Another Shape bicycles trail trip to the South of France for 2018, this time with the Burck trail and the Banos jam as destination. We were 3 people to leave Brittany on last Wednesday, we arrived in Bordeaux at night.
Thursday 27-09, we visited a friend of us who currently lives in Bordeaux, we made the tourists and then we went to the Burck wood, its hiden trail and its orange dirt. We had a look at the changes of the last winter, we prepared the small line and we enjoyed it all the afternoon long, in the strong heat ! Between two runs, we observed several squirrels and lizards, not to mention the very hungry mosquitos, a real natural reserve this trail... Our friend joined us at the Burck in the late afternoon, then we had a meal together along the Garonne, fortunately the temperature became bearable in the evening. Before coming back to the van, we went to skatepark and met Alaric, he offered us to have a session at his trail during the weekend, which isn’t far from Banos.
Friday 28-09, we went back to the Burck, in order to warm up before going to Banos, little session quietly. Between two runs, we took a break in the hut of the trail, we even bought our tickets for the 2019 Metallica concert at the “stade de France” (Paris) !! We took the road, going through the Landes is easy to recognise, pins and sand wherever you watch ! We arrived at Marc’s trail in the early afternoon, we gave a hand for the latest preparations for the jam (cutting tree, pieces of wood for BBQ, cleaning the Boomerang line in the case a potential adventurer wants to ride it...). In the evening, a small party took place with fire and BBQ, then it’s quickly time to sleep to be ready for the session tomorrow.
Saturday 29-09, we woke up freshly and took the breakfast at Banos before going to Alaric’s trail, to warm up. His trail is well hidden, under the tree with a sandy dirt. We enjoyed the main line as well as the pump track (botch can be linked). Back to Banos at midday, some mates already rode, Bruno and I took part of the session, we quickly remembered the line as it was our second time here for both of us. Nevertheless, this line is difficult mentally, we can feel the pressure amongst the riders, we are all tense. For my part, I managed to ride until the « Hip de la muerte », but I couldn’t find the right way to try the following jump and the whole line... On his side, Bruno found his way and he validated the line – Congrats to him!
The session extended until the evening, everyone took his marks, each rider who jumps the hip or validates the whole line is acclaimed. Titou was on fire, he threw a 3-6 on the second jump and even on the one after the hip ! Irun from Belgium was also there, he threw 3-6 on the second jump as well, made lots of stylish tricks even on the hip ! Some riders following each other, it was beautiful to watch !
The party took place, the BBQ was running at full speed, discussions were going well with the friends we see too rarely.
Sunday 30-09, a bit more difficult to wake up early, we had to take the road back to Brittany. Breakfast at the trail, we said « bye » to the friends, then we left.
Thanks Mark for the jam, the locals of the Burck for the session and Alaric for the warm up!
