Forums » The Trailhead » Lower Whoops

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  1. Lower Whoops

    Just rode Lower Whoops for the first time this year, I am a COTA member but live in Salem. This had been my favorite trail and I was really looking forward to riding it - was I surprised! The new changes - all of the BIG tabletops (what percentage of riders in Bend can actually clear these vs. those that could easily ride the smaller single jumps?) - have rendered this wonderful cross country flowing trail to a much less enjoyable trail. Bummer!

    Posted By:
    DonH
    Posted
    7/21/2008 23:42

  2. re: Lower Whoops

    Advanced riders need trails too; It'll give you something to work toward, to make your skill set bigger. Everyone I have encountered up there, is super stoked on the new trail; even the begginer riders like it.

    Posted By:
    NastyNick
    Posted
    7/22/2008 10:32

  3. re: Lower Whoops

    Thank you for the input. The feedback about the changes on whoops has been very positive. From total beginners through high skilled rippers, almost everyone "whoops" with joy and can't wait to do it again.
    The few people who have had negative experiences are good trail riders who do not have much jumping experience. these folks write off the jumps after one ride through, because they were unable to clear them.
    I say give it another chance: challenge your self to stay on the ground and pump everything until you feel the flow of the trail. Then work on making the landing on a few, then a few more.
    Whoops provides progression for all levels, and having a trail in the lower phils area that challenges everyone is a very good thing.

    Posted By:
    Strykeforce
    Posted
    7/23/2008 12:16

  4. re: Lower Whoops

    I am also a member from the west side of the Cascades and would like to put in a good word for the work done on Whoops. The trail flows so very well, and is a blast to ride. I got to ride it in late June and the berms, rollers, and tables were running fast and smooth. A rider can definitely roll all the trail features without interupting flow if they don't feel like jumping. Personally I like to incorporate some flying into my riding! Thanks for the hard work and keep it up COTA!!!

    Posted By:
    scn
    Posted
    7/24/2008 15:16

  5. re: Lower Whoops

    I like the new Whoops.

    The first several times I rode it I could not make the tabletops, but now I can clear all of them (I'm still working on clearing all of the doubles though...).

    The "trick" is to practice, just as in any other sport. For some reason people don't dedicate any time to work on bike-handling skills. We ride a bunch for cardio fitness but how many people set out just to work on skills?

    Even spending a couple of hours on the beginner line at The Lair will give you a feel for small tabletops, which will help you progress to the larger ones on the intermediate line. Next, go spend a couple of hours doing back-to-back runs on Whoops and you'll get better at it.

    Whoops is challenging, and how can one expect to do something challenging without practicing?

    Posted By:
    Nat
    Posted
    8/1/2008 5:45

  6. re: Lower Whoops

    Thanks for all the comments, it is great to hear that the "new" Whoops is very well received. I definitely appreciate that there must be a mix of trails, and advanced riders need there place too. As a new COTA member I need to get around and find those trails with the flow and smaller single jumps that Whoops had (any suggestions?). Also I get the message on getting better, although a long-time cross country rider jumping is new to me but I am trying. After a couple fo weekends at Black Rock I am coming back to Phil's this weekend and will give Whoops a new visit - as well as stopping by The Lair.

    Thanks to COTA for all the time and effort to provide such a wonderful riding area - it is very much appreciated.

    Posted By:
    DonH
    Posted
    8/4/2008 18:04

  7. re: Lower Whoops

    I agree with DonH. For years, this has been a great XC trail, both directions. Why the need to put MX obstacles on trails in the woods? Even the moto's aren't doing this.

    Posted By:
    ORXC
    Posted
    8/13/2008 9:18

  8. re: Lower Whoops

    Our trail system needs to cover a larger spectrum of riding,than just XC trails; I don't think its such a burden on riders that we have ONE trail with features or dirt jumps on it. If you are so displeased by the trail, then don't ride it. The mt.bike community needs to realize that our sport has many different facets of riding; and we shouldn't shun the freeriders and thrill seekers that are the minority in central oregon. If we want central oregon to be a world class mt.biking destination; we need to be progressing all areas of our sport, not just XC.

    Posted By:
    NastyNick
    Posted
    8/13/2008 11:57

  9. re: Lower Whoops

    Those tabletops are not large. In fact, they could easily be twice the length they are now because as they stand it is easy to hit backside coasting through most of the sections ....plus they are easily ridden over, as are the rest of the new 'jumps'. I am a little confused, however, why the four rollers were put in about half way down...they make no sense to me.

    Posted By:
    bikesales
    Posted
    8/15/2008 15:02

  10. re: Lower Whoops

    manual clinic. Get them all and you are a master...

    Posted By:
    Strykeforce
    Posted
    8/15/2008 19:50

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