Sorry for the delay, its just we have been busy following the Dakar...Three cheers for the rest day! Hip hip hoory. Having said that the Dakar thread is now suffering thanks to this thread
and we plan to go outriding as soon as Ive posted this.
Thanks for all the replies. Its good motivation to continue posting. Back to the story:
I push on, I quickly learn the trick it to keep moving, as soon as you slow too much things just get harder, its more difficult to keep the bike on the track. Its also really hard to keep your weight on the outside (the high side) to improve traction. If you go too far over on one side its a long, long way down.
I also learn that going around the crests you have to take it easy, the curve is very sharp, and with the slope of the track its much easier to slide off the track. But its a lot better on the inside corners, you can literally "ride on the wall" and lean over at really cool angles!
I go around the next corner and see this:
Its an awesome panorama and the track ahead looks kinda inviting.
Getting closer I see and AWESOME ramp. You can make out a paraglider above the ridge for scale.
I just have to see if I can get up this thing. I give it a go, but stupidly did not have enough speed going into it. My second gear runs out about half way up and then it was down to first. It is only a matter of time before I come off the back after riding on one wheel about three quarters of the way up. Luckily I avoid the falling bike as it bounces off its rear mud guard and tail light. Its so steep that the bike slides down on its side down the hill for about 20m. I have to chase it and nearly face plant trying to catch it. <
You can actually see the drag marks from this drama 3/4 of the way up on the left side of the track.> I am too s**t scared and exhausted to try ride it down from there, so I walk it down like a girl.
I spend a good half an hour drinking water and recovering from the ordeal. I decide to leave it for next time when there is someone with me and press on.
Looking back at the approach track,
Yours truely, with the offending ramp in the background.
I follow the obvious track down this mountain as a reconcilition ride. Its steeper than it looks, but doable if you control your descent.
The track continues its contouring route to the south. There are a couple of cool ramps for the more adventurous but Im still shakey after my last attempt so I stick to the contour.
There are a couple of places where you really think you are going to slide away.
It requires weight on the outside, and a little bit of throttle, its not bad at all.
I pop down into the little town of Pachacamac (try say that after 6 beers!) for some fuel, and along comes a funeral procession, full brass band and all.
Riding through the town I come accross some old wheat mills
Its a poor town, but some people here have pride and make the best, so its really quite nice. I have some pics of the centre of town, I will post later. This is typical side street. Always curious people about.
Taking the road out of town, I am close to the dunes now.
There are some nice agricultural projects in the area, and I stop for another drink at this flower farm.
I talk to the guy there, he says its a profitable business for the owners, but he doesnt get paid enough.
Looking back at the bike it really is a beautiful machine with plenty of horses.
Even when the brake light has been smashed off by some windgat.
At last
Being relatively new to powdery dunes, I aim straight for the highest point and open up. I quickly realise that unless you start them with a run-up youre not going to get very far. The bike is screaming under me and Im going about 20km/hr and losing speed. So I changed the attack angle and got further but simply not far enough.
I have to return to the base of these dunes. Its hard work, and Im sucking air big time. The bike performs beautifully though. One thing about going down dunes is you have to open up. You cannot allow the bike to slow on the back wheel or you just stall. Opening up also helps keep the front wheel up. Its pretty scary, because you pick up pace really quickly and there is no way really of slowing down without digging in with your front wheel. Going down a steep dune its hard to keep the weight off the front wheel so if you tap off it goes straight in like a knife into butter. Not good at all.
I get down okay, but the adrenaline is pumping. On my second attempt, I get over the first dune and am surprised by the steep drop on the other side. In front of me is a deep blind hole with a wall of dunes going up the moutain in front. I have to open up big time and its a bastard trying to keep my balance in the sand that changes angle constantly.
Eventually I run out of steam again and come to a grinding halt with the back wheel dug in.
OK folks you´ll have to wait until Im back from my ride now...sorry but I ran out of time and we cant
not ride!
Topic: A solo ride in the dunes (Read 4210 times)
