Dear Mountain Biking,
It's been a while. I've been thinking about you a lot, and I've missed you. We used to be so close, but now everything's gone and changed. I brought you with me this week, and meant to get out up into the wilds with you, but one thing and another got in the way. Now, I've got a crappy head cold and even tho I had the time and some inclination, it just didn't happen for us today. Probably just as well, in that you may have pushed the cold worse into me. But another part of me thinks that maybe you and me could have fought off this lurgy with our awesomeness.
It's crazy to think it's been so long, and that the last times we were together were on such dull trails. And now the storms have beaten up our favourite old haunts and who knows what we'll find next time we're in there.
Maybe this week we can meet again, and see how we go?
Looking forward to it.
Yours,
Swtchbckr
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Another Bottle Lake spin
Forecast and persistent rain on the hills all day was putting me off to thinking that we wouldn't ride last night, but Nelson came over to mine after work anyway, and we'd both noticed how dry my side of town was, ie, roads completely dry from the CBD onwards, so decided on heading out for a(nother for me) spin of Bottle Lake... Arrived at carpark 6.30ish, and headed on in, me on the singlespeed again, but no dog this time. Good fast pace all the way through to Mount Garbage, then down, passing a woman and her dog, through past the ponds, and out to the beach. Sand blowouts on the tops of the dunes all rideable due to dampness, but trails were way drier than the previous evening. We stopped up here, Nelson to pump his tires a tad, me to tweak the rear spokes hoping to stop the tire rub under power - to no avail.
Along the front, up and down, then in, and through, all the way up to Spencer Park this time, some big event on up there, (heard later from some other riders at the carpark that there were 4500 youth on a camp, with a band etc). We rode through to Adrenalin Forest and stopped for a snack, before turning back through, the band at the Youth thing cranking up about then. Been a long time since we'd been all the way through here.
Back into the trails, blasting back through, Nelson starting to go faster and me feeling like my bike was getting slower. Legs burning, spinning and lungs wheezing to keep up.
Eventually, back to the car and back on the road 8pmish. Better than nothing, and surprisingly dry.
Along the front, up and down, then in, and through, all the way up to Spencer Park this time, some big event on up there, (heard later from some other riders at the carpark that there were 4500 youth on a camp, with a band etc). We rode through to Adrenalin Forest and stopped for a snack, before turning back through, the band at the Youth thing cranking up about then. Been a long time since we'd been all the way through here.
Back into the trails, blasting back through, Nelson starting to go faster and me feeling like my bike was getting slower. Legs burning, spinning and lungs wheezing to keep up.
Eventually, back to the car and back on the road 8pmish. Better than nothing, and surprisingly dry.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Jet Bottle first lights
Quick repair of the rear brake on the singlist after dinner then Jet and me cruised out to the sandpit in the Fiat. A light rain starting around our departure. Headed in and hung a right blasting along for the start then easing off for the furboy. Mostly was running the light on low on account of having forgotten to charge it and not knowing how long i had. Did have a spare in my pack & a small back up on the bars though. No worries tho, the main lamp stayed up and running the whole way, and then barely needed any charge once home.
Out near the beach I slowed up for Jet & we just cruised along there. The sea was really pumping. Jet trotted along happy as a happy thing. Once we headed back into the forest I pickup the speed a bit, holding up now & then til I could see the glow of his eyes. We took the longest route, out towards Spencer before heading back thru to the car. I hadn't been this way for a while. On the way back through the last sections I reminisced about where the trail used to go in places, and how the whole place has changed in the 18 odd years I've been riding in here.. Back to the car after about an hour's ride all up.
Popped into Parklands on the way home for some bevvies to take to the bach for the forthcoming Easter break.
Out near the beach I slowed up for Jet & we just cruised along there. The sea was really pumping. Jet trotted along happy as a happy thing. Once we headed back into the forest I pickup the speed a bit, holding up now & then til I could see the glow of his eyes. We took the longest route, out towards Spencer before heading back thru to the car. I hadn't been this way for a while. On the way back through the last sections I reminisced about where the trail used to go in places, and how the whole place has changed in the 18 odd years I've been riding in here.. Back to the car after about an hour's ride all up.
Popped into Parklands on the way home for some bevvies to take to the bach for the forthcoming Easter break.
Sunday, April 06, 2014
Sunday quick up, around, down a little, up, down, up, down, around, down
Damp weekend at kids' Kea and Cub camp, home by 3pm Sunday with a weight of tiredness but the offer of a ride by T. Said I couldn't possibly, but then lay about for a while and figured why the hell not? So, drove out and with a view of the hills decided Worsley top looked dingier than the rest of the hills east of there so pointed the car towards Mt Pleasant and headed across and on up to the Upper Major.
Jumped on the bike 4.30ish, and over the fence and hit the trail up Britten, Jet racing out ahead. No stock in sight, so figured he was okay, but once he'd slowed down a little bit I kept him close til I could see that there really was no stock on the hill. Good pace up, and cleaned the turn to head around the original Britten trail, up top of which I de-layered down to my Baked Alaska, sun shining through enough to keep the shades on too. On round to the end of the trail and up onto the road, then down to Cavendish Saddle, where I started heading up towards the stile for Mt Pleasant, but then stopped and checked out my timing, 4.45pm, and decided that actually, a brief sortie up and back to the Gondola building might be in order.
Headed, and struggled a little in the greasy-ish conditions, up the ziggy zaggy rounding out the top and smelling the stench of sheep shit and urine, which caught Jet's attention and two daggy unshorn wild looking sheep headed off straight down our zigs and zags, so we saw them a few more times as we descended, Jet being really good and heeling well.
Up the grindy wee start of the Pleasant climb, the previously washed out steep section all nicely compacted with new fill, smooth and nearly as hard as concrete. Good cruise up and round to the top, pleasantly surprised that it was not even 5.05, so, less than 20 minutes to have climbed Cavendish, descended, and climbed Pleasant. Up here the fog was enveloping the top in its fuggy moistness, so, sunglasses away at the gate and zip up front.
Down the trail winding round over the rocks, over the step-stile, down the first few rocks, keeping Jet behind and keeping an eye out for stock. Enjoyed the flow as I rounded through the sound effects of Lyttelton, then the open tussock land speed followed and Jet was tight on my tail, loving it, the whole way down.
Brief breather above Greenwood, then down, Jet at a heel onto the top section of Greenwood trail and around. Been a bit of work along here, the edges cleared, making for a nice cruise up and around and over. Sheep were sheltering a bit around here and as I hit the worst of the short sharpish climbs Jet made like he was gonna stalk one, which I stopped with a sharp word, which got him back into line and he was no trouble with them after that. As we neared the road, the trail got muckier and wetter. Once again, I was glad of my wee mudguard stopping eye-spleck. Onto the road and Jet heeling as we cruised round and up to Britten.
Final descent was awesome. I went flat out, weaving with the trail back and forth down the hill, with Jet tight on my tail, galloping along after me. On the hairpins he would cut the corner really tight and end up out front and as soon as I caught him again he'd move aside and get in behind again. Sweet!
5.29 and we were in the car. A quick, hour's ride with so much in it. AND, the first ride for my new helment.
Jumped on the bike 4.30ish, and over the fence and hit the trail up Britten, Jet racing out ahead. No stock in sight, so figured he was okay, but once he'd slowed down a little bit I kept him close til I could see that there really was no stock on the hill. Good pace up, and cleaned the turn to head around the original Britten trail, up top of which I de-layered down to my Baked Alaska, sun shining through enough to keep the shades on too. On round to the end of the trail and up onto the road, then down to Cavendish Saddle, where I started heading up towards the stile for Mt Pleasant, but then stopped and checked out my timing, 4.45pm, and decided that actually, a brief sortie up and back to the Gondola building might be in order.
Headed, and struggled a little in the greasy-ish conditions, up the ziggy zaggy rounding out the top and smelling the stench of sheep shit and urine, which caught Jet's attention and two daggy unshorn wild looking sheep headed off straight down our zigs and zags, so we saw them a few more times as we descended, Jet being really good and heeling well.
Up the grindy wee start of the Pleasant climb, the previously washed out steep section all nicely compacted with new fill, smooth and nearly as hard as concrete. Good cruise up and round to the top, pleasantly surprised that it was not even 5.05, so, less than 20 minutes to have climbed Cavendish, descended, and climbed Pleasant. Up here the fog was enveloping the top in its fuggy moistness, so, sunglasses away at the gate and zip up front.
Down the trail winding round over the rocks, over the step-stile, down the first few rocks, keeping Jet behind and keeping an eye out for stock. Enjoyed the flow as I rounded through the sound effects of Lyttelton, then the open tussock land speed followed and Jet was tight on my tail, loving it, the whole way down.
Brief breather above Greenwood, then down, Jet at a heel onto the top section of Greenwood trail and around. Been a bit of work along here, the edges cleared, making for a nice cruise up and around and over. Sheep were sheltering a bit around here and as I hit the worst of the short sharpish climbs Jet made like he was gonna stalk one, which I stopped with a sharp word, which got him back into line and he was no trouble with them after that. As we neared the road, the trail got muckier and wetter. Once again, I was glad of my wee mudguard stopping eye-spleck. Onto the road and Jet heeling as we cruised round and up to Britten.
Final descent was awesome. I went flat out, weaving with the trail back and forth down the hill, with Jet tight on my tail, galloping along after me. On the hairpins he would cut the corner really tight and end up out front and as soon as I caught him again he'd move aside and get in behind again. Sweet!
5.29 and we were in the car. A quick, hour's ride with so much in it. AND, the first ride for my new helment.
Friday, April 04, 2014
Thursday into Gloom and Coruscation, there and back.
After a long break off the bike it was good to finally get out again. Last Wednesday Nelson and me attempted to ride. I'd ridden the Cotic to work and then ridden to his work after and we'd got in the car and begun to negotiate the absolute shittraffic that abounds near Tower Junction overbridge, and made it half way down Moorhouse Ave when he realises he's left his shoes behind!. So, a U-turn and back through the shittraffic to get back to his work and find everybody gone and he's no key for entry, so, called off our ride, back to mine for a couple of beersies and a nice long chat and eats.
Last night, usual traffic issues and he collected me on Moorhouse and we made our way to Huntsbury, parking right up the top. Just below the clouds, quite a chilly easterly roaring through, making me feel cold in my 2 only layers. Got riding and puffing, warming up nicely grinding on up through the first two gates then up under the pylon and up through the new cattlestop and then hung a bit of a right to find this 'new' track Steve had mentioned (and that they'd played on on Tuesday). We found it and wended our way up to the fence and then through the tussocks to the left (true right) of the airstrip then onto the usual gravel and on up. Just before the next gate/cattlestop we headed up the steep rocky to grab the Traverse across towards Vernon. Weird being on flowy singletrack, I actually noticed the lack of squish in the back, my last ride having been in Vegas.
Across the road into Vernon, stepping aside for a couple of climbers here and there and then downwards proceeding, me on his tail, feeling the flow. Across the Rapaki top and onto Witchypoo, clambering away, both of us blowing a couple of rocks, but enjoying the rest. Nice cruise up the road under the Tors, amazing light effects of sunshine glowing clouds and beams on the hillslopes, and neat turbulence patterning in the valley next to Castle Rock, and feeling like we'd made really good time it being only about 7 or so, thinking still plenty of light.
I led into the trail and had some rapidity and some sluggishness, Nelson commenting later on my excellent poise/balance in the descent. The climb from the little bridge has been seemingly shortened by the quakes, and one of the final corners towards the final sheepstop has a nasty rock hiding behind a tussock right on the apex that will, in future, likely throw someone. Turned around after watching and listening to the industrialism that is Lyttelton and Nelson led the way back up the trail, cleaning the whole thing, while I muppetted my way round the second hairpin, then spun out on a rock near the top. First time i've messed that up in a while...
Clouds seemed to be getting thicker now, so we bombed off down the road under the tors, and back round into Witch Hill, enjoying the down, tho, as we approached the final descent I stupidly lifted my gaze from the trail to see if I could see anyone riding from Rapaki-top, just for a split second, looking back to find a massive rock right in my way. Nearly an OTB, managed to pull it back round and continued down, more muppetty than before, out to the bottom.
A 'hello' to the three people up top before heading up Vernon, clambering away, Nelson leaving me behind from about a third of the way up. At the beginning of the Traverse bumped into old workmate/boss David, chatted with him for bit as it slowly got gloomier, and finally, across Traverse, then down the rockies, into the tussocks, finding and not finding sheep routes, then into the airstrip following the trodden path to the fence, over, onto the 'new' singletrack and down. Finding it harder and harder to see as we progressed. Nelson popping most jumps, me bypassing them all from lack of aforesightedness. Cloud and darkness making for hard work. Finally out the bottom to see a dude on a Blacksheep fatbike cruise past, light on. Back to car, quite damp...about 7.45.
Last night, usual traffic issues and he collected me on Moorhouse and we made our way to Huntsbury, parking right up the top. Just below the clouds, quite a chilly easterly roaring through, making me feel cold in my 2 only layers. Got riding and puffing, warming up nicely grinding on up through the first two gates then up under the pylon and up through the new cattlestop and then hung a bit of a right to find this 'new' track Steve had mentioned (and that they'd played on on Tuesday). We found it and wended our way up to the fence and then through the tussocks to the left (true right) of the airstrip then onto the usual gravel and on up. Just before the next gate/cattlestop we headed up the steep rocky to grab the Traverse across towards Vernon. Weird being on flowy singletrack, I actually noticed the lack of squish in the back, my last ride having been in Vegas.
Across the road into Vernon, stepping aside for a couple of climbers here and there and then downwards proceeding, me on his tail, feeling the flow. Across the Rapaki top and onto Witchypoo, clambering away, both of us blowing a couple of rocks, but enjoying the rest. Nice cruise up the road under the Tors, amazing light effects of sunshine glowing clouds and beams on the hillslopes, and neat turbulence patterning in the valley next to Castle Rock, and feeling like we'd made really good time it being only about 7 or so, thinking still plenty of light.
I led into the trail and had some rapidity and some sluggishness, Nelson commenting later on my excellent poise/balance in the descent. The climb from the little bridge has been seemingly shortened by the quakes, and one of the final corners towards the final sheepstop has a nasty rock hiding behind a tussock right on the apex that will, in future, likely throw someone. Turned around after watching and listening to the industrialism that is Lyttelton and Nelson led the way back up the trail, cleaning the whole thing, while I muppetted my way round the second hairpin, then spun out on a rock near the top. First time i've messed that up in a while...
Clouds seemed to be getting thicker now, so we bombed off down the road under the tors, and back round into Witch Hill, enjoying the down, tho, as we approached the final descent I stupidly lifted my gaze from the trail to see if I could see anyone riding from Rapaki-top, just for a split second, looking back to find a massive rock right in my way. Nearly an OTB, managed to pull it back round and continued down, more muppetty than before, out to the bottom.
A 'hello' to the three people up top before heading up Vernon, clambering away, Nelson leaving me behind from about a third of the way up. At the beginning of the Traverse bumped into old workmate/boss David, chatted with him for bit as it slowly got gloomier, and finally, across Traverse, then down the rockies, into the tussocks, finding and not finding sheep routes, then into the airstrip following the trodden path to the fence, over, onto the 'new' singletrack and down. Finding it harder and harder to see as we progressed. Nelson popping most jumps, me bypassing them all from lack of aforesightedness. Cloud and darkness making for hard work. Finally out the bottom to see a dude on a Blacksheep fatbike cruise past, light on. Back to car, quite damp...about 7.45.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Saturday Whakarewarewa explorations, Vegas Vol. 3
After a week of field work, climbing up through steep bush hills in the Coromandel, Kaimais, and Ikawhenua Range, I found myself with most of the day to kill in Rotorua, so Friday night I got on Vorb and asked who was best to rent from and 2 came back to say Outdoorsman, so, this morning, rang, and then went there and rolled out at 10am on a Scott Genius. Fox Talas fork was a bit stiff, and Shimaingo shifters are just plain weird after running Sram for so long, and over time the sag on when on full squish seemed to get lower, having me clipping pedals on stuff over roots and stuff... but anyway.
Rode in Nursery Rd, and up this through to Katore Rd, round and up to top of Gunna Gotta, the top logged since last I rode it, the whole way down thinking "rear brake left", "rear brake left", "rear brake left", "rear brake left", into the native and way more fun, not as tech as I'd remembered it, which, considering it's only grade 3 is no surprise. Back to Katore Rd, and up to the A-Trail, cruising me round through to The Tickler, down through the open and across and up and down and up and down and up and finally to the big junction at the start of B Rude Not To. First half of this wide open, all the trees gone, and quite floaty and fun and fast, then into the forest again and it got much rougher and like how it was in the past. Blasted away in here and down to the end, across the road and straight into Mad If You Dont, which was better still, wafty and blazin'. Towards the end, weirdly, there was sprinklers going in the forest.
An hour since I headed in, and onto the 'Easy' Ball and Chain and up to another map board which I perused deciding where to go next, with the main option being riding up Hill Rd. Chatted to some guys here (two of them on nice steel hardtails) and they offered me to join them, but I really wanted to hit up a trail above Billy T that I'd not done yet, so, they went their way and I went mine and caught up to a guy (from South Canty, working for NZFireService training staff up there regularly) on another steel hardtail (a Singular) and we cruised up Hill Rd chatting til he peeled off onto Spring Roll and I rolled up just as the bus and trailer did, and there were absolute fuckloads of bikers all waiting for it. I joined the end of the queue and got the 2nd to last spot on the trailer and paids my $10 for uplift and sat down in nearly the last seat on the bus. Got chatting to the guy here, down from Auckers for the day, trailbuilds at 440 (some articles, here, here and here). Looking at the topo, the bus saves you the climb from about 380m to 700m. Pretty good!
At the top, I cruised up the road, past the entrance to Billy T, and on up to the top of Tuhoto Ariki. Caught up to a guy with a black trail dog, and chatted with him all the way. Local, and when we got to the top his riding buddies, a couple other guys and a girl, caught up to us. One of the guys had just done a heli drop on Mt Royal, in the Richmond Range, that leads down into the Wakamarina, with some Chch locals (Monsieur Sutcliffe couldnt make it, apparently) - said it was the best down hill he'd ever done. Anyway, while we were yarning, a couple headed off into the trail ahead of us (and another group waited til we'd all gone - never saw them again). I followed these locals into the dark, and not having a pocket to put my sunnies in I was committed to riding in the near dark... The local guy with the dog I lost in no time, but eventually overtook the woman of the earlier couple, then caught up with the group as they took a left line into the new trail down to Blue Lake (which is meant to be pretty cool), while I continued on my own down T.A., blazing. All native, it's rooty and interesting all the way. Loved it. Bit of a climb in the middle then this weird clearing and not long after, the turn off for Hatu Patu, a black line. I took this and I can see why. Not anything so techy we cant ride, but I'd have preferred my own bike. I didn't trust the rental. I had one OTB, where I landed on my feet, and the pedals kept slamming shit - otherwise it was a sweet wee trail with heaps of features to keep you keen. Eventually it ended (last few hundred metres) down in forestry (the Rotorua kind, biiiiig trees, all understoreyed by ferns).
Down the road a little, past the exit of Billy T, and then hung a left into G-Rock. Swoopy funtimes ensued and at the end of it and start of Chesnut Link there was a group of guys who I gave a good headstart. Bombed on into this and caught them all at the end. Then followed them into Rollercoaster and was having to curb my speed for their tailender, then passed him and then they'd all pulled up so I fanged through and did the rest of Rollercoaster with the thought of them on my tail. Eventually they all pulled off onto Moonshine (which now I think I should have done) and I continued down and had the struggle of the climb on Chop Suey, then across to the Spring Roll, and then the Sweet, and mostly the Sour of Sweet and Sour, up up and down and up and up and down over and again, wearing the shit out of me. Getting on for 12.30 by now, with only water for sustenance I was lagging.
Finally I got out to the road where B Rude starts, and decided on the Dragon's Tail, other side of the road. Sweet trail here blasting down, all this time switching to Locked Out for climbing, 'Trail' for flat bits, and 'DH' for all the downhill, I got quite adept at changing as the trail changed. Most of the way down Dragon's Tail there was an exit line which I grabbed which took me across the road and back into the bottom of B Rude, and from there I took a right hander that chucked me down in perfect positioning for accessing the Lions Tail trail, which I followed some faster guys into, for the climb, which I was starting to really hurt on. Some amazing big gums near the top of this.
Then along an offshoot of and then Katore Rd for a bit and I (kinda stupidly) pulled right into Turkish Delight (and bits of Soakhole) which climbed again, but then kinda swooped all over the joint and eventually threw me down and out by big intersection in Easyville. I rolled through this, spotting a big dude on a fatbike, onto Exit Trail, which had a small climb to start then a blast. Hehe, this was cool. A few neat jumps and drops, and my switching of suspension setting was exactly what was needed, with the final shutey out all on the DH setting blasting down and then out, and along the road, sore and worn out, and down to the shop to return the bike almost exactly 3 hours since renting it...
Rode in Nursery Rd, and up this through to Katore Rd, round and up to top of Gunna Gotta, the top logged since last I rode it, the whole way down thinking "rear brake left", "rear brake left", "rear brake left", "rear brake left", into the native and way more fun, not as tech as I'd remembered it, which, considering it's only grade 3 is no surprise. Back to Katore Rd, and up to the A-Trail, cruising me round through to The Tickler, down through the open and across and up and down and up and down and up and finally to the big junction at the start of B Rude Not To. First half of this wide open, all the trees gone, and quite floaty and fun and fast, then into the forest again and it got much rougher and like how it was in the past. Blasted away in here and down to the end, across the road and straight into Mad If You Dont, which was better still, wafty and blazin'. Towards the end, weirdly, there was sprinklers going in the forest.
An hour since I headed in, and onto the 'Easy' Ball and Chain and up to another map board which I perused deciding where to go next, with the main option being riding up Hill Rd. Chatted to some guys here (two of them on nice steel hardtails) and they offered me to join them, but I really wanted to hit up a trail above Billy T that I'd not done yet, so, they went their way and I went mine and caught up to a guy (from South Canty, working for NZFireService training staff up there regularly) on another steel hardtail (a Singular) and we cruised up Hill Rd chatting til he peeled off onto Spring Roll and I rolled up just as the bus and trailer did, and there were absolute fuckloads of bikers all waiting for it. I joined the end of the queue and got the 2nd to last spot on the trailer and paids my $10 for uplift and sat down in nearly the last seat on the bus. Got chatting to the guy here, down from Auckers for the day, trailbuilds at 440 (some articles, here, here and here). Looking at the topo, the bus saves you the climb from about 380m to 700m. Pretty good!
At the top, I cruised up the road, past the entrance to Billy T, and on up to the top of Tuhoto Ariki. Caught up to a guy with a black trail dog, and chatted with him all the way. Local, and when we got to the top his riding buddies, a couple other guys and a girl, caught up to us. One of the guys had just done a heli drop on Mt Royal, in the Richmond Range, that leads down into the Wakamarina, with some Chch locals (Monsieur Sutcliffe couldnt make it, apparently) - said it was the best down hill he'd ever done. Anyway, while we were yarning, a couple headed off into the trail ahead of us (and another group waited til we'd all gone - never saw them again). I followed these locals into the dark, and not having a pocket to put my sunnies in I was committed to riding in the near dark... The local guy with the dog I lost in no time, but eventually overtook the woman of the earlier couple, then caught up with the group as they took a left line into the new trail down to Blue Lake (which is meant to be pretty cool), while I continued on my own down T.A., blazing. All native, it's rooty and interesting all the way. Loved it. Bit of a climb in the middle then this weird clearing and not long after, the turn off for Hatu Patu, a black line. I took this and I can see why. Not anything so techy we cant ride, but I'd have preferred my own bike. I didn't trust the rental. I had one OTB, where I landed on my feet, and the pedals kept slamming shit - otherwise it was a sweet wee trail with heaps of features to keep you keen. Eventually it ended (last few hundred metres) down in forestry (the Rotorua kind, biiiiig trees, all understoreyed by ferns).
Down the road a little, past the exit of Billy T, and then hung a left into G-Rock. Swoopy funtimes ensued and at the end of it and start of Chesnut Link there was a group of guys who I gave a good headstart. Bombed on into this and caught them all at the end. Then followed them into Rollercoaster and was having to curb my speed for their tailender, then passed him and then they'd all pulled up so I fanged through and did the rest of Rollercoaster with the thought of them on my tail. Eventually they all pulled off onto Moonshine (which now I think I should have done) and I continued down and had the struggle of the climb on Chop Suey, then across to the Spring Roll, and then the Sweet, and mostly the Sour of Sweet and Sour, up up and down and up and up and down over and again, wearing the shit out of me. Getting on for 12.30 by now, with only water for sustenance I was lagging.
Finally I got out to the road where B Rude starts, and decided on the Dragon's Tail, other side of the road. Sweet trail here blasting down, all this time switching to Locked Out for climbing, 'Trail' for flat bits, and 'DH' for all the downhill, I got quite adept at changing as the trail changed. Most of the way down Dragon's Tail there was an exit line which I grabbed which took me across the road and back into the bottom of B Rude, and from there I took a right hander that chucked me down in perfect positioning for accessing the Lions Tail trail, which I followed some faster guys into, for the climb, which I was starting to really hurt on. Some amazing big gums near the top of this.
Then along an offshoot of and then Katore Rd for a bit and I (kinda stupidly) pulled right into Turkish Delight (and bits of Soakhole) which climbed again, but then kinda swooped all over the joint and eventually threw me down and out by big intersection in Easyville. I rolled through this, spotting a big dude on a fatbike, onto Exit Trail, which had a small climb to start then a blast. Hehe, this was cool. A few neat jumps and drops, and my switching of suspension setting was exactly what was needed, with the final shutey out all on the DH setting blasting down and then out, and along the road, sore and worn out, and down to the shop to return the bike almost exactly 3 hours since renting it...
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Thursday post work Worsley, Nun, The Guv'nor, Tommy Too, Debby and a newby
Nelson picked me up for an eventful ride. We parked at the busy top of Worsleys Rd, and proceeded to get puffed riding up the hill. The ruts up here are deeper than ever, getting to be quite little canyons, and what was a techy rocky section half way up is now a REALLY techy rocky dry streambed section that we both walked. Some of the tight little ridges between canyons are getting pretty narrow now too. For a change, we continued up the Body Bag, which I got off and walked the lowest down I think I've ever gotten off. I just had no 'climb' in me. Knackers yard for me, methinks...
Into the top of Nun and a well earned rest, and little bit of a snack before heading off down. Felt pretty good, everything familiar even tho it was a couple months since last tackling it. Bombed all the way to the bottom then back into the annoying climb. At the half way mark, we headed over to the left and down the Governors Bay trail. A good year since last down here. Neat wee blast down, singletrack in great nick, tho a few bushes over growing it in places. We'd both forgotten how long the flat bit round the bay side was, then it was into the techy climb up the Kiwi side, above the Dyers Pass Rd. Cleaned a good percentage of it, walked once or twice, and Nelson cleaned heaps.
Back on the road and Nelson took off chasing and baiting roadies while I just plodded away. Top of Worsley, bodybag speed rush down, then into the access track up, sunnies off, and on up to top of Hangloose and Tommy's 2. We chose the latter, cos it'd been a while, and I led the way. Things have sure changed down here since the first few times, with stupid arse jumps been dug into the middle of the track in places which are just inappropriate. fucking groms. dug out on the backsides of them too. stoopid. Nelson had a wee brush with a bank in a tight channel part way down, then we picked up our old line which is the bottom of Hang Loose and rolled that out. Nice.
Up the logging road, following some other guys, then it was up the guts, internal steep little muthahfuckah me grinding away at it and surprisingly surviving it. Just before the pylon clearing we spotted a new looking track off to the left and noted it for later. At the clifftop we caught up with another dude, Justin, and led him to the entrance to Debbie Does Dallas, which rode bloody well, and was heaps of fun. Nelson and me continued across the slope, while Justin scoped out the rest of it. Pretty cruisy across the face, then into a little of Nick's track, then cruisy across the face again, til finally dropping down into Fight Club and we finished this off nicely.
Back up the road and the sun was pretty much below the horizon, so contemplated bailing but decided to go back up the guts to check out the new trail. I ended up walking a bunch of the steep up. Still, I do need to exercise my walkingness. Nelson led into the new track and it was quite cool. Pretty loose, but a good gradient and it blitzes down through the forest just below the pylon clearing then drops down and meets the logging road about where the old Fight Club shortcut used to come in. Back up to the central junction and off down the finishing trails. Nelson was well ahead of me here, and I cruised, getting a flow on, and jumping the wee jump between the trees, then there's this big tree fallen across the trail, with a good lead in ramp on it, and I was like, do I? dont I? and at the last second decided not to, but too late. Slammed on my brakes, just about threw myself off the back of the bike, but not before it went over the jump and I followed it over landing badly, tumbling, bike falling on me, rolling, tweaking a muscle in my calf and impacting my shoulder. Owch. Straight back on, and rolling again, rode all the rest out, testing the shoulder and stretching the calf...
Voltaren for a day or two, maybe... gonna hurt in the morning, I reckon.
Into the top of Nun and a well earned rest, and little bit of a snack before heading off down. Felt pretty good, everything familiar even tho it was a couple months since last tackling it. Bombed all the way to the bottom then back into the annoying climb. At the half way mark, we headed over to the left and down the Governors Bay trail. A good year since last down here. Neat wee blast down, singletrack in great nick, tho a few bushes over growing it in places. We'd both forgotten how long the flat bit round the bay side was, then it was into the techy climb up the Kiwi side, above the Dyers Pass Rd. Cleaned a good percentage of it, walked once or twice, and Nelson cleaned heaps.
Back on the road and Nelson took off chasing and baiting roadies while I just plodded away. Top of Worsley, bodybag speed rush down, then into the access track up, sunnies off, and on up to top of Hangloose and Tommy's 2. We chose the latter, cos it'd been a while, and I led the way. Things have sure changed down here since the first few times, with stupid arse jumps been dug into the middle of the track in places which are just inappropriate. fucking groms. dug out on the backsides of them too. stoopid. Nelson had a wee brush with a bank in a tight channel part way down, then we picked up our old line which is the bottom of Hang Loose and rolled that out. Nice.
Up the logging road, following some other guys, then it was up the guts, internal steep little muthahfuckah me grinding away at it and surprisingly surviving it. Just before the pylon clearing we spotted a new looking track off to the left and noted it for later. At the clifftop we caught up with another dude, Justin, and led him to the entrance to Debbie Does Dallas, which rode bloody well, and was heaps of fun. Nelson and me continued across the slope, while Justin scoped out the rest of it. Pretty cruisy across the face, then into a little of Nick's track, then cruisy across the face again, til finally dropping down into Fight Club and we finished this off nicely.
Back up the road and the sun was pretty much below the horizon, so contemplated bailing but decided to go back up the guts to check out the new trail. I ended up walking a bunch of the steep up. Still, I do need to exercise my walkingness. Nelson led into the new track and it was quite cool. Pretty loose, but a good gradient and it blitzes down through the forest just below the pylon clearing then drops down and meets the logging road about where the old Fight Club shortcut used to come in. Back up to the central junction and off down the finishing trails. Nelson was well ahead of me here, and I cruised, getting a flow on, and jumping the wee jump between the trees, then there's this big tree fallen across the trail, with a good lead in ramp on it, and I was like, do I? dont I? and at the last second decided not to, but too late. Slammed on my brakes, just about threw myself off the back of the bike, but not before it went over the jump and I followed it over landing badly, tumbling, bike falling on me, rolling, tweaking a muscle in my calf and impacting my shoulder. Owch. Straight back on, and rolling again, rode all the rest out, testing the shoulder and stretching the calf...
Voltaren for a day or two, maybe... gonna hurt in the morning, I reckon.
Sunday, March 09, 2014
Sunday nearly reverse of last week on damptracks.
Small posse met at Steve's - Wayne, Andy & Steve were awaiting us when I turned up and then Pete arrived minutes after. We surveyed what was left of Wednesday's flooding, dirt and debris lying about the place as we tootled around Hansen's Park to the Ramahana climb. Good pace all the way up the hill, with Steve showing no signs of slowing. Into the dirt, again with the pace, all the way up to the top. Into Vernon, several times moving off the track to allow climbers past, killing the buzz a bit, but still having a good blast down here, no damage showing from the storm.
Straight through Rapaki top and into Witch Hill, gravel all washed off it, starting to rut, and throwing me off form a couple times. Out the end and across the road onto what will eventually be the line. First section okay, but second section got sucked down and too steep in the long unformed grass track left me walking above the road with no way down for a bit. Caught the others up and we cruised up under the Tors and straight into Castle Rock. Great blast down here, with the drainage work of last week obviously having done a good job. The rock feature we carted rocks for is good, tho the water runs a bit further along the trail after it.
Re-group at top of Bridle Path and then it was off up the clamber to the Gondola building. Most of us cleaned lots of it, and walked the bits we didn't. Then, off down the ziggy zaggy to the saddle and into the last climb of the day. Over the stile and in the steep part of the climb, the gravel has all washed out, rutted something wicked and was generally not very pleasant (pun intended) or easy to ride. Once it leveled off a bit it was okay tho. Andy and me were out the front up here, chatting about where i crashed last week. I couldn't work out exactly which spaniard it was that lead to my crash. At the top of Mt Pleasant there was a pleasant young lady who we chatted with for a while.
Off down we went, trail all in good nick and not squirrelly or greasy at all. Hard to find as usual, with the odd tussocky corner catching me out. Once at top of Greenwood we continued on an old skool blast down the 4wd trail to the trees of Richmond Hill, then down our usual climb, which was splecky in places, and i must say, my little mudguard left my face and eyes spleck free where the others were complaining of eyes getting splecked. Finally, the road, a very fast blast down the seal, i'd say close to 80kph if not faster. Would be ridiculous to crash at that speed... Through the street fest of Sumner, and into DotCom for a well earned coffee before a haul home, Pete and me parting ways with the others at Ferrymead.
Straight through Rapaki top and into Witch Hill, gravel all washed off it, starting to rut, and throwing me off form a couple times. Out the end and across the road onto what will eventually be the line. First section okay, but second section got sucked down and too steep in the long unformed grass track left me walking above the road with no way down for a bit. Caught the others up and we cruised up under the Tors and straight into Castle Rock. Great blast down here, with the drainage work of last week obviously having done a good job. The rock feature we carted rocks for is good, tho the water runs a bit further along the trail after it.
Re-group at top of Bridle Path and then it was off up the clamber to the Gondola building. Most of us cleaned lots of it, and walked the bits we didn't. Then, off down the ziggy zaggy to the saddle and into the last climb of the day. Over the stile and in the steep part of the climb, the gravel has all washed out, rutted something wicked and was generally not very pleasant (pun intended) or easy to ride. Once it leveled off a bit it was okay tho. Andy and me were out the front up here, chatting about where i crashed last week. I couldn't work out exactly which spaniard it was that lead to my crash. At the top of Mt Pleasant there was a pleasant young lady who we chatted with for a while.
Off down we went, trail all in good nick and not squirrelly or greasy at all. Hard to find as usual, with the odd tussocky corner catching me out. Once at top of Greenwood we continued on an old skool blast down the 4wd trail to the trees of Richmond Hill, then down our usual climb, which was splecky in places, and i must say, my little mudguard left my face and eyes spleck free where the others were complaining of eyes getting splecked. Finally, the road, a very fast blast down the seal, i'd say close to 80kph if not faster. Would be ridiculous to crash at that speed... Through the street fest of Sumner, and into DotCom for a well earned coffee before a haul home, Pete and me parting ways with the others at Ferrymead.
Sunday, March 02, 2014
Sunday morning scramble loop
Most of the others met at Steve's at 9. I left home at 5-to and pushed hard down the length of Linwood and Humphreys, arriving in plenty of time, followed shortly thereafter by Warren and then up rolled the posse - Steve, Pete, Brandon, Andy, Tony and Wayno. Off up St Andrew's hill we scattered, up Marama, up to and through the park, bumping into Robin just up the road from here, he was out for a quick ride, then up Major Hornbrook, through the reserve and up through to the Upper Major. Next up was John Britten reserve, Steve took the lead to keep the pace down for the tail-enders, and we cruised nicely to the top, hung a right, along a bit then over the gate and up Broadleaf. Brief regroup and I led in to the descent. Brakes were slightly dodgy - having put a new set of pads on the front and switched in the two meatiest remaining (one from front, one from rear) in the back, the back ones weren't performing the best to start with. First couple of corners I got round okay, but then came one, and I'm leaning into it, round it, and "Whooah!" there's a spiky spaniard seedhead right in my face! I swerve my lean, then end up over compensating back, and front wheel drops into a tussock and whoomph, right over the bars, spin round and the bike clatters over on top of me while i'm fending it off with my arms. No damage done, all good, roll on down, putting in good speed and swervy poppy goodness the rest of the way down. Steve stopping to look for his ring in the grass at the saddle.
Into the ziggy climb up Cavendish, most of us cleaning all nicely. Round the back of the Gondola building, ignoring the no bikes sign and down the steps. First few baulked me, but no worries on the rest. Great wee ride down this hill, mostly pretty clean. Where the trail peels left to a wee steppy hairpin, i tried straight ahead, bit of a carry down a couple of rocky bits, but then no worries, onwards, ahead of the others, the Pete came rattling up behind me. Meander meander and we were at the top of Bridle Path. Steve stopping to look for his ring briefly here. Then we were into Castle Rock, where Nick Singletrack was having a working bee. They sure have put in lots of drainage. Should be good for the winter. Nick's gonna re open this section soon, and we got the low down on it's legality. ie, it is legal to be riding it, but being on the road is CERA's lookout and is currently still not legal ($5000 fine anyone??? - not that anybody's enforcing it, much). Chatted and rode for a bit, then the wetspot between the hairpins, we stopped and carted rocks from up the hill, providing a damned good pile of raw material for the armourers to use, which we left, and got rolling again, cleaning everything all the way up, for a nice change. Steve had gone ahead earlier to search, in vain, for his ring, and him and Wazza were up top egging us all on.
Down the road under the Tors, and sighted the new trail Nick is building just above the road. That'll be good. Into Witch Hill, fanged it pretty good through here then round and into the clusterfuck that is the top of Rapaki. Man, what a lot of people around, including a bit of honey, mmm mmmmmm. Up Vernon, at a good pace, up up and round. Start of the Traverse we had a bit of a break, small feed, then onwards again, around then down. I took the tussock trails, twitchy dodging back and forth, seeking lines at the last second, flowing pretty well, but twitchily, til coming back onto the road just before the gate. The others all piling down en masse. Into the 4wd descent for Old Skool, fanging it. Absolutely blazed down here, getting to the gate before the others were barely any ways down the track. Then it was into the old skool ziggy zaggies and shortcuts, all pretty rough these days. Brandon amazingly sticking to my tail down some of the worst stuff, the rut-hole at the bottom catching us both out. Final 4wd under the pylon, then onto the Old Skool proper. Final descent, good pace all the way. After the stile, Pete was on my tail and we had an excellent run down the rest of it, pumpy pumpy flowy flow, w00t! worthy.
Out the bottom and down Bowenvale Ave, headed for the cafe opposite St Martins New World rather than any other options around there. Meh. Somewhere else next time. Home at 1.10.
Into the ziggy climb up Cavendish, most of us cleaning all nicely. Round the back of the Gondola building, ignoring the no bikes sign and down the steps. First few baulked me, but no worries on the rest. Great wee ride down this hill, mostly pretty clean. Where the trail peels left to a wee steppy hairpin, i tried straight ahead, bit of a carry down a couple of rocky bits, but then no worries, onwards, ahead of the others, the Pete came rattling up behind me. Meander meander and we were at the top of Bridle Path. Steve stopping to look for his ring briefly here. Then we were into Castle Rock, where Nick Singletrack was having a working bee. They sure have put in lots of drainage. Should be good for the winter. Nick's gonna re open this section soon, and we got the low down on it's legality. ie, it is legal to be riding it, but being on the road is CERA's lookout and is currently still not legal ($5000 fine anyone??? - not that anybody's enforcing it, much). Chatted and rode for a bit, then the wetspot between the hairpins, we stopped and carted rocks from up the hill, providing a damned good pile of raw material for the armourers to use, which we left, and got rolling again, cleaning everything all the way up, for a nice change. Steve had gone ahead earlier to search, in vain, for his ring, and him and Wazza were up top egging us all on.
Down the road under the Tors, and sighted the new trail Nick is building just above the road. That'll be good. Into Witch Hill, fanged it pretty good through here then round and into the clusterfuck that is the top of Rapaki. Man, what a lot of people around, including a bit of honey, mmm mmmmmm. Up Vernon, at a good pace, up up and round. Start of the Traverse we had a bit of a break, small feed, then onwards again, around then down. I took the tussock trails, twitchy dodging back and forth, seeking lines at the last second, flowing pretty well, but twitchily, til coming back onto the road just before the gate. The others all piling down en masse. Into the 4wd descent for Old Skool, fanging it. Absolutely blazed down here, getting to the gate before the others were barely any ways down the track. Then it was into the old skool ziggy zaggies and shortcuts, all pretty rough these days. Brandon amazingly sticking to my tail down some of the worst stuff, the rut-hole at the bottom catching us both out. Final 4wd under the pylon, then onto the Old Skool proper. Final descent, good pace all the way. After the stile, Pete was on my tail and we had an excellent run down the rest of it, pumpy pumpy flowy flow, w00t! worthy.
Out the bottom and down Bowenvale Ave, headed for the cafe opposite St Martins New World rather than any other options around there. Meh. Somewhere else next time. Home at 1.10.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Thursday near repeat of last
Had a thing after work, so didnt make it home til about 6, Nelson ringing me as i approached my gate saying him and Craig were already up at the carpark top of Worsley's Rd. Got sorted, in the car and on the road by about 6.25, making the top of the hill at 6.45, flicking a txt to Nelson saying, Starting Riding Now, and 5 minutes later he replied saying meet us at top of Dave's, probably right when i was riding past them there, but i didnt hear it so cleaned my way up, passing a couple girls struggling in the rocky bits, Jet loping along ahead, and making the bottom of the Body Bag at 7pm. Bit of a breather and Mr Sutcliffe turns up from the B-Line zone, saying "have ya seen a couple of girls?" Bit of a chat, and I took off only to stop to take a call from Nelson saying "where are ya?", and Nick rode past off up for another lap before the girls made it up. I said to Nelson I'd meet them at the start of Fight Club, so i took the original Tommy's down, flowing and jumping quite good near the top, but then totally muppetising myself in the techy rock section (veered Right), and then finding some weird new lines off on the left.
Hooked up with Nelson and Craig, and we headed up the internal 4wd track, them leaving me behind in no time. Up to the cliff-top, then on up the Original to the entrance to Debbie Does Dallas. I led off into here and boy was it nice compared to last week. No grease, and lotsa grip and fun. Brilliant trail down. Got to the point where I peeled left on the sidling track last week, and tried out the continuation down this time. A few swoopy corners, some steep stuff, then round onto a wee narrow North Shore boardwalk over a log which none of us were game to balance on. Continued on across the slope, up and down, sweet rollers, then a steep drop leading into a rugged chute, which i baulked on, Nelson rode, and Craig baulked on too. Not far from here was the end. Into the climb, once again Craig and Nelson leaving me behind, and we met up at the Junction. Craig had had enough so bailed home, and Nelson and me continued back up the guts track to the top of Waynes World, watching Nick and then the girls rolling through that as we were climbing.
Into the descent, Waynes World, Party On, Excellent. Fanged on down, into Fight Club and rolling and popping, one of Nick's girl's brakes squealing away behind us, then disappearing. Fight Club is riding nicely, except for one horrible loose dry bit under a tree where it veers to avoid a windfall from storms past. The greasiest section of last week was fast and smooth, tho more rutted out now than the past. Back into the bottom and back into the climb, the young dude on a burly Santa Cruz who passed me last week, and had passed us earlier, passed us again, and Nelson took off to sit on his tail for the climb. I plodded on up, tho faster than the last round, pushing it for strength building, and from the Junction it was about 7.45 and the sun was lower and we figured another round, or Dave's, would have been getting pretty dark, so, we bailed out the lower trails and back to the cars.
Hooked up with Nelson and Craig, and we headed up the internal 4wd track, them leaving me behind in no time. Up to the cliff-top, then on up the Original to the entrance to Debbie Does Dallas. I led off into here and boy was it nice compared to last week. No grease, and lotsa grip and fun. Brilliant trail down. Got to the point where I peeled left on the sidling track last week, and tried out the continuation down this time. A few swoopy corners, some steep stuff, then round onto a wee narrow North Shore boardwalk over a log which none of us were game to balance on. Continued on across the slope, up and down, sweet rollers, then a steep drop leading into a rugged chute, which i baulked on, Nelson rode, and Craig baulked on too. Not far from here was the end. Into the climb, once again Craig and Nelson leaving me behind, and we met up at the Junction. Craig had had enough so bailed home, and Nelson and me continued back up the guts track to the top of Waynes World, watching Nick and then the girls rolling through that as we were climbing.
Into the descent, Waynes World, Party On, Excellent. Fanged on down, into Fight Club and rolling and popping, one of Nick's girl's brakes squealing away behind us, then disappearing. Fight Club is riding nicely, except for one horrible loose dry bit under a tree where it veers to avoid a windfall from storms past. The greasiest section of last week was fast and smooth, tho more rutted out now than the past. Back into the bottom and back into the climb, the young dude on a burly Santa Cruz who passed me last week, and had passed us earlier, passed us again, and Nelson took off to sit on his tail for the climb. I plodded on up, tho faster than the last round, pushing it for strength building, and from the Junction it was about 7.45 and the sun was lower and we figured another round, or Dave's, would have been getting pretty dark, so, we bailed out the lower trails and back to the cars.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sunday Wharfdale with venom
Tom picked me up at about 8am and we trundled in his truck, north, then via South Eyre Rd to View Hill, through all the gates to the end of the road. We both had our dogs, my Jet, and his, Jake. Noticed a few wasps around and commented on how we should probably have brought antihistamines along for the ride. Oh well, we thought. Hit the trail around 9.20 at a good pace, climbing steadily to start with. I'd had a reasonable sized night the night before, so was not feeling on top of the weather, and Tom hadn't ridden since our short Menzies Bay ride early in the new year, so I didn't think we were going very fast at all, but as it turned out we were anything but slow. All the downs on the way in were awesome, all the ups worked up a good sized sweat, but it was kinda overcast and reasonably cool in the bush, so was pleasant riding all round. The dogs were awesome. Mostly off ahead, but once the trail pointed down, I'd catch them up, tell them to wait, they'd let me past then would stay on my tail from there til I started climbing again. Really cool, seeing them enjoying themselves so much. A few times, as I was gasping for air, I thought to myself, 'sure would suck if a wasp flew in the mouth...'. We got to where Nelson and me got last time we did this in seemingly half the time it took us then.
Clambered up the rocky section, over to the creek, and walked up the steep rocky bit after the creek. Up above, got riding again once things levelled off a bit, and rolled on happily, blasting the descents, and riding well on the ups. At some stage, I thought I'd been stung by something in my eye. It really hurt, but it cleared and on I went. Just before the couple of hairpins not far from the Saddle, I caught up to a guy who was obviously struggling with the technicality. Greeted and passed, and proceeded to clean a couple of really tricky rooty ups. On up through the hairpins, around through a small creek and on up in no time to the saddle, basically on an hour square. Not long after, Tom rolled in, and a wee while later the guy did too, dogs barking vociferously at him. It'd taken him 2 hours and he was still game enough to continue onwards to do the entire loop out Lees, Ashley Gorge and right back round from Oxford(!). (whilst riding back I thought, how could he miss out on this!)
Tom and me turned back towards the car and rolled on down. Had a great blast on the downs, ducking and weaving, popping and diving. Jet and Jake having themselves a nice time. After the worst of the creek crossings and the rocky interlude, I was climbing, and breathing heavily, and I felt a wasp suddenly in my mouth. Quick as I could I rolled it out with my tongue, coughing and spitting it away, but I could taste the venom, horrible flavour it is. Wasn't sure it'd stung me, other than the taste, but the roof of my mouth was going numb, and my swallowing becoming harder. I upped the pace, figuring to get as close to the car as quickly as possible in case everything started turning to custard. I was still breathing, so hoped I'd probably be okay. And I'm sure the adrenalin of fear of my impending suffocation coupled with riding fast down blissful singletrack worked in my favour. Eventually, just after about the only tree across the track, I stopped and wondered where Tom was. I waited. I walked back just a little and waited some more. Finally he appeared, saying he'd had to stop to get his shirt off on account of the wasp that'd flown in there. He'd gleaned a few stings on his front for his efforts. So, on we rode, blasting down the 2nd to last, main, descent, with all the bridges in it, awesome riding. Climbed well to the gate, then it was the final wide open blast. Throat getting sorer...
Arrived at the truck and loaded up. No antihistamines in the first aid kit... drove out, through to Oxford, and thankfully found some Loraclear at the wee supermarket there. In the mirror i could see my uvula was twice its normal length, and the flap of skin behind it was all pink and swollen and kinda flappy. Both kinda made me speak like I was snoring a little. Scarfed a pie and a Ginger Beer each in Oxford, then figured I was feeling okay, so we went and met Nelson and we all spent a couple hours on the chainsaws at Harvey's woodlot. Got another trailer load back to Nelson's and the families all came out and we drove go-karts and had a BBQ. All good. Cheers!
Clambered up the rocky section, over to the creek, and walked up the steep rocky bit after the creek. Up above, got riding again once things levelled off a bit, and rolled on happily, blasting the descents, and riding well on the ups. At some stage, I thought I'd been stung by something in my eye. It really hurt, but it cleared and on I went. Just before the couple of hairpins not far from the Saddle, I caught up to a guy who was obviously struggling with the technicality. Greeted and passed, and proceeded to clean a couple of really tricky rooty ups. On up through the hairpins, around through a small creek and on up in no time to the saddle, basically on an hour square. Not long after, Tom rolled in, and a wee while later the guy did too, dogs barking vociferously at him. It'd taken him 2 hours and he was still game enough to continue onwards to do the entire loop out Lees, Ashley Gorge and right back round from Oxford(!). (whilst riding back I thought, how could he miss out on this!)
Tom and me turned back towards the car and rolled on down. Had a great blast on the downs, ducking and weaving, popping and diving. Jet and Jake having themselves a nice time. After the worst of the creek crossings and the rocky interlude, I was climbing, and breathing heavily, and I felt a wasp suddenly in my mouth. Quick as I could I rolled it out with my tongue, coughing and spitting it away, but I could taste the venom, horrible flavour it is. Wasn't sure it'd stung me, other than the taste, but the roof of my mouth was going numb, and my swallowing becoming harder. I upped the pace, figuring to get as close to the car as quickly as possible in case everything started turning to custard. I was still breathing, so hoped I'd probably be okay. And I'm sure the adrenalin of fear of my impending suffocation coupled with riding fast down blissful singletrack worked in my favour. Eventually, just after about the only tree across the track, I stopped and wondered where Tom was. I waited. I walked back just a little and waited some more. Finally he appeared, saying he'd had to stop to get his shirt off on account of the wasp that'd flown in there. He'd gleaned a few stings on his front for his efforts. So, on we rode, blasting down the 2nd to last, main, descent, with all the bridges in it, awesome riding. Climbed well to the gate, then it was the final wide open blast. Throat getting sorer...
Arrived at the truck and loaded up. No antihistamines in the first aid kit... drove out, through to Oxford, and thankfully found some Loraclear at the wee supermarket there. In the mirror i could see my uvula was twice its normal length, and the flap of skin behind it was all pink and swollen and kinda flappy. Both kinda made me speak like I was snoring a little. Scarfed a pie and a Ginger Beer each in Oxford, then figured I was feeling okay, so we went and met Nelson and we all spent a couple hours on the chainsaws at Harvey's woodlot. Got another trailer load back to Nelson's and the families all came out and we drove go-karts and had a BBQ. All good. Cheers!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Thursday night Quick Jet
Dropped O at Cubs dead on 6.30, then Jet and me navigated our way across the city (of annoyingly slow drivers) to Worsleys Rd, and up to the top. Not sure what time this was, but after passing one rider, then 2 more, and cleaning every inch of the main drag to the bottom of the Body Bag, it was 7.05 pm. Rain starting to fall a couple hundred metres shy of the top. Up the entrance trail, meeting 3 others at the top, and heading off in search of a new one a certain Mr Sutcliffe had told me about, Debbie Does Dallas. Found it, and headed in. Fuck it was greasy. Within metres my tires were caked and slick as shit, and considering the trail is quite off camber, and near the start here- under deep dark Douglas fir, I was grasping for control. Anything steep was locking up my tractionless tires, to the point where I actually had to step off the bike as I was crashing. Back onboard, and the trail levelled off a bit, along below the big cliff. In the dry, this is gonna be one kick ass trail. Half way across this section, the trail peels right, but also continues across the hill slope. I stayed straight on across, and it did a couple of downward curves then continued across, eventually reaching the lower reaches of Fight Club, which I tucked into and rolled on down, tractionlessness only getting the better of me once or twice, but otherwise surprisingly good in here... Even the bottom was rideable out to the logging road.
Up the track, marveling at the fact it was only an hour since I'd dropped O off. Up to the junction, then up the guts track, steeeeep, but riding it all up, under the pylons and on up. Stopped to put music on, and watch a few riders coming down Tommy's - some totally losing it, another two like pro's, flying down - then i was onwards up to the cliff top. Hung a left and dropped into Waynes World, excellent blast down here, watching Jet's paws slip out now and then, rolling carefully but smoothly through to Fight Club, and swooped and rolled my way down this, getting jiggy on a few corners, but rolling on down the hill and out the bottom again. Back into the climb and up the junction, rain easing off now. Surprised by a young guy on a flash-harry Santa Cruz with massively wide bars suddenly behind me, let him past and off up he blazed ahead. Having had enough of the damp and grime, Jet and me bombed off down the lower trails, taking the furthest past the water tank, and down and out to the car, dirt embedded in tires flinging up and around, and Jet flying like his name suggests, and we were back to the car at 8.05.
Up the track, marveling at the fact it was only an hour since I'd dropped O off. Up to the junction, then up the guts track, steeeeep, but riding it all up, under the pylons and on up. Stopped to put music on, and watch a few riders coming down Tommy's - some totally losing it, another two like pro's, flying down - then i was onwards up to the cliff top. Hung a left and dropped into Waynes World, excellent blast down here, watching Jet's paws slip out now and then, rolling carefully but smoothly through to Fight Club, and swooped and rolled my way down this, getting jiggy on a few corners, but rolling on down the hill and out the bottom again. Back into the climb and up the junction, rain easing off now. Surprised by a young guy on a flash-harry Santa Cruz with massively wide bars suddenly behind me, let him past and off up he blazed ahead. Having had enough of the damp and grime, Jet and me bombed off down the lower trails, taking the furthest past the water tank, and down and out to the car, dirt embedded in tires flinging up and around, and Jet flying like his name suggests, and we were back to the car at 8.05.
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Sunday morning Kranks
Cloudy tops of hills in the distance as I pushed into the head wind to Steve's for 9.15am start. Got there to find Wayne, Wazzah, Andypandy and Stevo out front. No other shows so we got rolling, deciding on Crapaki over cHuntsbury for no real reason. Crapaki was as i remembered it, having been a while since heading up it, last time was on the Troll... smooth and dull, but I pushed a good gear and survived the journey. Helluva head wind up the top half, slowing an already slowish progress, and while waiting at the top the wind was very cooling.
Off up round the Vernon, feeling pretty good up here, tailwind assisting the first half of the climb. On round and over the top for a near miss over the droppy bit below the road before the gate, my shorts getting stuck on my seat. Good clip round the Traverse, short breaks in a couple of spots, and tailwind assist in the final throes to Vic Park where we had a shady sheltered stop in the trees before heading down Coffee Break and not over the see-saw and down into the Gummies where I had a sweet wee run, ending up down in the skidder site to find a Giant demo day setting up. I took a Trance SX for a wee spin. not bad, i spose.
Off down Spazza's and then into Brent for a weird left hand high line, me wrongturning and Andrew getting in under me, following him blasting down through to the bottom. Into Bridges, then Flow, Andy staying pretty good on my tail in some bits in there, then speedy blast down to Hidden Valley Linker, blowing the first climb out of the (dry) creek clambering up round the hairpins and on up up up.
Into Old Skool, excellent speed and fun times, tailwind pushing pushing, then head wind across the pumpy then tail wind again, and finally out the bottom, rutty section getting the better of Andrew and when we got to the bottom it was only 11.20. Down to the 'eatery' and probably not going back there...
Off up round the Vernon, feeling pretty good up here, tailwind assisting the first half of the climb. On round and over the top for a near miss over the droppy bit below the road before the gate, my shorts getting stuck on my seat. Good clip round the Traverse, short breaks in a couple of spots, and tailwind assist in the final throes to Vic Park where we had a shady sheltered stop in the trees before heading down Coffee Break and not over the see-saw and down into the Gummies where I had a sweet wee run, ending up down in the skidder site to find a Giant demo day setting up. I took a Trance SX for a wee spin. not bad, i spose.
Off down Spazza's and then into Brent for a weird left hand high line, me wrongturning and Andrew getting in under me, following him blasting down through to the bottom. Into Bridges, then Flow, Andy staying pretty good on my tail in some bits in there, then speedy blast down to Hidden Valley Linker, blowing the first climb out of the (dry) creek clambering up round the hairpins and on up up up.
Into Old Skool, excellent speed and fun times, tailwind pushing pushing, then head wind across the pumpy then tail wind again, and finally out the bottom, rutty section getting the better of Andrew and when we got to the bottom it was only 11.20. Down to the 'eatery' and probably not going back there...
Saturday, February 08, 2014
Family Bottle
Bit of a tootle out at Bottle Lake today. Bit of a shit in some ways. Rear brake on singlespeed not working, so took it pretty easy. Family in tow, T, O and H, plus Tane and Lisa, and of course Jet the dog running alongside. Had a good long break out at the beach, with Tane, H, Jet and me all swimming a bunch, then into the ride and staying back with H is really very slow. Eventually we all got split up, and seconds after H and me leaving T, her rear derailleur got eaten by the wheel, locking it up completely. Someone helped her out and she got moving, and got a message ahead via someone else to Lisa. Meanwhile, H and me were moseying through the middle and stopped and ate a heap of blackberries, then got back to the carpark just after Lisa and the other two boys. She took all the boys and the dog home, while i went to find T. Found her not too far away, and sorted out the hanger and derailleur a bit better so she at least could pedal without it skipping the rest of the way back. Derailleur and hanger (part of frame) are stuffed. Might be RIP for this frame... as for H's bike... ugh. too slow and painful, he needs O's bike, and O's new 26 inch machine needs to be received and built.
Thursday, February 06, 2014
Waitangi Day Special
Left home I'm not sure when, but entered the Crescent for the Farm Track at 10.30 am, earplugs in, music on random, I struggled my way to the top, cleaning everything, grannying away, passing lots of walkers, out the top and across the road onto the Vernon trail, then descending in a very cruisy way down to Rapaki top. Loads of folk, walking or biking around these parts. Largely ignored, I cruised into the 'Red Zone' entering Witch Hill trail, cleaning all of this and getting out onto the road at its end, whereupon a very mellow cruise ensued til I went over the, now locked, gate before the Tors, and the climb up to top of Castle Rock track.
Some guy was wandering up the road, so i just dropped straight in and bombed the way down to the hairpin and across to the next and then down some more til climbing on and on up to and over to top of Bridle Path. Bit of a rest here at about an hour in, 11.30, in the tiny patch of shade provided by the fenced off building and loads of people about here. Helmet off, and a bit of a drink of water, then back into it, over the stile and carrying for a bit then riding, walking, carrying, riding riding and walking up to the Gondola building and loads of people about from the cruise ship parked in the harbour below. Onto the trail and riding over the zig and zag trail down to Cavendish Saddle, loads of people here too; everybody enjoying their day off work, I tucked into the climb and clambered whatever pace i could muster up through the spaniards and gate finally to the top of Mt Pleasant where a true rest could be had. A muesli bar and drink and rest and it was 12.pm even.
Off the top and moseying, good blast down here, meeting a few runners, rolling and flowing off down to Greenwood, beating some climber guy in, then catching up to and overtaking some guy on a new blue Specialized just after Gloopy Gulch, bombing off down ahead and blasting all the rest of the way through and out the bottom to an audience where to have a bit of a chat.
Next up it was into Godley. Alas, now only 3 of 5 successful clambers over the opening section, I continued and climbed my way up. Once onto the level, I spotted someone ahead, catching him at the usual break spot, where he pulled up and I carried onwards down, pulling up for a bunch of climbers then continuing my speedy way down, some beautiful flow barrelling me on down, through Livingston, climbing again and over to Breeze, usual floaty flowy cruise, out and back over PfmtbcRock, and flying out to the Col.
Into Anaconda, "In Coming!" to some runners, pass then, blazing. Rapido like the other night, flying, back and forth, and round, "Incoming!" and runner steps aside, flow past her, jump, weave, dive, and out the bottom onto the Tail where my back needed a bit of a rest but I flowed on down and out, finally resting up through the very very full carpark.
In by the surf club, up the alley, carry up the steps more and more steps. at 12.50pm, 2 1/2 hours after I left home, to the bach, and party celebrating Joy and Jerry's 30th anniversary together. Happy Anniversary!!! My last RedIPA from HopFed and a couple of delicious swims later, she's been a grand 6th of Feb.
Some guy was wandering up the road, so i just dropped straight in and bombed the way down to the hairpin and across to the next and then down some more til climbing on and on up to and over to top of Bridle Path. Bit of a rest here at about an hour in, 11.30, in the tiny patch of shade provided by the fenced off building and loads of people about here. Helmet off, and a bit of a drink of water, then back into it, over the stile and carrying for a bit then riding, walking, carrying, riding riding and walking up to the Gondola building and loads of people about from the cruise ship parked in the harbour below. Onto the trail and riding over the zig and zag trail down to Cavendish Saddle, loads of people here too; everybody enjoying their day off work, I tucked into the climb and clambered whatever pace i could muster up through the spaniards and gate finally to the top of Mt Pleasant where a true rest could be had. A muesli bar and drink and rest and it was 12.pm even.
Off the top and moseying, good blast down here, meeting a few runners, rolling and flowing off down to Greenwood, beating some climber guy in, then catching up to and overtaking some guy on a new blue Specialized just after Gloopy Gulch, bombing off down ahead and blasting all the rest of the way through and out the bottom to an audience where to have a bit of a chat.
Next up it was into Godley. Alas, now only 3 of 5 successful clambers over the opening section, I continued and climbed my way up. Once onto the level, I spotted someone ahead, catching him at the usual break spot, where he pulled up and I carried onwards down, pulling up for a bunch of climbers then continuing my speedy way down, some beautiful flow barrelling me on down, through Livingston, climbing again and over to Breeze, usual floaty flowy cruise, out and back over PfmtbcRock, and flying out to the Col.
Into Anaconda, "In Coming!" to some runners, pass then, blazing. Rapido like the other night, flying, back and forth, and round, "Incoming!" and runner steps aside, flow past her, jump, weave, dive, and out the bottom onto the Tail where my back needed a bit of a rest but I flowed on down and out, finally resting up through the very very full carpark.
In by the surf club, up the alley, carry up the steps more and more steps. at 12.50pm, 2 1/2 hours after I left home, to the bach, and party celebrating Joy and Jerry's 30th anniversary together. Happy Anniversary!!! My last RedIPA from HopFed and a couple of delicious swims later, she's been a grand 6th of Feb.
Sunday, February 02, 2014
Sunday morning Eastern cruise
Very rough night, bugger all sleep, so I couldn't be arsed riding to Steve's, or Ferrymead Bridge and riding out to Scumner with them, so drove and parked outside DotCom, meeting Marie there. She tootled off ahead of us, and the boys, Steve, Andy and Wazzaaah turned up shortly thereafter. Off up Richmond Hill we cruised, Steve filling me in on the bad news about Charlotte as we rode. Caught up to Marie at the top of the main drag (up by Sanscrit Pl), and we all rode on up from there together. Onto the road and on up to Greenwood start.
Into here, it's been a while, and on over to the ruins, good pace held by some through. Bit of a regroup and off down, blazing away, cleaning the top section much better than Thursday, and boogying on down the rest of it, keeping a good pace but feeling pretty relaxed about it all. Into the straight before the rocky ups, and there's these two douchebags fixing a flat, ON the fucking track. Had to totally lose all speed to get round the tosser's big ass. Same for everyone else.
Onto Goddles, and w00t! cleaned the rocky start climb, much better effort than Thursday's - but, admittedly was feeling a tad fresher. That's 3 out of the last 4 times. Cleaned up the rest of it, sort of chasing down the douches, but then we had a break on the top ridge above Scarbro, before blasting down to Livingston, over to Breeze, and final hoon down And-the-conda, Andy on my tail, commenting on how he can't understand how i can go so fast :)
Over the hill to coffee at DotCom, not long after 11.30. all up a damned fine ride. Lots of nice breaks and rests leaving me not too worn out, which is exactly what i needed after last night's debacle of sleep.
Into here, it's been a while, and on over to the ruins, good pace held by some through. Bit of a regroup and off down, blazing away, cleaning the top section much better than Thursday, and boogying on down the rest of it, keeping a good pace but feeling pretty relaxed about it all. Into the straight before the rocky ups, and there's these two douchebags fixing a flat, ON the fucking track. Had to totally lose all speed to get round the tosser's big ass. Same for everyone else.
Onto Goddles, and w00t! cleaned the rocky start climb, much better effort than Thursday's - but, admittedly was feeling a tad fresher. That's 3 out of the last 4 times. Cleaned up the rest of it, sort of chasing down the douches, but then we had a break on the top ridge above Scarbro, before blasting down to Livingston, over to Breeze, and final hoon down And-the-conda, Andy on my tail, commenting on how he can't understand how i can go so fast :)
Over the hill to coffee at DotCom, not long after 11.30. all up a damned fine ride. Lots of nice breaks and rests leaving me not too worn out, which is exactly what i needed after last night's debacle of sleep.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Thursday evening McPleasantGreenwoodleyConda Rapido
Nelson picked me up from the usual spot and we traffic jammed through the rushing hour to McCormacks Bay, seeing a blackback gull get squashed dead by a truck ahead of us on Ferrymead bridge, which was weird. At McCormacks we changed and pedalled upward. First little bit of steepness got me wheezing, but after the first wee crest, at the water pipes, we stopped and gorged on blackberries, YUM! Good dose of anti-oxidants to prep our muscles for the rest of the huffy grunt of a climb. Cleaned, at a good pace, all the climbing bar that second hairpin, then onwards up through to the ziggy zaggy whereupon i totally blew out on the top three corners. Straight into the road and up and around to Upper Major and up onto the singletrack where we climbed steadily on up at a good pace to the top. Just before the top my gears started doing something very weird, and lo, there was a wee rock wedged between my two front chainrings, lifting the chain on each revolution making it (and me) think briefly it was shifting to a higher gear, then not... Took a tweak to get it out, and onwards around the singletrack we treadled to the gate, over, checked out a dumped car just about tipping off the road, trashed tires, before heading for Broadleaf and up up up to the top for a bit of a breather and a munch.
Into the descent, 7pm, southerly clouds just above our heads, and sunshine everywhere below us, kinda bizarre. The wind was pushing all the tussock over the trail, making route finding almost as hard as it used to be. Nelson was kept on his toes finding where we were going, and i was kept on mine holding onto his tail. Blitzed on down and through to the end, and down to the Greenwood entry and swooping through this, tail wind pushing us fast down through the ruins and into the tightness, the whole way me staying close behind. I got a little baulked up on some of the upper rocks but quickly closed the gap on Nelson again and we skidded and drifted and leapt and weaved and rocketed down the trail, back and forth across the hill til finally through the rock gap and on down, pumping through the uppy downy section and around into Gloopy Gulch and pulling up, at my request, for a quick break. Stretching my sore back here. Fresh, we continued on, down the rocky steep section and into the swoopy rolly section, in which I had one of the closest near misses I've ever had. My pedal hit a rock, catapulting my back wheel off the ground and pushing me forward over the bars. My front wheel was heading off the trail and I envisaged the bike dropping from under me and me flying through the air down the hill onto rocks and tussocks. That didnt happen. Somehow, I managed to reel it in and carried on, adrenalin slowly building as I rapidly caught up to Nelson and followed him onwards down, getting faster and faster and faster. Fantastic. Around the corner and the fast section before the rocky ups has been cleaned up a bit and is really fast now, tho i did hit a hard square rock that jarred my front end. Up the first up, I'd actually changed down too low, so blew it, but scooted onward and chased Nelson down, tailwind pushing through the swoopy back and forth flowy section then around the outside and a biiiig drift around the macracarpa and down to the gate.
Down to Godley, into the climb, both of us fucking up the first rocks. Both hitting up the usual line and both falling left into the guts then blowing the climbing out. Oh well. got the rest. but my climb from here was struggly for a while. Once we were up on the flat it was all good. Around the top, over the boardwalks and around and all the time getting faster and faster. Blasting from the last wee bridge down, I spotted a rider ahead and in no time she was moving off letting us past and we blazed on down to Livingston and through to the wee fence bridge to a short rest. Back stretch again. On up, good climbing now up over the rocks and into the blasting flowy pumpy descent through and back over the PFMTBC rock and flying down to the last cattlestop and onto the road, 7.45 pm.
Into Anaconda and our speed got more and more intense. SO fast, screaming down the trail. The whole time me tight on Nelson's tail, thinking "Man a GoPro mounted on my chest right now would be awesome footage!!!" Through the lower swoops back and forth and on one of the last ones, the one just before the horrible off camber corner, i got all crossed up, front wheel off the left of the trail, back wheel off the right, totally across the trail, still flying, my body weight continuing down the trail and i'm thinking, not unlike before, "here goes" but no, once again, somehow, I managed to escape inevitability and momentum's grasp and squirrelled back into line and "FAARRK that was close, AGAIN" onwards we flew. Into the tail, swoop swoop and through the sheepstop into 'Briden's Bush', back getting sorer again, on down and finishing off flying down to a waiting rider (and dog - which Nelson was a bit concerned about) at the final jumpy sheepstop, across the paddock and into the carpark.
Grovelly, but pretty fast, for a while, climb out of Taylors then as we approached Nicholson Park i spotted a van coming so i hauled ass to get ahead of it, and streamlined myself down the hill. Nelson got stuck behind the van, but didnt mind too much. Finally, around the bays slipstreaming Nelson through Redcliffs increasing speed the whole way and back to the car, 8.30ish .
Good, fast ride.
Into the descent, 7pm, southerly clouds just above our heads, and sunshine everywhere below us, kinda bizarre. The wind was pushing all the tussock over the trail, making route finding almost as hard as it used to be. Nelson was kept on his toes finding where we were going, and i was kept on mine holding onto his tail. Blitzed on down and through to the end, and down to the Greenwood entry and swooping through this, tail wind pushing us fast down through the ruins and into the tightness, the whole way me staying close behind. I got a little baulked up on some of the upper rocks but quickly closed the gap on Nelson again and we skidded and drifted and leapt and weaved and rocketed down the trail, back and forth across the hill til finally through the rock gap and on down, pumping through the uppy downy section and around into Gloopy Gulch and pulling up, at my request, for a quick break. Stretching my sore back here. Fresh, we continued on, down the rocky steep section and into the swoopy rolly section, in which I had one of the closest near misses I've ever had. My pedal hit a rock, catapulting my back wheel off the ground and pushing me forward over the bars. My front wheel was heading off the trail and I envisaged the bike dropping from under me and me flying through the air down the hill onto rocks and tussocks. That didnt happen. Somehow, I managed to reel it in and carried on, adrenalin slowly building as I rapidly caught up to Nelson and followed him onwards down, getting faster and faster and faster. Fantastic. Around the corner and the fast section before the rocky ups has been cleaned up a bit and is really fast now, tho i did hit a hard square rock that jarred my front end. Up the first up, I'd actually changed down too low, so blew it, but scooted onward and chased Nelson down, tailwind pushing through the swoopy back and forth flowy section then around the outside and a biiiig drift around the macracarpa and down to the gate.
Down to Godley, into the climb, both of us fucking up the first rocks. Both hitting up the usual line and both falling left into the guts then blowing the climbing out. Oh well. got the rest. but my climb from here was struggly for a while. Once we were up on the flat it was all good. Around the top, over the boardwalks and around and all the time getting faster and faster. Blasting from the last wee bridge down, I spotted a rider ahead and in no time she was moving off letting us past and we blazed on down to Livingston and through to the wee fence bridge to a short rest. Back stretch again. On up, good climbing now up over the rocks and into the blasting flowy pumpy descent through and back over the PFMTBC rock and flying down to the last cattlestop and onto the road, 7.45 pm.
Into Anaconda and our speed got more and more intense. SO fast, screaming down the trail. The whole time me tight on Nelson's tail, thinking "Man a GoPro mounted on my chest right now would be awesome footage!!!" Through the lower swoops back and forth and on one of the last ones, the one just before the horrible off camber corner, i got all crossed up, front wheel off the left of the trail, back wheel off the right, totally across the trail, still flying, my body weight continuing down the trail and i'm thinking, not unlike before, "here goes" but no, once again, somehow, I managed to escape inevitability and momentum's grasp and squirrelled back into line and "FAARRK that was close, AGAIN" onwards we flew. Into the tail, swoop swoop and through the sheepstop into 'Briden's Bush', back getting sorer again, on down and finishing off flying down to a waiting rider (and dog - which Nelson was a bit concerned about) at the final jumpy sheepstop, across the paddock and into the carpark.
Grovelly, but pretty fast, for a while, climb out of Taylors then as we approached Nicholson Park i spotted a van coming so i hauled ass to get ahead of it, and streamlined myself down the hill. Nelson got stuck behind the van, but didnt mind too much. Finally, around the bays slipstreaming Nelson through Redcliffs increasing speed the whole way and back to the car, 8.30ish .
Good, fast ride.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Saturday 25th Jan, Kaiteriteri Mtnbike Park.
Family all rolling on bikes, we rode from where we were staying at Bethany Kristian Kamp down the road and into the bike park. Easy Rider now serving double duties as the beginning (or end) of the Great Taste Cycle Trail, O on his 24inch rigid Norco, H on his 20inch 8spd Merida kiddy mtnbike, and T on her (my ex) Schwinner, rode up Easy Rider, around Cruise Control, which climbs surprisingly high, us uttering words of encouragement the whole way. Into Glade Runner and they got to enjoy some downwardsness, loving it, then into Revelation, at the end of which they all said they'd loved it and would do it again but had had enough and headed off down the forestry track back to Kamp, and i took off up Ziggy, then up Corkscrew all the way to the top. Phew. Hot... Into the descent, whoopeeee, down down back and forth, and into Dive, cutting off heaps of the zigs and zags, and then climbing again, back up to Big Airs, which i rode up to Skullduggery.
Skullduggery was longer than i'd remembered it, which was cool, and i had a great time on it, taking all the little XX lines and roosting and pumping my way around it. Eventually I arrived at the Bayview/Rockface intersection and once again was intrigued by the new trail leading off to the south... Took it. It was fun. swoopy and ziggy, like everything in there, but eventually came to a box of tools and no more trail. middle of no where.! oops. Shouldered my bike and climbed straight up a ridge following a pink flagging tape line up to quite near the big tank. From here i found Remedy and bombed down (or more, along and down) it, loving all the steep-as drops and root sections, before too long reaching Shady Lady and fanging it down here. Once again, slightly longer than memory held it, but all too soon dropping into the bottom of the gully, (finding a small boy on a small bike on a bridge.? then his mother and another boy) into the climb, and finally repeating Revelation and then out down the road to Kamp and a well earned swim at the beach...
Skullduggery was longer than i'd remembered it, which was cool, and i had a great time on it, taking all the little XX lines and roosting and pumping my way around it. Eventually I arrived at the Bayview/Rockface intersection and once again was intrigued by the new trail leading off to the south... Took it. It was fun. swoopy and ziggy, like everything in there, but eventually came to a box of tools and no more trail. middle of no where.! oops. Shouldered my bike and climbed straight up a ridge following a pink flagging tape line up to quite near the big tank. From here i found Remedy and bombed down (or more, along and down) it, loving all the steep-as drops and root sections, before too long reaching Shady Lady and fanging it down here. Once again, slightly longer than memory held it, but all too soon dropping into the bottom of the gully, (finding a small boy on a small bike on a bridge.? then his mother and another boy) into the climb, and finally repeating Revelation and then out down the road to Kamp and a well earned swim at the beach...
Tuesday (I think), 21st Jan, Totaranui - Awaroa - Totaranui with minor detour
Not much biking to be had in beautiful Totaranui, just lots of swimming and lounging around (drinking a lot of Hop Federation Red IPA... ahem (but oh so much better than MunkeeLizard) oh, and Golden Bear), so, finally, decided one day to brave the dust and the road. Luckily there'd been a bit of rain to dampen the dust the day before, so it wasnt too bad. Headed up the 4kms of just shy of 200m climbing to the turn off to Awaroa, and headed down that. Maybe a 3rd of the way down, I took a short detour onto the Waiharakeke Track. A steep, root infested jungle singletrack, seldom if ever walked, down into Waiharakeke Bay and the main Abel Tasman Track (naughty me, riding a walking track in a National Park... Still - no sign saying "no bikes", so... fair game? You decide). If you look at it on a topomap, you'll see that after about 200 m it starts to follow a creek. or rather, the track is the creek, or the creek is the track, anyway, i got to there and turned back, having to negotiate the roots and slickness back up, walking some of it.
Back onto the road, mostly down, the odd up, and then final flat to Awaroa Inlet. Tide was out, so rode around the edge of it for a wee ways, turned around and rode back. Only met 1 car on this road the whole way. Climbed back up to the Totaranui Rd and bombed down this, overtaking a woman who was going very slow riding her brakes the whole way, while i was tucked into aerostylez and pedalling hard out of corners... 16kms total around 500m alt climbed and descended.
Back onto the road, mostly down, the odd up, and then final flat to Awaroa Inlet. Tide was out, so rode around the edge of it for a wee ways, turned around and rode back. Only met 1 car on this road the whole way. Climbed back up to the Totaranui Rd and bombed down this, overtaking a woman who was going very slow riding her brakes the whole way, while i was tucked into aerostylez and pedalling hard out of corners... 16kms total around 500m alt climbed and descended.
Wednesday 15th Jan, Rameka-isation
On our way to Pohara and Totaranui, I was dropped at the turn off to Canaan Downs, pedalled hard for a start, til the heat started getting to me, then just knuckled in for the duration. Sweet thing was, first vehicle met was when i'd hit the first shade and had already decided to stop. Dust cleared and i continued on, meeting two more (one each direction) just before the saddle. Rested in the shade at the top, allowing the inward bound car to get ahead, and then hit the descent. Two more vehicles before the cattle stop, and a bump in the road nearly knocked my hands off the handlebars just there too. Easy cruising through the Gathering site and left onto the Rollercoaster.
Grunt of a wee climb then up and down and through, getting the eye in once in the forest and had a nice wee blast through to Harwood's carpark. Rode on through this, hello to the tourists, signed in the book, and on up to Rameka start. Big rest here. Lay in the shade and just chilled a good 10 minutes.
Into the bush, the shade providing much needed relief. Easy going start, mostly on the level, not pushing like i did last time with Nelson on my tail. Obviously a fair bit of traffic had been through recently. Where possible, when their treads had pushed up a mound of dirt on the trail, i rode on top of that to push it down - maintenance on the fly. Eventually got to the hairpin corner and into the true down, instantly interupted by a recent tree fall over which the bike had to be lifted. Flow reinstated I started to bomb it. Into Dozer's section, i took the usual left twisty trail, cleaning it without dabbing the corner that's always caught me in the past, across the Dozer track and across and back round and onto it, the bottom corner newly bermed, railed, flying down and round into the the clearing. Then down down down the rutty ex-4wd trail, popping, pumping and jumping into the gully.
Clambering up the marble face,off for a second, then back on, finish the climb then the descent began again, rocky, flowy fun, this bit always longer than i remember it, through to the start of the Packhorse Track. Awesomeness ensued, with me ripping down this, finding it for some reason different, like more hard work, than memory would have had it. Not far before the road crossing, at high speed, I heard the familiar fish fish fish fish of a pinch flat, (nearly the same spot as on the PFMTBC trip, and it took me a good 30 metres to scrub off all my speed. Found a spot on the outside of a corner with enough room to swap out tubes (in case someone showed up (at speed)), swapped, pumped and got going again. Across the road and with more confidence over the jumpy bit before the next road crossing (on account of not having a slow leak like last time) and into the lead in to Great Expectations.
Another awesome blast down here, hairy outside off camber corners, into the trees, swoopy swoopy, around the outside, biiiig view (and drop) off the side, back into the trees and darkness and pine needles and speed sweet speed. in and out, back and forth, more times than I remembered, then into the re-gen, bombastic haulin' ass, back and forth, back and forth, lower and lower til finally splashing through the creek at the bottom and stalling...
Into 2Klicks, drops, clambering, tight, popping, Do or Die - took the Die this time, river bed section, and finally onto the road again, speeeeed and squirrelly negotiation into the entry to 1Klick, fanging into here, and remembering the first wooden feature had a back to it, so flew into it, and it nearly faceplanted me, kicked my rear wheel so high i thought i was a goner. Kept it under control and adrenalin thickening up my blood, i continued on down and out, taking every little bit of trail i could find, before hitting the gravel and powering on down.
Road, all the way to Pohara and a waiting family for 2 nights at the camp ground in our new tent (which has served us very well so far...), before heading into Totaranui (which is another story).
Grunt of a wee climb then up and down and through, getting the eye in once in the forest and had a nice wee blast through to Harwood's carpark. Rode on through this, hello to the tourists, signed in the book, and on up to Rameka start. Big rest here. Lay in the shade and just chilled a good 10 minutes.
Into the bush, the shade providing much needed relief. Easy going start, mostly on the level, not pushing like i did last time with Nelson on my tail. Obviously a fair bit of traffic had been through recently. Where possible, when their treads had pushed up a mound of dirt on the trail, i rode on top of that to push it down - maintenance on the fly. Eventually got to the hairpin corner and into the true down, instantly interupted by a recent tree fall over which the bike had to be lifted. Flow reinstated I started to bomb it. Into Dozer's section, i took the usual left twisty trail, cleaning it without dabbing the corner that's always caught me in the past, across the Dozer track and across and back round and onto it, the bottom corner newly bermed, railed, flying down and round into the the clearing. Then down down down the rutty ex-4wd trail, popping, pumping and jumping into the gully.
Clambering up the marble face,off for a second, then back on, finish the climb then the descent began again, rocky, flowy fun, this bit always longer than i remember it, through to the start of the Packhorse Track. Awesomeness ensued, with me ripping down this, finding it for some reason different, like more hard work, than memory would have had it. Not far before the road crossing, at high speed, I heard the familiar fish fish fish fish of a pinch flat, (nearly the same spot as on the PFMTBC trip, and it took me a good 30 metres to scrub off all my speed. Found a spot on the outside of a corner with enough room to swap out tubes (in case someone showed up (at speed)), swapped, pumped and got going again. Across the road and with more confidence over the jumpy bit before the next road crossing (on account of not having a slow leak like last time) and into the lead in to Great Expectations.
Another awesome blast down here, hairy outside off camber corners, into the trees, swoopy swoopy, around the outside, biiiig view (and drop) off the side, back into the trees and darkness and pine needles and speed sweet speed. in and out, back and forth, more times than I remembered, then into the re-gen, bombastic haulin' ass, back and forth, back and forth, lower and lower til finally splashing through the creek at the bottom and stalling...
Into 2Klicks, drops, clambering, tight, popping, Do or Die - took the Die this time, river bed section, and finally onto the road again, speeeeed and squirrelly negotiation into the entry to 1Klick, fanging into here, and remembering the first wooden feature had a back to it, so flew into it, and it nearly faceplanted me, kicked my rear wheel so high i thought i was a goner. Kept it under control and adrenalin thickening up my blood, i continued on down and out, taking every little bit of trail i could find, before hitting the gravel and powering on down.
Road, all the way to Pohara and a waiting family for 2 nights at the camp ground in our new tent (which has served us very well so far...), before heading into Totaranui (which is another story).
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