It was fine and sunny today, this really was news!
North Face had the muddy bits drained and armoured from the bottom end upwards today. (translation: smashing rocks into the surface to create a solid riding surface).
So if you find yourself rumbling over a rocky bit- that
section of the track used to be slimy mud or a rut, but no more!
Part of the track
that sidles the rock face is now about 50% wider and switchback 14 has had a major
facelift.
We did say we would make North Face more fun wherever
possible, so who are we do just leave an awkward corner alone?
This is the last switchback on North Face, a right hander
that used to drop almost 2 metres and then squeeze through some trees, to exit over
(or around) a rock feature poking out of the ground.
The entry to the corner was lowered about half a metre, so
the gradient on the way in is much more friendly, and the middle and exit of
the corner now boast a reasonably handy berm. People rode this with many and
various lines, and it seems to be nice and stable.
Made of heaps of rock and minimal dirt in the Smokin
tradition, this should stay very solid. Some other riders absolutely blasted
through, looking very flash indeed.
Only three people crashed.
The rock on the exit of the corner was claiming chain rings
(and probably riders) so this feature was converted into a roller. Nothing more
rocks and dirt could not fix.
This part of the trail should now be a lot more flowy, have
far fewer skidding ruts forming over time, be nicer to ride slowly or quickly, and
just be more fun to ride!
Here is a pic of the armouring along the last 70m of the track. Observe the darker areas and rocks. Astonishing.
By the afternoon this was dry as.

And here are some pics of the remade switchback #14.
The entry bit:

The next turning bit:

The bit after that:

And then the exit:

Here is a pic of the roller where the jagged rock used to be. It has a long gentle down slope so people will not get accidental airtime.

Heaps of drainage and armouring work was done elsewhere, and now this mega track is coming through it's first winter at last.
Many thanks to the 8 people who gave up an excellent riding
day to make the North Face trail just that bit better !