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LET'S BE HONEST. This one scares a lot of good riders.
There's something about the way the ramp is still angling up toward the sky when you go off it. That combined with its location at the top of the last steep drop to the road, and the fact that's there's an alarming gap on the downside between the lip and the large granite keystone.
Yet this drop is very rideable if you ride the Big Drop on Bob's Trail, for instance. In fact, as Jason Ploskuniak demonstrates above, you don't even need a full suspension bike. A hard tail with a three year old, three inch travel fork will do!
There are two things to keep in mind. First, stay back. You'll note in the crash photo of Jimmy Breitenstein above, his bike is actually positioned well, but he's way too far forward, which is about to result in an over the bar experience.
Number two: don't hesitate at the top. This is really hard to do, but it really makes a difference. Just carry your speed to the top of the ramp (this is easy), and let it roll right on through.
IN 2004, a new twist was added in the form of a slotted cedar log drop directly to the gravel road. Again, it looks like a really bad idea from the top, but if you have your weight back enough you can roll right on through.
But please, if you're going to ride the Ramp Drop on Ewoch Village, wear a good helmet and have your medical insurance paid up. In fact, you might want to wear body armor.
And remember, GalbraithMt.com recommends scouting every stunt and obstacle before trying to ride it. Best of all, watch someone who knows how do it before you try.
See GalbraithMt.com's El Pollo Elastico Trail Guide for more info on Ewoch Village, AKA Mas Pollo or the Lower Chicken. Click here for more GalbraithMt.com technical notes.
The following are sequence shots of the stunt. Click on the thumbnail images to view a larger version...
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