Section Seven

Section Seven crosses the infamous ‘Puddle of Doom’, also known by some as the ‘Bog of Eternal Stench’ - David Bowie not included.  Its main feature is a winding section of boardwalk (or north-shore, to give it its more bikey name) - I think this was the first major timber feature on FtD, but I could be wrong.

There are three ways of crossing the Puddle of Doom.  The easiest is the chicken run - a blue-graded route to the right that bypasses the boardwalk.  This actually used to be quite a challenge in its own right - it seemed to be perpetually boggy, even the sunniest of weather.  Presumably this was due to its proximity to the Puddle of Doom.  However, nervous riders need fear no longer,for the Chase Trails pixies went in with what I can only imagine was an epic amount of surfacing.  Last time I checked, the chicken run was a solid, safe path.

The second is the red-graded boardwalk.  It can seem fairly terrifying, but if you’re capable of riding a bike fairly steadily and smoothly, and you keep your eyes on what’s ahead rather than on your front wheel, you’ll be fine.  There’s a tiny less-than-a-kerb drop on the end - I nearly came off there once, but that was because I was trying to avoid a Red Admiral butterfly that landed.  Fortunately neither I or the Admiral were injured.

The third is taking the red-graded boardwalk until it splits off onto a black graded skinny.  The skinny is made up of multiple planks, with a small drop between each one.  I’ve never ridden the skinny (ooh-er), and don’t really have any plans to try…

Once you’re past the boardwalk, you’re on singletrack that seems to rocket you along - there’s a fair number of roots to keep an eye out for, but you can pick up a good amount of speed to propel you up a small but steep climb.  The track then goes down, around a corner, and smack bang into…

EVIL ROOT NUMBER ONE!

Evil Root Number One has been my nemesis for a couple of years.  I was, briefly, almost able to get over it without putting my feet down.  However, erosion has added extra challenge to the rooty git, and it’s now slightly larger than a kerb.  On a slope.

I’ve seen people tackle it in several different ways.  A few take a line to the very left, almost using the bank like an uphill berm. Some lift their front wheel over effortlessly and pass it without trouble.  And some (and I suspect that once I’m successful I’ll be in this camp…) plough into it full power and hope their suspension will do the work.

After Evil Root Number One the trail slopes up and around to a plateau, then leads down to a fire road using a new exit that bypasses the drainage problems of the previous one.  It’s down a couple of log steps (again, tiny), then onto Section Eight!

HOW IT RIDES:   Generally quite fast, especially in the dry.  The entrance onto the boardwalk can sometimes be a bit rough due to the amount of erosion caused by braking bumps - from the looks of it, some people approach it at speed then change their mind at the last minute!  There are quite a few roots making their presence known along the rest of the trail - most are quite small, but Evil Root Number One is quite hefty, and one of the trickiest bits of FtD.  In my opinion.  Which is right.

HAZARDS: As mentioned above, when it comes to crossing the Puddle you can choose your level of hazard.  The boardwalk is actually fairly narrow compared to the ones I’ve ridden in Glentress, Dalbeattie and Llandegla, and, unlike at many trail centres, isn’t covered in chicken wire.  This apparently can make it quite slippy in the wet, but avoids punctures causes by broken wire, I guess.  Regardless, I’ve never had any traction problems on the boardwalk, and if you’re worried there’s always the chicken run.

If you approach the boardwalk and there’s a nervous rider on it, let them get to the end before getting on.  It might mean a minute or two extra onto your laptime, but it’s better than spooking a new rider who may stop unexpectedly - it reduces the risk of accidents for both you and them if you let them clear it!

The following bit of trail is fast, but has a couple of small but protruding roots - worth bearing in mind if you’re a new rider, particularly if you’re on a hardtail. Evil Root Number One is more of a challenge, requiring confidence and correct weight distribution to get over it.  Or lots of travel, I’m hoping…