Swamp biking; technical or worthless?

[Gravity]

I've been riding in Louisiana for the last two weeks on my mtn bike. I live on the edge of a nature preserve so there's no mechanized vehicles but some double track from the rangers around the perimeter of the forest.

So, I didn't think it would be too tough tooling through the swamp and I figured I was in pretty good shape. Then I started having, um, well accidents. Before the clipless pedals falls averaged about 6 per hour. None were serious, most were resulting from getting bogged in knee deep mud and losing all momentum. Others were from dumping the front wheel in small holes and going over the bars....luck the marsh was soft.

I've been blazing some trails in this type of terrain and although it looks rather innocuous, it's very hard riding. Since the grass is knee deep you can't see logs stumps and snakes that might be in your path. The snakes aren't too much trouble but the logs and stumps have both caused me spills I'd rather not repeat.

So, my question to you, would you consider this terrain technical or just not rideable. Also, if you get around new orleans with your bike, pm me and I'll show you the trails I've been blazing.

 

[Gravity]

Bump for mtn bikers.

 

[flyfish]

You are doing what I call "cross country" biking! That is what we do when there are not any mountains. I don't really think any XC is "technical" per se, but it can be fun as Hell !! Just got back from a ride this morning in the rolling East Texas hills. We don't have boulders to traverse but I have hit my share of nice pine tree roots which can quit hair raising, especially when you have nice hard packed singletrack that just screams "go faster...faster.....FASTER!"

 

[Gravity]

Thx for the reply. Yeah, I know what you mean about the speed. I got off through the marsh thinkin I was making great time and then I hit about a 6" stump that threw me directly over the handlebars.

It's very, very fun.