Topic: Gatorback.......for all those that ride it......BE HONEST..............

[treadlight]

Cleared at 32x19...
...except board around tree

[ProEdgeBiker]

no clear here

[catman]

Cleared at 32x19...
...except board around tree

Where did you get a 19 cog? I haven't made it on my SS yet (32x18) but will have to get it another shot soon. I'm certain that the boardwalk is gonna be the only real issue.

[jbennardo]

Today I went slow and controlled around that switchback before the bridge. I got my front wheel over that big root but didn't have the strength to pull the rest over. I was gonna try for the board walk if I could keep things churning. 
The board seems to be the safer line actually! The detour to the left around the tree is very washed out and dry... kind of crumbling away. It's very hard to get yourself going again in that mush, then you have to pop yourself up that little step which is sandy as well. All the more reason for me to cowboy up and hit the bridge next time.

[Тгірlе Т]

Today I went slow and controlled around that switchback before the bridge. I got my front wheel over that big root but didn't have the strength to pull the rest over. I was gonna try for the board walk if I could keep things churning. 
The board seems to be the safer line actually! The detour to the left around the tree is very washed out and dry... kind of crumbling away. It's very hard to get yourself going again in that mush, then you have to pop yourself up that little step which is sandy as well. All the more reason for me to cowboy up and hit the bridge next time.

Yeah, the left line around the tree is sandy and loose, but it's safer if you ask me.  The bad thing about the boardwalk is-if you can't get completely up onto it and have to unclip there's not much room to put a foot down.  And the fall to the right sucks.  Ask Catman.

[KRUNNCHERO]

I will have everyone know that I made the Gatorback boardwalk on my 2nd try with Josh and Mike as my witnesses. In addition to my triumph there, I cleaned the concrete on Moonscape on the 2nd or 3rd try as well. I could not repeat it as I think it was luck. I tried to make no-dab climb, but only made it about 90% of the way up using the very very outside right line along the edge.

[catman]

I thought about making a joke but since I was so impressed by your riding that day I'll just say that I saw the whole thing and it wasn't even sketchy. Like BillT said the other day, put that man on a regular bike and we'll never be able to catch him. I told Bill to speak for himself cause I plan on poking a hole in Krunnch's fannybak so he'll dehydrate and cramp up. Gotta do what you gotta due when you lack natural ability.

[treadlight]

Cleared at 32x19...
...except board around tree

Where did you get a 19 cog? I haven't made it on my SS yet (32x18) but will have to get it another shot soon. I'm certain that the boardwalk is gonna be the only real issue.

I got mine from Ebay, 32X18 works at Gatorback but I loose traction on the Pinetree climb.
I have not seen someone on ss29er riding the boardwalk and would like to shadow how they set-up from the switchback and transition from root to to rock to boardwalk.

[catman]

I've tried it several times but I always torque out once I start to get up on the boardwalk. Be thinking about putting my 20T on the rear and giving it a shot. I see some guys riding their SS on Moonscape but a SS on Gatorback is pretty rare in my experience.
 
I blazed past a struggling guy on GB a while back with my SS and I heard him grumble "and he's on a F'ing single speed". I felt like stopping to inform him that I was a hardcore SS poseur but if I can get one person on this earth to think I'm a rock star I'll just take it and carry on.

[treadlight]

I've tried it several times but I always torque out once I start to get up on the boardwalk. Be thinking about putting my 20T on the rear and giving it a shot. I see some guys riding their SS on Moonscape but a SS on Gatorback is pretty rare in my experience.
 
I blazed past a struggling guy on GB a while back with my SS and I heard him grumble "and he's on a F'ing single speed". I felt like stopping to inform him that I was a hardcore SS poseur but if I can get one person on this earth to think I'm a rock star I'll just take it and carry on.

IMO...gearing for Alafia is to maintain traction but not too easy so you still have that half-stroke power pedal to negotiate rocks or roots.
There are a lot of ss29er who cleans Gatorback and Moonscape that are not active from this board.
And no it was not me who grumbles because I usually drop F-bombs when I failed. Its a way to make a statement that I made this climb before so easily my heart rate stayed at 150

[slowfatguy]

SS on moonscape isn't a big deal, only real difficult part is the step-up into Doom. Never tried Gatorback on it though, haven't been riding the SS as much lately.

[catman]

Watch out for this eclark character! He'll sweat all over the boardwalk so you lose traction then he'll granny gear the rest of Gatorback so you have no choice but to push your bike. This assures that whoever he is riding with him doesn't get any practice for the "King of Alafia" contest 

[Scott]

HEY SCUBA STUD!!!!!!!!!  You started this thread along time ago back in the day, I have not had the opportunity to ride with you since two FTF's ago but know you were getting stronger everytime you rode. So how about it, is this still as mind blowing of an accomplishment or have you managed this feat yourself?

[eclark]

cat, don't give away my strategy.

[cgarolr]

Personally, I ride a Specialized Epic but stay in 1 or 2 gears throughout the entire park...gatorback is easy (except for the bridge...cant get my rear wheel onto the pre-board rocks) and moonscape (the full trail, not the shortened version) is also easy...the tall climb before the stairs is a breeze for me...didn't use to be...can make it up on my first try every time now (including today).

Again, all of this done in 1-2 gears.