Author Topic: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!  (Read 1563 times)

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Offline hygieneboy

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I rode this trail for the first time this past Wednesday. Here I thought Moonscape was the challenging trail at Alafia. Damn that's a gnarly trail.  I picture a Gator's back being kinda bumpy but rideable. This trail felt like  I was climbing mini- Mount Everests over and over and over again. What a workout!  Let me just tell you I've never walked so much on a trail holding my bike to the side like an old man's walker. The parts I did muster the courage to ride on I was praying " I do not want to die today".  Gatorback would make a tough hiking trail let alone one for bicycles. Has anyone ridden this whole trail without setting a foot down or having to jump off for a short section ?

Offline cgarolr

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2010, 12:00:29 AM »
Has anyone ridden this whole trail without setting a foot down or having to jump off for a short section ?

Yes...with the bike listed to the left...
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Offline hygieneboy

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2010, 08:53:21 AM »
I'd have to see it to believe it on a single speed.  ???

Offline Tootsjofus

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2010, 09:27:59 AM »
On a good day I may put a foot down once or twice.  Something on that trail always seems to kick my ass.     :-[

Offline cgarolr

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2010, 01:16:04 PM »
I'd have to see it to believe it on a single speed.  ???

I am not saying that I do it EVERY time, but the last time I rode I did...got lucky on some spots where I took the perfect line (especially the soft sand prior to the 45 degree turn before the long "s" climb near the last 10th of the trail...)

I have had a lot of time to practice lately, being unemployed and all ;)
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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2010, 01:23:32 PM »
What's your gearing? Must be small up front and large out back. I had a Rockhopper Single Speed 29er for a couple years, 32 teeth up front and 15 teeth in the back. It was perfect for Morris Bridge/Trout Creek but I sold it when I started riding Boyette and Alafia.

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2010, 01:32:10 PM »
What's your gearing? Must be small up front and large out back. I had a Rockhopper Single Speed 29er for a couple years, 32 teeth up front and 15 teeth in the back. It was perfect for Morris Bridge/Trout Creek but I sold it when I started riding Boyette and Alafia.

32/18
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Offline cgarolr

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2010, 01:35:52 PM »
Hey are you a dentist?  I got screwed by a dentist that got fired and now I have a gaping hole in my mouth...I need an implant...
It's all fun and games 'til someone loses an eye.  Then it's just a game: FIND THE EYE!!!

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Offline catman

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2010, 06:26:07 PM »
I've cleaned it quite a few times but it took me forever. When it had some major maintenance done it was like a 50/50 shot for me to clean it but before that I really struggled to keep from dabbing. I may (heavy on the may)have done it once on my 29'r SS but it wasn't pretty. The bridge after the switchback would get me on that bike. The last climb wasn't very friendly either.
 
Take note: no one has seen cgarolr do it  :P
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Offline hygieneboy

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2010, 07:54:26 PM »
Hey are you a dentist?  I got screwed by a dentist that got fired and now I have a gaping hole in my mouth...I need an implant...

I'm a Dental Hygienist full time and also work part time at a bike shop. PM me if you need Dental advice.

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2010, 09:10:09 PM »
Hey are you a dentist?  I got screwed by a dentist that got fired and now I have a gaping hole in my mouth...I need an implant...

I'm a Dental Hygienist full time and also work part time at a bike shop. PM me if you need Dental advice.

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Offline hygieneboy

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #11 on: April 20, 2010, 06:47:58 AM »
Just floss the teeth you want to keep.

Offline KRUNNCHERO

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #12 on: April 20, 2010, 08:47:39 AM »
You causing trouble again? Just because you can't clear Bridges w/o dabbing doesn't mean cgarolr can't clear Gatorback on a 29r SS w/ a 12T rear gear!
 
I've cleaned it quite a few times but it took me forever. When it had some major maintenance done it was like a 50/50 shot for me to clean it but before that I really struggled to keep from dabbing. I may (heavy on the may)have done it once on my 29'r SS but it wasn't pretty. The bridge after the switchback would get me on that bike. The last climb wasn't very friendly either.
 
Take note: no one has seen cgarolr do it  :P
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Offline northbkr1

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #13 on: April 20, 2010, 09:24:47 AM »
I'm an (((OLD))) guy and will clean it 9.5 times out of 10 But everything is easier when you ride an ELLSWORTH!!! Those who ride one KNOW!!.. I may have a few surprises coming to the trail soon. Did I say I LOVE Rocks and Logs!!

Offline northbkr1

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Re: Gatorback.............................................damn!!!!!!
« Reply #14 on: April 20, 2010, 09:27:11 AM »
I have ridden with quite a few people on SS's who can clean the trail easily!! I will never be one of them. no SS for me