GWood wrote:
> Will be visiting the area around the lake and volcano in late January. Have
> heard about great rides nearby, but have no details on how to get in on
> them.
>
> We will not be taking bikes, but would definitely take pedals and shoes if
> we can find any rides close by. So we'd need rentals and a guide, or an
> organized ride that caters to weekend warriors (and not white-belts). Any
> recommendations or experiences in the area welcomed.
>
> Would you take your own lid or accept one from a rental outlet? I ask
> because we're travelling light and lids take up precious room....
>
> Cheers
> Gary
>
>
From Marla:
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
The Rare and Elusive Costa Rican Singletrack
Been hanging out with a local pro mountain biker down here in Costa Rica.
"Rom" has lived here all his life, save the first year or two. Here on
the southern tip of the Nicoya Penisula in Pachote, a tiny village
alongside the estuary that feeds into the Bahia de Ballera.
At this year's La Ruta, Rom placed 12th. I easily spotted him at last
year's race. There aren't too many 6 foot blond haired Ticos. Rom has
just started getting into race promotion in the area, and he has one
coming up this weekend where he's trying to attract the big racing teams
and maybe some foreigners.
For the past few weeks, Rom has been showing me all the cool places to
ride, all the while coaching me on the various trees and critters along
the way. Waterfalls, secluded beaches, deep and dark primary forests,
views from the top of peaks that rival any in the Bay Area.
But only accessible on what we gringos would call 'fire roads'. Pretty
rutted, eroded, steep and overgrown fire roads, but still technically
not quite singletrack.
I had to explain to one of the best mountain bikers in the country what
singletrack is. He simply couldn't fathom that you can build a narrow
trail onto a ridiculously steep slope, and still make it up in your
middle chainring. I told him about the twisting, snaking ride you get as
you corner every tree, and pump every roller. Vines to duck and kickers
to hit can be built into the design.
Rom's smile grew as I gushed.
On the mainland up near the Arenal volcano, I've heard there is some
good riding on the hiking and cow trails. But they can be quite muddy 9
months out of the year so the singletrack season is brief.
Rom is excited about the idea of singletrack coming to the Nicoya
penisula. It's still jungly and full of wildlife, but a lot drier. I
assured Rom that if the trails are built, they will come.
--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws
