Expresso opening moves

kelham · 07-19-2012, 04:52 PM

I finally worked up the nerve to ride both opening lines on Expresso and am wondering how people handle that first ladder bridge...do you take it slow and pedal up the canoe, or do you roll in with speed from the road and coast up it?

KenN · 07-19-2012, 04:56 PM

Come in from to opposite side of the road, carry enough momentum coast to the apex. Drag brake just enough to keep speed comfortable at the apex so you can sight your line down the ramp, then let 'er rip!

The ramp down is more grippy than you might guess, even when wet or with a bit of snow on it.

Kn.

cgh · 07-19-2012, 06:17 PM

It's a lot easier than it looks. I just pedal up it. You have to keep a bit of speed to make the slight right turn at the top without stalling out and falling over.

But all bets are off when that thing is really wet and cold, as then it is full of hellish treachery.

pipeline · 07-19-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cgh

It's a lot easier than it looks. I just pedal up it. You have to keep a bit of speed to make the slight right turn at the top without stalling out and falling over.

I agree with this. If I can ride that entrance, pretty much anyone can. It did however take a while for me to get up the nerve to try it. After that first time, no problems. Like most things.

Bryce · 07-19-2012, 08:53 PM

I roll up the canoe with a little speed like KenN does

semaj · 07-19-2012, 11:08 PM

I roll half way up the canoe, empty my bowels into my chamois and close my eyes at the top

horizontally opposed · 07-20-2012, 01:19 AM

I've got the" stall out and fall over" move down pretty good after practicing it last week.

Lady Gravity · 07-20-2012, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by horizontally opposed

I've got the" stall out and fall over" move down pretty good after practicing it last week.

last time i rode expresso that was almost me. had a nice run up the canoe, faltered at the top and nearly gave myself heart failure, but managed to pull it off and stick the the down ramp. total adrenaline rush. and haven't hit it since

but then again i dont ride the shore all that often.

Knnn · 07-21-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by semaj

I roll half way up the canoe, empty my bowels into my chamois and close my eyes at the top

Check

Quote:

Originally Posted by horizontally opposed

I've got the" stall out and fall over" move down pretty good after practicing it last week.

Check

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Gravity

last time i rode expresso that was almost me. had a nice run up the canoe, faltered at the top and nearly gave myself heart failure, but managed to pull it off and stick the the down ramp. total adrenaline rush. and haven't hit it since

but then again i dont ride the shore all that often.

Check, done it once and now I have no need to do it again and will cheerfully demonstrate the ride around.

AlanB · 07-23-2012, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenN

Come in from to opposite side of the road, carry enough momentum coast to the apex. Drag brake just enough to keep speed comfortable at the apex so you can sight your line down the ramp, then let 'er rip!

The ramp down is more grippy than you might guess, even when wet or with a bit of snow on it.

Kn.

This. The ramp up is surprisingly grippy too.

The approach to the ramp up has enough of a turn that it's pretty much impossible to hit it with too much speed. Just pedal hard through the turn and you'll make the top easily.

BTW - It's easier if you don't scope it out first. I did it today for the first time in a year and was at the bottom of the ramp before I could soil myself!

Bryce · 07-24-2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knnn

Check, done it once and now I have no need to do it again and will cheerfully demonstrate the ride around.

has the ride-around changed? Used to be a lot harder than the ramp.

morgman · 07-24-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryce

has the ride-around changed? Used to be a lot harder than the ramp.

It's been dirted but it's still pretty tough.

Tmack · 07-29-2012, 06:34 AM

Rode this trail for the first time ever today. I'm not sure what it used to be like but it sure is fun now, so much gold has been layed down, beauty work. The first ladder is easy, just do it.

LostBoyScout · 07-29-2012, 07:27 AM

Yeah I find the canoe-to-ladder to be the easy line.

07-19-2012, 04:52 PM	#1
kelham Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: east van Posts: 96 Rep Power: 0	Expresso opening moves I finally worked up the nerve to ride both opening lines on Expresso and am wondering how people handle that first ladder bridge...do you take it slow and pedal up the canoe, or do you roll in with speed from the road and coast up it?

07-19-2012, 04:56 PM	#2
KenN I'm with the pedalphiles Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: eNVy Posts: 12,444 Rep Power: 18749929	Come in from to opposite side of the road, carry enough momentum coast to the apex. Drag brake just enough to keep speed comfortable at the apex so you can sight your line down the ramp, then let 'er rip! The ramp down is more grippy than you might guess, even when wet or with a bit of snow on it. Kn. __________________ When one person suffers from a delusion, it is called insanity. When many people suffer from a delusion, it is called religion.

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07-19-2012, 06:17 PM	#3
cgh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 59 Rep Power: 0	It's a lot easier than it looks. I just pedal up it. You have to keep a bit of speed to make the slight right turn at the top without stalling out and falling over. But all bets are off when that thing is really wet and cold, as then it is full of hellish treachery.

07-19-2012, 08:53 PM	#5
Bryce Registered Abuser Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: high as f%*k Posts: 6,979 Rep Power: 3139475	I roll up the canoe with a little speed like KenN does

07-19-2012, 11:08 PM	#6
semaj Ginja ninja Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: QE Park Posts: 2,319 Rep Power: 3746527	I roll half way up the canoe, empty my bowels into my chamois and close my eyes at the top

07-20-2012, 01:19 AM	#7
horizontally opposed Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: New West Posts: 123 Rep Power: 73905	I've got the" stall out and fall over" move down pretty good after practicing it last week.

07-29-2012, 06:34 AM	#13
Tmack Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,392 Rep Power: 3995301	Rode this trail for the first time ever today. I'm not sure what it used to be like but it sure is fun now, so much gold has been layed down, beauty work. The first ladder is easy, just do it.

07-29-2012, 07:27 AM	#14
LostBoyScout Hello. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: East Van Posts: 536 Rep Power: 1885332	Yeah I find the canoe-to-ladder to be the easy line.