I find Gisburn a bit strange. I rode there a couple of weeks ago – my second time around the ‘eight’ after a long break, although I’ve been and sessioned the hope line in between a few times. The reason for the gap was validated on the second visit. It always feels like there is more pedalling than there is reward. Good to hear that the fireroad descent is being chopped out. It is not a particularly bad one, but it comes at about the time in the ride that I have just come to the conclusion that the rewards aren’t worth the effort and is a bit of a last straw to camelbak interface.
Most of it is probably down to me not being a good enough rider, but I find it hard to keep momentum up on the track surface. Where somewhere like Coed-y-brenin, Whinlatter or Stainburn – and in my exepriece on natural rocky trails, the rocks are about picking a line through and riding over, at Gisburn they just seem to be square-edged momentum-killers. In between, the surface is very silty and further saps roll. When the ups are stop-start, the flat is a slog and the downs are short, it starts to lose enjoyment for me.
There is a decent techy descent just after a ‘cyclists dismount’ sign though 🙂
The track has it’s positives as mentioned above. Homebaked once it starts to point down, Hully Gully (massive grin time – looking forward to it gets you round most of the track) and of course the new hope line (top half will be better once it has dried out a bit) .
It seems a bit of a marmite trail centre. Some people hate it, others rank it as their favourite. The only way you will find out which is to go and ride it!
