After a bit of a chill loaded the Chromag in the back of Alistair's truck to get to the to[ of Guinea Bush. Due to still recovering from injuries Alistair would be be the shuttle river while the owner of 2Six8 would play the role of guide.
Part 1,
Guinea Bush Falmouth Harbour Antigua Part 1 July 20th 2023
https://www.strava.com/activities/9503819653
This time with the downhill in mind put the Bell Super DH in full face mode and wore full knee armour. While it would help with the PTSD overthinking let's also keep in mind will be chasing a local who has spent hours digging and riding these trails. Also this would be a test of things almost a year post major knee surgery though maybe less physical and more of a test of mental.
Is has been almost 30 years since last sat in a 4x4 truck heading up sketchy worn 4x4 tracks. Last did this kind of thing was back in the early 1990's with the Reserves. Another first as this time was the passenger as before now I was the infantryman behind the wheel steering it.
Once at the top of course had to look at the view and take pictures of the view. And to see Antigua in a way that most who visit won't see it. It is something that is hard to explain but for me it is places like this that mean more then what most think is what matters when you come to places like this. Looking down into Falmouth Harbour could see Nelson's Dockyard and English Harbour.
And looked inland to what if my rough map reading on a smartphone suggests as the right direction. Looking north towards All Saints and further inland.
However with the sun soon to begin setting had to prepare for the task at hand the Saddlebash DH run. Keep in mind it has been a while since actually downhill ridden like this. And would be chasing a local.
Saddlebash was combination of bits of singletrack and double track. With the locals having dug sections of singletrack to help connect everything together in ways that where fun. Even had a nice challenging rollable drop part way down. And now am really wishing had decided to try to video rides before going to Antigua as this would have been fun to see the whole ride.
Lower down we went into the Dreamland part and hit the creek bed section. This would be my third time though and did it slightly smoother this time. However would have to be there a few months to really get the feel like the locals have and ride it well.
Exiting the creek bed and this time not giving a blood donation to the Cassia. Headed along Potworks Dam Rd that connects with Matthews Rd to take us back to 2Six8 and a cold recovery beverage. As well as an Antiguan BBQ Burger.
Funnily the ride down Saddlebash to 2Six8 kind of reminded me of those early stories we ready back in the 1990's of the oldest MTB club the Laguna Rads. Who would do rides and then finish at the fire pit for food and a beer.
While didn't think I rode well down Saddlebash when I got home and looked at the GPS data and Strava data. I discovered had the seventh fastest time on Saddlebash. Considering where have been for three years injury wise it was a bonus surprise that was obviously unexpected. And I will take it.
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