1st Ride at Wirth!!

[chewie_52]

Rode Wirth for the first last night and loved it! I didn't bother driving out there, I live right by the SLP Erik's so I just hopped on the paved trail and got off on Cedar Lake Parkway and took it to T. Wirth Parkway and I was good to go. The singletrack kicked my butt though...I'm used to riding ski trails, old fire roads etc. so it was definately a different experience for me. I did get off and walk a few of the obstacles as I wasn't so sure of my abilities...I'm not very skilled on technical wise on my bike, although I hope I can improve that with time. I average about 4-6 miles per hour through the south and north loops...just wondering what the norm is for most people out at Wirth? Lots of twists and turns I can't imagine averaging more than 7-8 at the most...but then again I can be wrong? Anyhow...nice trail and looking forward to riding again soon!

[mara]

Glad you liked it! I can't help you on speed -- I always try to go just a little faster than comfortable, but not so fast I'd skid or introduce my face to it's new friend "tree."

[r32657]

You'll definatley be going faster than that. In certian spots, I'll hit about 15-16, but you can't lean too much into the turns, since there's usually a bunch of trees around.

[Trevize1138]

I believe the average out there is around 8 mph. If you check the "Lap Time" thread on the Wirth section of these forums you'll get an idea of what the top end is for the trail: around 12mph average.

That really is, as far as I can tell, about as fast as you can do Wirth: just under 14 minutes for the north loop. I've only timed myself out there one day and did my first lap in 14:40 and the second in 15:20. I've heard maybe one person say they did it in the upper 13s once, and I can see how that would be done but I bet you'd have to ride that trail so damn perfect to do so. I mean, I'd have to shave a fraction of a second off every corner, pushing the limits of inertia and traction the whole time to get under 13 ... or so I imagine. :)

Keep riding Wirth, dude! The more you ride it, the better your technique and the faster you'll get. The trail becomes an absolute blast when you learn how to really zip through it. :)

[Trevize1138]

You'll definatley be going faster than that. In certian spots, I'll hit about 15-16, but you can't lean too much into the turns, since there's usually a bunch of trees around.

You can lean into a lot of the turns out there, even the ones you think you can't. Those just involve the old dip the handlebar, tuck the elbow/shoulder manouver. ;)

[r32657]

You can lean into a lot of the turns out there, even the ones you think you can't. Those just involve the old dip the handlebar, tuck the elbow/shoulder manouver. ;)

When I'm talking about leaning I'm talking about leaning low enough and having enough speed that I'm able to go into a controled two wheel drift around the courner. In which case, I've nailed my shoulder on some tree trunks and bailed from that a few times now.

[Trevize1138]

When I'm talking about leaning I'm talking about leaning low enough and having enough speed that I'm able to go into a controled two wheel drift around the courner. In which case, I've nailed my shoulder on some tree trunks and bailed from that a few times now.

Yeah, don't lean that far around some of those corners. You may nail a tree with your shoulder and have to bail.

[Sevadari]

When I'm talking about leaning I'm talking about leaning low enough and having enough speed that I'm able to go into a controled two wheel drift around the courner. In which case, I've nailed my shoulder on some tree trunks and bailed from that a few times now.
Hey r32657, sweeeeet avatar!!! If I'm not mistaken, that's a vintage Green Machine eh?

If it's tight cornering you're jones'in for you ought to bust out your Green Machine, dust it off, and take it for a spin 'round Theo. :p

If my memory serves me correctly, those things used to be able to turn on a dime...I should know, back in the day I used to covet my little brother's while I was stuck with the retro blue, red, and yellow Big Wheel! The Green Machine was waaay better for handling, but the Big Wheel used to kick serious butt in skidding contests!!! :D

[steef]

When I'm talking about leaning I'm talking about leaning low enough and having enough speed that I'm able to go into a controled two wheel drift around the courner. In which case, I've nailed my shoulder on some tree trunks and bailed from that a few times now.

Sounds like you're doing the Jeppeson slalom technique through those "gates". ;)

[r32657]

I always wanted one as a kid!! Huffy actually is making them now, I saw some being sold on amazon. Too bad I'm to big to ride one, otherwise i'd be the creepy old dude riding up and down my sidwalk with one:mad: The turns are the most fun to take that way, at least for me:etard: