Short ride today. Days and days and days of extreme rain, flooding, snow, etc, and finally the day dawned blue skied and frosty, black ice frosty. I leaped on the Troll and headed for Steve's, slipping once, squirrelly styles on the Stanmore Tuam corner, but surviving and making it to Steve's just after 9.10, to find them gone, and a couple of message on my phone. Made contact, they were on Ferry Rd (just cruising), so hit the chase and caught them tootling along just before the bridge. Up St Andrew's Hill we cruised, warming up nicely, delaminating a little part way up. The Alfine 1st gear did me well, and 2nd and 3rd a couple times before the top. All the way up to Summit Rd, enjoying the views and the sunshine, then change of gloves and hat on and off down the road for an easy going coast, bit of grit, but thankfully no ice to be had. Loads of water everywhere, pouring out of the hills, creeks where there's usually nothing, flowing across the roads - so it was good having mudguards.
Evan's Pass and a rocket ride down the road, a bit of grit about here too and one river crossing it where they'd done the massive blasting. ...and, alongside the containers, Dot Com, at like 10.40. Coffee etcetera enjoyed by all and back round the ways. I was at Joy's at about 11.45 and the others headed their respective directions.
Later, from Taylors, with H and T and Joy, we walked out to Boulder Bay. The track has been thrashed by the rainfall. Soggy bits, a few wee holes, the steps have lost half their fill, plus the odd slump of sloppy muck sprawled across the track. Should have dried out a bit by Tuesday, maybe.
Addendum
My Fat Franks arrived the day after this post, and have now fitted them to the Troll. The ride is superb. Smoother, quieter, more comfortable, and faster. 2.35inch, brown, and came with built in kevlar puncture resistant strip. Couldnt ask for a better town tire.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Thursday night more McVicar meanderings
Nelson and me got up the hill tonight. Almost a repeat of my last ride, but not quite. Parked up top of Worsley's Rd and hit the dirt. Rode up at a much better clip than Sunday, cleaning lots more of the mucky bits and feeling not so bad. Nasty mess where those 4WDs were stuck the other day, but overall maybe a little drier than then. Up the access to the B-Line Zone and off up the newby, apparently called Tommy's 2 (Tommy apparently being one of the guys building in there; nice job, fella).
Cleaned nearly all the climb this time, bar one or two bits and then I led off into the descent. Swoopy steep, flowing through, lost it on one corner which Nelson cleaned behind me, then went up to show me how he'd done it again. On down, more steepness, tho, nothing as steep as in Dave's. Couple of wee jumpies that you need to know are coming. I'd forgotten about them from Sunday, but remembered when I saw them and baulked, cos on Sunday they'd nearly thrown me over the bars. Anyway, down we went for a while, then I figured we were at the point where it cuts back to the left and goes even steeper hangs a right and down into the wooden jump followed by the halfpipey bit and the mudmire, so, here we stopped and dropped the bikes and started scoping out another line off to the right. I walked ahead looking while Nelson followed me down dragging a stick through the pine needles to guide us later. I got bluffed, so we found a way further down onto a good bit and continued on down, eventually getting all the way out to where we could see the forestry road. So, back up towards the bikes, tweaking bits and pieces as we went and then the into the first run. Both stalled on a rock feature a third of the way down, so dragged the bikes back up a bit and carried rocks and placed them. Then Nelson did a bunch more work and we gave it another go all the way from the top, all the way through. I screwed up a couple of bits but the follow through finish is quite good. Then we rode and pushed back to the top again and rode it again, this time me getting more, and I think Nelson cleaning it all. Bit of a drop onto the road and back round under Fight Club and on back up to the junction.
Here we headed up the steep forestry bastard climb into a spitty drizzle and mist in the pylon clearing meeting two other guys up there. Chatted with them and learned the Tommy's details mentioned above, and they continued on up and we peeled off into Fight Club. Me leading, sweet run down through this, with excellent traction and it felt really easy compared to Tommy's 2, so we had a great run, startling a hare near the top, and a possum at the bottom, me putting the gap on Nelson in the top half, then him starting to catch me in the rougher stuff down lower. At the exit, my front wheel was looking like it was going off too much to the left, so I stepped off the back of the bike as it went over the drop and it stopped and I kept going and my knee hit my seatpost quick release lever which embedded itself in my knee. Fucking smarted. i squatted and stood and moaned for a bit then got it moving and got riding. had a look at it and it was that kinda white flesh before blood flows, but i covered it and rode on back up, pain subsiding as i rode. Back to the Junction and in for the final descent, taking a low line below the tank and pretty much missing the worst of the muck there, then the final return to the main track and the worst muck of the evening, and back down to the car through a starfield of water droplets. At the car, lifted my knee covering to discover a nice wee slit with blood. And now, at home, its swelled up real nice.
Cleaned nearly all the climb this time, bar one or two bits and then I led off into the descent. Swoopy steep, flowing through, lost it on one corner which Nelson cleaned behind me, then went up to show me how he'd done it again. On down, more steepness, tho, nothing as steep as in Dave's. Couple of wee jumpies that you need to know are coming. I'd forgotten about them from Sunday, but remembered when I saw them and baulked, cos on Sunday they'd nearly thrown me over the bars. Anyway, down we went for a while, then I figured we were at the point where it cuts back to the left and goes even steeper hangs a right and down into the wooden jump followed by the halfpipey bit and the mudmire, so, here we stopped and dropped the bikes and started scoping out another line off to the right. I walked ahead looking while Nelson followed me down dragging a stick through the pine needles to guide us later. I got bluffed, so we found a way further down onto a good bit and continued on down, eventually getting all the way out to where we could see the forestry road. So, back up towards the bikes, tweaking bits and pieces as we went and then the into the first run. Both stalled on a rock feature a third of the way down, so dragged the bikes back up a bit and carried rocks and placed them. Then Nelson did a bunch more work and we gave it another go all the way from the top, all the way through. I screwed up a couple of bits but the follow through finish is quite good. Then we rode and pushed back to the top again and rode it again, this time me getting more, and I think Nelson cleaning it all. Bit of a drop onto the road and back round under Fight Club and on back up to the junction.
Here we headed up the steep forestry bastard climb into a spitty drizzle and mist in the pylon clearing meeting two other guys up there. Chatted with them and learned the Tommy's details mentioned above, and they continued on up and we peeled off into Fight Club. Me leading, sweet run down through this, with excellent traction and it felt really easy compared to Tommy's 2, so we had a great run, startling a hare near the top, and a possum at the bottom, me putting the gap on Nelson in the top half, then him starting to catch me in the rougher stuff down lower. At the exit, my front wheel was looking like it was going off too much to the left, so I stepped off the back of the bike as it went over the drop and it stopped and I kept going and my knee hit my seatpost quick release lever which embedded itself in my knee. Fucking smarted. i squatted and stood and moaned for a bit then got it moving and got riding. had a look at it and it was that kinda white flesh before blood flows, but i covered it and rode on back up, pain subsiding as i rode. Back to the Junction and in for the final descent, taking a low line below the tank and pretty much missing the worst of the muck there, then the final return to the main track and the worst muck of the evening, and back down to the car through a starfield of water droplets. At the car, lifted my knee covering to discover a nice wee slit with blood. And now, at home, its swelled up real nice.
Sunday, June 09, 2013
Sunday gloomy afternoon McVicarage
I see a few of the others got out for a bit of a muckfest today, which I couldn't make, so once T was home headed out later in the gloomy afternoon - leaving home after 3.30pm. Low cloud hanging around the tops as i approached the hills with Jet in the car with me. My first attempt at taking him for a hill ride, parking at the top of Worsley's Rd, him blisteringly excited when i let him out of the car.
Off we headed, around 4, up the road and onto the dirt, which was not much like dirt and a fair bit more like mud, especially in places. Bit of a creek running down the ruts and obvious 4wd churning all over the place. Climbing was greasy, even on the ridges between the ruts, and my tires were hooking up as well as they could, which was pretty good, with minimal slip. Jet was awesome, tho i had to call him back occasionally, but he got into it the further up we got, staying within 10 or 20 metres pretty much all the time. There was one or two bits with barely any bikeable trail left on them, due to 4WD churn, coupled with creek flow and soggy muck, so one or two bits were walked. Up where that 4WD was rolled off the trail (and another time we found one on it's roof), i rounded a bend and there the track was entirely blocked by the 4WD's responsible for all the previously encountered churn. Luckily it was right where they'd trashed the fence and there was a line to ride in the grass between the track and the forest, so i rode past them then found my way back ontrack where a couple of alcohol-breath-ed youths were standing watching their stuck mates. Off onwards up Jet and me continued and left up to the B-Lines.
Now, on Friday i was talking to a certain N. Sutcliffe, who has good knowledge of the trails in here, and hinted to me of a new one... (which I'll call FightClub2 until we find out a name)... So, i followed his hints which involved a little extra climbing to usual, some bits of which were steep and greasy, then it headed off down. Much like Fight Club in gradient and flow, tho steeper albeit not as steep as Dave's, lots of fun, and would have been waaaay more fun if it wasn't so wet, not that traction was that bad (until lower down). For the more 'hardcore' bits i made sure Jet was behind me, but mostly he was good cruising ahead. There was a couple of corners I walked due to total lack of traction. Then, lower down a wooden jump over a gap I walked, and below that a totally saturated quagmire which would have just dirtied my bike that much too much, so I walked around it... And finally, rode out the bottom at the same exit point as Fight Club. Sweeet. Now, if I'd made the trail, before it headed left across the slope and into the gully with the jump, I'd have run it more to the right, higher and thereby longer down the ridge further, but that's just me, and the forest is open enough that it wont take much to get in and do that (Nelson, next time?) soon.
From here, took the access track back up to the Junction, and headed up the steep 4wd track in the forest, grannying away all the way up to the powerline clearing, nearly to FightClub. Turned around here cos it was just gonna get darker, and took the first left, then first right, back across the 4wd track and into one of my favourite wee swoopys, Jet on my tail, both of us having a great time, back down to the access track, back up that, and down and out the lower stuff which had a really fucking messy bit below the watertank, and from there on down is a bit ground out. Finally, the blast down back to the car, Jet enjoying the high speed stretch, and seats down and in the back, "Goood Boy!", 5pm.
Off we headed, around 4, up the road and onto the dirt, which was not much like dirt and a fair bit more like mud, especially in places. Bit of a creek running down the ruts and obvious 4wd churning all over the place. Climbing was greasy, even on the ridges between the ruts, and my tires were hooking up as well as they could, which was pretty good, with minimal slip. Jet was awesome, tho i had to call him back occasionally, but he got into it the further up we got, staying within 10 or 20 metres pretty much all the time. There was one or two bits with barely any bikeable trail left on them, due to 4WD churn, coupled with creek flow and soggy muck, so one or two bits were walked. Up where that 4WD was rolled off the trail (and another time we found one on it's roof), i rounded a bend and there the track was entirely blocked by the 4WD's responsible for all the previously encountered churn. Luckily it was right where they'd trashed the fence and there was a line to ride in the grass between the track and the forest, so i rode past them then found my way back ontrack where a couple of alcohol-breath-ed youths were standing watching their stuck mates. Off onwards up Jet and me continued and left up to the B-Lines.
Now, on Friday i was talking to a certain N. Sutcliffe, who has good knowledge of the trails in here, and hinted to me of a new one... (which I'll call FightClub2 until we find out a name)... So, i followed his hints which involved a little extra climbing to usual, some bits of which were steep and greasy, then it headed off down. Much like Fight Club in gradient and flow, tho steeper albeit not as steep as Dave's, lots of fun, and would have been waaaay more fun if it wasn't so wet, not that traction was that bad (until lower down). For the more 'hardcore' bits i made sure Jet was behind me, but mostly he was good cruising ahead. There was a couple of corners I walked due to total lack of traction. Then, lower down a wooden jump over a gap I walked, and below that a totally saturated quagmire which would have just dirtied my bike that much too much, so I walked around it... And finally, rode out the bottom at the same exit point as Fight Club. Sweeet. Now, if I'd made the trail, before it headed left across the slope and into the gully with the jump, I'd have run it more to the right, higher and thereby longer down the ridge further, but that's just me, and the forest is open enough that it wont take much to get in and do that (Nelson, next time?) soon.
From here, took the access track back up to the Junction, and headed up the steep 4wd track in the forest, grannying away all the way up to the powerline clearing, nearly to FightClub. Turned around here cos it was just gonna get darker, and took the first left, then first right, back across the 4wd track and into one of my favourite wee swoopys, Jet on my tail, both of us having a great time, back down to the access track, back up that, and down and out the lower stuff which had a really fucking messy bit below the watertank, and from there on down is a bit ground out. Finally, the blast down back to the car, Jet enjoying the high speed stretch, and seats down and in the back, "Goood Boy!", 5pm.
Friday, June 07, 2013
Thursday Eastern Night Time Ramble
Nelson and me got out to Taylors last night. Had to turn on the power and the spa at the bach there for the weekend, and also figured the trails out that way would be the best bet after all this weather we've been getting. Also, my first night testing out the new lights. First up, the 'Tail, everything working smoothly so no broken chains or grinding. Before we started we could see a fellow night rider above us on the trail, and we slowly caught him as we progressed to Boulder Bay. But on the first swtchbck above Boulder Bay we stopped to de-layer, cos it was really quite mild, altho later i regretted this as the wind was getting around all the non-windproof bits of my top and freezing my kidneys and generally making be cold... Anyway, he got a fair way ahead of us then and we didnt see him again until we were climbing for the Barracks and he was way up on the hill between us and Breeze Col.
At top of Godley we decided not to take the Breeze Col trail, figuring it would be slick as pigshit, so we took the 4wd trail up and got onto the wee northside tight (newish) singletrack, followed by a nice descent down to Breeze Col. It was on this singletrack and descent i had my 3led light on helmet and 2led light on handlebars, both on full beam and fuck it was bright, like daylight... the 3led light has a broader spread, and later when i swapped them over to trial the 2led on head, i found that the 3led light is best on the head, more of that later.
At Breeze Col we headed up the Godley singletrack, taking it past the pfmtbc rock rather than up the shortcut, and onto the new benched gravel section (which is bedding in nicely now) and over to Livingston. Then straight up the guts rather than the usual bike track, where i walked a bit and then carried on up (on newly filled in U channels (no longer U's)) and on up to the top where we stopped. Here, i swapped over the lights and as soon as i got going again, back down towards Livingston, i realised that the other way round was better... the 2led light is just too tight a beam and focuses your eye a bit too much, similarly to my last 'new' light (which Andrew has for repair at the moment). Excellent descent to Livingston, with the newly gravelled stuff REALLY fast. Over to Breeze was good too, the climb not bad and the new gravel very fast again.
Then into the snake, Nelson in the lead and a good run all the way down, tho half way down my back started getting really sore which took away from the enjoyment a bit. Once out, it was back up the road to the truck parked at the top of the steps above the bach.
At top of Godley we decided not to take the Breeze Col trail, figuring it would be slick as pigshit, so we took the 4wd trail up and got onto the wee northside tight (newish) singletrack, followed by a nice descent down to Breeze Col. It was on this singletrack and descent i had my 3led light on helmet and 2led light on handlebars, both on full beam and fuck it was bright, like daylight... the 3led light has a broader spread, and later when i swapped them over to trial the 2led on head, i found that the 3led light is best on the head, more of that later.
At Breeze Col we headed up the Godley singletrack, taking it past the pfmtbc rock rather than up the shortcut, and onto the new benched gravel section (which is bedding in nicely now) and over to Livingston. Then straight up the guts rather than the usual bike track, where i walked a bit and then carried on up (on newly filled in U channels (no longer U's)) and on up to the top where we stopped. Here, i swapped over the lights and as soon as i got going again, back down towards Livingston, i realised that the other way round was better... the 2led light is just too tight a beam and focuses your eye a bit too much, similarly to my last 'new' light (which Andrew has for repair at the moment). Excellent descent to Livingston, with the newly gravelled stuff REALLY fast. Over to Breeze was good too, the climb not bad and the new gravel very fast again.
Then into the snake, Nelson in the lead and a good run all the way down, tho half way down my back started getting really sore which took away from the enjoyment a bit. Once out, it was back up the road to the truck parked at the top of the steps above the bach.
Sunday, June 02, 2013
Little
Ak.
Yesterday i fitted a new handlebar and some grips. 750 wide, wiiiide...
This afternoon i got out for a spin. Rain due for Monday (day off for the Queen) so figured i had to ride. Just me and the bike, no bag, not intending on going far. Headed up Decanter Bay Rd, not a bad wee grind, minimal granny used (unlike this time when i just stood and pushed harder), then nice gravel road descent into Decanter, and then onwards up the road towards Menzies. Climbed and climbed til there was a respite, whereupon i took in the view, enjoyed the blustery breeze and turned around and headed back the way i'd come. This time tho i took as much off piste as possible, riding cattle trails mostly, just above above the road, til i rounded over the cattlestop entering Decanter and it was road the rest of the way. Faaast descent into there, then clamber clamber out of there, stopping to check out the (past it) Cape Gooseberries (was hoping for some wicked anti-oxidants), onwards back up and over, jetting up to warp-speed for the latter half of the road back into the bay. All up maybe an hour out and 600 odd metres of climb on.
Meanwhile, found and rather enjoyed this vid, Steve Peat mongering Santa Cruz's newest thoroughbred...
Yesterday i fitted a new handlebar and some grips. 750 wide, wiiiide...
This afternoon i got out for a spin. Rain due for Monday (day off for the Queen) so figured i had to ride. Just me and the bike, no bag, not intending on going far. Headed up Decanter Bay Rd, not a bad wee grind, minimal granny used (unlike this time when i just stood and pushed harder), then nice gravel road descent into Decanter, and then onwards up the road towards Menzies. Climbed and climbed til there was a respite, whereupon i took in the view, enjoyed the blustery breeze and turned around and headed back the way i'd come. This time tho i took as much off piste as possible, riding cattle trails mostly, just above above the road, til i rounded over the cattlestop entering Decanter and it was road the rest of the way. Faaast descent into there, then clamber clamber out of there, stopping to check out the (past it) Cape Gooseberries (was hoping for some wicked anti-oxidants), onwards back up and over, jetting up to warp-speed for the latter half of the road back into the bay. All up maybe an hour out and 600 odd metres of climb on.
Meanwhile, found and rather enjoyed this vid, Steve Peat mongering Santa Cruz's newest thoroughbred...
Monday, May 27, 2013
Sunday Bottle Lake shorty
Took O, H and Jet out to the pond in the afternoon and we Jetted around the inside. The section that was blocked up last time i was in there was open again, making for a much more pleasant ride through. Dog had a great time. O had a great time, H, not so much. Little guy struggles on the 20inch machine, clipping pedals and not having the grunt or momentum to make it up the bigger hills. Started to complain a bit by the time we got to the wide open section 3/4ths of the way round.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Lack, thereof...
Since Craigieburn, a meeting on Tuesday night followed by bad weather since has put a stop to any rides, with few chances in the coming week looking particularly promising, forecast-wise.
Last week did see a lot of tooling about town however. Monday, errands took me an extra 10km around town to usual, Tuesday I added an extra 20 or so, and then another 10 or so on Wednesday. Saturday night i biked across town (13km total) for frivolities at Chez deSpa. Not to mention all the running of the dog around the river loops of a morning or four - that chucks in another 6 to 8 kms unaccounted for also.
Yesterday should have seen us doing a short ride to Charlesworth Reserve to plant some Trees for Canterbury, but alas, postponed to next Sunday.
On Monday night last I took the 1.5/1.75 slicks off the Troll and put a 2.35 Larson TT on the front, and a 2.3 Kenda K-rad on the back. Balloon-stylez. PHAT AS. Far more sureity of footing in the dodgy conditions of late, with the main reason for it being the crap roads in my neighbourhood. I've largely gotten used to them now, and figure if i'm pushing harder, it's making up for not riding the 20kms a day to and from Sockburn. Dont seem to be pushing that much harder tho. Am keen to eventually buy some purpose built slicks along the lines of the Big Apples.
Hopefully a ride of sorts can be cobbled together tomorrow or Thursday...
Last week did see a lot of tooling about town however. Monday, errands took me an extra 10km around town to usual, Tuesday I added an extra 20 or so, and then another 10 or so on Wednesday. Saturday night i biked across town (13km total) for frivolities at Chez deSpa. Not to mention all the running of the dog around the river loops of a morning or four - that chucks in another 6 to 8 kms unaccounted for also.
Yesterday should have seen us doing a short ride to Charlesworth Reserve to plant some Trees for Canterbury, but alas, postponed to next Sunday.
On Monday night last I took the 1.5/1.75 slicks off the Troll and put a 2.35 Larson TT on the front, and a 2.3 Kenda K-rad on the back. Balloon-stylez. PHAT AS. Far more sureity of footing in the dodgy conditions of late, with the main reason for it being the crap roads in my neighbourhood. I've largely gotten used to them now, and figure if i'm pushing harder, it's making up for not riding the 20kms a day to and from Sockburn. Dont seem to be pushing that much harder tho. Am keen to eventually buy some purpose built slicks along the lines of the Big Apples.
Hopefully a ride of sorts can be cobbled together tomorrow or Thursday...
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Saturday Muddy Mountain Madness
Another mission out to Craigieburn and the Hogsback today. Tom was at mine just on 8 and we headed for Sheffield to arrive at the pre-specified time of 8.40something. Met Nelson for transference to his car and the onwards drive to Castle Hill. Pete and Steve were in the Falcon and Warren, Wayne and Tony were in Steel&Tube. And so we met and left Nelson's car and transferred bikes and headed round to Broken River, nice clear day and a good hard frost.
Into Sidle 73, Nelson and me at the front riding crunchy ice around to the road and the endless climb to the snow. Grind grind grind, meeting a bit of snow before the hairpin at the top, progressively getting deeper til the top where there was maybe an inch or two well deposited. Regroup and layer changes here, sitting on tussocks, then off down the Edge...
Bit wet in places but mostly pretty good, all the scree faces were good to go, bit of snow on the first few. Then Tom got a flat in the middle of one, fixed that and on we rolled. Getting some pretty good speed up for a while, through the forest, when suddenly it was all anchors as we bailed up for the log. Over this and on again, faster and faster, down, through where they've rerouted the trail, Nelson flying down the rooty drops and losing it on the bottom corner. Next up it was some tight edges, then the last scree and into the climb for the saddle. Ugh, this climb always gets me. One section of steeper roots seems to always get me, walked it, and then got going again, getting to Nelson and Tom at the saddle, and waiting a shortish time for Pete and the rest of the crew to roll up. Bit of a break for some kai and a chat.
I led the way into the Luge. I was feeling pretty good, letting it roll nicely flowing down the way, opening up the throttle occasionally and not seemingly bothered by the slick roots. I felt like i'd dropped the rest of them, and at one stage looked back and there was Nelson a wee ways back. In the lower section, after the seat, it gets a fair bit rootier and that was when i felt the pressure building behind me, with Nelson and Tom both audible behind, but i offered Nelson the lead and he didn't mind. Got to the bottom eventually, amped, and so everyone else rolled in, amped. What a descent! What a trail!
Climbing again, up to Jack's Pass to the Dracophyllum Flat Tack Track. Some hesitation as to who was to lead, so Pete jumped in front and I chase in on his tail. Was keeping him on a leash for a while, wondering about some of his dubious lines over the roots, til one of the roots got my back tire. Nelson noticed it first - thought he heard hissing and commented but then thought it was something else, but then I noticed the wallowing rear and pulled up... Nelson and Tom stopped to keep me company while the crew all bombed on past chasing Pete. Once re-assembled we three got blazing, me leading down to the bridge, then the shitty little climb hit us and I let them pass then got completely dropped. Made Draco flat and could just see Tom disappearing down through the scrub, no sign of Nelson, and so began the mudfest. Fleck fleck splecking up and around all over everything and barely any control, barely needing to steer... Into the bush, out of the bush again, back into the bush and climbing again, i was gasping, legs burning, struggling, tail end Charlie. Finally out of the bush at the top and two women parked up and then across to the radio antenna tower and the crew all scarfing down some eats. Another break here...
Then, Tom in the lead, followed by me, Nelson, Pete, blasting off down the hill into the forest and swooping. Tom SO close to losing it in the first forest section, pushing across the not quite so muddy open land and in and out of forest in a long swooping section before turning round and heading down for the stream crossing. Splish splash and through, the steep getting me letting Nelson past to chase Tom, Pete holla'ing he was stopping to film the others. Walked a few metres then got rolling again, round and up to the carpark, past the two women and on up the nearly greasy climb, mudweight adding pounds to the bike. Wee walk due to lack of traction and lungs, and back on bike to top where we rested til all arrived.
Next it was the hogsback switchbacks climb and out and up and up and up, bikes heavier and heavier with muck, trail with less and less traction as tires carried it all away with us. Picnic Rock, greasy disgusting mucky mud and the descent began. Not so bad in the moonscape, different spleck sounds at least, then a very greasy exit. I saw Tom nearly lose it and thought 'what? that doesnt look that bad?' then proceeded to lose it myself, greasy two wheel drift round a bend and onwards down. Nice forest run for a bit then out in the open spleckings again and forest and bridge and long open greasy downhill some good jumps even, then around through forest and eventually creek crossing and climb to catch Nelson, and the women just taking off.
Bit of a regroup before the final traverse of some nice terrain, scree-gravel-creek-fan lack of mud being the highlight, and the final climb which started cramping my hamstring. i stopped by the big dead tree to stretch and Pete went by and then I got moving again and the downhill started off slowly but accelerated til eventually dropping into the trees and had an excellent run down through them, into an open grease fest, then back into forest and eventually rapidly catching up to the pink woman and getting stuck behind her for the last 100 metres or so of trail. At last, down the road to the car and a much needed rest.
Once again, lots of photos on PFMTBCblog, courtesy Stevo
Into Sidle 73, Nelson and me at the front riding crunchy ice around to the road and the endless climb to the snow. Grind grind grind, meeting a bit of snow before the hairpin at the top, progressively getting deeper til the top where there was maybe an inch or two well deposited. Regroup and layer changes here, sitting on tussocks, then off down the Edge...
Bit wet in places but mostly pretty good, all the scree faces were good to go, bit of snow on the first few. Then Tom got a flat in the middle of one, fixed that and on we rolled. Getting some pretty good speed up for a while, through the forest, when suddenly it was all anchors as we bailed up for the log. Over this and on again, faster and faster, down, through where they've rerouted the trail, Nelson flying down the rooty drops and losing it on the bottom corner. Next up it was some tight edges, then the last scree and into the climb for the saddle. Ugh, this climb always gets me. One section of steeper roots seems to always get me, walked it, and then got going again, getting to Nelson and Tom at the saddle, and waiting a shortish time for Pete and the rest of the crew to roll up. Bit of a break for some kai and a chat.
I led the way into the Luge. I was feeling pretty good, letting it roll nicely flowing down the way, opening up the throttle occasionally and not seemingly bothered by the slick roots. I felt like i'd dropped the rest of them, and at one stage looked back and there was Nelson a wee ways back. In the lower section, after the seat, it gets a fair bit rootier and that was when i felt the pressure building behind me, with Nelson and Tom both audible behind, but i offered Nelson the lead and he didn't mind. Got to the bottom eventually, amped, and so everyone else rolled in, amped. What a descent! What a trail!
Climbing again, up to Jack's Pass to the Dracophyllum Flat Tack Track. Some hesitation as to who was to lead, so Pete jumped in front and I chase in on his tail. Was keeping him on a leash for a while, wondering about some of his dubious lines over the roots, til one of the roots got my back tire. Nelson noticed it first - thought he heard hissing and commented but then thought it was something else, but then I noticed the wallowing rear and pulled up... Nelson and Tom stopped to keep me company while the crew all bombed on past chasing Pete. Once re-assembled we three got blazing, me leading down to the bridge, then the shitty little climb hit us and I let them pass then got completely dropped. Made Draco flat and could just see Tom disappearing down through the scrub, no sign of Nelson, and so began the mudfest. Fleck fleck splecking up and around all over everything and barely any control, barely needing to steer... Into the bush, out of the bush again, back into the bush and climbing again, i was gasping, legs burning, struggling, tail end Charlie. Finally out of the bush at the top and two women parked up and then across to the radio antenna tower and the crew all scarfing down some eats. Another break here...
Then, Tom in the lead, followed by me, Nelson, Pete, blasting off down the hill into the forest and swooping. Tom SO close to losing it in the first forest section, pushing across the not quite so muddy open land and in and out of forest in a long swooping section before turning round and heading down for the stream crossing. Splish splash and through, the steep getting me letting Nelson past to chase Tom, Pete holla'ing he was stopping to film the others. Walked a few metres then got rolling again, round and up to the carpark, past the two women and on up the nearly greasy climb, mudweight adding pounds to the bike. Wee walk due to lack of traction and lungs, and back on bike to top where we rested til all arrived.
Next it was the hogsback switchbacks climb and out and up and up and up, bikes heavier and heavier with muck, trail with less and less traction as tires carried it all away with us. Picnic Rock, greasy disgusting mucky mud and the descent began. Not so bad in the moonscape, different spleck sounds at least, then a very greasy exit. I saw Tom nearly lose it and thought 'what? that doesnt look that bad?' then proceeded to lose it myself, greasy two wheel drift round a bend and onwards down. Nice forest run for a bit then out in the open spleckings again and forest and bridge and long open greasy downhill some good jumps even, then around through forest and eventually creek crossing and climb to catch Nelson, and the women just taking off.
Bit of a regroup before the final traverse of some nice terrain, scree-gravel-creek-fan lack of mud being the highlight, and the final climb which started cramping my hamstring. i stopped by the big dead tree to stretch and Pete went by and then I got moving again and the downhill started off slowly but accelerated til eventually dropping into the trees and had an excellent run down through them, into an open grease fest, then back into forest and eventually rapidly catching up to the pink woman and getting stuck behind her for the last 100 metres or so of trail. At last, down the road to the car and a much needed rest.
Once again, lots of photos on PFMTBCblog, courtesy Stevo
Thursday, May 09, 2013
Thursday Highway to Technicalia
Nelson picked me up and we noticed it was 7 as we approached Scarborough Hill heading to park at Taylors. Riding around in the carpark my gears were behaving strangely which at the time I thought nothing of. Leaving the carpark, Nelson was reaching up to turn on his light just as he caught a rut, heading straight over the bars onto the grass. We laughed. Then, up the first steep of the 'tail, snap goes my chain. Note to self: Heed those gears-behaving-strangely... I removed the offending link and replaced the hole in the chain with a quicky, and on our merry way we continued...
Steve had raved about the new highway so gave it a look. What a highway. Zipped out to Boulder Bay on it and layered off on the first hairpin there, enjoying the view of the lights on the water and the glow from the sky. Gruntsville, but not as grunty as it used to be, upwards, switchbacking once or twice then took a look and rode upon the first gun emplacement, then down and zig zag up again to the stile and barbed wire fence. Thru the gate we popped down to the big guns and had a look around. Nelson didnt think he'd ever been there before. I was disappointed the underground ammo-store bit wasnt open anymore - its got some pretty freaky cracks in it.
Back onto the trail and we were surprised by the descending switchbacks down to the look out - seemed like a fair bit of altitudinal droppage, then up some steps and on up to the barracks and on up to the carpark. Straight across, over the stile and on up the hill we proceeded to the Breeze Col track, around the Lyttelton side... Not far in we shuffled some big rocks to make a really big rock rideable, then continued onwards down and around the technicalia. Rocks and trail on this southface slicker and sketchier as we went. At the flax we both were off, careful to pick our ways, then on the final grassy downhill both pretty slow cos of the overgrowth. Both of us freaked out possums down here too.
At Breeze we headed up the trail above the road, taking the new left onto the tight narrow trail, which, when we reached the end of we turned around and rode it back to the original trail, and then turned around and rode the tight one again, faster this 2nd time. Then it was the speedy descent to the road again, the whole time me thinking, "hope the light doesnt go out". Onto the singletrack below the road and blitzed it round here, with my light cutting out about 2/3rds of the way along. Disconnect, reconnect, and run on low the rest of the way, constantly worrying its gonna cut out again, making Anaconda a bit slow and painful, truth be told. Nelson had a good run, even getting some sketch out of the damp dirt, something i totally missed. Out down the tail, again, me picking my way in the dimness, and him blazing out front. All in all a good ride. Roll on Saturday morning in the hills.
Steve had raved about the new highway so gave it a look. What a highway. Zipped out to Boulder Bay on it and layered off on the first hairpin there, enjoying the view of the lights on the water and the glow from the sky. Gruntsville, but not as grunty as it used to be, upwards, switchbacking once or twice then took a look and rode upon the first gun emplacement, then down and zig zag up again to the stile and barbed wire fence. Thru the gate we popped down to the big guns and had a look around. Nelson didnt think he'd ever been there before. I was disappointed the underground ammo-store bit wasnt open anymore - its got some pretty freaky cracks in it.
Back onto the trail and we were surprised by the descending switchbacks down to the look out - seemed like a fair bit of altitudinal droppage, then up some steps and on up to the barracks and on up to the carpark. Straight across, over the stile and on up the hill we proceeded to the Breeze Col track, around the Lyttelton side... Not far in we shuffled some big rocks to make a really big rock rideable, then continued onwards down and around the technicalia. Rocks and trail on this southface slicker and sketchier as we went. At the flax we both were off, careful to pick our ways, then on the final grassy downhill both pretty slow cos of the overgrowth. Both of us freaked out possums down here too.
At Breeze we headed up the trail above the road, taking the new left onto the tight narrow trail, which, when we reached the end of we turned around and rode it back to the original trail, and then turned around and rode the tight one again, faster this 2nd time. Then it was the speedy descent to the road again, the whole time me thinking, "hope the light doesnt go out". Onto the singletrack below the road and blitzed it round here, with my light cutting out about 2/3rds of the way along. Disconnect, reconnect, and run on low the rest of the way, constantly worrying its gonna cut out again, making Anaconda a bit slow and painful, truth be told. Nelson had a good run, even getting some sketch out of the damp dirt, something i totally missed. Out down the tail, again, me picking my way in the dimness, and him blazing out front. All in all a good ride. Roll on Saturday morning in the hills.
Sunday, May 05, 2013
swtchbckr, 8. Sunday morning View Hill struggle, mountain walking.
This Blog, 8 years old, today... like sweet singletrack, 's been a long and ever wending journey
Took the Singlespeed over to the bach Friday, thinking i'd be riding on my own at some stage and figuring it's good for me to work it. On Saturday, Tom, Lisa and Tane came over, so Sunday morning Tom and me headed out. I knew i was in trouble as soon as the climb started. Tom powered away with his gears, and i struggled away behind, getting all the way up to Chorlton eventually, then on up the gravel. As soon as the real steepness started i had to get off and walk. And walk. And walk and walk and walk... Rode occasionally when it flattened out now and then but sure walked a bunch. Including bits i've ridden the singlespeed on before.
View from the top was, as usual, spectacular. and then the descent began. Rigid steel under me pinging away, providing a damned good work out, while not being too rough. Picked up some good speed on the smoother gravel lower down, then we aero-styled it the rest of the way down into the bay. Couple hours all up. shame about the walking...
Once back at the bach, we took the boys and the dogs down to the beach, and had a bit of a dip in the sea. VERY cold, but was bloody good for the legs - standing there chucking a stick for the dogs to swim after.
Took the Singlespeed over to the bach Friday, thinking i'd be riding on my own at some stage and figuring it's good for me to work it. On Saturday, Tom, Lisa and Tane came over, so Sunday morning Tom and me headed out. I knew i was in trouble as soon as the climb started. Tom powered away with his gears, and i struggled away behind, getting all the way up to Chorlton eventually, then on up the gravel. As soon as the real steepness started i had to get off and walk. And walk. And walk and walk and walk... Rode occasionally when it flattened out now and then but sure walked a bunch. Including bits i've ridden the singlespeed on before.
View from the top was, as usual, spectacular. and then the descent began. Rigid steel under me pinging away, providing a damned good work out, while not being too rough. Picked up some good speed on the smoother gravel lower down, then we aero-styled it the rest of the way down into the bay. Couple hours all up. shame about the walking...
Once back at the bach, we took the boys and the dogs down to the beach, and had a bit of a dip in the sea. VERY cold, but was bloody good for the legs - standing there chucking a stick for the dogs to swim after.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Wednesday Night Stealth Protocol
Bit of an explore tonight, first night light hill ride, for Nelson and me. Picked me up after work and we parked up very top of Major Hornbrook, not Upper. Rode up to Upper and onto Britten, climbing away like two climbing things, puff getting right up before we hit the trail. Settled down into a steady slog to top, then round top of Britten, rocks slick as pigshit under dampened tires. Nelson was struggling all evening with his tires pinging about the place. Mine, not so much.
At Cavendish Saddle we headed up the switchbacky trail to the top of the Gondola. This section is a good wee climb and well worth the effort, for a there and back, in future. All fully legal too... unlike what we did next. From the gondola we followed round under the building to the Lyttelton side, and ended up riding right round it... hmmm, then found the trail down, wondering where to go for a bit, then deciding on the Track Closed trail down the ridge towards the Bridle Path. Some slippery steps, slick rocks, and then some sweet flowy bits, followed by a couple of walked bits and more riding. I had an OTB near the bottom, nothing hurt. then it was true stealthmode, up the road, no lights, to top of Castle Rock track.
I led down this, excellent run, quite slow, but flowy. Nelson, not so much. On the climb out i had one wee dab, but otherwise all good. At top of Bridle Path, we kinda couldn't be bothered riding back up the ridge to Cavendish, tho, it probably wouldn't be that bad. So, we decided to see what all the fuss was about... headed round the road. Kinda freaky. amazing how the trail weaving and wending through the rocks is all on relatively pristine tarmac, surrounded by mad mad rocks. But, where the blasting has been done, round the corner, into the wind, walking bikes over massive piles of rocks with yet more above and below was just a bit nervous making. Definitely not something I'll do again. At the big fuck-you chainlink and razor wire gate/fence we clambered through the side and i was relieved to be out. Then, once over the final gate, illegality was passed and everything was ok again.
At the saddle we stopped in the lee of a flax and had some Onesquare then headed on up the trail to the top. Not a bad climb, tho i was getting puffed and weavy near the top, and annoyingly the gear i wanted, ie, granny on front, 3rd down on back, slipped, so i was either spinning fast traveling slow or grinding slow and hard for the right speed. Dunno what's up with that? Onwards to the top, then due to Nelson's pingy-ness on the slickrocks I led off down the hill, my light starting to cut out now and then, which pretty much made Nelson have to stay behind me for extra lighting. Eventually, once on the top of Greenwood back towards the top, and my light cutting out a heap more times, realised it was due to, not only a bad connection, but also the light binning out trying to draw more current than was left in the battery. So, put it on low, and it never cut out again, all the last of the Greenwood then all the rest of the way down Britten, bypassing the gate and taking the 4wd tracks across the hill onto the downhill walking track, then zipping down the car.
At Cavendish Saddle we headed up the switchbacky trail to the top of the Gondola. This section is a good wee climb and well worth the effort, for a there and back, in future. All fully legal too... unlike what we did next. From the gondola we followed round under the building to the Lyttelton side, and ended up riding right round it... hmmm, then found the trail down, wondering where to go for a bit, then deciding on the Track Closed trail down the ridge towards the Bridle Path. Some slippery steps, slick rocks, and then some sweet flowy bits, followed by a couple of walked bits and more riding. I had an OTB near the bottom, nothing hurt. then it was true stealthmode, up the road, no lights, to top of Castle Rock track.
I led down this, excellent run, quite slow, but flowy. Nelson, not so much. On the climb out i had one wee dab, but otherwise all good. At top of Bridle Path, we kinda couldn't be bothered riding back up the ridge to Cavendish, tho, it probably wouldn't be that bad. So, we decided to see what all the fuss was about... headed round the road. Kinda freaky. amazing how the trail weaving and wending through the rocks is all on relatively pristine tarmac, surrounded by mad mad rocks. But, where the blasting has been done, round the corner, into the wind, walking bikes over massive piles of rocks with yet more above and below was just a bit nervous making. Definitely not something I'll do again. At the big fuck-you chainlink and razor wire gate/fence we clambered through the side and i was relieved to be out. Then, once over the final gate, illegality was passed and everything was ok again.
At the saddle we stopped in the lee of a flax and had some Onesquare then headed on up the trail to the top. Not a bad climb, tho i was getting puffed and weavy near the top, and annoyingly the gear i wanted, ie, granny on front, 3rd down on back, slipped, so i was either spinning fast traveling slow or grinding slow and hard for the right speed. Dunno what's up with that? Onwards to the top, then due to Nelson's pingy-ness on the slickrocks I led off down the hill, my light starting to cut out now and then, which pretty much made Nelson have to stay behind me for extra lighting. Eventually, once on the top of Greenwood back towards the top, and my light cutting out a heap more times, realised it was due to, not only a bad connection, but also the light binning out trying to draw more current than was left in the battery. So, put it on low, and it never cut out again, all the last of the Greenwood then all the rest of the way down Britten, bypassing the gate and taking the 4wd tracks across the hill onto the downhill walking track, then zipping down the car.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Sunday Pleasant Green Gods
Nelson showed up to mine, and instead of wasting our tires on Linwood Ave, we drove to Ferrymead to meet the others. I was tired after a rough night's sleep. Passed Wayne on Humphrey's Drive, and then the three of us waited for the rest of the crew, composed of Pete, Steve, Tony, Andrew and Dallas. Off up St Andrew's Hill we proceeded at a nice rate of knots, then Up Major through to Upper Major and onto the Britten Singletrack climb, around the top singletrack where we met a guy who borrowed a tool to tighten his cleats before we headed off down the road to Cavendish Saddle and into the grindy wee climb, which wasnt so bad. Caught a group of old guys before the gate, regrouped, then hit the downhill, chasing Nelson, Pete on my tail down through. Always easier to not be in 1st position on this descent, saves second guessing the whole time. Great wee descent and pretty much straight into Greenwood, sitting on Nelson's tail the whole way down, Pete never too far behind. Wrist was good on the descent, no pain, and obviously no need for a brace, which i'd tried 'in the parking lot' before the boys turned up and it was just too uncomfy.
At the start of the switchbacks Nelson thought his front end was washing around, and thought he'd let too much air out earlier, so stopped to pump it up. When he'd finished, his back end started hissing and proceded to go flat-as. So. Tube change, and then Pete led off, me chasing, finding it hard to start with, but then he buttoned off a little and i gained on him around into the final straightaways down to the rocky pinches. Pete mucked the first one up, allowing me past, and Nelson tight on my tail down the last blasts, was a fantastic run for me all the way down, felt like I nearly had everything in place. Others were all complaining that they were off their games.
Onto Godley. Nelson cleaned up the first lot, i screwed the pooch, as did all the followers. Andy was probably the closest to getting it. Good on the rest of it up, and a good fast roll round to the rocky knoll where we blatted down the slope towards the road, over the gate, down the hill to over the fence and stile and then down the walk track to Taylor's Rd, which was fun and smooth and entirely cleaned now that we take the hairpin properly.
Clambered out of Taylors over and down Scarbro for coffee at .com and i needed to get home so Nelson and me rode before the others, pushing a momentous pace in top gear all the way, through redcliffs and out the causeway, only possible for me by slipstreaming behind him. Saw Marie and then Mark around the Mt Pleasant Yacht Club heading out.
Home by 12.40
At the start of the switchbacks Nelson thought his front end was washing around, and thought he'd let too much air out earlier, so stopped to pump it up. When he'd finished, his back end started hissing and proceded to go flat-as. So. Tube change, and then Pete led off, me chasing, finding it hard to start with, but then he buttoned off a little and i gained on him around into the final straightaways down to the rocky pinches. Pete mucked the first one up, allowing me past, and Nelson tight on my tail down the last blasts, was a fantastic run for me all the way down, felt like I nearly had everything in place. Others were all complaining that they were off their games.
Onto Godley. Nelson cleaned up the first lot, i screwed the pooch, as did all the followers. Andy was probably the closest to getting it. Good on the rest of it up, and a good fast roll round to the rocky knoll where we blatted down the slope towards the road, over the gate, down the hill to over the fence and stile and then down the walk track to Taylor's Rd, which was fun and smooth and entirely cleaned now that we take the hairpin properly.
Clambered out of Taylors over and down Scarbro for coffee at .com and i needed to get home so Nelson and me rode before the others, pushing a momentous pace in top gear all the way, through redcliffs and out the causeway, only possible for me by slipstreaming behind him. Saw Marie and then Mark around the Mt Pleasant Yacht Club heading out.
Home by 12.40
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Thursday Dog Pond
Scored a new front tire for the singlist, a 2.25, bigger than the 2.1 i was rocking, but unfortunately not much... wish the shop had had the 2.5. Anyway. Installed it, chucked it on the car, chucked the dog in, and motored out to Bottle Lake. Like a Jet, well, actually he is a Jet, down the first avenue and we headed in left. Kept a good pace in just to warm up and it certainly wasn't too fast for him. Stopped briefly at the pond that's in there and he had a good sniff about and i put more air in the back and a little out of the front, and we carried on. Great blast through this next section but when we got to the end found a big blockage and Danger tape on the next section, bunch of trees dropped over the trail. Thinning... fuck it. Nothing to do but go across the nearly 1km stretch of sand called Lima Rd up to Seventeenth Ave. Rode some, but not much, way too sloppy. Made me wish i had a Pugsley, and wonder how a Krampus would have done... A right on 17th, and back down to the singletrack, Jet finally starting to slow a little... Hung a right to head towards Spencer Park, and through this section i'd not been on for a while, then remembered i had my phone, and earplugs... Got the sounds on, and it was a whole nother world. Forest starting to get darker. At the turn off for Spencer's a small rabbit appeared and Jet went after it. I went after him, towards Spencers, but he came back over the first rise, so we headed back onwards.
Bursts of speed through sections but it really was getting darker, so on Muddy Rd, aka 13th Ave, i stopped and set up my light. It worked. Next section of forest i found good, then next, and then open(ish) bit with crappy washouts, then into what used to be Andrew's favourite. Near the end of this i stopped and turned off the light and rode in the dark for a bit. Fun. Barely visible ribbon of silver in the darkness. As i came out to the 20th/Golf/Foxtrot intersection there was a couple of walkers that Jet and me stealthed up on and past and on into the forest, just with a "hi" to them (i think they were 'high', truth be told) then it started to really get too dark, so light back on (would have looked cool to them)... On through and back to base, no lights on the return to the carpark. All up, about an hour on the bike, i guess... maybe less.
Bursts of speed through sections but it really was getting darker, so on Muddy Rd, aka 13th Ave, i stopped and set up my light. It worked. Next section of forest i found good, then next, and then open(ish) bit with crappy washouts, then into what used to be Andrew's favourite. Near the end of this i stopped and turned off the light and rode in the dark for a bit. Fun. Barely visible ribbon of silver in the darkness. As i came out to the 20th/Golf/Foxtrot intersection there was a couple of walkers that Jet and me stealthed up on and past and on into the forest, just with a "hi" to them (i think they were 'high', truth be told) then it started to really get too dark, so light back on (would have looked cool to them)... On through and back to base, no lights on the return to the carpark. All up, about an hour on the bike, i guess... maybe less.
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Saturday Craigie Luge Draco Hog Mission
Spectacular ride yesterday. Drove the Fiat to Sheffield, overtaking the two marked carloads of the crew on the Old West Coast Rd (Steve, Marie and Robin, (in TFC) and Warren, Wayne, and Andy (Steel&Tube)), met Nelson and transferred to his car then on we drove, the others coffee-ing up in Springfield, us gassing up, then all continuing on to Castle Hill. Gorgeous cool autumnal day in the hills. From Castle Hill, transferred us each to their vehicles, leaving Nelson's car for the later shuttle, and drove through to Broken River carpark. Marie headed in ahead of the rest of us, and once everyone else was ready, we headed straight into Sidle73. Nice lung grabbing initial few switchbacks then, as the name suggests, a good sidle round to the Craigieburn Rd. Easy grind to start with, eventually turning into the usual granny grind, with my now usual right calf giving me gyp. Cooler and cooler it got as we climbed up towards the snow, which had dusted the tops overnight. Nice and chilly at the skifield carpark, where we all layered or delayered or relayered accordingly. Last wee grunt past the lodges and up to the lifts and we were ready for the descent.
Nelson and me out front, and most of the time, Warren following us, we rocked it and blazed it and cruised it and it was sweet. Sweeter than I've remembered it before. The first screes weren't bad at all, only dabbed coming into one, where straight out of the forest there was a loose climb, and of course the final one. All the forest singletrack roots were slick but I only felt sketchy once or twice. The climb to Lyndon Saddle was a steep little grunt as usual, and i had to get off at one point cos my legs just didn't have it in them. Ground out the rest of it tho. At the saddle, Nelson said, Up Helicopter Hill!. I was the only taker, so we left the crew and hiked and pedalled and hiked to the top. On the way up I was like, no way, and Nelson was like, hell yeah. On the way down I was like, Hell YEAH! Awesome views from the top and an awesome downhill, techy and sketchy and fun and fully rideable.
We got to the bottom and found our crew had changed into a smaller and totally different crew - who said ours had taken off already, so we headed straight in for the chase, tho, given that they were probably already at the bottom was kinda pointless... Awesome descent of the Luge tho. Tight and rooty as always, the 'modern' wide bars nearly getting the best of us both a couple times. I was tight on Nelson's tail all the way down, having to consciously back off a bit so's to see enough trail. This I found myself doing again and again later. At the bottom, grins smeared across our faces, we found the crew, and we all headed off up the road towards Jack's Pass and the Dracophyllum Flat (out!) track.
Nelson led in, but after about 50m got a wasp sting on the leg, so I took the lead and blazed. What a descent. Different to what i remembered, it's been so long and details like the wee climb in the middle and the ever increasing steep bit near the end, and the off camber corner BEFORE the off camber corner at the end all gone from memory and having to be reinitiated. Last blast down to a nice new bridge and another nasty wee grunty climb up to the ' Flat' ensued, giving my calf gyp again. Another regroup here and we got going ahead of the crew of 29er guys following us. Nice blitz across the Draco flat, swoopy swoopy then through a forest bit, into more frost flats, and into the forest again. In here the new climb switchbacked us up across the old sloggy rut that used to pass as the track, and spat us out slightly east of where the track used to take you across to the ice-rinks.
From here, another regroup, this time letting the, now interspersed with us, 29er dudes go ahead. Blasted off, popping little jumps across the flat and into another forest section where the trail swooped and railed around down and through out across Texas Flat, with some really nice sections before railing round into a wee descent to a creek, where we found a couple of the 29ers walking through the creek. Nelson powered through the stream splashing the other dudes. I pulled up, changed down while they finished crossing, then rode through and out and up, past the other 2 then one of them on my tail made me nearly wanna puke on the climb. On up along the terrace top and out onto the Cheeseman access road.
The Slogs Back... Tired legs grinding, calf muscle screaming, on the zag after the zig I walked about 20 metres, then got rolling again and struggled up to meet Nelson on the corner. Here we sat, and watched, as first the 29ers then finally, what? Steve, then Marie, and Robin were visible then climbed on up to us. But where were the other three? Finally they turned up, new pads being slipped in by Wazza at the creek crossing. Supposedly at the top, we then climbed a couple short sharp switchies in a wee patch of bush then out into the open top, bit more climb, relief of descent, then yet more climb to Picnic Rock Lookout... Another regroup before the best descent of the day, ripping down through a moonscape then into and long edge of forest ever sidling and descending, somewhere a bridge, then more descending fast and furious, back into forest, shredding! Another creek crossing, with walkers, "you're doing well" they said(?). Pinchy climb, then across a few scree washouts and the final climb of the day up to a big dead tree. Nelson roosted, i sat, and we watched til the others came into sight, and then it was Warren and Steve the first to get to us, so as they were the drivers we all continued on and we ripped it up down the long open pedally ridge before blasting down through the last patch of forest out to the end, lots of neat jumps and near misses with trees...
An exhausted pile of bikers eventually rolling in, while the three drivers went off to get the cars...
Steve's posted on PFMTBC, with lots of pics taken by Robin's camera!
Nelson and me out front, and most of the time, Warren following us, we rocked it and blazed it and cruised it and it was sweet. Sweeter than I've remembered it before. The first screes weren't bad at all, only dabbed coming into one, where straight out of the forest there was a loose climb, and of course the final one. All the forest singletrack roots were slick but I only felt sketchy once or twice. The climb to Lyndon Saddle was a steep little grunt as usual, and i had to get off at one point cos my legs just didn't have it in them. Ground out the rest of it tho. At the saddle, Nelson said, Up Helicopter Hill!. I was the only taker, so we left the crew and hiked and pedalled and hiked to the top. On the way up I was like, no way, and Nelson was like, hell yeah. On the way down I was like, Hell YEAH! Awesome views from the top and an awesome downhill, techy and sketchy and fun and fully rideable.
We got to the bottom and found our crew had changed into a smaller and totally different crew - who said ours had taken off already, so we headed straight in for the chase, tho, given that they were probably already at the bottom was kinda pointless... Awesome descent of the Luge tho. Tight and rooty as always, the 'modern' wide bars nearly getting the best of us both a couple times. I was tight on Nelson's tail all the way down, having to consciously back off a bit so's to see enough trail. This I found myself doing again and again later. At the bottom, grins smeared across our faces, we found the crew, and we all headed off up the road towards Jack's Pass and the Dracophyllum Flat (out!) track.
Nelson led in, but after about 50m got a wasp sting on the leg, so I took the lead and blazed. What a descent. Different to what i remembered, it's been so long and details like the wee climb in the middle and the ever increasing steep bit near the end, and the off camber corner BEFORE the off camber corner at the end all gone from memory and having to be reinitiated. Last blast down to a nice new bridge and another nasty wee grunty climb up to the ' Flat' ensued, giving my calf gyp again. Another regroup here and we got going ahead of the crew of 29er guys following us. Nice blitz across the Draco flat, swoopy swoopy then through a forest bit, into more frost flats, and into the forest again. In here the new climb switchbacked us up across the old sloggy rut that used to pass as the track, and spat us out slightly east of where the track used to take you across to the ice-rinks.
From here, another regroup, this time letting the, now interspersed with us, 29er dudes go ahead. Blasted off, popping little jumps across the flat and into another forest section where the trail swooped and railed around down and through out across Texas Flat, with some really nice sections before railing round into a wee descent to a creek, where we found a couple of the 29ers walking through the creek. Nelson powered through the stream splashing the other dudes. I pulled up, changed down while they finished crossing, then rode through and out and up, past the other 2 then one of them on my tail made me nearly wanna puke on the climb. On up along the terrace top and out onto the Cheeseman access road.
The Slogs Back... Tired legs grinding, calf muscle screaming, on the zag after the zig I walked about 20 metres, then got rolling again and struggled up to meet Nelson on the corner. Here we sat, and watched, as first the 29ers then finally, what? Steve, then Marie, and Robin were visible then climbed on up to us. But where were the other three? Finally they turned up, new pads being slipped in by Wazza at the creek crossing. Supposedly at the top, we then climbed a couple short sharp switchies in a wee patch of bush then out into the open top, bit more climb, relief of descent, then yet more climb to Picnic Rock Lookout... Another regroup before the best descent of the day, ripping down through a moonscape then into and long edge of forest ever sidling and descending, somewhere a bridge, then more descending fast and furious, back into forest, shredding! Another creek crossing, with walkers, "you're doing well" they said(?). Pinchy climb, then across a few scree washouts and the final climb of the day up to a big dead tree. Nelson roosted, i sat, and we watched til the others came into sight, and then it was Warren and Steve the first to get to us, so as they were the drivers we all continued on and we ripped it up down the long open pedally ridge before blasting down through the last patch of forest out to the end, lots of neat jumps and near misses with trees...
An exhausted pile of bikers eventually rolling in, while the three drivers went off to get the cars...
Steve's posted on PFMTBC, with lots of pics taken by Robin's camera!
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Thursday evening Reskooling some Old Skool...
Great ride tonight. Nelson picked me up from work and we parked up Bowenvale Ave. Rode round and up Major Aitken, listening to my back tire wearing down all the way up, and on up Huntsbury track, the top of Old Skool we met Craig, who'd ridden his 1989 Marin Muirwoods fully classic fully rigid up to meet us. On up to the top and Craig suggested we head up over Vernon... Walked a bit near the top, then messed up lots of the switchbacks down the burned out area, and rode out to the top of Rapaki... Thru the fence and on round Witch Hill, something we've not ridden since December 2010. Singletrack looks well used, is in mint riding condition, and there's only two big boulders that had come down.
On round the road and up under the ominous looking Tors, lots of rocks parked on the side of the road, and their dents, but only for a very short section. Half way up this stretch, Nelson and Craig took off at a mental pace, while i just slogged away, getting there in the end... Bit of a chat here and i led off down Castle Rock. Last time down here was on the rigid singlist in Feb 2011, a sweltering ride riddled with punctures... It. Was. SWEET. Great being on it again, really missed it and it is riding beautifully. Not a rock out of place, all how i remembered it as it rolled under the tires. At the end we hit the road back up the hill, over and down under Tors again, over the fence and onto the walkway. Good technical roll round here, dodging cowshit and onga-onga, clambering back up and over back onto Witch hill which rode even better in this direction, sun very low in our eyes.
Onto Vernon, regular gravel track up and round, Craig blitzing off ahead, Nelson sitting half way between the ever increasing distance back to me. At Huntsbury we hit the singletrack round, then picked our merry way down between the tussocks onto Old Skool descent. Nelson ripping it up down the top section, Craig rattling down the rocky sections. I got through first under the pylon and ripped on into the singletrack, enjoying it all down to the stile. Nelson took over here and bombed it over the rest of it. Right down the bottom in the second to last switchback my back tire went down... bah. couldnt be arsed changing it so close to the car, so walked it out, and walked most of the way down Bowenvale before Nelson got back up to me in the car, 2 hours after we'd met Craig at top of hill.
Daylight Savings is off this weekend, so next week, lights will be required.
On round the road and up under the ominous looking Tors, lots of rocks parked on the side of the road, and their dents, but only for a very short section. Half way up this stretch, Nelson and Craig took off at a mental pace, while i just slogged away, getting there in the end... Bit of a chat here and i led off down Castle Rock. Last time down here was on the rigid singlist in Feb 2011, a sweltering ride riddled with punctures... It. Was. SWEET. Great being on it again, really missed it and it is riding beautifully. Not a rock out of place, all how i remembered it as it rolled under the tires. At the end we hit the road back up the hill, over and down under Tors again, over the fence and onto the walkway. Good technical roll round here, dodging cowshit and onga-onga, clambering back up and over back onto Witch hill which rode even better in this direction, sun very low in our eyes.
Onto Vernon, regular gravel track up and round, Craig blitzing off ahead, Nelson sitting half way between the ever increasing distance back to me. At Huntsbury we hit the singletrack round, then picked our merry way down between the tussocks onto Old Skool descent. Nelson ripping it up down the top section, Craig rattling down the rocky sections. I got through first under the pylon and ripped on into the singletrack, enjoying it all down to the stile. Nelson took over here and bombed it over the rest of it. Right down the bottom in the second to last switchback my back tire went down... bah. couldnt be arsed changing it so close to the car, so walked it out, and walked most of the way down Bowenvale before Nelson got back up to me in the car, 2 hours after we'd met Craig at top of hill.
Daylight Savings is off this weekend, so next week, lights will be required.
Monday, April 01, 2013
Monday More Fool on me
Well, didn't manage a last March ride, but today got on the switchback single69r and struggled up the hill. Ground my way up to Chorlton, then on up View Hill Rd, walking a good stretch before crawling up above the old house up there. Got to almost precisely the 500m altitude level, couldnae be arsed going any further so turned and rattled down again. Probably just over an hour up and about 10 minutes down.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Wednesday Ups and downs in Worsle's Playpen
Sweet ride with Nelson tonight. Parked up top of Worsley's Rd, and straight into it, into the singletrack in the trees and a bit of a look around below the trail where there's a massive mad jump, and a few sections of berms and more jumps, none of it our style really. Headed up an old 4wd trail in here and spat out at the junction with the historic board ride corner. Out onto the main drag, we chuffed up here. Nelson was very kind to me and stayed in a nice slow gear and i managed to stay on his tail the whole way up, sweating like a pig in the very muggy conditions. Took the steep to BLine and zipped off down the left hand 'new' line, Nelson in the lead, me hard on his tail, following him over every jump, and finding my tires slipping strangely in corners and on rocks. Into Fight Club and i stopped and released the 'town' pressure i'd put in to ride to work on, and we continued our merry way down, swooping and popping and sidling and offcambering our ways down all the way out to where the deep deep dust was those weeks back. Nicely solidified now, and a good trail worn into it, we climbed on up and decided, upon looking out over the logging in the valley, that we'd get out of there now, so, at the junction point we headed off down what's now known as Dave's Trail, or as i've called it ACJoint...
Excellent run down this steep wee bugger. Cleaned it all, bar one slight bail just after the whoopdy U drop, but otherwise, all good, even the section entering the final chute. Climb out was okay, til we got into the bulldozer track, which was just as steep as the old trail, but a bit rougher and open. They've felled down to below where our cool rockbridge was, alas, its now buried in loess. About there, one of these days, i'm gonna get in there and make a sidling trail back towards the descent, zigging and zagging a couple times back up to the route out...
Dragged ourselves back up to The Junction, and had a bit of a snack then headed off back up the main drag, mingling with a good sized group of guys, one of whom i stuck behind for a bit, while Nelson hauled ass off ahead of all of them. Got past the first guy, overtaking a second further up after i'd sat on his tail til he bailed in some rocks, then just rolling on up cleaning all the way, then to the highest point where I found Nelson chatting with another couple guys. We let them head off while I caught my breath, then we headed off down the right hand old skool route, me in the lead, blazing down round and through. Some fucker has mangled the groovy rock features though. One of them has a big wheel sized hole near the end of it that i had to pop over... anyway, down the rest, then just before heading under the pylons the sun was shining red on the sides of the trees. Quite spectacular...(because of this?) Then, into the final droppy swoopy fun track down and out, back up to Junction (again!) and on down and out towards the car, red sun setting just as I lifted my bike over the gate, 7.25pm. When's daylight savings end??
Excellent run down this steep wee bugger. Cleaned it all, bar one slight bail just after the whoopdy U drop, but otherwise, all good, even the section entering the final chute. Climb out was okay, til we got into the bulldozer track, which was just as steep as the old trail, but a bit rougher and open. They've felled down to below where our cool rockbridge was, alas, its now buried in loess. About there, one of these days, i'm gonna get in there and make a sidling trail back towards the descent, zigging and zagging a couple times back up to the route out...
Dragged ourselves back up to The Junction, and had a bit of a snack then headed off back up the main drag, mingling with a good sized group of guys, one of whom i stuck behind for a bit, while Nelson hauled ass off ahead of all of them. Got past the first guy, overtaking a second further up after i'd sat on his tail til he bailed in some rocks, then just rolling on up cleaning all the way, then to the highest point where I found Nelson chatting with another couple guys. We let them head off while I caught my breath, then we headed off down the right hand old skool route, me in the lead, blazing down round and through. Some fucker has mangled the groovy rock features though. One of them has a big wheel sized hole near the end of it that i had to pop over... anyway, down the rest, then just before heading under the pylons the sun was shining red on the sides of the trees. Quite spectacular...(because of this?) Then, into the final droppy swoopy fun track down and out, back up to Junction (again!) and on down and out towards the car, red sun setting just as I lifted my bike over the gate, 7.25pm. When's daylight savings end??
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Sunday Out East In Up Back
Nelson picked me up and we met the rest of the crew: Steve, Wayne, Tony, Andrew, Warren, Marie, at Evans Pass. We were on time, and they were ready to go. Off up Godley, straight in cold, hard yakka first climb which i blew and Nelson cleaned, then it was a sweet meander out up the rest of it. Bit of a regroup at the fence, all dribbing and drabbing in, then Marie came through and carried on. The rest of us stopped for a wee while and she got good and far ahead of us. Good blast down to Livingston, keeping good time and pace and finally catching up with Marie on the climb out. Some other dudes had gone past when we were back at the saddle, and as we climbed up to Steve's crash spot, one of them crashed right where he had. Perfect example of nearly what happened to Steve... Anyway, on over down to Breeze, speedy speedy.
Then it was above the road, climb climb climb nicely nicely and a new-to-me sidle around the hill. Very nice! Blast down to end of road and onto singletrack coming back. I was chasing Nelson but on the climbs he just has some sort of motor that accelerates, whereas I can just keep going but not accelerate. Bah. So, on the climbs he gets away and on the sidles and flats i just keep the gap, closing slowly maybe, most of the time... Back to Breeze in good time and once we'd all dribdrabbed in off we toodled upwards. Not a bad climb this, Nelson and me got the lead for the descent and had an excellent run down, as did the rest of them, then it was Livingston climb up. Was okay, then i stopped and chatted to Tom on his new bike, and the others all got ahead and when i got moving again my chain snapped... So, had to fix that with a couple links i had spare in my bag (thought i'd put that spare Powerlink in...nope). Got moving again, and found the rest waiting for me way up on top by the fence. Big group of Chch Mountainbike Club met us there and chat was exchanged and onwards we blazed. Nelson and me had an excellent run back up and down this section, was my most flowy for the day, was very much on form.
Into Greenwood climb, hard yakka but honest and not that bad, good gradient and only one or two real grunts. Was going okay for a while, but up above the top hairpins every rock seemed to screw me up. Regrouped at the ruins and Nelsie and me headed to the top while the restskived rested and headed down ahead of us while we struggled to the top and had a sweet run down, no stops. I was keeping the gap even all the way with Nelson til Gloomy Gulch, where i think i usually need a rest, but, with no rest my back was getting sore and i was getting tired, so the gap increased and try as i might i could not shorten it. Other than the pain experienced under the rocks at Gloomy, i had a good run the rest of the way, including cleaning the little pinch that usually gets me out. A relief once finished lifting bike over the fence. Coffee at DotCom.
Then it was above the road, climb climb climb nicely nicely and a new-to-me sidle around the hill. Very nice! Blast down to end of road and onto singletrack coming back. I was chasing Nelson but on the climbs he just has some sort of motor that accelerates, whereas I can just keep going but not accelerate. Bah. So, on the climbs he gets away and on the sidles and flats i just keep the gap, closing slowly maybe, most of the time... Back to Breeze in good time and once we'd all dribdrabbed in off we toodled upwards. Not a bad climb this, Nelson and me got the lead for the descent and had an excellent run down, as did the rest of them, then it was Livingston climb up. Was okay, then i stopped and chatted to Tom on his new bike, and the others all got ahead and when i got moving again my chain snapped... So, had to fix that with a couple links i had spare in my bag (thought i'd put that spare Powerlink in...nope). Got moving again, and found the rest waiting for me way up on top by the fence. Big group of Chch Mountainbike Club met us there and chat was exchanged and onwards we blazed. Nelson and me had an excellent run back up and down this section, was my most flowy for the day, was very much on form.
Into Greenwood climb, hard yakka but honest and not that bad, good gradient and only one or two real grunts. Was going okay for a while, but up above the top hairpins every rock seemed to screw me up. Regrouped at the ruins and Nelsie and me headed to the top while the rest
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Wednesday Dyers Nun Vic OldSkool
The 'crew' rode last night after the rain stopped, and had a jolly old time from the account of it...
I got to Nelson's work on the BFe and we rushhoured across to Holliss Ave. Changed, and headed up the Ave, listening to my new tires wearing themselves out on the road. Got to the end and our old route up through empty sections is no longer, so had to take the steps down, then along and up more steps eventually onto Longhurst Tce. From here it was up the singletrack below the houses up to the forestry plot, where for a change we headed up to the right, following the top edge of the houses, then up through the trees to the dog park and into Vic Park Drive. Over and down to the Old Dyers track. Nelson sorted out a rattly disc Centerlock thingy, and we rode on. While he was doing that we were passed by sooo many riders coming down. and a couple riding up, who we passed further up. On up to where they've chipped it, and lowest common denominated it, no wonder so many people are using it now... Last grunts to the road are easier now, except for the steepness.
Then it was up the road for a short time, and onto the wee walking track above the road, which is nice, saves the tires, couple of wee steeps, and when it met the road again we crossed and got onto the next section of walking track, up the steps, down the steps up up and around to the road and on up to the Nun. Another group of riders on the way up to here. They took off and we waited a bit, then we were off. Down, just taking it easy as seems to have become the custom. Annoyed at the braking bumps people who cant ride properly leave behind, grrr, but otherwise a nice run. I was tight on Nelson's tail for the lower half, like about a bike's length, making flying over the new doubly jumps certainly interesting with no forewarning of what I was getting myself into.
Up to the upper Thomson's, cruising up and then with plenty light left we headed around the Summit, blazing away, me gasping on the climbs. Around to the top of Lavaflow we went, then turned back and headed into the sun. Did a little better on the way back, and had a great run on the last downs towards Vic, where we blazed into the dark trees, greasy under there, Nelson over the seesaw me down through the cattlestop and on down adjacent to Brakefree as Nelson hopped and popped, then bailed and joined me. Off down over the rocks and through the perfumed and fragrant gums, my favourite little lefty and around down round over the jump around back down into the next section and then on down all the way to the bottom.
Back up the road to the skidder and straight into Spazza's, nice blast down there, round into Brent's taking the right hand side, and into the bottom of rad^sick, poaching the lead when Nelson took the line that spits you into a jump, me leading, bypassing the creek jump then straight across into Flow. Brief blinding by long grass, letting Nelson ahead again down into Bridges and Nubridges and on out and down. Bit rough down the bottom of there. Then high speed down to Hidden Valley Linker. Both botched the start, but rolled on up the rest. Caught up to a woman on a red Nomad around the 2nd hairpin and she let me pass for the steep climb through the trees, which nearly killed me. Caught the rest of her group at the fence, Nelson and me rested while they carried on. Felt a bit dizzy when i stood up again, but we continued on, blazing and wafting and hauling ass down OldSkool, juuust catching the woman again at the bottom. I had one very close call going between those rocks at the beginning of the last switchbacky section near the bottom.
then it was down Bowenvale, Wedgewood, Landsdowne and through the park to the car. Done and dusted. And sore in the neck.
I got to Nelson's work on the BFe and we rushhoured across to Holliss Ave. Changed, and headed up the Ave, listening to my new tires wearing themselves out on the road. Got to the end and our old route up through empty sections is no longer, so had to take the steps down, then along and up more steps eventually onto Longhurst Tce. From here it was up the singletrack below the houses up to the forestry plot, where for a change we headed up to the right, following the top edge of the houses, then up through the trees to the dog park and into Vic Park Drive. Over and down to the Old Dyers track. Nelson sorted out a rattly disc Centerlock thingy, and we rode on. While he was doing that we were passed by sooo many riders coming down. and a couple riding up, who we passed further up. On up to where they've chipped it, and lowest common denominated it, no wonder so many people are using it now... Last grunts to the road are easier now, except for the steepness.
Then it was up the road for a short time, and onto the wee walking track above the road, which is nice, saves the tires, couple of wee steeps, and when it met the road again we crossed and got onto the next section of walking track, up the steps, down the steps up up and around to the road and on up to the Nun. Another group of riders on the way up to here. They took off and we waited a bit, then we were off. Down, just taking it easy as seems to have become the custom. Annoyed at the braking bumps people who cant ride properly leave behind, grrr, but otherwise a nice run. I was tight on Nelson's tail for the lower half, like about a bike's length, making flying over the new doubly jumps certainly interesting with no forewarning of what I was getting myself into.
Up to the upper Thomson's, cruising up and then with plenty light left we headed around the Summit, blazing away, me gasping on the climbs. Around to the top of Lavaflow we went, then turned back and headed into the sun. Did a little better on the way back, and had a great run on the last downs towards Vic, where we blazed into the dark trees, greasy under there, Nelson over the seesaw me down through the cattlestop and on down adjacent to Brakefree as Nelson hopped and popped, then bailed and joined me. Off down over the rocks and through the perfumed and fragrant gums, my favourite little lefty and around down round over the jump around back down into the next section and then on down all the way to the bottom.
Back up the road to the skidder and straight into Spazza's, nice blast down there, round into Brent's taking the right hand side, and into the bottom of rad^sick, poaching the lead when Nelson took the line that spits you into a jump, me leading, bypassing the creek jump then straight across into Flow. Brief blinding by long grass, letting Nelson ahead again down into Bridges and Nubridges and on out and down. Bit rough down the bottom of there. Then high speed down to Hidden Valley Linker. Both botched the start, but rolled on up the rest. Caught up to a woman on a red Nomad around the 2nd hairpin and she let me pass for the steep climb through the trees, which nearly killed me. Caught the rest of her group at the fence, Nelson and me rested while they carried on. Felt a bit dizzy when i stood up again, but we continued on, blazing and wafting and hauling ass down OldSkool, juuust catching the woman again at the bottom. I had one very close call going between those rocks at the beginning of the last switchbacky section near the bottom.
then it was down Bowenvale, Wedgewood, Landsdowne and through the park to the car. Done and dusted. And sore in the neck.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Sunday Mt Quite Grey - BFe's First outing
Well. Assembled the BFe Friday night and finished it off on Saturday night, ready for this morning's early start. Left home about 8.10 and got to Sefton just after half past, waiting about a minute before Nelson showed up. Transferred to his car and we zoomed round to Cramptons Bush Rd, noticing a Lake Janet access Closed sign early on... Figured we'd just ride up, and did. Parked at the gate (closed for fire risk) down low around 280m alt, and treadled up the road to Lake Janet at around 460m then on up Mt Grey Rd to the top in around an hour. Bit of rain about, really quite refreshing.
Top of Grey (radio tower - 929m), could see a a fair bit of rain out over Waipara basin, and so we hit the singletrack down, gnarling our way round through the tussocks and spaniards (one spiking my hand), boggy bits nearly dry, but still with some bog to them, and on the last section before rounding over into the bush (700m) the rain came down. Switchback-City ensued, and we cleaned some and dirtied others. Seemed to get down in no time at all, getting to the wee ridge with the look out very fast. On downwards from here and loving every second of the trail. Out the bottom of the singletrack (~280m (again)) we flew, and before heading up we snarfed down a bunch of blackberries for a rich fresh antioxidant blast.
BFe seems more planted, firmer, power transfer is more direct, i guess cos the frame is less flexy. Seat feels a bit more solid, which shows how much flex there was in the old Soul back end. Otherwise it handled exactly the same - excellently.
Climbed back up the road to "Lake" Janet, where we started up the road (as if for a second lap) and hung a hard right just before the gate, into the fir forest and down a nearly invisible singletrack. Found a bunch of big holes dug, the fill of which had been used to make jumps nobody would want to ride... several of these til finally out the bottom, back onto the road for a (i would say) 80kph+ blast down the gravel back to the car.
So, over all, a 650m climb followed by a 650m descent (one or two ups and downs in there), then a 180m up and over... 830m altitude climbed... not quite the tonne we were thinking... but still pretty good effort well worth the doing.
Top of Grey (radio tower - 929m), could see a a fair bit of rain out over Waipara basin, and so we hit the singletrack down, gnarling our way round through the tussocks and spaniards (one spiking my hand), boggy bits nearly dry, but still with some bog to them, and on the last section before rounding over into the bush (700m) the rain came down. Switchback-City ensued, and we cleaned some and dirtied others. Seemed to get down in no time at all, getting to the wee ridge with the look out very fast. On downwards from here and loving every second of the trail. Out the bottom of the singletrack (~280m (again)) we flew, and before heading up we snarfed down a bunch of blackberries for a rich fresh antioxidant blast.
BFe seems more planted, firmer, power transfer is more direct, i guess cos the frame is less flexy. Seat feels a bit more solid, which shows how much flex there was in the old Soul back end. Otherwise it handled exactly the same - excellently.
Climbed back up the road to "Lake" Janet, where we started up the road (as if for a second lap) and hung a hard right just before the gate, into the fir forest and down a nearly invisible singletrack. Found a bunch of big holes dug, the fill of which had been used to make jumps nobody would want to ride... several of these til finally out the bottom, back onto the road for a (i would say) 80kph+ blast down the gravel back to the car.
So, over all, a 650m climb followed by a 650m descent (one or two ups and downs in there), then a 180m up and over... 830m altitude climbed... not quite the tonne we were thinking... but still pretty good effort well worth the doing.
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