Birthday treat ride I got to share with Nelson and Pete.
Met Slumnervale and toodled up the Kapitano from the valley bottom (pony school). Zig and Zag making for gasping, but once up on the level all was good. Good rate of knots most of the way and then out the top and onto the Godley Road. Cruised out the road to the entrance to grind up the sheepshitted paddock track climb to Godley track proper. Turned left, and dived into this for an excellent blast across the wooden bits and down, with looseness in the weaving towards Livingston. Through the col and onwards, upwards, enjoying the crap out of the techy rocks on the climb, along a bit, then jumped the fence and dropped down to the 'new' entrance to Anaconda. I dont think Pete had ridden this way in before. It's a little rough, but good weaving, with me leading the way, keeping a jolly good clip all the way down the snake, big front wheel carrying speed through all the rough. Into the 'tail and Nelson was finally caught me a little.
Straight into the Escape climb, taking a wee break just before the worst of the grind at the head of the valley. Good timing as the guy who'd followed us from Evans to Livingston was coming down. Above this, once up on the zigs and zags goings improved, resulting in a good climb all up. Nelson gapped Pete and me as we struggled along. From Livingston, it was up the road, lots of parasailers around, back to the shitty climb up to Godley proper again, this time the turning right. Blazed along, humming the rock features for a fun and action packed blast to Evans.
Across the Pass and into the Kapitano for a superlative blast down. Met 3 running girls all spread out and then into the 'old' bit, fantastic blast through this. In the lower sections I was momentarily distracted by some people with a dog, on their way up, peering past Nelson to see them when !WHACK! my vision went black for a split second and stars were seen, vision fading back in I realised I was heading off track - eeee! - reeled it in pretty quick, and was like "woooo, that hurt!" Curse words were heard, tho I was aware of the young child with the people and dog. Kept on riding, worrying a bit about concussion, not feeling quite right as we proceeded. Made it down tho, and as we were cruising back towards the cars, crossing that 'creek' drainage ditch Nelson took it first and slashed his front tire. I rode it, okay, then Pete came through it and slashed his rear tire. Walk for them back to cars... Tree 1, helmet (and my brain) 0.
Until the brain smack, a jolly 18.85 kms, with 90cm shy of 700 m climbed.
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