Since buying my scrambler in May I've travelled quite some distances in an around my area. I maintain a slow and reasonable speed, because I try and stay alert for photo opportunities. It is also difficult to scout for interesting places and concentrate on rocks, holes and branches at the same time while riding. So eventually I found a happy medium between speed and alertness.
However, I was soon to learn an all together new interpretation of speed.
This weekend while I was enjoying a beer at our annual beer fest, I was approached by some guys who wanted me to join them on a ride on Sunday. I know three of the seven are very experienced riders from whom I could learn a lot, so I eagerly agreed to meet them early the next morning.
I have never in my life had such an experience. The guys ride as if the Devil himself is chasing them, and I had some difficulty keeping up at first. But, once my brain registered, and my eyes became accustomed to the speed, my depth perception soon improved and I was able to keep up with them quite easily.
We did some technically difficult grades, which ranged from hill climbing to forest riding and crossing rivers and ravines. All the time I was learning new techniques and the guys were never short on advise which could help me improve. At the end of the day, we had completed just over 80km's; all on dirt. It felt like 200km's!
This was going to be of immense value to me when I leave for my trip to De Aar in December.
Here we are at the top of a hill which was once("believe it or a not) a ski-slope. Yes, someone actually thought it would be a good idea to chisel a flat piece of ground out of the rock-face, smooth it over with some carpet and teach people to ski.
The slope is about 120meters long and you have to open up the taps and maintain a steady speed to reach the top. Of course the only way out of there is back down again. Pretty hairy, but very satisfying when you manage to reach level earth again. From this camera view you are looking down the slope.
The next ride is in two weeks time, and I'm looking forward to see where we'll be going this time.
