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Manly Dam.. things to look out for


bmar560's picture

By bmar560 - Posted on 08 May 2012

Hi All,

Been a while since I've ridden Manly Dam(last ride there was probably in January), from what I've read here the trail have somewhat changed quite a bit.
Thinking of riding it lunchtime today, just wondering which tricky bits I should look out for ?

cheers,
Mario

[Mod. moved to Northern Beaches]

hawkeye's picture

On the pinch climb after Manly Vale Public School, the left line is gone completely. As in, it no longer exists. You need to go straight up the right hand side.

On the golf course section, a lot of the lines have changed but the only bit that got me was straight after the two techy descents where you go up onto that rock and have to do a tight right turn onto the new board walk. There was a tree root and a sandy hole right on my usual front tyre line that keeps messing with my head. I usually unclip and dab. I tried track-standing but fell right (much embarassment)

The section between the fire trail and 19th Hole has potential to trap the unwary. Once you get past the series of step-downs in the first 20m after the turnoff, you'll want to gun it and huck off the drop-downs on the straight bit. The erosion from the water flow that barrels down there has uglied up the landings and you want to land as far down the track as possible, with your weight back. If you go too slow, you'll drop your front wheel in and that won't end well.

19th Hole was sandy and slippery on my last runs through a few weeks ago. The last roll-down that we all love so much is a little bit better after I put all the rocks in during the last wet spell, but the line is still only ~3 tyre widths wide. Get it eyeballed early.

The section from there to the kids playground had a palm frond that blocked your view in a really awkward spot a couple of weeks ago - if it's still there, it would be worth removing (please Smiling )

Down-trail from the Hydro Lab rocks is getting gnarlier. I usually hang left close to the base of that first tree.

Hope that helps Smiling

bmar560's picture

Just what I needed, thanks heaps !
Looks like I'll have to take it real slow and suss things out Smiling

hawkeye's picture

I'm bored at home on a sick day atm. Sad

Just don't take it too slow - I find I get into trouble being too tentative, and start dropping into holes and bouncing off things I'd normally miss. Eye-wink

Once you've been through there once your comfort and confidence levels will improve immensely. I usually try to do at least two laps, as the first one is usually a sighting-in lap.

VTSS350's picture

I agree totally hawkeye.

bmar560's picture

just got back from doing a lap there.
Not as bad as I thought, had to stop a few times on the track leading to the 19th hole as that's probably the one section that's changed the most.
Heartbreak hill seems somewhat easier than before.
still managed to do it just over 40mins so pretty happy with that Smiling

hawkeye's picture

Mate, I need to be taking lessons from you at the moment, not the other way around Sticking out tongue

Nice day for it. Smiling

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