Windrock Video

[jvnixon]

Saw this on High Gear, definitely on the list for next year

Windrock:

http://broadbandsports.com/node/5080

[Peete]

I have wood.


Now I know where I kept making the wrong turn on the trail.

[ATOMICFIREBALL]

Cool..

[Mr Tiles]

I enjoyed that

[mattmatt86]

Damn, Thats gonna be interesting when i ride that on my hardtail.

[frznnomad]

^^^ yeh good luck getting approval from joey.

ohh and that vid is awsome thanks for sharing

[scurban]

Where's Wind Rock? NC? Cause I'm probably moving to NC next fall because of a job transfer. Is this stuff open to ride year round? Actually, is this a legal trail? We have some stuff like that around here in Santa Cruz, but none of it's legal.

Whats wrong with riding a hardtail there? I ride my hardtail on stuff like that all the time.

[Mr Tiles]

dude, do a RM search on windrock...you'll find all your answers and then some...

[Jeremy R]

Where's Wind Rock? NC? Cause I'm probably moving to NC next fall because of a job transfer. Is this stuff open to ride year round? Actually, is this a legal trail? We have some stuff like that around here in Santa Cruz, but none of it's legal.

Whats wrong with riding a hardtail there? I ride my hardtail on stuff like that all the time.

Yes, its legal and its awesome. It shuts down for a short time in the winter, but that is mainly for building new trails and to keep from damaging old ones.
But Windrock is NO PLACE for a hardtail period, in any way shape or form. You might as well just rent a jackhammer and hold it all day.
That video was cool, but it shows nothing of how steep and rough windrock is all the way down. I am not talking about a skill standpoint here with hardtails, I am talking about both safety and enjoyment. I have known some good riders who have tried it before and they all leave after a run.

[mattmatt86]

Yes, its legal and its awesome. It shuts down for a short time in the winter, but that is mainly for building new trails and to keep from damaging old ones.
But Windrock is NO PLACE for a hardtail period, in any way shape or form. You might as well just rent a jackhammer and hold it all day.
That video was cool, but it shows nothing of how steep and rough windrock is all the way down. I am not talking about a skill standpoint here with hardtails, I am talking about both safety and enjoyment. I have known some good riders who have tried it before and they all leave after a run.

Blah! Whatever, I didnt really wanna go anyway:disgust1:

[Jeremy R]

Blah! Whatever, I didnt really wanna go anyway:disgust1:

My post may have come off negative, I did not mean for it to,
but it does suck when somebody drives 4 hours to a sick place to ride, and then realizes it ain't happening. My buddy Matt Griffin rips his hardtail down any trail in Pisgah constantly, but if you ask him if he would take a single run down Windrock on it, he would laugh and say, that place is hard enough to get down on a full blown dh rig.

[mattmatt86]

Well this is the first negative to arise from selling my fully and gettin an Imperial, But oh well Ill still take my evil over most fullys. At least now i have an excuse to save up and build a bottlerocket.

[profro]

Yeah, I've seen some folks try hardtails and it ain't pretty. Like JeremyR said, its possible, but its real ugly and not enjoyable.

Edit:

I just watched it and that video cut out over half of the trail (Snakerock).

[dhbuilder]

Yes, its legal and its awesome. It shuts down for a short time in the winter, but that is mainly for building new trails and to keep from damaging old ones.
But Windrock is NO PLACE for a hardtail period, in any way shape or form. You might as well just rent a jackhammer and hold it all day.
That video was cool, but it shows nothing of how steep and rough windrock is all the way down. I am not talking about a skill standpoint here with hardtails, I am talking about both safety and enjoyment. I have known some good riders who have tried it before and they all leave after a run.

my hero.

[jvnixon]

I just watched it and that video cut out over half of the trail (Snakerock).

I was wondering where the other 5 minutes went. Do you have a bulletproof vest? Maybe you can get the rest of the missing footage for us :clapping:

[mattmtb]

I made that video and I'm glad you guys like it. I have the other 5min somewhere. I left it out because I would of had to play that song twice to work with the runs at Windrock.

For some reason when I go to the link the video hardly plays, I might have to upload it again.

Anyway Windrock rules and if you go give Joey and all the other locals a pat on the back. I've had a lot of fun on those trails.

[frznnomad]

ohh most def. those guys have busted there asses on those trails and it deffinatly shows. ive only gotten three runs in up there but for those three runs i was in shock and that is deffinatly a great thing.

[mattmatt86]

Yeah, I've seen some folks try hardtails and it ain't pretty. Like JeremyR said, its possible, but its real ugly and not enjoyable.



I gotta say, i was really looking forward to riding at windrock. Would i be allowed if i added a suspension seatpost?

[frznnomad]

i think you missed the point of us telling you no to a hardtail.:disgust1:

[jet]

I sn't that most of the old pro course? I've ridden most of that very slowly and had a really hard time with it. Heck I think the last race up there I got on the wrong trail and did the really long downhill rock garden. The one that's like at 45 degrees and 150yds long.
It's really good to see some of the local stuff up on video

[profro]

I gotta say, i was really looking forward to riding at windrock. Would i be allowed if i added a suspension seatpost?



In the spring, bring your Imperial and lets ride. I'll personally show you the trails. :)

[mattmatt86]

i think you missed the point of us telling you no to a hardtail.:disgust1:
It was a joke, there needs to be a smiley with a Wink.

[bizutch]

had to cross post it in the DH forum to get some "reactions". :D

[mattmatt86]

In the spring, bring your Imperial and lets ride. I'll personally show you the trails. :)

Thanks man, that would be awesome.

[dhbuilder]

Thanks man, that would be awesome.

it's not that you won't be able to negotiate a heavy duty hardtail on the trails.

it's just a safety deal.
you'll be doing ten m.p.h. in sections where we'll be blowing up behind you doing thirty+.

some of the stuff is rather blind.
late this summer i came barreling into a section doing the usual forty or so that we carry through there.
came around a blind bend to find someone poking down the trail.

with absolutely no time to react, the end result was far from pretty.
we were both very lucky that there was no serious injury.

that is a scenario that i'd rather not see again.

[mattmatt86]

it's not that you won't be able to negotiate a heavy duty hardtail on the trails.

it's just a safety deal.
you'll be doing ten m.p.h. in sections where we'll be blowing up behind you doing thirty+.

some of the stuff is rather blind.
late this summer i came barreling into a section doing the usual forty or so that we carry through there.
came around a blind bend to find someone poking down the trail.

with absolutely no time to react, the end result was far from pretty.
we were both very lucky that there was no serious injury.

that is a scenario that i'd rather not see again.

Trust me, I understand. Im the VP of the freeride club at clemson and there are some guys that come out to ride on 100 dollar walmart bikes and sometimes I have to tell they cant ride certain things. Not because Im trying to be an ass, but because i dont wanna see their bike explode upon impact and have them get hurt.

It just sucks because I dont know any other places with big hits like windrock within the same distance from clemson. If someone wants to point me in a more hardtail friendly direction then i would be happy.

[OldHutchRider]

That's a great video. If you haven't been to Windrock, it's a must go. Also, there are several hidden trails around Oliver Springs. If you look hard enough to find them, it will be well worth your time.

RIDE ON!

[missiongravity]

If you are looking for some sweet hardtail territory try finding someone who will take you to Wilsons area. Super easy to shuttle and amazing trails that you can rip on your hardtail. I just built a new one two weeks ago and rode there all day and had a blast. Cant say I wasnt worn out at the end of the day but it was awesome.

If you ride at windrock on a hardtail you better be Gellin like Magellan!!

[urbaindk]

Nice video. You got me all homesick with the drive shots down the old Oliver Springs bypass...

Funny, I was watching the whole video thinking there was no way in hell I'd ride that on my hardtail. Some of the stuff cut into the sides of the hills looked like you'd die if you went off the edge. Certainly very few places for a faster rider to safely pass.

Joey, have fun building this winter. Windrckr's pictures in the other thread look great (though I didn't see any rocks???). If I could ever make it home I'd give you a day of my time but it doesn't look like it's happening anytime soon.

Dave.

[dhbuilder]

oh there's plenty of rocks.

they just don't happen to be in that section.
some of that we had to bench because of the camber being a little too severe for all to ride.

other sections of some of the new area, are in where it looks like decades ago the whole area was "turned over" while coal was being mined.
you'll be in a section that has all kinds of rock outcroppings.
then you'll enter an area that's pretty much been altered by the past mining.

same with the trees.
most areas are full of large poplars and oaks.
then there'll be a line with nothing but sweetgum and locust.

but that's ok.
when you're ripping along focusing on the trailbed, everything else is just a peripheral blur.

[bizutch]

Thanks man, that would be awesome.

When you're done for the day, you have topost a hardtail ride report testimonial. Nobody that puts in a day of hardtail there ever posts a ride report.

[dhbuilder]

Nobody that puts in a day of hardtail there ever posts a ride report.

there's a damn good reason why not. :)

[GravityFreakTJ]

i did it on trail one on a EVIL Imperial....beat the every living sh!t outta me. four runs and done

[mattmatt86]

i did it on trail one on a EVIL Imperial....beat the every living sh!t outta me. four runs and done
But would you do it again?

Its not that Im hell bent on riding at windrock, i just wanna ride somewhere close to clemson that has some big hits and jumps. If there is somewhere that is more hardtail and shuttle friendly let me know.

[ChrisKring]

I'll try to get matt to upload the full version to the High Gear server.

[GravityFreakTJ]

But would you do it again?

Its not that Im hell bent on riding at windrock, i just wanna ride somewhere close to clemson that has some big hits and jumps. If there is somewhere that is more hardtail and shuttle friendly let me know.



ummm no....listen to Joey and Profro...they won't steer you wrong, they know that mountain better than anyone. you really need a full squish to enjoy it

[bizutch]

I say try it. Maybe you'll own it....

[jvnixon]

I say try it. Maybe you'll own it....

so cruel :lighten:

[dhbuilder]

ummm no....listen to Joey and Profro...they won't steer you wrong, they know that mountain better than anyone. you really need a full squish to enjoy it


problem is, it's hard to get a word in edgewise.

there's alway those that seem to know more than those who,
build.
maintain.
manage.
fund.
and actually ride here.

oh well.

[bizutch]

...and then there are some of us who just like to stir the pot....

[LOOnatic]

Yeah riding the rock on a hardtail seems heroic and all but those who know, know its just retarded.
Remember the guy on the Balfa hardtail who tried to be swanky and compete in the RedBull Rampage?
Well he got knocked out a hundred yards from the top and tok the chopper out.
:think:
Bring the right tool for the job and have more funn blasting proper.

[mattmatt86]

all right i give up, but someone steer me to a better trail

[Jeremy R]

all right i give up, but someone steer me to a better trail

Where all have you ridden besides Clemson?
Have you ridden most of Pisgah, any of Wilson's Creek etc.....?

[mattmatt86]

Where all have you ridden besides Clemson?
Have you ridden most of Pisgah, any of Wilson's Creek etc.....?

Ive ridden Bennet(I think) a couple of times but Im not from the area so i would need to ride with someone that knows the trails. And isnt pisgah mostly just natural trail? Caus my bike isnt exactly built for longer more epic rides.

[JeffKill]

And isnt pisgah mostly just natural trail? Caus my bike isnt exactly built for longer more epic rides.

You need to check out the wilsons creek area like Jeremy said. Its straight up hwy 181 just north of Morganton. Some days we do nothing but shuttle and others you'll have a climb or two, but never climbing all day. And the climbs are well worth it up there. If I can pedal my 45 lb vp free, Im sure you wouldnt have any trouble pedaling a hardtail.

[tbird0216]

I rode windrock on a hardtail ONCE and it was a blast, but you get worn out after about 2 or 3 runs and you really cant ride at the same speed everyone else can, but all of drops and jumps i did arent bad on a hardtail. I just cant wait till i finish building up my dh bike for next summer at windrock.

[mattmatt86]

I rode windrock on a hardtail ONCE and it was a blast, but you get worn out after about 2 or 3 runs and you really cant ride at the same speed everyone else can, but all of drops and jumps i did arent bad on a hardtail. I just cant wait till i finish building up my dh bike for next summer at windrock.
The jumps and drops are the main reason i want to go to windrock, but I dont wanna be a hazard to other riders If im going to be riding slower because Im on a hardtail.

[rapp]

I'll have bring my hardtail and the DH bike when I go then.

[tbird0216]

The jumps and drops are the main reason i want to go to windrock, but I dont wanna be a hazard to other riders If im going to be riding slower because Im on a hardtail.

yea the group i went with knew me so they knew i would be going a little slower, and if anybody came up behind me i just pulled off the trail, let them pass, and continued picking my way down the mountain.

[dhbuilder]

The jumps and drops are the main reason i want to go to windrock, but I dont wanna be a hazard to other riders If im going to be riding slower because Im on a hardtail.


i think something just isn't clicking here.

we're not about jumps and drops up here.
we have a couple, but that's it.

this place is all about fast, steep, highspeed downhill singletrack, made for single purpose DOWNHILL BIKES.

there's tons of places in the area you're in that cater to the freeride drop crowd.
that's just not what i'm interested in building or riding.

my bike would be so totally out of place at those places.
just like yours would be here.

and hardtail and mid travel bikes tend to go alot slower here because the trailsystem isn't designed for them.
therefore they end up dragging their brakes excessively down the trailbed absolutely f...ing them up to no end.

it's nothing against any one particular rider.
that's just the way it is.

and after almost seven years of trail repairs up here, i'm very aware of who can "roll" the trails and who can't.
most riders on full on downhill rigs, roll these trails and leave nothing but tire tracks.

others come up here and create days worth of repairs for me when i'd much rather be riding.

[mattmatt86]

I know, I got the point. I aleady said that ive given up on the hope of riding at windrock

[bizutch]

wasn't there rumor of a "rental" DH bike at the shop there Joey? He could go that route.

[GravityFreakTJ]

i think Harpers has a Glory they rent out, no? yes? maybe?

[FCLinder]

Ben told me they sold it. He tried to get it for me after I sold the Morewood for that big riding weekend up there.

[mattmatt86]

This is just motivating me to Build our freeride trails at Clemson bigger and better, so i dont have to travel ours away for nice jumps and drops. I will get to see windrock however,when i go wheelin there with some buddies.

[dhbuilder]

This is just motivating me to Build our freeride trails at Clemson bigger and better, so i dont have to travel ours away for nice jumps and drops. I will get to see windrock however,when i go wheelin there with some buddies.


somewhere along the line, the rumor got started that we have big jumps and drops.

i think you or anyone else would be hugely disappointed if you showed up here expecting that kind of action.

we just have one jump that i would consider large.
and we never really have ever had big drops.
we had two, but nobody here was into that type of stuff so we did away with them.

sounds like Jeffkill is steering you in the right direction with wilsons.

[ChrisKring]

The jumps on the original trail are big by most peoples standards. However, with that section being abandond, they will be poo once the ATVs take that area over. Heck, I wouldn't want to hit them at 30mph+ knowing that ATVs are able to get into the landings.

[dhbuilder]

The jumps on the original trail are big by most peoples standards. However, with that section being abandond, they will be poo once the ATVs take that area over. Heck, I wouldn't want to hit them at 30mph+ knowing that ATVs are able to get into the landings.

as of now the jumps are relatively secure thanks to the powers that be getting up there and cabling off the area and laying down straw where they bulldozed thru.
but before spring i will be going up there and doing away with the ramp at the first roadcrossing and the palletdrop.

i can't guarantee that the waterfall will survive through the winter and spring rains, without being eroded away completely.
construction wreaked havoc just above that entire area.

plus there's going to be a small political change up there, that i'm not going to get into here.
and from now on i believe it's going to be in our best long term interest not to use that first roadcrossing any longer.
we'll be alright dropping in right there, but that's as high up as that trailhead will be from now on.
(except for the windmill trail. which will soon be our main trailhead as we're building our future from that direction.)

[irishman]

I think there is another point to be made here. Beyond the fact that everyone advises against riding a hardtail here...the builder has expressly asked people not to bring them. When you do, you are disrespecting the wishes of the guy who built, builds, and maintains those trails. Common sense says this is a bad idea.

This isn't directed at anyone and i'm not trying to stir up trouble i just thought that it should be said.

[bizutch]

I think there is another point to be made here. Beyond the fact that everyone advises against riding a hardtail here...the builder has expressly asked people not to bring them. When you do, you are disrespecting the wishes of the guy who built, builds, and maintains those trails. Common sense says this is a bad idea.

This isn't directed at anyone and i'm not trying to stir up trouble i just thought that it should be said.

Wayehutta says it misses you and wants to see you the day after the Fontana Icycle since you'll be driving right by on your way home.

[dhbuilder]

I think there is another point to be made here. Beyond the fact that everyone advises against riding a hardtail here...the builder has expressly asked people not to bring them. When you do, you are disrespecting the wishes of the guy who built, builds, and maintains those trails. Common sense says this is a bad idea.

This isn't directed at anyone and i'm not trying to stir up trouble i just thought that it should be said.

first of all, thanks for your two days of labor.
they were a big help.

so you've been there when few others have been.
and seen all the time and effort it takes to build out a short "tech section" properly so that it can be ridden by a wider range of skill levels.
it usually these very sections that poor riding habits and the wrong bike for the wrong trail can do the most damage to.

like i was saying up there the other day.
"you spend hours and hours working on a section of trail that takes just a few seconds to blast through."
that's what makes it beyond aggravating to pass through after a brakeslider has flailed his way down.

[skatetokil]

Looking at this video makes me want to come down but I've heard some horror stories about people making 6 hour drives only to take one run and spend the rest of the day in the truck shaking and drooling on themselves.

Can anybody compare it to a place like bootleg canyon?

[drkenan]

Looking at this video makes me want to come down but I've heard some horror stories about people making 6 hour drives only to take one run and spend the rest of the day in the truck shaking and drooling on themselves.

Can anybody compare it to a place like bootleg canyon?

Never been to bootleg canyon but I can tell you that I have seen firsthand people shaking at the bottom after their first run (myself included). That video doesn't do the steepness any justice.

This pic sums up my first time at Windrock (2nd time not as scary):

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f156/drkenan/windrock_tiny.jpg

[ChrisKring]

Looking at this video makes me want to come down but I've heard some horror stories about people making 6 hour drives only to take one run and spend the rest of the day in the truck shaking and drooling on themselves.

Can anybody compare it to a place like bootleg canyon?


It's different than Bootleg. Half of the reason Bootleg is so scary is that there are no trees and you can see cliffs and jaged rock. Traction is better at bootleg. The scenery is better at bootleg.

Windrock's trails are longer and more difficult. The shuttle road is better since it doesn't destroy your shocks. You also don't have to push up a goat trail.

All that said, I'd love to have either one within a few hours drive.

[profro]

Bootleg's trails are technical, but they are no where as steep as Windrock's. Plus, as Chris points out, the traction at Bootleg is crazy and will keep you out of trouble most of the time. But the inexperience with our traction and steepness around Windrock is what KOs most people here.

BTW, I wish Joey would make full face helmets and goggles mandantory.

[bizutch]

Hey Doug...where are those pics of Southern Rocks from the one trip the Canucks took?

That can show some people why a big bike and full face are mandatory.

Here are some pic threads to help...just remember folks...when you see these pics...the slope is in excess of 45 degrees most always and in the 60% range much of the time. Objects in photos more brutal in real life.

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=150210&highlight=southern+rocks

http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148800&highlight=southern+rocks

[drkenan]

BTW, I wish Joey would make full face helmets and goggles mandantory.

Lesson learned on that one.

Those are some really nice pics on that other thread. Definitely some of the best I've seen of Windrock. That picture of the upper rock garden and the waterfall section should be proof enough of why a hardtail won't work.

[irishman]

first of all, thanks for your two days of labor.
they were a big help.

so you've been there when few others have been.
and seen all the time and effort it takes to build out a short "tech section" properly so that it can be ridden by a wider range of skill levels.
it usually these very sections that poor riding habits and the wrong bike for the wrong trail can do the most damage to.

like i was saying up there the other day.
"you spend hours and hours working on a section of trail that takes just a few seconds to blast through."
that's what makes it beyond aggravating to pass through after a brakeslider has flailed his way down.


Honestly man it's the least I could do, I've ridden those trails more than my fair share to justify coming up to help out a little. What you and the other guys are doing up there is something great and I believe in supporting that. Windrock is growing and darn if it aint the best place to ride in the south!

(disclaimer to the statement above: it is NOT a good place to LEARN DH, come ready to ride hard or prepare to be raped by the mountain)