Windrock (4), MTB H (0) | Oliver Springs, Tennessee

[@in2gravitylife]

I retired last spring and took a 2 week vacation at Windrock. After a lifetime of adventure sports, which include Mt Biking and Motocross racing, even I was holding my breath while riding their trails. Videos do it no justice!!!

[@_Aitch_]

It’s gnarly for sure. Hopefully one day I’ll feel like I shred there, but it’s really intimidating…especially when it’s wet

[@takeamericaback1554]

I'm very new to mountain biking. I just recently got a commencal and yesterday I hit the hardest trails I've ever been on. One was a black diamond trail and some other ones that were not for beginners. My son went down twice on the trail. At first he said he was fine without having a helmet but I wouldn't let him go without a helmet or pads. He was thanking me after he fell down

[@_Aitch_]

Helmets are so important. I’m glad you told him to wear it. #helmetsarecool What trail system/what trails were you on?

[@takeamericaback1554]

@@_Aitch_ I live in Michigan and we hit stoney creek for the first time

[@thecoasterguy7367]

@@takeamericaback1554 hehe watch out for those double blacks. 😅don’t wanna be going down a trail and a 20ft drop just appears. That’s not fun. I know from experience, hehe kanuga.

[@benstep2]

I think windrock is out of my league. My son lives in Knoxville and said that Vee Hollow in Townsend has some windrock attributes but not as steep. I am thinking about trying those soon. Really enjoy your videos! Thanks.

[@_Aitch_]

I’ve wanted to make it out to vee hollow but hasn’t been convenient yet. Looks pretty cool from what I’ve seen tho. Glad you like the vids, got a bunch coming up soon!

[@vwmk5gtiblk]

Great job H. Go right back out there and do it again. Stay gnarly brother 🤙🏻

[@chiefchero6198]

You made the black lines at Jarrod’s place look so easy. This must’ve been on another level. Sign up for Quick Six at Big Creek. That’ll restore your confidence!

[@ScottsMTB]

Man I can't wait to check out Jarrod's myself!

[@_Aitch_]

Appreciate that my guy. It was definitely really tough for me but the funny thing is there’s 12 year olds out there absolutely shredding this place and I’m out there looking like I’ve never ridden a bike 😂. Also, good call I’ve never done that race but it’s my local spot so that would be awesome.

[@21armyn]

time for some maxxgripp or super soft compound tires when you race my friend.. those stockers aint gonna cut it..

[@_Aitch_]

Thought I'd try em out for a while. I honestly really like them so far (when it's dry I guess). The front is a Butcher with T9 compound which (I'm pretty sure) is Specialized's version of maxxgripp. Wasn't grippy enough for this I guess 😂

[@21armyn]

@@_Aitch_ butcher is not really for wet conditions.. i can put $ on it that if you change to a wet specific tire and super soft compound you would have prob crashed less on that terrain. 1st time i rode WR DH trail and XC trails i was scared AF bec im so used to groomed trails and flows but i kept on pushing and took my time and it really bump my skills.. dont give up man those natural trails like that is what makes you super good on bikes.

[@_Aitch_]

I also need to learn how to ride muddy stuff... I had no idea what to do tbh. I got in the ruts and didn't know how to adjust. Lot's of rider error. I'd love to blame the tires but I'd say a lot of it was my fault

[@21armyn]

@@_Aitch_ tires are a limiting factor too but not by a lot (maybe 15-20%).. and yes you are correct! ibet if you ride that park 2-3 more times you are gonna be wayy faster next time.

[@_Aitch_]

@@21armyn thanks for the encouragement. I’d love to get comfortable at Windrock. This was my 2nd time there and it went worse than the first time haha but I still want yo go back and keep trying. Maybe on a dry day tho… I’ll look into getting some wet tires. Got any specific recommendations?

[@shaneridesmtb]

Good video my man! It was tough on me too. The place is just so raw

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks, Shane. It’s really unlike anything else I’ve ridden so far. It will be cool to master it one day

[@shaneridesmtb]

@@_Aitch_ I actually can't wait to go back. When it's drier 😂

[@_Aitch_]

@@shaneridesmtb yeh definitely want to go back but only if it’s drier and a more relaxed scenario where I can stop and look at stuff before doing it

[@ScottsMTB]

Went for the first time before the race. Raw is a good word.

[@Bluemountainbowls]

Knee pads at the minimum is a suggestion 💦I was in that race and it definitely was ultra slick along with the Windrock “steep”

[@_Aitch_]

I've been looking into elbow pads recently actually. Whenever I crash, I ALWAYS scrape up my elbows more than my knees... but thinking I might as well get both. Do you feel like you scrape elbows or knees more?

[@KYMXRacer]

Wind rock is just one of those places I feel like you have to ride a lot to get acclimated to. It’s so steep and raw, then add mud, makes for a difficult ride.

[@_Aitch_]

Found that out the hard way hahaha. I’ll get there someday. Like you said, need to ride it more to get acclimated.

[@ScottsMTB]

I wasn't ready for the steep last Thursday. Insane.

[@SubversionGarage]

Time for better tires and some safety gear. The goal is to be safe and have fun

[@_Aitch_]

Exactly. Been looking into some elbow guards recently. That seems to be what gets the most scraped up for me

[@ScottsMTB]

Must be something to the whole tires thing, 2nd person to mention it.

[@Oper8or]

H don't sweat it man. You did the best you could do. We are all proud of you man. Keep up the great work. My wife wants to know one thing, where and the hell are your knee pads!! On a different note. I have a serious offer. If you go to Windrock again let me know (not during a race). I'll ride PIggyback and Hogwild and MAYBE Dropout with you. Piggyback even scares me a bit and I dang sure won't ride it wet. But I'm willing to conquer my fears and ride them with you. If you don't like that place that much then for sure stay away from VeeHollow. Its just a mini version of Windrock. See you on the trails someday man. Stay safe and stay gnarly.

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks and HA! Looking into getting some pads at the moment. Definitely needed them (and should’ve been wearing them anyway). Next time I go, I’ll let you know. Thanks for all your support. I appreciate all your comments.

[@khoi_tran]

How's it compare to Jarrods? On the brighter side at least the spills weren't too gnarly and you could get back up to ride.

[@_Aitch_]

Personally, I like Jarrod's a lot more. I think it's a bit more polished and easier to ride and learn. Windrock is "natural" chunk that can get pretty steep and gnarly. I think Jarrod's is a bit more "user-friendly" if that makes any sense. I feel like I shred at Jarrod's but the 2 times I've been to Windrock I've kinda had my butt handed to me. Worth seeing them both for yourself tho

[@SubmarinersDive]

Dude, Pads make those falls more bearable....even cheap pads work at least once!

[@ScottsMTB]

:)

[@_Aitch_]

Haha very true. Been looking at some elbow pads recently. That seems to be what gets the most scraped up when I crash

[@ScottsMTB]

Wow dude. Epic! Great video. I just visited for the first time on Thursday before your GoNuts race. I don't know how you or anyone races at Windrock. Ha. I just posted a video on it and I was glad to do the red bull drop and come out alive. :)

[@_Aitch_]

Yeh I honestly probably should not have raced it to be honest. Just not quite there yet. That’s sick tho! Congrats on hitting the Red Bull drop. I still haven’t hit it yet… I’d like to but I’ve been too demoralized after riding here to attempt it 😂

[@ScottsMTB]

@@_Aitch_ dude as good as you are you got it....watch my video so you can see what I did wrong but you will crush it. You did awesome in the race.

[@Oper8or]

You should see the Southeastern Downhill guys and gals race that place. Its absolutely crazy to watch them.

[@ScottsMTB]

@@Oper8or I might have to KZbin that because yeah I bet it's insane as well

[@ScottsMTB]

@Brad Imo wowsas!!!

[@travisferguson5030]

Hey man, if youre looking at trying to get more into racing this year the SECCC will be starting the college races soon. And if youre not in college yet they have an open class. They dont have enduros but its a great way to meet people and race down hills. Look up SECCC for more info

[@_Aitch_]

Just graduated in May, unfortunately. That would’ve been really cool

[@coralhound]

Hey H, Thanks for sharing your struggles with such gnarly stuff, I have huge respect for riders and You tubers like yourself that show the falls and the struggles. Are you going to post any rides from your time in CO?

[@_Aitch_]

Thanks glad you like that. I think it's important to show as much as possible, whether good or bad. I will definitely post all those asap. Just started working on vids from that trip (Chattanooga, Huntsville, Birmingahm, NW Arkansas, Colorado). So they'll be out in that order. You'll just have to wait for the CO ones. Stay tuned!

[@MillerRL96]

Windrock is just so damn tough! Ive been a few times and it just doesn't get easier at least for me. Gopro makes it not even look steep but I know some of those spots you fell you damn near need a ladder to get down it haha

[@_Aitch_]

It really is. I had trouble the first time I went there too... and the mud certainly didn't help this time around either

[@mckennapage1396]

aew you riding a stump jumper

[@_Aitch_]

2022 Specialized Enduro Expert

[@dmille462]

Why in the world aren’t you wearing pads!!! 😂 windrock is no joke. Videos don’t do it justice

[@_Aitch_]

Yeh definitely not the best idea haha. Next time I go, I'll pick a dry day and wear some pads 😂

[@T-rick]

Which video editing software are you using? Im looking for something that is free and can handle 4k 60fps resolution. Not sure if that exists for a windows computer !

[@_Aitch_]

I’ve been using DaVinci Resolve (free version) for a little while now and I’ve been liking it. Took me a week or two of googling stuff to figure it out tho… bit of a learning curve. Should be available for windows

[@T-rick]

@@_Aitch_ Good deal. I'll give it a whirl. First time my buddies and I rode Windrock 2 years ago, we had similar difficulties with the steep terrain and mud. Used to ride gnarly stuff back in high school and need to re-learn the techniques without our DH bikes! We also run knobby DH tires when we visit and gravity park from now on. No worries on punctures and better grip. Harder to pedal, but a much better trade off for riding.

[@_Aitch_]

@@T-rick Consensus seems to be unanimous on better tires for stuff like this. I thought the tires I had were good enough but it makes total sense to beef em up when you ride DH or muddy stuff. Didn't even really cross my mind even though I knew it was gonna be muddy. lmk how you like DaVinci Resolve. It took me like 2 weeks to start to get the hang of it and I still find myself looking things up but I'm a big fan of it now that I sorta know what I'm doing

[@brandtdenis4016]

Hey man. You did great I mean I wimped out and didn’t even race. I rode stage 3 and was able to ride the whole thing on pre ride but I was just too scared to race it. But how’d you do?

[@wchangose]

How is that even fun? I've seen you rip a lot of stuff so I know you can ride, I would have been long gone.

[@_Aitch_]

It wasn’t very fun hahaha. Had thoughts about leaving after stage 2 but had to stick it out and at least cross the finish line. Had to get my money’s worth 😂