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Oaks trail - advice needed
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
One of my buddies (new nobmobber kiwi_phil) is organising a ride with a few mates to the Oaks trail in a few weeks.
Given my present constraints (post shoulder repair surgery, not allowed to risk falling off yet) am I asking for trouble? Or is it relatively unchallenging technically like say Perimeter + Long if I take it easy? I've been playing with things like riding down short sets of stairs, but there are no traction problems to catch you out there.
Thanks for your advice, guys. 
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The majority of the trail is fast, smooth fire trail. A few steep ups and one or two steep downs
the last bit of ST can be a little tech in places but nothing you can get of a walk then get back on. If you are really worried you could always by pass the single track and just take the fire road.
If you can ride down stairs you can do the oaks no problem.
The last few weeks of wet, then dry winds then wet again has copped it it up a bit.
But it is still fast, the breaking bumps at deadman's are a risk on your shoulder.
The other thing I would watch is if you don't do the single track and go the Oaks FT the corrugations are savage at speed.
I would say falling off is not an issue but the jarring.
Hope it helps
it can't be as bad as riding down steps - are you going up and back or just down?
Just down should be ok - it's smoother than Terrey Hills...
For me the issue is falling off - a major no-no still, I think.
I had a real slow clipstack on a rough climb two weeks ago when I didn't quite get the front wheel over a rock, and stalled.
Sort of half got my foot down but overbalanced and rolled over to my left and got my hand down and then over onto my back in slow-mo. No skin off, the slightest impacts to the left shoulder as I rolled, no immediate pain or sign of anything wrong, picked myself up and rode off. A bit embarassed but happy that the shoulder was a non-issue.
Weeelll.. that night it was sore and quite stiff.
We're just going down, I think.
If I had to guarantee a ride without a fall I really wouldn't be riding the Oaks. You never know... stick in the wheel, rocks or gravel that slip away, mechanical causing a fall, some other gumby on the trail running into you. All can happen and then where will you be?
Plus, if you're anything like I am won't be able to help yourself and will end up going much faster than you told yourself you would. Nah, sorry, my advice would be to stick to flat as a pancake, smooth firetrails (and even then ride really slow) until give the all clear.
There won't be a problem with riding slow - couldn't go fast even if I wanted to at the moment.
But take your point about enthusiasm getting the better of me on the downhills - a likely scenario.
Bugger.
Hey Hawkeye.
Agree with Rob.
If it was me ( which hopefully it will be soon...) I wouldn't try it just yet. There are a couple of stretches which are rocky which you would normally clear without issue but you wouldn't want this to be the one time it doesn't go right. If anything though, the smooth stuff could be more of an issue. The chances of coming off are pretty slim but if you do, the speeds can be pretty hairy, even if you are trying to keep it slow.
You could try just riding up though ...... or maybe not
CB
I appreciate your thoughtful comments. A withdrawal notice has been duly filed.
either I am being super blonde (possible) or else my memory isn't as good as it was (alcohol blamed) but either way, from my memory the Oaks is Fire Trail and from someone who got fed up going up and down for 'training' I don't remember any rocky parts - it has to be one of the safest places to go - the perimiter trail has more rocks...
And, as long as one can control their speed it's a lovely scenic ride down in daylight I believe (I have only done this at night..)
Groover would be the best help in this anyway yes?
Yes Blondie, you are blonde. You remember this:
And not this:
There are some really quite rough sections above the helipad, much worse that the Permieter (or Long). They are longer and steeper and rougher and more speed can be had.
This shows the condition of the fire trail during June 09 (riding down).
http://youtu.be/B69aamXYClk
If you like PE and don't mind a bit of language, turn the bass up play it loud, otherwise speakers off.
That looks a lot smoother than when I rode it last. Mind you, it was about a year and a half ago....
CB
they graded it - we rode it loads for training for races this year... up and back, up and back - picnic and beer!!