#!markdown
Expresso is no fun with a Monster T. That was part of my point. But it's a
blast on everything from a hardtail to an AM bike.
If balance is what you are after I'd say we are getting closer now. The trails
you mention do not seem to be in jeopardy. Nobody is screaming for Crippler to
be buffed, nor Grannies. But the Shore was dying the way it was before. No
younger people were getting into the sport, let alone beginners. Now they have
options and if they get the bug they can progress to the harder trails. As it
was before that wasn't possible. It could have remained a private playground
for the few but, like the original Expresso Line, without people to maintain
those lines and clear fallen wood they would be at greater risk for
decommissioning. And there wouldn't have been many voices in opposition -
certainly not as many as there are now.
I sympathize with your thoughts and, as I mentioned above, I used to have the
same perspective as you. But now that my horizons have broadened and I can
enjoy the higher speed lines with some flow as well, the Shore is better than
ever. I didn't think that would ever happen but now that I have a skill set I
didn't possess earlier every ride is more fun than it has ever been. And the
trails you mention are still some of my favourites as well.
I agree with you that finding a balance will be challenging. At least with
Expresso there were parallel lines as options. Now that Kirkford has been re-
routed there will no longer be a challenging line on that side of the hill. At
the same time I know a lot of experienced riders who love what is becoming of
it.
The North Shore was slowly becoming extinct before TAP. And while not everyone
will agree with the direction some trails have taken, something had to be
done.
May 26, 2015, 11:31 a.m. - Cam McRae
#!markdown Expresso is no fun with a Monster T. That was part of my point. But it's a blast on everything from a hardtail to an AM bike. If balance is what you are after I'd say we are getting closer now. The trails you mention do not seem to be in jeopardy. Nobody is screaming for Crippler to be buffed, nor Grannies. But the Shore was dying the way it was before. No younger people were getting into the sport, let alone beginners. Now they have options and if they get the bug they can progress to the harder trails. As it was before that wasn't possible. It could have remained a private playground for the few but, like the original Expresso Line, without people to maintain those lines and clear fallen wood they would be at greater risk for decommissioning. And there wouldn't have been many voices in opposition - certainly not as many as there are now. I sympathize with your thoughts and, as I mentioned above, I used to have the same perspective as you. But now that my horizons have broadened and I can enjoy the higher speed lines with some flow as well, the Shore is better than ever. I didn't think that would ever happen but now that I have a skill set I didn't possess earlier every ride is more fun than it has ever been. And the trails you mention are still some of my favourites as well. I agree with you that finding a balance will be challenging. At least with Expresso there were parallel lines as options. Now that Kirkford has been re- routed there will no longer be a challenging line on that side of the hill. At the same time I know a lot of experienced riders who love what is becoming of it. The North Shore was slowly becoming extinct before TAP. And while not everyone will agree with the direction some trails have taken, something had to be done.