Great Wall CW or CCW

[seenvic]

I've been an advocate of the CCW direction on the Great Wall loop for a long time. After riding it CW for the first time in months, I am still an advocate of riding the Great Wall CCW.

If your interested, here is why.

1. The big DH. Either side starts off w/ a big DH run. CW, this means you ride down the Great Wall proper. In the CW direction, I found the DH to be less "wide open and flowing" with alot more braking needed. In the CCW direction, I can ride faster with less braking. I think this is mainly due to the terrain, bumps and rocks.
Advantage: CCW

2. The rake n ride section. I'd rather climb this section with no brakes than ride down it hitting my brakes on about every switchback. Advantage: CCW

3. The middle miles. This is what I'll call the trail not in either big DH run that starts you off. CW - there are some good DH runs and nice climbs. CCW - there are better DH runs w/ more hits (jumps). The climbing is about equal for the directions. Advantage: CCW

4. The climb out. Here is where I think I've heard the most about the differences in the directions. I've always heard that by riding CCW, I was avoiding the "big climb" out. Well, I kept waiting for the big climb out when I rode it CW. I never got to it. I decided that the "bigger climb out" is the CCW direction, IMHO. Advantage: CCW (for me). The climb is tougher CCW, so for me that makes CCW the choice.

While I give the advantage to CCW on all 4 points, overall, CW on the Great Wall is a good ride. I just think CCW is better.

Comments?

[driftwood]

I had been riding everything at FATS CCW cause I heard it was better that way, but last week I tried Great Wall CW and liked it so much better. Don't have an analysis of why, I just liked it more that way.

To me it seems like an entirely different trail when riding it in a different direction, so switching which way you go occasionally will keep things interesting and challenge you differently.

[jtaylor]

I like CCW better as well. I rode my son's hardtail yesterday and still liked it. It feels like downhill all the way to the handbuilt section. The first day FATS was open this spring I did my favorite combination of GW and Skinny CCW and thought that was better than Pisgah!!
Jon

[wooglin]

CCW for me. Better flow in the middle section. Makes me wish I had a big ring.