Last day of the season at Catamount

[Dwreck]

Well my wife and I went out to Catamount this past Sunday for their last day of riding this season. The conditions were good for the most part. A few real wet spots on a couple of trails, but the temperature was great, about 55, and the sky was clear. Alot of changing leaves that really made the rides up the chairlift enjoyable, looking back into the valley and the towns below. As for the riding...it was fast and fun. A few of the hits were a bit run out, but still a blast to hit. My wife made about 5 runs down different trails and routes then packed it in due to sore wrists. She is an XC girl that likes the downhills but can't take the costant punishment resort riding. But she gives it her all, and no matter how nervous she gets, she still goes for it. On a good note, we all stayed on our bikes for the entire day, no crashes. On a "could be crappy" note the last run of the day found me bottom out my front end, on a stupid move by myself. I was really flying down an open stretch of the ridgerun, and when I approached a steep down shoot that runs about 12-15 feet on exposed shale...I never touched the ground.....untill the base of the slope that is. Just too much speed to keep the tires on the ground at the top, and I landed pretty flat! My forks went from 8 " travel with 1 " of sag to about 3" of sag. I didn't notice this until I got to the bottom and was chatting with my wife after she commented on how fast I was back at the base...my bike is now at thte shop being cared for.

The stinger trail was in great shape even with a few washed out spots from the rain the previous week. The switchback trail, streamline and Freak-went flyer trails were also in good shape. Can't wait until they open again next season.

All in all, it was a great day...only about 12 or so riders on the trails all day. No waiting in line, no crowded trails, no worries.