Few pics & vids from Hamsterley yesterday, the track has changed again and the whole bottom section is pretty much new. After the new rock garden you come into a couple of berms which take you into 3 small-ish but awkward drops spaced very closely. You then hit a really nice berm and into the normal section of the course at the bottom of x-factor. Instead of going round the switchbacks though, you go straight on into the woods down a really cool loamy off camber section, this then turns left into a 6ft drop which leads into a really steep bank then another 5ft drop. This 2nd drop joins the original track where the old drop was at the bottom of the track however it comes at a 90 degree angle to it so its either a big hip or a nice drift on landing!
The whole track is much better now though and it's definately a much better standard than the old one. Aplogies for the quality of the pics and vides but the light was fading when we finally got the camera out so we had to get everything taken quick!
Doube drop,

Bottom drop

Road gap

Tabletop

Snapped steerer tube on a pair of 888's in the new rock garden!


And the videos..............
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Dave-Rockgarden1.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Dave-Rockgarden2.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Dave-Tabletop.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Dave-Tripledrop.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Tag-Crash.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Tag-Doubledrop.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Tag-Roadgap.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Tag-Rockgarden.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Tag-Tabletop.flv
http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/trialsben/?action=view&current=Hamsterley-Tag-Tripledrop.flv

Looks awesome cant wait to get the new bike finished and go check the new stuff out.

Slightly worrying though, can anybody actually clear the table and road gap now? looked like jimbo was struggling to and its not often he cases stuff!!

The track is harder than it seems in the pics. The tabletop and road gap are almost impossible too unfortunately. The tabletop is just about do-able but you have to really go for it on the run up then try to drag the bike over it. It's not really do-able on every run tbh as it takes so much effort to have a proper go at it.
The road gap is pretty much impossible from the main run, the only chance you've got is to get a run up on the fireroad then cut back through the trees onto the track then pedal your tits off!
I think they've spoiled the jumps a bit as you just end up landing flat on the top most runs which just saps your speed and feels nasty! Can't really fault the bottom of the track now though!

aye it was a really good day, we should go up again soon!

vids are mint.

the track is mint now but the table and road gap are abit hard.

james.

loved its well tricky in some parts but fast defo off again soon. and ben the pics and videos are ace mate well happy

All looks great guys! When you headng there again???

I will get the locals to here together & have a trip over to meet you all!

Hope everyone is cool!!

Tim.

...planning on going in a few weeks...what's the deal with the uplifts - are they on all the time? is it rideable back up, or a long push?

Since there's so much interest I think it's only right that we get back up there again soon! Since everyone is saying a few weeks, how about the weekend of 29/30th November? Getting a bit too close to the race if we leave it much later. Not sure which day is best for everybody with work, etc so post up which you'd prefer and we'll see what happens.
Might also be going up this Saturday for a session although depends on the weather.
The uplifts usually run Saturdays & Sundays all year round, its £20 for the uplift including the £5 entry fee and you get around 8 runs for that depending on how organised Craig is. If your interested then Ring Craig at Descend Hamsterley (0779 5514251) and he can book you on or give you more info.

I was planning on 6th/7th dec - need to be back in leeds late afternoon the next 2 weeks so wouldn't get the most out of a trip up...

Guessing it will be very busy if you go up on the 6/7th as its the week before the race, will be full of people getting some sneaky practice in!

You definately need a full day up there though otherwise you'll never get used to the main-line nevermind all the other tracks.