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High Action North Shore, whats it all about?
26th May 2004 - Writers: Dud
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The High Action centre is based just outside of Bristol and was the first site to in the UK to have legal North Shore type riding. The North Shore area has been running for nearly a year now and is getting to a very high standard. Currently as far as I could see there are two main sections to it. An amateur side with obstacles that can be mastered after a few attempts and a harder section which rises much higher, goes much thinner and requires a little more balls. I'd been planning to check out the centre for quite a while and took a little trip last Sunday.
Arriving at the Avon ski center your greeted by Land Rovers carrying horses, and tons of little kids running around all excited about the dry ski slope they will soon be face to face with, literally. The North Shore area is set above all this in a small wood that Cliff and mates have used well. First you have to go sign a disclaimer, get a little brief if its your first time using ladders then saddle up. The course is set out switching back on itself so there is no walking for miles for a 2 minute run. An aspect that I liked lots cause I hate pushing uphill. Maybe the best part of the riding is that it is so easy to session any one obstacle meaning there is plenty to keep you happy all day. Then if you can actually master anything slowly, try hitting it flat out, much harder than it would sound. Enough crap. What's there? Well as I said there are both amateur and intermediate areas. Starting the amateur run you go up over the first with an option of two exits, one small drop and a thinner run out. Then across a rooty section and up onto a higher smaller part with a steep quarter pipe style drop in at the end. Surprisingly easier than it looks. Then comes the seesaw, one of the better parts of the area I think because of how fun it is waiting for it to drop when you get past the balance point. Then the track bends around back on itself and things start to get a little more technical. Some tighter bends mean more balance is needed and unexpected very thin sections make for some brown trouser moments. This said, always walk the obstacle before you ride it! Chuck in a couple gap drops, not massive but enough to think twice about and a 4/5 foot drop off and your
getting near the end. Finally comes a choice of two exits, a three step drop, or a roll in to drop. The first of which claiming quite a few riders through the day, including myself, who really should fit a front brake. Now move on back up to the real deal. The bits of the course with a huge wall ride, helter skelter and quite a few hucks.
Overall High Action is an awesome days riding for a small price (£7 full day, £5 half day) Also open Thursday evenings from 6 till 9 (as long as the light nights hold out) £5.00 and Sundays from 11 till 5 £10.00 or 2 till 6 £5.00 Its a great way to improve and get real sense of achievement after nailing something you've stacked on, twice, three times. For most riders it will probably be something different from everyday riding and a good change. North Shore aint for everyone but it's damn good fun, and that's what it's all about really. Seeya on the ladders.
Check out high action on their website, High Action.co.uk and get over there for a great days riding. Look out for more features on High Action soon!
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