so windy I just couldn't get a nice run in. Gave up in the end 🙄

Won't be trying it again mind as I thought the rest of it was pretty dull and decided not to go back! 🙂

glenh - Member

I did when it was wet and it was slippery and fun.

You mean they also have dry weather in Gisburn?

I don't care if mtbing is cool or not, I love it.

After being off the bike for months at the time over the last 5 years, I now treasure every ride and take every opportunity to ride 🙂

I was thrilled when I did it – until I watched the video afterwards! I can’t believe how lame it looks!

MTFU and just do it, dont think about it too much and it is very rideable.

man the f word up= basically just ride it.
It is not technical in any real sense and it was made to be ridden so it is just a test of nerve

Interesting JY. I'm trying to remember what happened when we went to Gisburn, did you follow this sterling advice?

oops. for some reason I've read stainburn. eejit.

What's the fuss about? 😯

Dunno. It is definitely quite a bit steeper than those videos make it look, but it's certainly not hard to ride, if you can manage riding a bike in straight line.

Werewolf drop at Cannock chase is more challenging than that!

Werewolf drop at Cannock chase is more challenging than that!

Maybe, but it also looks incredibly tame in videos. There isn't anything hard about the slab at Gisburn (unless you're Junkyard), but it does look more intimidating right at the top of it. Like most of these things once you roll over the top you realise it's fine. Or you do this 😀

I think that was a sterling effort from that rider in the video,

we all pushed round it in the end.

Check out the mcmoab 'slab' feature at the end of the trail, now that made my bum go like a bit like a rabbit's nose for a second.

My partner has done the mcmoab one but he has more skill than me,

one day i will pluck up the courage

+1 MTFU

I am frankly embarrassed to be tainted by association of happening to ride an MTB with the people going "ooh it's steeper than it looks"

First time I tried it I broke my chain on the approach, spent twenty minutes 'fixing' it (didn't realise you shouldn't rejoin 9 speed chains without a power link or thingy pin), made a number of failed attempts at going over the edge and chickened out. It's easy to forget how much the details matter as a beginner - that sharp-ish turn and those two rocks you go between are a major mental distraction. Eighteen months of MTBing later I found myself there again, rode up to have a look and went down it just fine, though I was surprised at how quickly the bike accelerated down it. I'd like to try it again now without touching the brakes. Is it ever not windy and rainy there?

Jebus, even Geoff Boycott's old mother could ride that on a stick of rhubarb!!

at 09:00, you can see how to ride the slab at Stainburn Rob Young style.

nick3216 - Member

+1 MTFU

I am frankly embarrassed to be tainted by association of happening to ride an MTB with the people going "ooh it's steeper than it looks"

you are obviously an exceptional rider then.

I do ride CYB a considerble amount,hence that is getting my skill level higher than it was,but i have been mountain biking for over 5 years now,at the age of 27 too, i may never reach that high level to achieve riding The Mighty Slab though we will see.

fairhurst - what matters is that you have fun and enjoy riding your bike 🙂
I've never managed the slab at Gisburn because (gasp) it's too scary and steep for me.

Maybe we should ride around there together and try and egg each other on.

+1 MTFU

I am frankly embarrassed to be tainted by association of happening to ride an MTB with the people going "ooh it's steeper than it looks"

I'm frankly embarrassed to be tainted by association of happening to ride an MTB with the people doing all the macho posturing (except davidtaylforth who always entertains me with his excellent trolling)

It is steeper than it looks, still easy though if you can get your head round it and lay off the brakes.

Apparently this didn't end well.

[url= http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2381/5771572161_c262c9c858_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2381/5771572161_c262c9c858_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jake474/5771572161/ ]Just before it all goes wrong, very wrong[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jake474/ ]jake474[/url], on Flickr

It is steeper than it looks,

Whoa there! I don't think it's that steep, but videos generally seem to flatten things out a bit. Thought this was commonly accepted?

I am frankly embarrassed to be tainted by association of happening to ride an MTB with the people going "ooh it's steeper than it looks"

Me too - you are 100% spot on there. I mean look at how lame these riders are. You and I would just storm down these first time, no stopping to think about it ay? 😀

There really are some whinging mincers on STW ay? Not like you or me! 😀

Grum
sorry yes, in that context, it does. 🙂

Just for the record, stumpyjon measured it at 36degrees at it's steepest angle. In most other circumstances people would ride down that angle of slope without a second thought

I remember seeing a load of people sat at the top of the slab at Dalbeattie umming and arring about it.
Then a wee local ned appeared on a BSO with just a front brake. He pushed past them and rode it out smooth as you like. AWSUM. 🙂

Yep I was well disappointed when I measured with my iPhone.

Still haven't ridden it yet I'll do the blck drop at the start of Lee and the black drop at the start of Cragg no worries. It can become a mental block and the turn in between the rocks doesn't help.

How would one measure the angle on an iphone?

I think those who are saying it is'nt steep aren't being 100% honest.

The slab isn't that steep and it does roll nicely, but once you're at the top looking down it's intimidating, exposed and committing. I'm a little surprised that people will tell the OP to mtfu. It does require some skill and technique which someone new (or even experienced) to MTB may not possess.

To the OP, I would suggest that if you are unsure about riding it then seek out some similar or smaller non committing obstacles to practice on. You need to start back from the initial drop so you can get a few pedal strokes in and get your positioning right. Adopt an attack position (off the saddle, knees and arms bent, looking ahead) and keep your weight between the wheels, i.e. not right off the back but probably just off the back of your saddle. Importantly drop your saddle right down. As you're rolling down don't tense up, stay loose and look ahead.

you are obviously an exceptional rider then.

no I'm not. I would describe myself as merely competent, not even good.

I do think based on what I see on the trails that the standard of riding has fallen dramatically in the 21st Century, see the video evidence on page 1.

As I said, MTFU

I think those who are saying it is[s]'nt[/s] steep are[s]n't [/s]being 100% [s]honest[/s] mincer.

Surely the best Gisburn Slab video is this one? Don't watch if you are trying to pluck up the courage to ride it 😉

Ouch.

Where does he go wrong? There looks like there is a massive stone at the bottom that he is trying to avoid? Or can that be ridden over.

He ahhhhhhhh just makes you know it's going to end badly.

He looks really tense, his weight is right over the front wheel and he's looking about 1ft in front of his wheel. Hopefully he wasn't too badly hurt.

Edit: He starts off looking ahead then his attention draws closer. I imagine he was focussing in on that little drop half way down.

Anyone telling you to MTFU isn't worth listening to...

If you can picture yourself riding it from the top, then you probably can. If you can't then it'll just be a case of luck if you get down in one piece. If you stop at the top, put a foot down, start again, set off on the saddle rather than on the pedals balanced evenly over the bottom bracket, sitting tall because you're scared of smashing your face up, arms straight to hold yourself away from danger, stiff, wobbly, put a foot down, wobble more, front wheel catches, wobble more, big off and it's not going to be a nice landing.

Reading and practising the content of Mastering Mountain Bike Skills 2 or going for a skills day will turn it from fear and avoidance or MTFU stupidity and a potential trip to hospital into a controlled and fun experience.

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That video is textbook how not to do it! Just thinking 'heavy feet light hands' (thanks to Lee McCormack @ leelikesbikes) and 'chin up' (thanks to Ed Oxley @ greatrock) would have probably saved him.

going for a skills day

seconded. not enough riders do this.

+1 to going on a skills course. I found Ed's stop crashing course excellent a couple of years back. I'm amazed that people will spend stupid money on kit but seem to flatly refuse to spend the cost of a derailleur on a skills course.

+1 also to the challenge/skill illustration.

@cammer - that's brought a smile to my face, not the over the bars moment as we've all done that but the sound track, it was as if he was letting out a painful yelp in anticipation.

How would one measure the angle on an iphone?

There's an app for it using the iPhones ability to know which way up it is.

if youre not good enough then these sort of things look massive, i can appreciate that (we were all there at some point), but you dont need to be a riding god to be able to do it pretty easily. dont feel you have to do it, but doing it will make you a better rider.

a small thought i had the other day about this forum and all the threads asking which orange 5 should i buy: A better bike makes you go faster, but it doesnt make you a better rider. stuff like this, that takes actual riding experience, will still freak you out like they did before no matter how much travel you have.

pardon the ramblings 🙂

What about those bikes with the massive front tyres we've been seeing? Could they get you down it in one piece? Maybe one of those with 29 inch wheels?

Simon.
It's a lot more to do with the rider and how confident they are than what bike they're on.

All the crashing videos on this thread seem to be due to lack of comitment/ trying to go to slow.

Float speaks the truth - the slab isn't objectively difficult, but it is subjectively scary (depending on your level of experience).

To be fair, 36° (if that's what it is) is actually quite steep.

A typical black ski run is 30-35°. La Face (Olympic black-grade downhill run in Val d'Isere, considered by many to be a test of steep piste skiing) is supposedly never steeper than 34°.

Most people would consider "extreme" skiing/snowboarding to start at around 40° if very sustained.

Still looks like a piece of p*ss though... 😉

It may be steep but it's [i]short[/i] with nice roll in and out. There are steeper , but even shorter, switchback trails at Woburn Sands if you know where to look. And no-one accuses Woburn of being extreme.

nick3216 - Member

going for a skills day

seconded. not enough riders do this.

explain?

My brother went on a skills day with Ed Oxley and Nigel Page, hes still as slow as ever.

chiefgrooveguru - Member

If you can picture yourself riding it, then you probably can.

Well i'll be damned,one of my colleagues ventured to try The Slab today and broke his arm 😯 pure fellow.

Suffice to say it has put me off!

Any of you trying this kind of terrain think before you do it!And wear the right protection as he only had his helmet on

If you can't ride down that you can't call yourself a MTB'er, you are a bloody pansy.

Just confirmed apex of Woburn switchbacks are 40 degrees so anyone claiming scaredyness at 36 might as well give up riding now and leap into the arms of Shaggy a la Scooby Doo.

explain?

at least one video on this thread shows a rider with all the gear and no idea. instead of spending money in skill compensating long travel bikes, wide bars, big forks and sticky tyres some of these riders would be better off spending their money on a skills course.

Unfortunately Patches O'Houlihan and his bag of wrenches came to an unfortunate end in a tragic accident in a Vegas casino. He's the only coach I can think of with enough MTFU to spare.

I make no apologies if that sounds harsh.

Slightly harsh young Skywalker have some respect for your fellow comrades in this fine sport!
You are obviously a far better rider than oneself.