Rocky Mountain Wears The Triple Crown
Tue 30th Aug, 2016 @ 12:30 pm
As the last bank holiday of Summer draws to a close the Rocky community from Devon, home of UK Rocky Mountain Distributor Greenover Sports, took to the hills to put themselves and their bikes to the test!
The ‘Trail Head Triple’ hits up some of the best trails in England and Wales covering over 50 miles and 6000 ft of climbs across three well-known trails in one day!
Rocky Mountain Ambassador rider Elbry Sandland, the mastermind behind the Trail Head Triple and has over 28 years of riding experience including nine years as an Elite XC Racer – so never shy of taking on a challenge!
The Trail Head Triple is into its 5th year. What brings you back?
The reason the triple crown has kept us coming back has to do with the vibe, it’s that last big ride of the summer and a once a year chance to hit these trails with a good group of guys that you only meet at the races or ride with once in a blue moon each year. It’s egos to one side, a real on tour road trip feel that takes you back to the roots of why we started mountain biking and also the dream of what we thought it was – an epic almost endless day of single-track riding with your bros.
How did the Trail Head Triple come about?
About 5 years ago I was planning my first trip to the Afan Trail Centre with XC Racer Stu Ross and Enduro Rider Wayne Buckingham. It seemed like a long way for half a days riding so it seemed only right to get a lap of Cwmcarn on the way home and the other lads were game. This soon got me thinking of the Vandal Destruction Tour where you had to hit as many BMX tracks and trail spots in one day. So…how many trail centres could we do in one day?
A third seemed possible and Ashton Court fitted the bill…and the triple crown was formed!
What is the Trail Head Triple route?
Stop 1 is at Afan where we take on the much loved W2 trail and sets the tone for the day with 25 miles of trail riding. Stop2 is at Cwmcarn and it’s the straight up straight down tempo loop of Twrch before grabbing a bottle and out on another 9 mile loop of the steeper Cafall trail. Last but not least it’s over to Ashton court for two loops of the blue trail, not much in the way of climbing so it’s full gas and a real blast around the pump laden trail to end an epic day of riding.
What is your ride of choice?
My team bike is a Rocky Mountain Thunderbolt BC, I’m a rocky rider to the core, I got my first in the early 90s and have a small collection of old Rocky’s stowed away. I picked the thunderbolt this year as it’s the perfect blend of a climbing machine with the handling and suspension to tackle all that these trails can throw at me …and with a bit of luck smash out some more PB’s!
