Weather appalling on Saturday, so hill tracks likely to still be mucky, so apparently no one was riding, so O and me headed out with Jet to McLeans Island. Lonnng time since I'd been out here (nearly 3 years). Boy has it changed. Usual route, and first thing I noticed was that the whole first section has been logged, so no longer are we riding through forest, but desolate open spaces. Same went for the next bit you head down into after riding along then up the stopbank... All young trees (6ft or so already). Madness. Completely changes the feel of the place, and old landmarks of big trees are gone, and views across the expanses are totally different to the past. I was on the Klunker, which was fun. Grips like a grippy thing, and the wide bars are awesomesauce. Obe's cruised well, lagging behind a bunch, and Jet just galloped along happily at our speed the whole way. We did the main loop then the Coringa extra 5kms and then back to the car. 54 minutes riding time total, 15kms with a staggering 60m of altitude...
Just realised, also, that this is this blog's 800th post!!! Happy post century, blog.
Sunday, May 22, 2016
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Sunday Short'n'Fat to Planting
Early start, meeting 8.05 at Steve's, so after a bit of a night I wasn't feeling 100% but hauled ass across to his place on the Fat and arrived to find Tony, Wazza, Wayno and Steve. Followed shortly by Pete and Matt (on Pete's 575). Off we treadled through Radley, Marshall, and through to the Heathcote Cut and under the motorway and at a cracking pace set by Wayno round the tow path round the back of Ferrymead to meet Andy and Jenna at the bridge.
Up St Andrews and Steve was suffering badly, not doing well. We all waited for him a few times as we progressed up the hill. Marama, then Major Hornbrook all the way. Up through the park and up Clearview and Ridgeview to the Upper Major. Steve had had enough and headed down to the Planting, to bail from that too. Poor fella. We all boled on up Britten to the top, and then took the trail around the top of it. Once back at the trees, I 'adjusted my suspension', let a few psis out of my tires, then off we headed back down at a fun bouncy pace, me really enjoying the fat bike. On down past the stile and then tucked into the wee singletrack down from here, then over the fence and down Ridgeview into the steep wee zig zag to Mt Pleasant Rd, then my tires screamed as we flew down to Craigieburn Pl - reaching 56 kph.
Into the McCormacks zig zags, walking the first steps then overcooking a couple of corners (especially the 2nd to last one cos I thought the previous had been the last one) and on down, careful on the new bridges down here with their tight little knob-ends, and meeting a few walkers and dogs on the way down, surprising a couple of them... lots of friendly apologies, but no too much disharmony, then bombing down the last stretch, reaching a scorching 51 kph.
Finally, around the McCormacks bay onto the Causeway, and winding up the speed behind Pete, my big SUV tires screaming on the tarmac. Still had a heap of time before the planting, so at Ferrymead bridge back onto the Tow Path and we bombed around this, ducking out between some buildings across the road from Waterman Place, into the back of Charlesworth and so many trees did we plant and sausages did I eat.
At 12 o'clock, I needed to get going, so hightailed it straight down Linwood, home...
All up pretty much 30kms and amazingly just about 500m climbed. Not bad for a fatty. Managed to get 3 metres below sea level too!
Up St Andrews and Steve was suffering badly, not doing well. We all waited for him a few times as we progressed up the hill. Marama, then Major Hornbrook all the way. Up through the park and up Clearview and Ridgeview to the Upper Major. Steve had had enough and headed down to the Planting, to bail from that too. Poor fella. We all boled on up Britten to the top, and then took the trail around the top of it. Once back at the trees, I 'adjusted my suspension', let a few psis out of my tires, then off we headed back down at a fun bouncy pace, me really enjoying the fat bike. On down past the stile and then tucked into the wee singletrack down from here, then over the fence and down Ridgeview into the steep wee zig zag to Mt Pleasant Rd, then my tires screamed as we flew down to Craigieburn Pl - reaching 56 kph.
Into the McCormacks zig zags, walking the first steps then overcooking a couple of corners (especially the 2nd to last one cos I thought the previous had been the last one) and on down, careful on the new bridges down here with their tight little knob-ends, and meeting a few walkers and dogs on the way down, surprising a couple of them... lots of friendly apologies, but no too much disharmony, then bombing down the last stretch, reaching a scorching 51 kph.
Finally, around the McCormacks bay onto the Causeway, and winding up the speed behind Pete, my big SUV tires screaming on the tarmac. Still had a heap of time before the planting, so at Ferrymead bridge back onto the Tow Path and we bombed around this, ducking out between some buildings across the road from Waterman Place, into the back of Charlesworth and so many trees did we plant and sausages did I eat.
At 12 o'clock, I needed to get going, so hightailed it straight down Linwood, home...
All up pretty much 30kms and amazingly just about 500m climbed. Not bad for a fatty. Managed to get 3 metres below sea level too!
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Wednesday night CaptleyConda
Met at Nelson's work and drove to Scumner, parking down by the water. Got riding at 6.15, straight up Wakefield and into Sumnervale. Up Captain Thomas, chuffing and wheezing, but managing most bar the usual walky rocks. Eventually we made the top and headed for Godley. Both failed the first rocks, so tried again, and again, and again, til finally I got it, but Nelson still didn't but on we rode. Nelson gapping me as we climbed, the techy rocks making for interesting times. Lots of wind at times, but not everywhere. Over the top and around and brief break eating and admiring the view, then I headed off down in the lead, bombing and weaving nicely down and around and down to Livingston Col, my handlebar light cutting out on the way. Unplugged, replugged, and all good. Into the climb away from the col and Nelson spotted something in the grass, a nice light. On up, Nelson getting way ahead, but I was happy with that cos of the dust being picked up by the wind. On round and less wind, tail wind in fact, on the down and around, over the rock and down to Breeze Col.
Nelson faffed with his jockey wheel then off up and around, on the skinny track above the road, around, me in the lead, keeping it real on the skinny skinny trail, then climbed up to the Breeze Bay track. Nelson took off, flying around it, while I took it pretty easy. Someone has put a backside on the rock we built the entry ramp to. Then on the final down hill bits, towards the stile, they've grubbed out the ruts, wrecking the track a bit.
Across to Anaconda, and Nelson led in. I soon backed off on account of the dust, which was really bad. So, had a solo ride down, my own pace, pretty quick, but no where near as quick as Nelse. I was only about half way through the 'tail when I saw him heading across the carpark in Taylors... Not long later, so was I. Next, up the road, no cars did we meet, til right at the top, where we headed down into Nicholson, and found a steep downhill I'd spotted on Monday, taking this and bypassing a good portion of concrete steps. One tiny section of 2 hairpins and we were on the alley way that led us out to Whitewash, then down here onto the road and finally along the Esplanade, dodging the waves - sea was HIGH and big.
18 kms, and over 600 climbed. At 8.45 pm, we'd just grabbed our dinners and were leaving when the 4.7 hit. Felt like a loud vibration, and a bottle fell off a shelf at the restaurant, and an alarm went off too...
Nelson faffed with his jockey wheel then off up and around, on the skinny track above the road, around, me in the lead, keeping it real on the skinny skinny trail, then climbed up to the Breeze Bay track. Nelson took off, flying around it, while I took it pretty easy. Someone has put a backside on the rock we built the entry ramp to. Then on the final down hill bits, towards the stile, they've grubbed out the ruts, wrecking the track a bit.
Across to Anaconda, and Nelson led in. I soon backed off on account of the dust, which was really bad. So, had a solo ride down, my own pace, pretty quick, but no where near as quick as Nelse. I was only about half way through the 'tail when I saw him heading across the carpark in Taylors... Not long later, so was I. Next, up the road, no cars did we meet, til right at the top, where we headed down into Nicholson, and found a steep downhill I'd spotted on Monday, taking this and bypassing a good portion of concrete steps. One tiny section of 2 hairpins and we were on the alley way that led us out to Whitewash, then down here onto the road and finally along the Esplanade, dodging the waves - sea was HIGH and big.
18 kms, and over 600 climbed. At 8.45 pm, we'd just grabbed our dinners and were leaving when the 4.7 hit. Felt like a loud vibration, and a bottle fell off a shelf at the restaurant, and an alarm went off too...
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Monday - The long way to dinner
Not really a valid ride, but kinda was... Dinner at Joy's in Taylors, so, rode there from work, on the Troll - via Whitewash Head, Flowers Track and Nicholson Park... rode up Whitewash to the path way that cuts back through the houses to Flowers Track, then up a few zigs and steps of that, then across and up through Nicholson, before the cooling rush down into Taylors...
apparently 248 m... not sure how that happened... and 16.5 kms.
apparently 248 m... not sure how that happened... and 16.5 kms.
Saturday, May 07, 2016
Saturday morning Jet meander
Tried to be an earlyish start, but by the time I'd parked up top of Huntsbury I didn't actually get rolling til just after nine. Jet galavanting around me, we cruised up the main drag for a start, then at the cattlestop we cut through the gate and up the jumpy track then over the gate and into shitsville, rolling up the singletrack to the fence and up the landing strip, on up gravel to the top. Jet took the cattlestop too quick and just about broke his leg! Over Vernon, fanging it, then waiting for Jet while uphillers passed be by then fanging it again. Through Crapaki top and into the Witch, nice techy climb through the rocks, cleaning all. Around the front and down to the road. Jet was getting tired already, but we kept going.
Cruised up the road to the Castle and an old colleague caught up on a roadie, then I directed a Santa Cruz rider onto the singletrack. We followed, Jet navigating the cattlestop very carefully. Speeeeed through the entire top section, rolling really smoothly, feeling good. Held up for Jetty, then onwards down to the first hairpin, at excellent speed. The Santa Cruzer was lost here, but I told him "this way" and he headed off ahead. Jet and me followed. Good climb out and then over back to the road.
Jet and me cruised up the road here, me keeping him in check on account of the speeding roadsters flying past at various times. Took our time, me not wanting to wear him out. At the top of Castle again I waited a bit while a runner cleared off the Tors track, then we headed up the walking track to it. Awesome downhill this, techy as all get up at the bottom, which I cleaned all but one dab round the worst bit, and on down to the road again. Now it was onto the singletrack just above the road. Climbed up the first bit and at the top on the techiest rocky-over bit, my handlebar clipped the fence on the right causing the me to topple off and over to the left, tumbling down the bank, above a precipice above the road. I managed to stop my fall by strategically smacking my left (already sore) knee on a rock, then turned expecting the bike to tumble after me. Thankfully it didn't. Picked myself up and untwisted the bars, and straightened the brake lever and got rolling again, sore knee really starting to smart now. The sore knee that's been a sore knee for a while now... nothing new there, I guess. On round the singletrack, catching a guy and a dog, so we took to the road and then Witch Hill, on up and round and down through Rapaki. Stopping here to give Jetty a drink and having a nice long look around...
Up Vernon, climbing okay, knee coping. Then around the Traverse for a start then down through the tussocks, off piste the whole way to the landing strip, bomb down here, over the fence, round the singletrack, over the gate, jumpy jumpy down hill, stopping and waiting for Jet now and then, then over the final stile to the car...
15.5 kms and over 600 m climbed...
Cruised up the road to the Castle and an old colleague caught up on a roadie, then I directed a Santa Cruz rider onto the singletrack. We followed, Jet navigating the cattlestop very carefully. Speeeeed through the entire top section, rolling really smoothly, feeling good. Held up for Jetty, then onwards down to the first hairpin, at excellent speed. The Santa Cruzer was lost here, but I told him "this way" and he headed off ahead. Jet and me followed. Good climb out and then over back to the road.
Jet and me cruised up the road here, me keeping him in check on account of the speeding roadsters flying past at various times. Took our time, me not wanting to wear him out. At the top of Castle again I waited a bit while a runner cleared off the Tors track, then we headed up the walking track to it. Awesome downhill this, techy as all get up at the bottom, which I cleaned all but one dab round the worst bit, and on down to the road again. Now it was onto the singletrack just above the road. Climbed up the first bit and at the top on the techiest rocky-over bit, my handlebar clipped the fence on the right causing the me to topple off and over to the left, tumbling down the bank, above a precipice above the road. I managed to stop my fall by strategically smacking my left (already sore) knee on a rock, then turned expecting the bike to tumble after me. Thankfully it didn't. Picked myself up and untwisted the bars, and straightened the brake lever and got rolling again, sore knee really starting to smart now. The sore knee that's been a sore knee for a while now... nothing new there, I guess. On round the singletrack, catching a guy and a dog, so we took to the road and then Witch Hill, on up and round and down through Rapaki. Stopping here to give Jetty a drink and having a nice long look around...
Up Vernon, climbing okay, knee coping. Then around the Traverse for a start then down through the tussocks, off piste the whole way to the landing strip, bomb down here, over the fence, round the singletrack, over the gate, jumpy jumpy down hill, stopping and waiting for Jet now and then, then over the final stile to the car...
15.5 kms and over 600 m climbed...
Wednesday, May 04, 2016
Wednesday night Worsley Nun Gov's
Usual pickup outside work, 5.20 or so, and we cruised the streets, not really knowing where to go, then deciding on Worsley's... Old Skool Stylez, up the main drag all the way, checking out the 'security' on the new Park. Looks to me like people have been accessing the old route in at the top, but. Not us. Up the BodyBag, chuffing, then top of Nun for a break. Dude we'd met in the back in January, Quetty, rolled up and he remembered us and we remembered him, and we chatted for ages. Then Nelson and me headed off, with me eating Nelson's dust the whole way, no matter how far I backed off... Struggled with that, so not such a great run, but some fun had. On down the whole way all the way to the bottom - no flats this time, yay, then up the road to the upper entrance for the Governor's Bay trail. Off down this, nice smooth run down, tho at times corners were hard to see round due to bushes... Into the climb, manageable, but a couple dabs, and only one really bad one on the steppy rocks near the top. Cleaned the final grunt tho, which is a first for a very long time.
Up the road again, this time all the way up to top of Nun again for a second go at the top section. I led the way in this time, and Nelson gave me lots of gap for the dust, and I had a mint run, jumping stuff I hadn't on the first, and cleaning berms better and all sorts of good stuff. Off at the carpark and back up, this time on the walking track above the road. Nice climb up this, a few steppy walking bits, but mostly bloody good, including the last steeeep bit before it levels off and descends a bit... Up Worsley's Rd, and over down the Bodybag. Ducked into the forest a little further down on the left and found some un-ridden trails, massive stupid jumps in them, but lots of rideable stuff, and found spraypaint markings for future trails(?), and eventually arrived where I thought we would, and took the 4wdy trail the rest of the way out, tho peeled right at the clearing below the pylons, and walked up then got into the jumpy trail in the trees here, then peeled out of it at the big clearing (old entry to Guts track, / junction) and over the fence onto the lower finishing trails (which are actually outside of the Park's gambit).
14kms all up, with 555 m in altitudinalities.
Up the road again, this time all the way up to top of Nun again for a second go at the top section. I led the way in this time, and Nelson gave me lots of gap for the dust, and I had a mint run, jumping stuff I hadn't on the first, and cleaning berms better and all sorts of good stuff. Off at the carpark and back up, this time on the walking track above the road. Nice climb up this, a few steppy walking bits, but mostly bloody good, including the last steeeep bit before it levels off and descends a bit... Up Worsley's Rd, and over down the Bodybag. Ducked into the forest a little further down on the left and found some un-ridden trails, massive stupid jumps in them, but lots of rideable stuff, and found spraypaint markings for future trails(?), and eventually arrived where I thought we would, and took the 4wdy trail the rest of the way out, tho peeled right at the clearing below the pylons, and walked up then got into the jumpy trail in the trees here, then peeled out of it at the big clearing (old entry to Guts track, / junction) and over the fence onto the lower finishing trails (which are actually outside of the Park's gambit).
14kms all up, with 555 m in altitudinalities.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Tuesday Night meanderisations
Rode from work to meet Nelson at Rufus's Back Alley bikeshop, and we cruised the busy roads eventually getting to Mt Pleasant and parking up top of Major Hornbrook. The PFMTB-Crew were meeting at 6.30, and it was 6.07 as we hit the trail. I led off, leaving Nelson faffing with something, figuring I'd get a head start as he was gonna catch me anyway, but he wasn't feeling 100% on form so stayed back for quite a while, catching me at the loop at the top. Off up the rocky bits on the original Britten around under Broadleaf and on to the cattlestop, sun well and truly set. Over the road and fence and climbing up to the Mt Pleasant track, hanging a right and skidding down the gravelly chip to the stile and over and then into the Mt Cavendish climb. I took the wrong line for a start but then found my way back onto the 2nd hairpin in behind Nelson. Clamber clamber, through the gate then back and forth we went to the top and over around behind the Gondola building. Straight into the downhill down the steps, boppity boppity bop, and then wandered around on the rocks til eventually we found the right lines down along the fenceline and then along the ridge and rocky trail to the top of the Bridle Path.
Up the road, and at the top we could see the string of lights on Britten track that we knew were the boys. I led the way off down Castle Rock, starting slowly and not putting much effort into slowly accelerating til reaching sensible speeds, feeling pretty smooth, but not overly fast. Little bit quicker towards the first hairpin, but wondering why the hell I was so handlebar-light focussed, and realising my headlamp was only on low, whereas the handlebar one was on med... Upped the headlight and much better hurtled towards the 2nd hairpin, around, and down, then Nelson caught me in the climb up and around then good flow down to the end.
Along the road, around under the Gondola at a good pace, now 'chasing' the boys. I didn't think we'd catch them at all, figuring by the time we were on top of Mt Pleasant they'd be on the road heading around ready to climb Broadleaf, so I didn't push too hard. From Cavendish Saddle, up the steep bastard climb around then up the nice face onto the gravel road. Through the gate and I could see lights down on the trail below, and Nelson hadn't hung around at the top so straight down the shorter cut and muppetted over the stile and then fanged it, definitely chasing now, able to see a few lights on the trail below. Flew down through the tussocks to the end of this section and we caught up with everyone - Pete, Steve, Wazza, Andy (on his newly built-up Keewee) and Robin - all in good form as usual.
Got going down and around the top section of Greenwood towards the road. I stayed tight on Nelson's tail, had a few whoopsies but managed to keep it under control, eventually rolling out onto the road, regrouping and then riding up to Britten again. Into the singletrack, and a wee ways around I decided to dive off down the lower track. Nelson followed, but none of the others. It was sweet, really flowy and smooth, losing altitude nicely, keeping speed, around below the rocky knoll of the hill, then an easy climb back around to the rest of the singletrack. The boys were just over the gate heading for Broadleaf as we climbed back up to them, over the gate and were with them before the first corner of Broadleaf. Up the gravel and here we made a choice. Nelson and me were feeling like we needed a bigger ride, and the boys all headed off down towards Cavendish to finish. So, said our goodbyes, and headed up the top and off down again.
Better run down here this time, blazing through the tussock sections, tho still missing a couple of corners. Brief rest and then into Greenwood, half choking on Nelson's dust. I had a pretty good run, kept him in sight for a good while, but he was like a rocketship, slowly gapping me. Into gloopygulch and could see some lights below, but before too long realised they were stopped, climbing. Nelson wasn't that far away as I descended towards them, and they were well off the track as I flowed past. Round the bends and eventually through the cattlestop and Nelson was already on the final blast towards the rocky-ups. I was a bit slow round here and my usual fast section I was really shit, realising at one point i was nearly stopped! Picked it up a bit, juuust dabbed through the first rock, and then blasted through the rest of it. As I rolled to a stop at the final stile I turned off my light, had a stretch, then went to turn it on and it was dead - perfect timing!
Up the road, at a pretty good pace, climbing hard for a long time. I had to slow a couple of times, but we pushed it, figuring it was the last blast and just bashing it out. Felt like forever to make it up the road, but finally got to Britten and handlebar lights only I had some interesting moments, with the trail vanishing behind tussocks several times.
All up, over 22 kms, and over 800 m climbed. Bloody good.
Up the road, and at the top we could see the string of lights on Britten track that we knew were the boys. I led the way off down Castle Rock, starting slowly and not putting much effort into slowly accelerating til reaching sensible speeds, feeling pretty smooth, but not overly fast. Little bit quicker towards the first hairpin, but wondering why the hell I was so handlebar-light focussed, and realising my headlamp was only on low, whereas the handlebar one was on med... Upped the headlight and much better hurtled towards the 2nd hairpin, around, and down, then Nelson caught me in the climb up and around then good flow down to the end.
Along the road, around under the Gondola at a good pace, now 'chasing' the boys. I didn't think we'd catch them at all, figuring by the time we were on top of Mt Pleasant they'd be on the road heading around ready to climb Broadleaf, so I didn't push too hard. From Cavendish Saddle, up the steep bastard climb around then up the nice face onto the gravel road. Through the gate and I could see lights down on the trail below, and Nelson hadn't hung around at the top so straight down the shorter cut and muppetted over the stile and then fanged it, definitely chasing now, able to see a few lights on the trail below. Flew down through the tussocks to the end of this section and we caught up with everyone - Pete, Steve, Wazza, Andy (on his newly built-up Keewee) and Robin - all in good form as usual.
Got going down and around the top section of Greenwood towards the road. I stayed tight on Nelson's tail, had a few whoopsies but managed to keep it under control, eventually rolling out onto the road, regrouping and then riding up to Britten again. Into the singletrack, and a wee ways around I decided to dive off down the lower track. Nelson followed, but none of the others. It was sweet, really flowy and smooth, losing altitude nicely, keeping speed, around below the rocky knoll of the hill, then an easy climb back around to the rest of the singletrack. The boys were just over the gate heading for Broadleaf as we climbed back up to them, over the gate and were with them before the first corner of Broadleaf. Up the gravel and here we made a choice. Nelson and me were feeling like we needed a bigger ride, and the boys all headed off down towards Cavendish to finish. So, said our goodbyes, and headed up the top and off down again.
Better run down here this time, blazing through the tussock sections, tho still missing a couple of corners. Brief rest and then into Greenwood, half choking on Nelson's dust. I had a pretty good run, kept him in sight for a good while, but he was like a rocketship, slowly gapping me. Into gloopygulch and could see some lights below, but before too long realised they were stopped, climbing. Nelson wasn't that far away as I descended towards them, and they were well off the track as I flowed past. Round the bends and eventually through the cattlestop and Nelson was already on the final blast towards the rocky-ups. I was a bit slow round here and my usual fast section I was really shit, realising at one point i was nearly stopped! Picked it up a bit, juuust dabbed through the first rock, and then blasted through the rest of it. As I rolled to a stop at the final stile I turned off my light, had a stretch, then went to turn it on and it was dead - perfect timing!
Up the road, at a pretty good pace, climbing hard for a long time. I had to slow a couple of times, but we pushed it, figuring it was the last blast and just bashing it out. Felt like forever to make it up the road, but finally got to Britten and handlebar lights only I had some interesting moments, with the trail vanishing behind tussocks several times.
All up, over 22 kms, and over 800 m climbed. Bloody good.
Wednesday 20th, Night Pleasantries
Ooops, realised I never posted this last week... This was Wednesday the 20th, Nelson picked me up from work and we trafficjammed the way towards the Ferrymead Bridge, then ducked around into McCormacks Bay. Parked up, changed and got going up Glenstrae and into the wheezy singletrack. Quite overgrown with grass and vines and blackberries and fennel, but clear enough to ride. I thought it was only a little while since I rode down this (but it was back in July), and Nelson had only been up it a couple of weeks ago. Still, a good honest climb which, once I'd had some asthma puff, I managed okay. Cleaned all but the second lower hairpin, and dabbed once on one of the new bridgey bits, and once in the upper switchies, then walked the upper steps (as usual). On up the road, flashies now needed, then up Longridge, Clearview, Ridgeview onto Upper Major and to Britten. Up this without lights, as there was just enough glow from the spectacular sunset sky and a rather large moon looming in the east. Climbed and Nelson jetted on ahead. Met a runner and a couple on bikes with a dog, then headed around the original Britten line to the rock climber's stile and checked out some climbers on a tight-rope line strung above the cliffs between a couple of rocks. Pretty dark tho, so could only see him with our lights.
Up the 'new' line into Mt Pleasant, climbing away to the top, and resting for a while up here. Off down, swooped around the old line for the benefit of more trail, and then over the stile and down. Pretty good flow for a start then overlooking Lyttelton I missed the trail briefly. Back on, and Nelson's dropped me, so off I go, finding my handlebar light too bright reflecting off the tussocks, making the trail really hard to see. Flowed around and about then down blasting towards the end of this bit. Rolled down the 4wd bit then hung the right and got a taste of what was to come. Dust. Lots and lots of dust, and I was eating it. Nelson was raising it ahead and I could do nothing but blindly follow into it. Further on, past the ruins, it wasn't as bad, but every time the wind was directly in our faces, or at our backs, the dust would hang out and get in my eyes and lungs. But everywhere else there was enough side wind to tidy it away. Good run all the way around and down. At gloomy gulch we spotted a light ahead, meaning we'd been catching him up(?), but then at flatter bit lower down Nelson stopped for a to rest his hands and back and feet. I was feeling pretty good. Off again and more dust, so I held back a bit, but had a pretty good run, just cruising bits, pumping bits and then boosting bits. Screwed up the rocky climb, but then flowed out the lower newly opened up bits and rolled in through dust to the end.
Across the road and into the Captain. I stuck close to Nelson's tail for a start, thereby being where the dust hadn't risen up yet. In the gulch before the stupidbridge it was damper and very cool. Then more dust and down into the main drags. Not so bad through all the tricky rocks, all of which we cleaned nicely, and then the climby big got me, and the flow across the slop was awesome. Dropped around the corner into the switchbacky section, spotting Nelson failing on the second right hander, then down around and cleaned that, then into the cabbage tree track, slick in the dust on the corners, and super boosty fast down the last stretches, across the creek and over the fence. Down the steps, along the horse paddock and onto the road, catching a slipstream lift from a couple buses and then on round, taking turns and super fast slipstream cranking around through Redcliffs and into McCormacks back to the car.
Just about 19kms ridden, and 600m climbed (mine measured 596m, Nelson 604)
Up the 'new' line into Mt Pleasant, climbing away to the top, and resting for a while up here. Off down, swooped around the old line for the benefit of more trail, and then over the stile and down. Pretty good flow for a start then overlooking Lyttelton I missed the trail briefly. Back on, and Nelson's dropped me, so off I go, finding my handlebar light too bright reflecting off the tussocks, making the trail really hard to see. Flowed around and about then down blasting towards the end of this bit. Rolled down the 4wd bit then hung the right and got a taste of what was to come. Dust. Lots and lots of dust, and I was eating it. Nelson was raising it ahead and I could do nothing but blindly follow into it. Further on, past the ruins, it wasn't as bad, but every time the wind was directly in our faces, or at our backs, the dust would hang out and get in my eyes and lungs. But everywhere else there was enough side wind to tidy it away. Good run all the way around and down. At gloomy gulch we spotted a light ahead, meaning we'd been catching him up(?), but then at flatter bit lower down Nelson stopped for a to rest his hands and back and feet. I was feeling pretty good. Off again and more dust, so I held back a bit, but had a pretty good run, just cruising bits, pumping bits and then boosting bits. Screwed up the rocky climb, but then flowed out the lower newly opened up bits and rolled in through dust to the end.
Across the road and into the Captain. I stuck close to Nelson's tail for a start, thereby being where the dust hadn't risen up yet. In the gulch before the stupidbridge it was damper and very cool. Then more dust and down into the main drags. Not so bad through all the tricky rocks, all of which we cleaned nicely, and then the climby big got me, and the flow across the slop was awesome. Dropped around the corner into the switchbacky section, spotting Nelson failing on the second right hander, then down around and cleaned that, then into the cabbage tree track, slick in the dust on the corners, and super boosty fast down the last stretches, across the creek and over the fence. Down the steps, along the horse paddock and onto the road, catching a slipstream lift from a couple buses and then on round, taking turns and super fast slipstream cranking around through Redcliffs and into McCormacks back to the car.
Just about 19kms ridden, and 600m climbed (mine measured 596m, Nelson 604)
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Wednesday Night Solo
No Nelsie tonight for various reasons, so I left work on my lonesome and headed for the hills. Zig-zagged through Beckenham then straight into Major Aitken Drive, entering it with a clusterfuck of roadies, the faster ones of which were ducking into every cul-de-sac, around and out, while the slowbies and me chugged up the main drag. I peeled off right on Kenmanure and didn't see them again. Up the very top of Huntsbury Ave I spotted the TFC Truck, so flicked off a txt to Steve and Robin asking who was out for a sneaky. Steve replied 'not me' so I kept an eye out for Robin as I climbed. Past the pylon I jumped over the gate, and rode up to the next gate, and up the singletrack from here. Over the fence onto the landing strip, and a light was coming down the gravel ahead. Robin! Chatted a while, he wasn't feeling as shit hot as on Saturday. Just before we met, I could see a group of maybe 12 riders heading down Vernon, and on the other side, a group of maybe 8 riding around under Sugarloaf. Lots of other singles and doubles out and about too. I started to get cold, so got rolling again, to the top and straight into the Traverse.
Uneventful blast around the Traverse, catching up to and passing a couple at our usual stopping spot, then blasting on around to Vic. Straight up and over into Thomson and Thompson, nice rolling float through these. Then, onto the road and down across Dyers, freaking out a timid car load of asians, then up to the Old Dyers entry and into it. What a groomed trail to start with now! (well over a year since last) Fast down and around. Rollercoaster into the valley, then the rough began and my handlebar light cut out. Stopped, unplugged, replugged, and all good from there on. Trees felt to be much bigger on the side of the track to the last time I was down here, all the way down. On the 4wd section I took it a bit easier, and then knuckled in for the climb to the road, across (no traffic) and up through Vic to the war memorial. Heading for the skidder site I ducked right into the singletrack and cruised through here, wrong-geared on a big left hander, stalling, changing gear while stationary, and getting on again. Brief rest at the skidder site and into Shazzas, blitzing down around the corners, surprised at a couple of new bits then missed the road crossing and headed straight down to the Brentzone. Held left down through here and out the bottom, into Bridges, Flow etc meeting my own dust on the hairpins lower down, and nearly losing it on one of the last corners. Then the blast down to Hidden Valley creek crossing, cleaned it and the first corner, then completely failed the second corner. Rest of the climb was good, but I was getting tired. Took a break over the stile before the climb to the rest of Old Skool.
Climbed the last climb and then hit the downhill. Fuck this track is getting bony. Either the closure of McVicars has forced more riders onto it, or Mtnbiking is just getting too damned popular, but this track has been hammered. Dusty; each hairpin I went round I was greeted by my own dust from above, and did I say, boney??? Jeebus. I'd topped up my rear shock air pressure in the morning, and it was feeling a little harsh... 10psi needs to be let out. Finally I was down the bottom, nearly cleaned the exit, should have, but I baulked. Finally, down the last gravel, over the gate and headed for home, Bowenvale, Eastern, Wilsons, Nursery, Stanmore, long slog and I was toasted by the time I got home... Sore neck, sore knee (wish I'd been wearing my longshorts or kneewarmers!)
30kms, 600m Climbed, in a smidge under 2 hours of riding.
Uneventful blast around the Traverse, catching up to and passing a couple at our usual stopping spot, then blasting on around to Vic. Straight up and over into Thomson and Thompson, nice rolling float through these. Then, onto the road and down across Dyers, freaking out a timid car load of asians, then up to the Old Dyers entry and into it. What a groomed trail to start with now! (well over a year since last) Fast down and around. Rollercoaster into the valley, then the rough began and my handlebar light cut out. Stopped, unplugged, replugged, and all good from there on. Trees felt to be much bigger on the side of the track to the last time I was down here, all the way down. On the 4wd section I took it a bit easier, and then knuckled in for the climb to the road, across (no traffic) and up through Vic to the war memorial. Heading for the skidder site I ducked right into the singletrack and cruised through here, wrong-geared on a big left hander, stalling, changing gear while stationary, and getting on again. Brief rest at the skidder site and into Shazzas, blitzing down around the corners, surprised at a couple of new bits then missed the road crossing and headed straight down to the Brentzone. Held left down through here and out the bottom, into Bridges, Flow etc meeting my own dust on the hairpins lower down, and nearly losing it on one of the last corners. Then the blast down to Hidden Valley creek crossing, cleaned it and the first corner, then completely failed the second corner. Rest of the climb was good, but I was getting tired. Took a break over the stile before the climb to the rest of Old Skool.
Climbed the last climb and then hit the downhill. Fuck this track is getting bony. Either the closure of McVicars has forced more riders onto it, or Mtnbiking is just getting too damned popular, but this track has been hammered. Dusty; each hairpin I went round I was greeted by my own dust from above, and did I say, boney??? Jeebus. I'd topped up my rear shock air pressure in the morning, and it was feeling a little harsh... 10psi needs to be let out. Finally I was down the bottom, nearly cleaned the exit, should have, but I baulked. Finally, down the last gravel, over the gate and headed for home, Bowenvale, Eastern, Wilsons, Nursery, Stanmore, long slog and I was toasted by the time I got home... Sore neck, sore knee (wish I'd been wearing my longshorts or kneewarmers!)
30kms, 600m Climbed, in a smidge under 2 hours of riding.
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Sunday boys and Jet, black-Bottled-berries
Fatbike, my boys and Jet the dog, out to Bottle Lake for a spin. We stopped and ate blackberries at a multitude of locations, finding some real motherlodes. Through the middle to the pond, then out to the beach. Realised there that I'd lost (or left behind, at least) Jet's dog-lead, so we headed back along Avenues and a walking track or two back to the pond, then along to where I'd attached O's sweatshirt to my bag. O found the lead, and we scoffed some more blackberries before heading back to the carpark...... 10.4 kms and surprisingly, but believably, 75m of climby-ness
Saturday's posse catch-up, up, round and down.
Trundled across town to Steve's for a 9 oclock, and found there Wazza, Steve and Robin, soon followed by the arrival of Wayno. We headed around through Hanson's Park and up the usual route, Ramahana, Aotea and up. All sticking together and chatting catching up, for 't had been a while since I'd ridden with these fellas. Ground our way up the gravel and topped out, me starving hungry, scoffing half a one-square as the others rolled up in short shrift.
Was a big posse assembling up in the road, and a couple of young dudes headed thru ahead of us, so we got going. Took a while but I wound in the young dudes by our usual regroup spot below Sugarloaf. They headed out while I awaited the others, then there were a few riders coming the other way so we held off our departure. Then, these total dicks came up behind us and proceeded to totally fuck up any flow the oncoming riders had, going ahead of us. We ask commented on their rudeness and followed them, me continually winding them in, letting them off, winding them in, the rest of the way to Vic.
Into the Thompsons, blast blast blast, then ride chatting to the previously mentioned young dudes as we climbed up the road... I dropped back and joined the boys, mainly Wazza and we plodded our ways up the road then up top of The Nun. I led straight out thinking most of them were gonna bail in the middle, and had a rather wafty ride. Slow in the slow bits but fast and jumpy in the fast jumpy bits. Made it through the top half and dropped into the lowers. Riding really cleanly, lightly, til the stretch before the corner next to where the Governor's Bay trail comes up, and I double pinch flatted. Walked up the exit trail to that corner on the road and proceeded to start patching. The boys rolled up, all but Steve, with Robin continuing on, while Wazza and Wayne waited a bit, the Wazza left. I patched two holes, then found two more, so Wayne gave me a tube, then took off. So, I finished up and got going. We all met up with Steve at the top of Worsley's.
I led off down the 'Bag and bounced and rolled, trying to stay out of the ruts. With the forest closed we headed down the old skool main drag, first time down this for aeons (St Patrick's Day, 2011, to be precise). At the big corner, old entrance to the Guts climbing track, we caught up with Tim Prebble, who was manning the 'info' station (ie, his truck, with leaflets on the windscreen) about the new Park. Chatted a whiles, then headed on down the track, Epitaph, then road, and into Farsideville. I took Utopia, which I really enjoyed. The others all took various other ones, which they all really enjoyed too.
To finish, off down the road, and into Zero's for coffees (and greentea) and grub.
I's home by 12.45pm
35 kms with all that road, and 729m climbed
Was a big posse assembling up in the road, and a couple of young dudes headed thru ahead of us, so we got going. Took a while but I wound in the young dudes by our usual regroup spot below Sugarloaf. They headed out while I awaited the others, then there were a few riders coming the other way so we held off our departure. Then, these total dicks came up behind us and proceeded to totally fuck up any flow the oncoming riders had, going ahead of us. We ask commented on their rudeness and followed them, me continually winding them in, letting them off, winding them in, the rest of the way to Vic.
Into the Thompsons, blast blast blast, then ride chatting to the previously mentioned young dudes as we climbed up the road... I dropped back and joined the boys, mainly Wazza and we plodded our ways up the road then up top of The Nun. I led straight out thinking most of them were gonna bail in the middle, and had a rather wafty ride. Slow in the slow bits but fast and jumpy in the fast jumpy bits. Made it through the top half and dropped into the lowers. Riding really cleanly, lightly, til the stretch before the corner next to where the Governor's Bay trail comes up, and I double pinch flatted. Walked up the exit trail to that corner on the road and proceeded to start patching. The boys rolled up, all but Steve, with Robin continuing on, while Wazza and Wayne waited a bit, the Wazza left. I patched two holes, then found two more, so Wayne gave me a tube, then took off. So, I finished up and got going. We all met up with Steve at the top of Worsley's.
I led off down the 'Bag and bounced and rolled, trying to stay out of the ruts. With the forest closed we headed down the old skool main drag, first time down this for aeons (St Patrick's Day, 2011, to be precise). At the big corner, old entrance to the Guts climbing track, we caught up with Tim Prebble, who was manning the 'info' station (ie, his truck, with leaflets on the windscreen) about the new Park. Chatted a whiles, then headed on down the track, Epitaph, then road, and into Farsideville. I took Utopia, which I really enjoyed. The others all took various other ones, which they all really enjoyed too.
To finish, off down the road, and into Zero's for coffees (and greentea) and grub.
I's home by 12.45pm
35 kms with all that road, and 729m climbed
Thursday, April 07, 2016
Thursday night Hack Porse and Spriving Lings
First night lights ride tonight. Nelson usual pick up from work and trafficking across and up Dyers then around the Summit looking for the top Livingsprings entry. We think we found where it was, stopping first too early, then second obviously past it, so the bit we'd seen before that had to be it... Parked down at Gebbies and headed in 6.10pm, last of the sun going and giving spectacular nor'west skies and freaky light on the hills. A car passed us as we gasped up the gravel road, and proceeded to park at the end and the occupants got out, a young couple heading in to the hut for the night. We said 'see ya on the way back'. Up the trail and over, lights on for the first time as we headed down the rooty steep into the forest. It's been so long since I've ridden this bike I forgot to drop my seat, making the descent sketchy to say the least. At the bottom, staying low under the low trees and climbing up the roots was hard work. Then up the fence line and over the stile and on up. Greeted at the top with a MOST spectacular view of Mt Bradley and the basin surrounding the Packhorse lit from reflected off clouds set-sun light. Utterly amazing. Down the road, and into the dark dark fir forest for to climb. Walked the switchies, rode on, past the 'bach' through the open, startling a rather large cattlebeast, then on up up up. In no time we reached the next switchback section, me thinking they were way further ahead. Had another breather at the top, then hit the last gasp climb to the fenceline. Next it was round the narrow sketchy ledge, through the Dykes and into the wind. Howling gale of a thing over the leading ridges, pushing us both off our bikes for dabs before reaching the hut, where we found a bunch of very windswept tents, and a few bods to talk to. 50 minutes from when we set off, dead on 7pm.
Off back down, I led the way, easier riding with momentum, into the wind. At the Dykes we met the walking couple from the start (they'd made good time, we thought), and proceeded to get cow shit all over our tires and bikes, as we traversed the techy ledge. Over the fence and into the woods, flowing, wafting, drifting around corners, fantastic descent through the forest on the soft pine needle surface. Pure bliss riding. Short climb around the tricksy tree, then down again, at times with much speed, others cautiously keeping grip. Into the open, brief climb where the cattlebeast had been, and back into the forest, across and down the switchies, then ballbearing fir cones, and out to the forestry road climb. Nelson took off up this and I plodded on up behind. Over the stile, up, then down the paddock trail, Nelson out front using his newly acquired DH mojo. Over the next stile and down the barbed wire edged rootfest, then barbed wire edged rootfest climb, then steeeeep, both of us walking eventually, to the open and back on for the last over and down to the road, for a dusty follow into the little trail below the road which was fast and grippy back to the car.
As always, surprisingly only 450 odd metres climbed (always feels like more), over a round trip of just over 11kms.
Then we drove round to Living springs, to take in one lap. In the Bamford Rd entrance, and around. Clambered up to do that wee drop bit off the side of the trail, then found a new being-built track that takes you across the slope, through a huge new native planting area, and into the bottom of the Pines, climbing up newly formed, but as yet unfinished, track to the old Pines entrance. Up (and down a couple times) through the Pines, having forgotten how steep bits are, then stopped for a sit in the dark on Rhymes With Orange. Off again, and around into Mississippi, trails all in mint condition, then as we climbed to Zanes I hit the wall, and started to shake. Sugar from earlier in the day had all run out and I was verging on one of those cold-sweat shakes, but managed, just, to keep it together and flowed and hummed down Zanes to the bottom, over the bridge and back to the car.
just over 3 kms, and under 100m climbed...
Off back down, I led the way, easier riding with momentum, into the wind. At the Dykes we met the walking couple from the start (they'd made good time, we thought), and proceeded to get cow shit all over our tires and bikes, as we traversed the techy ledge. Over the fence and into the woods, flowing, wafting, drifting around corners, fantastic descent through the forest on the soft pine needle surface. Pure bliss riding. Short climb around the tricksy tree, then down again, at times with much speed, others cautiously keeping grip. Into the open, brief climb where the cattlebeast had been, and back into the forest, across and down the switchies, then ballbearing fir cones, and out to the forestry road climb. Nelson took off up this and I plodded on up behind. Over the stile, up, then down the paddock trail, Nelson out front using his newly acquired DH mojo. Over the next stile and down the barbed wire edged rootfest, then barbed wire edged rootfest climb, then steeeeep, both of us walking eventually, to the open and back on for the last over and down to the road, for a dusty follow into the little trail below the road which was fast and grippy back to the car.
As always, surprisingly only 450 odd metres climbed (always feels like more), over a round trip of just over 11kms.
Then we drove round to Living springs, to take in one lap. In the Bamford Rd entrance, and around. Clambered up to do that wee drop bit off the side of the trail, then found a new being-built track that takes you across the slope, through a huge new native planting area, and into the bottom of the Pines, climbing up newly formed, but as yet unfinished, track to the old Pines entrance. Up (and down a couple times) through the Pines, having forgotten how steep bits are, then stopped for a sit in the dark on Rhymes With Orange. Off again, and around into Mississippi, trails all in mint condition, then as we climbed to Zanes I hit the wall, and started to shake. Sugar from earlier in the day had all run out and I was verging on one of those cold-sweat shakes, but managed, just, to keep it together and flowed and hummed down Zanes to the bottom, over the bridge and back to the car.
just over 3 kms, and under 100m climbed...
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Wednesday Night Solo Jet Forest
Worsley's loops with Jet, windy! Forecast was looking shite right up until I was riding home from work and it was raining, but that rain passed and Jet and me headed up to park at the top of Worsleys. Witnessed a mtnbiker having a quiet word with a dickhead with a motorbike here, about fire risk, and that they'd be banned from the forest soon anyway, what with the private ownership, and the millions being pumped into the place for the Park, and the trailbiker seemed oblivious.
6pm we got going, through the carpark gate and up the paddock into the new(ish) climbing trail on the right hand side forest. I seemed to have plenty of juice in my legs and lungs and kept a good gear all the way, surprising myself by not using granny on the first of the steepest bits. The pylons were screaming with wind noise, and could hear them from miles away in the forest, trees buffetting a lot but not so much on this side of the hill. Lots of cracks and groans too tho, from the damaged tree tops making me question the wisdom of being in the forest. Climbed up through Braillesville, checking out and climbing up a wee trail I found which eventually joined back to Braille, then on up over the top and up to the top of the B-Line zone. No stopping, just rolling on through and up up up to the top, seeing evidence of some motorbike cunt having been up here! Straight into ThrowTheGoat, bombing down and through, down down down. Stopped at about a third of the way down and had to wait ages for Jet. Then he caught up and the wind was blowing a gale through the trees at the cliff tops, down over the jumps then bypassing the one just before Yoda, as usual... Then into the steeps, dropping down and down, and seeing more evidence down here of the fucking motorbike. Most likely the dick in the carpark... Into the bottom, 35 minutes since I left the car. Climbing again, straight up around and up, then into the Guts climb, keeping a good crank on up, under the wailing pylons, and all the way up and out to the cliff top, cooling wind much thanked.
From here it was up the old original, spotting more trail bike sign, and then up to the top for my first real sit-down rest. I tightened the cleats in my new shoes here too. Then, off up the upper climb again, past Alice's Restaurant, and then into my newby fave, down through the cool U shaped gut between the dikes, and then into the dark forest and across the off camber slopes, so much faster than ever before, and especially faster than that time with Steve et al. Into where it joins Tommy2's, and I could see where the fucker on the trailbike had rarked up corners and off the side of the trail etc... Down into the lower reaches, and jumpy jumpy near the end, and out onto the climbing road again. Around about 7.05 here.
Up the Guts for a 2nd time, the wind seemingly stronger, and the racket from the pylons singing. As I got to them, around 5 riders came down past me, WITH LIGHTS ON! it's like 7.15 or 20, and NOT dark... I said to the first guy, "Little early for the lights, isnt it?" and he just smiled and nodded... oh well. On up the guts and out to the cliff top meeting a couple of guys here. Chatted about the wind and the noisy trees, then they headed off down, and after a time I followed. Original Line, where I had a wee off... I decided at the last second to make a tighter turn than I was gonna and my front wheel just stopped, folding me over on top of the bike. Garked my left knee a little and right calf. Got going again and down round and through into Fight Club which I loved, swooping and floating and whooping all the way down. Passed the guys at the bottom, saying "i love that track", and rode on up, light diminishing, maybe 7.40 odd by the time I's back at the top and riding down under the howling pines and across onto Epitaph for the final flail to the car...
12 kms with 629m of climb...
Sunday, March 06, 2016
Sunday Solo Forest and Jet
Jet and me got away from home about 10.40 and to the top of Worsley's Rd to park with all the other cars parked up there in the car park. Buncha XC whippets entered the trail ahead of me and, about 11.10, I started my hot plod up the trail through gate, through the paddock and into the trees, climbing ever climbing, catching a walking dude on the steep bit then chatting with him as I slowly left him behind. Climbed on up through the Braille region, then across the main drag and on up into the B-Line zone. Chatted briefly to some young'uns here then headed on up to the very top.
Into Throw The Goat and dusty bombing down down down, back and forth down and over and through and dropping and weaving. Nice descent, but I still baulked on the 2nd log jump. Passed some walkers not far below this, then wove on down to the bottom. Climby climb around in the hot sunshine and then up the guts track, cleaning it all to the Clifftop where we stopped for a nice breather and there was a spot I found with breeze and shadow, and Jet puffed and panted, hot tired doggy, while I had a bit of OSM and drank my fill. Got going again, into the old-school lead in towards Fight Club then had second thoughts and turned around and hit down Listerine Sandwich. What a funking waste of altitude. Straight down the hill, dropping dropping dropping, missing all the best bits of Fight Club and then entering it on the log-wall-corner thing, before the final drop down to the bottom. Pointless, like a listerine sandwich would be, I guess. Back into the climb up and around and then finished off the usual down past the tank and across into Epitaph back to the car.
Nice bit of riding in almost exactly one hour. 450 m altitude climbed, in 7.7kms...
Into Throw The Goat and dusty bombing down down down, back and forth down and over and through and dropping and weaving. Nice descent, but I still baulked on the 2nd log jump. Passed some walkers not far below this, then wove on down to the bottom. Climby climb around in the hot sunshine and then up the guts track, cleaning it all to the Clifftop where we stopped for a nice breather and there was a spot I found with breeze and shadow, and Jet puffed and panted, hot tired doggy, while I had a bit of OSM and drank my fill. Got going again, into the old-school lead in towards Fight Club then had second thoughts and turned around and hit down Listerine Sandwich. What a funking waste of altitude. Straight down the hill, dropping dropping dropping, missing all the best bits of Fight Club and then entering it on the log-wall-corner thing, before the final drop down to the bottom. Pointless, like a listerine sandwich would be, I guess. Back into the climb up and around and then finished off the usual down past the tank and across into Epitaph back to the car.
Nice bit of riding in almost exactly one hour. 450 m altitude climbed, in 7.7kms...
Saturday, March 05, 2016
Saturday shorty short woofy short
O and Jet and me headed up and parked up top of Worsley's for about 11am and headed up the main drag. Always over estimating his skill level, or under estimating how tech a trail is, and so we climbed and it showed me how tech the main drag actually is. He managed heaps, but quite a few bits caught him out. We just took our time and had a nice easy cruise on up. It also showed me how long it actually is, how normally I just jet on through it, but at his pace, each section seemed really long. Finally made the bottom of the body bag and up the climb to the forest. MMR told me at this point we'd actually only been riding 20mins, but it had been nearly an hour since we left the car!
I led off down into Tommy's. We bombed, jumped, stopped, bombed, jumped, wove and stopped. At one point we stopped and checked out a massive jump sequence off to the left. Got rolling again, debated doing Fight Club, but decided against it and headed off down through the Pylon gap and on down the trails on the left of the Guts track. then, out the bottom, and across to Epitaph and back to the car...
4.4kms and 230m of alt.
I led off down into Tommy's. We bombed, jumped, stopped, bombed, jumped, wove and stopped. At one point we stopped and checked out a massive jump sequence off to the left. Got rolling again, debated doing Fight Club, but decided against it and headed off down through the Pylon gap and on down the trails on the left of the Guts track. then, out the bottom, and across to Epitaph and back to the car...
4.4kms and 230m of alt.
Friday, March 04, 2016
Thursday Hunts Vern Witch Castle there and back again.
Nelson picked me up from work and we headed for the top of Huntsbury. Traffic reasonably manageable for a change. Parked up and an easterly was blowing through, making me cold, but I stayed at 1 layer and suffered til we got riding. Headed up, over the fence, and up the jumpy singletrack, checking out each jump as we passed, getting warmer as we climbed. Up over the gate and on up then over and up the airstrip onto the gravel grind to the top. Feeling alright, but not great either.
Onto Vernon and around a bit, stopping for a snack and air application for Nelson's tired tires. Breeze very pleasant across here. A few guys rolled through on their ways ups, and Nelson toyed with them by being super friendly. Off down, taking the old line, and then bombing down around the hill, my front wheel sketchy from too much air in the tire. Half way down the face above Rapaki we pulled up to let a bunch of climbers through, and there was one we recognised - Andy Pandy, out for a sneaky solo before having his 3rd knee drained on Friday and not riding for a while after that... No wind at all here, warm. Chatted for a bit then on our respective ways down (and up for him), railing down the trail to Rapaki Top, blazing through the masses here.
Straight into Witch Hill on the tails of a couple of guys who immediately struggled with the first tech. They let us past and we showed them how it was done. Cleaned it all round and up and over and down, then up the road, good pace to Castle Rock where there were a couple of older dudes chatting. Again, nicer here than at the car. We jumped in before them and proceeded to braaap down the trail, me struggling to see corners through Nelson's dust, but I kept tight on his tail the whole way. He would go into corners faster than me, but somehow I'd exit them quicker and be back on his tail immediately. After the first Hairpin he got a bit of a gap and then after the next one he stopped to apply a smidge more air pressure to his burped out tire. The oldie slowbos rolled past and we waited for some time before making our departure into the climb up and over and out to the road.
Up the road, to save time, and at the top we pushed the bikes up the ridge above the road to the walking track. I checked a text here, then we were off down towards the Tors, second time down here, nice wee trail, and some super tech at the bottom, which we rode more of this time. Down onto the road and then up onto the new walking track above it, cruising around this with its ups and downs. Rounded the final knoll and there was a massive posse of riders all over the road. We rolled through them, commenting, and into the Witch, clambering and climbing up and around over. Through Rapaki top and straight into the climb up Vernon, around. I stayed on Nels's tail til the climby bit above that wee pondy thing, and then he gapped me. I did catch sight of him a few times from then on tho. Eventually we got to the end, crossed the road, through another pile of bikers, and onto the Traverse. Bombed it around here and down through the rocks and tussocks out to the landing strip, rolling fast down through the smooth ground here.
Over the fence and onto the single track. Nelson dropped the big jump, and I bypassed it, and we rooosted won through the tussocks over the gate, and then jumped all the jumps (except the wooden one for me) down to the bottom, enjoying this so much we headed back up the main track all the way up through the cattle stops to above that pond and up the side track towards the watertank. then pushed up to the single track for round 2. This time I rolled into the drop jump, stopped. Eyed it. Nelson came back and I followed him in again, but stopped. Eyed it. Then he came back again and I followed him in and DROPPED it. Sweet. Done. No problems, will trade again. On down, tussock speedsville, over the gate, jump, jump, (bypass wooden), jump, berm - jump, jump, jump, ruts, rock drop, rutty corners, jump, double, and out to the stile. Done and dusted.
Not bad 17kms travailed and 700m climbed...All in all, a very pleasant evening.
Onto Vernon and around a bit, stopping for a snack and air application for Nelson's tired tires. Breeze very pleasant across here. A few guys rolled through on their ways ups, and Nelson toyed with them by being super friendly. Off down, taking the old line, and then bombing down around the hill, my front wheel sketchy from too much air in the tire. Half way down the face above Rapaki we pulled up to let a bunch of climbers through, and there was one we recognised - Andy Pandy, out for a sneaky solo before having his 3rd knee drained on Friday and not riding for a while after that... No wind at all here, warm. Chatted for a bit then on our respective ways down (and up for him), railing down the trail to Rapaki Top, blazing through the masses here.
Straight into Witch Hill on the tails of a couple of guys who immediately struggled with the first tech. They let us past and we showed them how it was done. Cleaned it all round and up and over and down, then up the road, good pace to Castle Rock where there were a couple of older dudes chatting. Again, nicer here than at the car. We jumped in before them and proceeded to braaap down the trail, me struggling to see corners through Nelson's dust, but I kept tight on his tail the whole way. He would go into corners faster than me, but somehow I'd exit them quicker and be back on his tail immediately. After the first Hairpin he got a bit of a gap and then after the next one he stopped to apply a smidge more air pressure to his burped out tire. The oldie slowbos rolled past and we waited for some time before making our departure into the climb up and over and out to the road.
Up the road, to save time, and at the top we pushed the bikes up the ridge above the road to the walking track. I checked a text here, then we were off down towards the Tors, second time down here, nice wee trail, and some super tech at the bottom, which we rode more of this time. Down onto the road and then up onto the new walking track above it, cruising around this with its ups and downs. Rounded the final knoll and there was a massive posse of riders all over the road. We rolled through them, commenting, and into the Witch, clambering and climbing up and around over. Through Rapaki top and straight into the climb up Vernon, around. I stayed on Nels's tail til the climby bit above that wee pondy thing, and then he gapped me. I did catch sight of him a few times from then on tho. Eventually we got to the end, crossed the road, through another pile of bikers, and onto the Traverse. Bombed it around here and down through the rocks and tussocks out to the landing strip, rolling fast down through the smooth ground here.
Over the fence and onto the single track. Nelson dropped the big jump, and I bypassed it, and we rooosted won through the tussocks over the gate, and then jumped all the jumps (except the wooden one for me) down to the bottom, enjoying this so much we headed back up the main track all the way up through the cattle stops to above that pond and up the side track towards the watertank. then pushed up to the single track for round 2. This time I rolled into the drop jump, stopped. Eyed it. Nelson came back and I followed him in again, but stopped. Eyed it. Then he came back again and I followed him in and DROPPED it. Sweet. Done. No problems, will trade again. On down, tussock speedsville, over the gate, jump, jump, (bypass wooden), jump, berm - jump, jump, jump, ruts, rock drop, rutty corners, jump, double, and out to the stile. Done and dusted.
Not bad 17kms travailed and 700m climbed...All in all, a very pleasant evening.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Thursday Climby Climb Climb
Nelson and me headed from mine to Sumner about 6pm and met out there a guy Tom who I'd met last weekend. He normally rode Worsley's forest on Thursdays but was keen for a change. So, unloaded at DotCom and 6.45ish headed up the road to Sumnervale and through the park to Das Kapitan. Tom sat in behind, challenged by the more technical aspects of the climb, but otherwise was a strong rider. We huffed and chuffed, and sweated up the Captain, walking the usual bits and eventually getting to the top. Here we met another biker on his way up the Summit Rd, who said, hopefully we'll get somewhere before we lose the light... It was just after 7 by this stage and we realised how long the shadows were looking. Hmmm...
Into the Godley, and Nelson neeaarly cleaned the first rocks. I stalled then walked, and Tom walked. Onwards, and Tom was very challenged by the technical terrain. He has no trouble stomping up the steeps in Worsleys, but when it comes to these rocks, he was almost floundering. Nelson soon gapped us, as I did Tom, and we regrouped at the landing strip. Changed order for the down, with Tom taking the lead, and him and Nelson charged off ahead, with me trailing a little further back. I think Nelson was pushing Tom and Tom had underestimated Nelson's speed capabilities, cos he was pushing him pretty hard from what I saw. I had some sketchy front wheel slide moments, but otherwise was a flowy fun downhill to Livingsston. I followed Tom into the climb and at the first couple of rocks he kinda stumbled, then nearly stopped in front of me on the next lot. Here he let me by and I continued ahead and then bombed the downhill around and across and round onto the rock and down to Breeze Col.
Into the wee climby trail above the road, around, first time up here for Tom, then around and onto the Breeze Bay track, which really impressed him. The sun had come below the clouds here so the view up Lyttelton Harbour was spectacular as we enjoyed the bluffs and exposure and sweet sweet trail riding. Cleaned the flax corner which is a first for a long time. Then fast downhill back to Breeze, and into th'Anaconda.
Fanging it round here, the two speedier speedsters gapping me a bit, then I lost my chain just after the cattlestop, so stopping to fix that they disappeared out of sight. I had a good bomb down into Taylors then along the 'Tail (meeting an idiot climbing rider who refused to give way) and down to the fellas. Brief chat about where to go, and off up the road, me lagging behind somewhat. Nelson decided to drag us up the walking track with the steep zigzags, and we proceeded to ride and walk to the GodleyHead Rd again.
Light was spectacular, under-lit clouds of a Nor'west sky (tho nice cool easterly blowing all the while), we climbed over the gate and around the road and over the gate and up the 4wd to the landing strip. Nelson, then me, then Tom headed off along the trail back to Evans. Light was getting lower, but was still good and the rocks were stally and bumpy, but had a good run. Both the others had wee crashes but I flowed on down.
Finally, into the Captain. I let Tom go ahead of me, but then was on his tail, so at the gate he stopped to put his seat down a bit more and I got in behind Nelson, eating his dust all the way down. Excellent descent, cleaning everything, nearly even the climb, and was nearly squinting to see the light was getting so low by the time we were on the lowest reaches before the last stile. Up the cul de sac and speed down the road back to DotCom, really needing flashy lights. 9ish by the time we made the car
23kms and 837m of climb! Quite a big ride on the scale of things...
Into the Godley, and Nelson neeaarly cleaned the first rocks. I stalled then walked, and Tom walked. Onwards, and Tom was very challenged by the technical terrain. He has no trouble stomping up the steeps in Worsleys, but when it comes to these rocks, he was almost floundering. Nelson soon gapped us, as I did Tom, and we regrouped at the landing strip. Changed order for the down, with Tom taking the lead, and him and Nelson charged off ahead, with me trailing a little further back. I think Nelson was pushing Tom and Tom had underestimated Nelson's speed capabilities, cos he was pushing him pretty hard from what I saw. I had some sketchy front wheel slide moments, but otherwise was a flowy fun downhill to Livingsston. I followed Tom into the climb and at the first couple of rocks he kinda stumbled, then nearly stopped in front of me on the next lot. Here he let me by and I continued ahead and then bombed the downhill around and across and round onto the rock and down to Breeze Col.
Into the wee climby trail above the road, around, first time up here for Tom, then around and onto the Breeze Bay track, which really impressed him. The sun had come below the clouds here so the view up Lyttelton Harbour was spectacular as we enjoyed the bluffs and exposure and sweet sweet trail riding. Cleaned the flax corner which is a first for a long time. Then fast downhill back to Breeze, and into th'Anaconda.
Fanging it round here, the two speedier speedsters gapping me a bit, then I lost my chain just after the cattlestop, so stopping to fix that they disappeared out of sight. I had a good bomb down into Taylors then along the 'Tail (meeting an idiot climbing rider who refused to give way) and down to the fellas. Brief chat about where to go, and off up the road, me lagging behind somewhat. Nelson decided to drag us up the walking track with the steep zigzags, and we proceeded to ride and walk to the GodleyHead Rd again.
Light was spectacular, under-lit clouds of a Nor'west sky (tho nice cool easterly blowing all the while), we climbed over the gate and around the road and over the gate and up the 4wd to the landing strip. Nelson, then me, then Tom headed off along the trail back to Evans. Light was getting lower, but was still good and the rocks were stally and bumpy, but had a good run. Both the others had wee crashes but I flowed on down.
Finally, into the Captain. I let Tom go ahead of me, but then was on his tail, so at the gate he stopped to put his seat down a bit more and I got in behind Nelson, eating his dust all the way down. Excellent descent, cleaning everything, nearly even the climb, and was nearly squinting to see the light was getting so low by the time we were on the lowest reaches before the last stile. Up the cul de sac and speed down the road back to DotCom, really needing flashy lights. 9ish by the time we made the car
23kms and 837m of climb! Quite a big ride on the scale of things...
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Saturday Craigieburnt Posse - Dickson's, Sidle, Ante-, Luge, Draco, Hoggage
8 am departure from home in the Fiat, heading for Sheffield meet-up. On Riccarton Rd I spotted a truck a couple of cars ahead with 4 familiar bikes onboard, so by the time we were on Yaldhurst Rd I'd tucked in behind and followed them the rest of the way, assuming the 4 owners would be there too. Arrival in Sheffield found the TFC truck and the red Stagea waiting, and only 2 got out of the S&T truck... hmmm. Then up Wayne and Pete rolled in two big Holdens (a genuine Walkinshaw, and a supercharged Monaro thing (600hp!) - being delivered back to their owners from the Coast, meeting half way. Off they headed first then we all followed, eventually Nelson and me leaving our cars at Castle Hill Village, transferring bikes to TFC truck and heading through with the Steviant, Andy (3 knees) and Tones. Caught up with the others at Craigieburn and headed up the road to park at the top of Dracophyllum Flat Track.
Off around towards the Environment Centre, Nelson had a plan to go on the walking track to climb up to where the Dickson's climb started, so off down in the opposite direction to where we wanted to be for to go up and around. This put the pressure on the boys with steep climbs getting many of them off and half killing Robin. His blood pressure and heart issues making the riding bloody hard for him, so we left him here, and he was gonna rest at the trucks a while. Off up the climb and into Dickson's. A lot moister than last week when Nelson and me did it. Made the clay in the dead forest really sketchy, but the flow through was still good. I had Pete breathing down my neck most of the way, but he backed off a bit for his own lines and we all regrouped just past the jump in the open before the final scrubby descent to the road. Steve got a wasp sting on the thigh on this descent.
Now it was a km or so along the road and into Sidle73, after I'd administered an anti-histamine to Steve. First grunty climb grunty as usual, and then it's flowy flowy around and about. Lost sight of Nelson and rode the whole thing on my own, catching him on the gravel road and the others appearing in short shrift behind. Regrouped at the gate (in the shade) then got on up the road, longer as usual and into the singletrack. Nelson spun out a couple of times before getting it. I got it, and continued to get the whole thing all the way up, which was mint, cos last time I thought I'd never do it again! 2 dabs, one on that rocky outcroppy thing, and one on that angled smooth log near the top. Heavy breathing and lots of sweating involved. The crew all arrived in no time and snackage had then on up the pinchy climb for the top. Cleaned everything bar about 3 metres - w00t! So much better than last time.
Lyndon Saddle and there were some rookies heading off down Mistletoe Track ("you're going the wrong way..." - "try the luge next time, it's heaps better"). Regrouped and then off. I led the way, and had Nelson and Pete tight on my tail the whole way. Not as slippery as I'd expected, but one or two spots I felt the wheel slipping but never too bad. I had one pile up where I couldn't steer fast enough and was stopped abruptly by a tree - Nelson having to take evasive action behind. The going got steeper and rootier and we were flying. I was being pretty careful, but it was still super fast. Finally into the bottomlands and cruising through to the bridge and done, hands utterly pumped. 3 riders here heading off up ahead while we waited the late arrivals, Andy, Wayno, Wazza, Steve, and finally Tones. Up the road to the trucks and a text from Robin saying he'd gone on ahead.
Into Draco-Flat Tack Track, Nelson then Pete then Me. Following Pete I was thinking "how the fuck is he doing that!?" then realising I was doing the same! Kept him in reasonable sight for most of the descent, having a few moments and close calls in the process, but he disappeared round the final corner pretty quick and I only had glimpses of him ahead on the final blaze down towards the river. I could sure hear their braking as I approached the bottom tho. Pete was stopped on the bridge adjusting chain(?) and Nelson had jetted on ahead, so I just moseyed on up the climb, again only walking a short section before managing to continue on up. All alone across Dracophyllum Flat, Nelson long gone, and I's about a third of the way across when I looked back and could see Pete. Cruise cruise cruise through down around and into the climby bits. Eventually, on one of the first tight hairpins Pete was behind me and followed me up the final climbs to the Solar repeater thing where Nelson was snacking. Everyone rolled up in (pleasantly, surprisingly) short time, tail end Tones last. And we could see Robin's top making it's way up the Hog's Back in the distance. Into the ride again, Nelson leading and Pete pushing me along, swoopy fun section though this forest, then over a boardwalky bridge thing, pinch climb then descending again around and down across flats, fast blast down in and out of trees, then around and down to the river crossing. Another regroup and Nelson and Pete getting water, then Steve, Wazza and me led the climb up, grunting our ways up the steep.
Up Texas Flat and Nelson, Wazza, me taking the lead on the Hog's climb. First time ever, I think, cleaned the whole damned thing. Grinding away, the pain nearly insufferable. Finally around the corner, through the tree'd switchbacks then on up the back of the 'Back and the seemingly endless stretch to Picnic Rock. I'd spotted Robin just disappearing as Nelson got up there. Then once the others arrived we all watched his red shirt in the distance for some time. Nelsie led off and we chased, blazing down through the moonscape and into the forest, fun and fast. After the bridge on the long descent we met a 3 girls and a guy climbing, the guy getting back on right in front of me and having to get off as I swept through, "Sorry...!" I remarked. Down and around some more and then splooosh through the ford and scramble scramble up the climb to Robin. Yet another regroup here and the view of the trail ahead showing us the last climb. Jetted off into the rolly descent then around some woopdedoos and climbing again, past the dead tree and up the very final steep and off down the ridge, ruts-villainy, before dropping over the side into the forest and rocketshipping down the trail. Wheels scuffing as the braking is unweighted as you're flying over a lip. I came round one corner and 'oh shit' there's a kid and a dad, bikes just to the side, I'm in the air, brakes on, landing and reining in the speed to sweep past them 'safely', then on into speed mode again, passing the next kid and flying onwards. Fantastic fun. Out onto the road, then Pete, who was raving about that last kid, who was the next to arrive, with great style.
Final blast down to the car and I loaded up and got going, Nostalgia Fest to be enjoyed in the sun with the Chch-massive, Phoenix Foundation playing a bloody good set.
Just under 30kms, and just under 900m alt. Good ride.
Off around towards the Environment Centre, Nelson had a plan to go on the walking track to climb up to where the Dickson's climb started, so off down in the opposite direction to where we wanted to be for to go up and around. This put the pressure on the boys with steep climbs getting many of them off and half killing Robin. His blood pressure and heart issues making the riding bloody hard for him, so we left him here, and he was gonna rest at the trucks a while. Off up the climb and into Dickson's. A lot moister than last week when Nelson and me did it. Made the clay in the dead forest really sketchy, but the flow through was still good. I had Pete breathing down my neck most of the way, but he backed off a bit for his own lines and we all regrouped just past the jump in the open before the final scrubby descent to the road. Steve got a wasp sting on the thigh on this descent.
Now it was a km or so along the road and into Sidle73, after I'd administered an anti-histamine to Steve. First grunty climb grunty as usual, and then it's flowy flowy around and about. Lost sight of Nelson and rode the whole thing on my own, catching him on the gravel road and the others appearing in short shrift behind. Regrouped at the gate (in the shade) then got on up the road, longer as usual and into the singletrack. Nelson spun out a couple of times before getting it. I got it, and continued to get the whole thing all the way up, which was mint, cos last time I thought I'd never do it again! 2 dabs, one on that rocky outcroppy thing, and one on that angled smooth log near the top. Heavy breathing and lots of sweating involved. The crew all arrived in no time and snackage had then on up the pinchy climb for the top. Cleaned everything bar about 3 metres - w00t! So much better than last time.
Lyndon Saddle and there were some rookies heading off down Mistletoe Track ("you're going the wrong way..." - "try the luge next time, it's heaps better"). Regrouped and then off. I led the way, and had Nelson and Pete tight on my tail the whole way. Not as slippery as I'd expected, but one or two spots I felt the wheel slipping but never too bad. I had one pile up where I couldn't steer fast enough and was stopped abruptly by a tree - Nelson having to take evasive action behind. The going got steeper and rootier and we were flying. I was being pretty careful, but it was still super fast. Finally into the bottomlands and cruising through to the bridge and done, hands utterly pumped. 3 riders here heading off up ahead while we waited the late arrivals, Andy, Wayno, Wazza, Steve, and finally Tones. Up the road to the trucks and a text from Robin saying he'd gone on ahead.
Into Draco-Flat Tack Track, Nelson then Pete then Me. Following Pete I was thinking "how the fuck is he doing that!?" then realising I was doing the same! Kept him in reasonable sight for most of the descent, having a few moments and close calls in the process, but he disappeared round the final corner pretty quick and I only had glimpses of him ahead on the final blaze down towards the river. I could sure hear their braking as I approached the bottom tho. Pete was stopped on the bridge adjusting chain(?) and Nelson had jetted on ahead, so I just moseyed on up the climb, again only walking a short section before managing to continue on up. All alone across Dracophyllum Flat, Nelson long gone, and I's about a third of the way across when I looked back and could see Pete. Cruise cruise cruise through down around and into the climby bits. Eventually, on one of the first tight hairpins Pete was behind me and followed me up the final climbs to the Solar repeater thing where Nelson was snacking. Everyone rolled up in (pleasantly, surprisingly) short time, tail end Tones last. And we could see Robin's top making it's way up the Hog's Back in the distance. Into the ride again, Nelson leading and Pete pushing me along, swoopy fun section though this forest, then over a boardwalky bridge thing, pinch climb then descending again around and down across flats, fast blast down in and out of trees, then around and down to the river crossing. Another regroup and Nelson and Pete getting water, then Steve, Wazza and me led the climb up, grunting our ways up the steep.
Up Texas Flat and Nelson, Wazza, me taking the lead on the Hog's climb. First time ever, I think, cleaned the whole damned thing. Grinding away, the pain nearly insufferable. Finally around the corner, through the tree'd switchbacks then on up the back of the 'Back and the seemingly endless stretch to Picnic Rock. I'd spotted Robin just disappearing as Nelson got up there. Then once the others arrived we all watched his red shirt in the distance for some time. Nelsie led off and we chased, blazing down through the moonscape and into the forest, fun and fast. After the bridge on the long descent we met a 3 girls and a guy climbing, the guy getting back on right in front of me and having to get off as I swept through, "Sorry...!" I remarked. Down and around some more and then splooosh through the ford and scramble scramble up the climb to Robin. Yet another regroup here and the view of the trail ahead showing us the last climb. Jetted off into the rolly descent then around some woopdedoos and climbing again, past the dead tree and up the very final steep and off down the ridge, ruts-villainy, before dropping over the side into the forest and rocketshipping down the trail. Wheels scuffing as the braking is unweighted as you're flying over a lip. I came round one corner and 'oh shit' there's a kid and a dad, bikes just to the side, I'm in the air, brakes on, landing and reining in the speed to sweep past them 'safely', then on into speed mode again, passing the next kid and flying onwards. Fantastic fun. Out onto the road, then Pete, who was raving about that last kid, who was the next to arrive, with great style.
Final blast down to the car and I loaded up and got going, Nostalgia Fest to be enjoyed in the sun with the Chch-massive, Phoenix Foundation playing a bloody good set.
Just under 30kms, and just under 900m alt. Good ride.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Sunday eastern Posse
Nelson's car was at mine after our collection of a new one for him from Temuka on Wednesday, so on Saturday he dropped the Nukeproof off and then Sunday he left home after 6am and biked down the plains and here, 47kms total. We headed in his car round to Steve's and found there Pete, Steve, Wazza, Wayne and Tones. Off round to Ramahana and up the hill, chatting away as usual - for it had been a while since we'd all caught up. Topped out the seal and then on up the gravel, regrouping again at the Summit Rd. Many riders passing by while we waited.
Next into Vernon, nice flowy descent, only a couple of approaching climbers, then across the top of Rapaki, with the hoards milling about here. Pretty much straight into Witch Hill and climbing, cleaning everything, Nelson on my tail pushing me along faster than I'd normally find comfy, but that's good. Up the road, chatting to a Krampus rider on the way, before watching him and his slowpoke riders pick their way down Castlerock Track. We dived in, me first, Nelson following, then Pete and the rest, after them, overtaking them part way down the face, then fanging it through to the first hairpin at a mental speed. Nelson caught me at the bend, then I jetted away again to the next corner, then he was on my tail up the climb, me bashing pedals a few times on random rocks. Rolled out into the Bridle Path top and regrouped again.
Off round under the Gondola, passing some walking people on the road below the bluffs, and Nelson commented to me about not wanting to be going slow through here... (I wonder how they fared in the 5.7 shake that hit a few hours later?). Rather than grovelling up that steep section of track from Cavendish Saddle, we opted to stay on the road a little further, then waited as Pete, Wayne, Steve and Tony rolled up - Wazza had headed up the grovel. Tony and Steve took Britten, the rest of us up the 'new' climb, seeing Wazza above and chasing him down. Only Nelson managed to reel him in, and then not until the gate.
Up top and off down the rocky singletrack, trying out the new, very direct, line. Then over the stile and blazing, weaving and popping down through the rocks then the tussocks and flying round into the top of Greenwood and down to find Steve and Tony awaiting at the ruins. Snackage had, sun enjoyed, and off again. Me leading for some reason, and Nelson pretty tight on my heels. Rolled through most stuff pretty good, not too many stalls on the rough, but a bit muppetty in the top couple of hairpins. Good rolling down through the tight rock gap and pumping around to Gloomy. Through here and my usual tiredness here made me slow a bit, rolling rest then into the rocky descent and flowing through and around through Dave's bits and into the valley and down the fast face to the bastard rock-up. I stalled, Nelson practically ran into me and would have made it were it not for me. Last blast down and around and finally a rest on the road below. The boys all rolled in at staggered spacing and a regroup was had.
Into the Captain, Nelson in the lead. Blasted down it all, cleaning everything nicely, but blowing out the wee climb after the rocky challenges. Then down the last open spaces, hairpins, taking the Cabbage Tree bonus, and the flat tack chasing down the last two bits to the creek and over the stile. Everyone else rolled in and we headed down the steps and through Sumnervale then down to Dot Com for coffees. Andy, with bursitis of the knee, had come out in his car to join us. Tony taking off early. Eventually we were all off again, Steve setting the pace all the way through Moncks and Redcliffs and nice tail wind down the Causeway, Nelson overtaking then me, near the end, giving Steve a rest by taking the lead for a bit. Pete peeled off at the bridge, and the rest of us went round the towpath, dropping Wazza at the roundabout then what was left of us headed back for Steve's, Nelson giving me a lift home from there, and picking up his other bike from mine.
Reasonable sized loop, with surprising amount of climb - 34kms, over 900 alt. And a couple hours after we'd finished, we were lucky not to be on the trails - I wonder how many rocks tumbled on Capt Thomas!?
Next into Vernon, nice flowy descent, only a couple of approaching climbers, then across the top of Rapaki, with the hoards milling about here. Pretty much straight into Witch Hill and climbing, cleaning everything, Nelson on my tail pushing me along faster than I'd normally find comfy, but that's good. Up the road, chatting to a Krampus rider on the way, before watching him and his slowpoke riders pick their way down Castlerock Track. We dived in, me first, Nelson following, then Pete and the rest, after them, overtaking them part way down the face, then fanging it through to the first hairpin at a mental speed. Nelson caught me at the bend, then I jetted away again to the next corner, then he was on my tail up the climb, me bashing pedals a few times on random rocks. Rolled out into the Bridle Path top and regrouped again.
Off round under the Gondola, passing some walking people on the road below the bluffs, and Nelson commented to me about not wanting to be going slow through here... (I wonder how they fared in the 5.7 shake that hit a few hours later?). Rather than grovelling up that steep section of track from Cavendish Saddle, we opted to stay on the road a little further, then waited as Pete, Wayne, Steve and Tony rolled up - Wazza had headed up the grovel. Tony and Steve took Britten, the rest of us up the 'new' climb, seeing Wazza above and chasing him down. Only Nelson managed to reel him in, and then not until the gate.
Up top and off down the rocky singletrack, trying out the new, very direct, line. Then over the stile and blazing, weaving and popping down through the rocks then the tussocks and flying round into the top of Greenwood and down to find Steve and Tony awaiting at the ruins. Snackage had, sun enjoyed, and off again. Me leading for some reason, and Nelson pretty tight on my heels. Rolled through most stuff pretty good, not too many stalls on the rough, but a bit muppetty in the top couple of hairpins. Good rolling down through the tight rock gap and pumping around to Gloomy. Through here and my usual tiredness here made me slow a bit, rolling rest then into the rocky descent and flowing through and around through Dave's bits and into the valley and down the fast face to the bastard rock-up. I stalled, Nelson practically ran into me and would have made it were it not for me. Last blast down and around and finally a rest on the road below. The boys all rolled in at staggered spacing and a regroup was had.
Into the Captain, Nelson in the lead. Blasted down it all, cleaning everything nicely, but blowing out the wee climb after the rocky challenges. Then down the last open spaces, hairpins, taking the Cabbage Tree bonus, and the flat tack chasing down the last two bits to the creek and over the stile. Everyone else rolled in and we headed down the steps and through Sumnervale then down to Dot Com for coffees. Andy, with bursitis of the knee, had come out in his car to join us. Tony taking off early. Eventually we were all off again, Steve setting the pace all the way through Moncks and Redcliffs and nice tail wind down the Causeway, Nelson overtaking then me, near the end, giving Steve a rest by taking the lead for a bit. Pete peeled off at the bridge, and the rest of us went round the towpath, dropping Wazza at the roundabout then what was left of us headed back for Steve's, Nelson giving me a lift home from there, and picking up his other bike from mine.
Reasonable sized loop, with surprising amount of climb - 34kms, over 900 alt. And a couple hours after we'd finished, we were lucky not to be on the trails - I wonder how many rocks tumbled on Capt Thomas!?
Friday, February 05, 2016
Thursday Sidle, Anti-, Luge, Dickson's, Draco, Hog
One of the hottest days of the year in Chch, over 30 degrees of exhausting nor'west heat. Nelson had a measure-up job at Castle Hill, so the plan was to meet at Sheffield and proceed out there in one car to have a ride after the job. But, I struggled to get out of town, getting gas, checking tires, grabbing a beer from Punky Brewster, so by the time I finally made the Old West Coast Rd he was pretty much already out there. He went ahead and I followed on all the way out. This ended up benefiting us, as we could leave my car at Castle Hill.
Drove round and parked at Broken River and proceeded into Sidle 73. First grunty wee climb and I found myself struggling right from the start. Cruised down to the Craigieburn Rd and headed on up the coarse gravel. Into the Anti-Luge, steeeep little start catching me out immediately, and the struggling began. I felt utterly ratshit and had no strength or power and head was spinning and unfocused and I just felt weak, from here onwards, and on every single climb we did all the way out. I walked a few bits I was so weak and rode, and eventually Nelson was waiting at the intersection, then it was up towards Lindon Saddle, first steep rooty bits making me walk, but managed to ride more further up. Into the Luge, I led the way with Nelson filming behind, but I dropped him as I rocketshipped away from him, because he was struggling with a stiff back from working with his sheep the day before. Wonderful flowy speed, leaping over root sections and railing berms, felt on fire, and marvelous. Seemed to be no time at all and I was into the steeper rooty bits lower down. Stopped a couple of times for Nelson to catch up, but rocketted away from him each time. Fantastic descent. and over so soon, across the boardwalks and bridge to finish.
Up the road, my climb-grovel beginning to kick in quickly. Longer than memory serves, but made the top of Draco and headed left for an explore, towards the Environment Centre, staying on the gravel road around above this and up to a wee saddle. Then it was up a new singletrack (which we could see in the distance) and sidled around to another wee saddle just off Bridge Hill. Nelson, obviously, was ahead and headed on up to the left, to the top of this hill and here we looked for Dickson's Downhill track. Eventually I pulled out my phone and loaded up a map and discovered we'd passed it at the last wee saddle, so, back down to here and into it. MINT. This track just kept giving and giving. First, across a slope with a (from a distance) intimidating fence gap jump (which wasn't), and into a dying/dead forest of poisoned pines, not losing too much altitude and with whoopdedoo jumps here and there, and one mucky bog hole, then through grassland and across frostflats with awesome drops and the into tight beech forest for more descending at ridiculous speeds. Dusty at times and I was tight on Nelson's tail the whole way. Eventually down beside a ridge, and through shrubland back and forth and finally across the flats at the road. Over a fence and along the road a bit and into the old (closed) road to the saddle we'd started at above the Envt Centre... Steep granny grovel through more poisoned pines, about 15 minutes for me (took Nelson 10). Bit of food and refresh here then back round the gravel road above the Envt Centre, mostly down, but small up, and we were back at the top of Dracophyllum Flat tack Track.
Into this I led, and bombed down it. Leaping whole sections of roots, catching air on boosters, railing around corners, flying. At one stage a cross blackbird was caught by surprise and panic-flew alongside for 10s of metres. Caught at least one tree with my handlebars, scuff! and powered on. Nelson did a better job of staying on my tail this time, slowly winding me in as his back loosened up. Last few corners slowed me down a bit then it was down the fast loose descent towards the river. On the bridge, breathing hard. Nelson passed me by and headed on up the climb while I hit it and died. Off, walking for a while through the steep switchback section, finally riding a bit once it mellowed out, and onto the actual Dracophyllum Flat. Much nicer condition to nearly 3 years ago when we last did this, in the muck. Flowed across the flat and into the trees, and climbing around through more flats and into the forest again, climbing and descending a couple times before climbing finally up. Walking again, NOTHING in the legs. Eventually I made it out of the forest and across to die next to the solar panel repeater boxes. Another small rest and off down, following Nelson towards Texas Flat. Bomby flow down through the jumpy forest, nearly overcooking some bits, but managing to survive, and across the boardwalk, dying on the wee climb following. Down again, slowly building up speed, Nelson well and truly on form now, rocketting away from me. Flowy flowy down, down then around and down to the creek crossing and the nasty grunting climb, most of which I walked. Then the cruise meander up towards the start of the Hogs Back, Nelson in the distance and disappearing straight up into the climb ahead.
I stopped and drank some of my Ovari Juice before tackling the climb, which had me off walking in no time. Combination of dehydration, heat-exhaustion and maybe a little worn out from the running is what I reckon's caused it. The pie from Sheffield probably didn't help either, not giving me any accessible carbs to work off. No power. Finally rode again after the steepest bit, and up to the corner where Nelson was waiting. From here we had the next climbs through trees and across the open lands up towards Picnic Rock where I wanted to collapse. Less than a year since I was last up here was on the fatty, with the boy. Into the descent, Nelson in the lead and me following, staying on his tail for the first downs, popping and weaving through the sketchy frostscrubbed land and into the occasional trees, but at the very first up I practically stopped, where he somehow managed to power on. Fast descents followed by slow climbs proceeded through the next sections, crossing the two river/creeks, one by bridge, the later one by ford, out of which I stumbled, walking up to find Nelson waiting. Snacked up a little more here, with the end practically in sight.
Just one more section of fans to cross then the last climb, most of which I walked, to the dead tree and ridge before our final blast down the ridge and into the forest, where warpspeed was engaged and our highest speeds overall were found. Blasting down through the forest, passing a walking woman, and finally reaching the end, for a cruise down across the flats and back to my car, Funk Estate Sophisticuffs awaiting. I struggled to enjoy the beer, as I was so utterly spent.
Biiig ride. Nearly 30 kms, and over 1000m climbed. No wonder I's so knackered.
Drove round and parked at Broken River and proceeded into Sidle 73. First grunty wee climb and I found myself struggling right from the start. Cruised down to the Craigieburn Rd and headed on up the coarse gravel. Into the Anti-Luge, steeeep little start catching me out immediately, and the struggling began. I felt utterly ratshit and had no strength or power and head was spinning and unfocused and I just felt weak, from here onwards, and on every single climb we did all the way out. I walked a few bits I was so weak and rode, and eventually Nelson was waiting at the intersection, then it was up towards Lindon Saddle, first steep rooty bits making me walk, but managed to ride more further up. Into the Luge, I led the way with Nelson filming behind, but I dropped him as I rocketshipped away from him, because he was struggling with a stiff back from working with his sheep the day before. Wonderful flowy speed, leaping over root sections and railing berms, felt on fire, and marvelous. Seemed to be no time at all and I was into the steeper rooty bits lower down. Stopped a couple of times for Nelson to catch up, but rocketted away from him each time. Fantastic descent. and over so soon, across the boardwalks and bridge to finish.
Up the road, my climb-grovel beginning to kick in quickly. Longer than memory serves, but made the top of Draco and headed left for an explore, towards the Environment Centre, staying on the gravel road around above this and up to a wee saddle. Then it was up a new singletrack (which we could see in the distance) and sidled around to another wee saddle just off Bridge Hill. Nelson, obviously, was ahead and headed on up to the left, to the top of this hill and here we looked for Dickson's Downhill track. Eventually I pulled out my phone and loaded up a map and discovered we'd passed it at the last wee saddle, so, back down to here and into it. MINT. This track just kept giving and giving. First, across a slope with a (from a distance) intimidating fence gap jump (which wasn't), and into a dying/dead forest of poisoned pines, not losing too much altitude and with whoopdedoo jumps here and there, and one mucky bog hole, then through grassland and across frostflats with awesome drops and the into tight beech forest for more descending at ridiculous speeds. Dusty at times and I was tight on Nelson's tail the whole way. Eventually down beside a ridge, and through shrubland back and forth and finally across the flats at the road. Over a fence and along the road a bit and into the old (closed) road to the saddle we'd started at above the Envt Centre... Steep granny grovel through more poisoned pines, about 15 minutes for me (took Nelson 10). Bit of food and refresh here then back round the gravel road above the Envt Centre, mostly down, but small up, and we were back at the top of Dracophyllum Flat tack Track.
Into this I led, and bombed down it. Leaping whole sections of roots, catching air on boosters, railing around corners, flying. At one stage a cross blackbird was caught by surprise and panic-flew alongside for 10s of metres. Caught at least one tree with my handlebars, scuff! and powered on. Nelson did a better job of staying on my tail this time, slowly winding me in as his back loosened up. Last few corners slowed me down a bit then it was down the fast loose descent towards the river. On the bridge, breathing hard. Nelson passed me by and headed on up the climb while I hit it and died. Off, walking for a while through the steep switchback section, finally riding a bit once it mellowed out, and onto the actual Dracophyllum Flat. Much nicer condition to nearly 3 years ago when we last did this, in the muck. Flowed across the flat and into the trees, and climbing around through more flats and into the forest again, climbing and descending a couple times before climbing finally up. Walking again, NOTHING in the legs. Eventually I made it out of the forest and across to die next to the solar panel repeater boxes. Another small rest and off down, following Nelson towards Texas Flat. Bomby flow down through the jumpy forest, nearly overcooking some bits, but managing to survive, and across the boardwalk, dying on the wee climb following. Down again, slowly building up speed, Nelson well and truly on form now, rocketting away from me. Flowy flowy down, down then around and down to the creek crossing and the nasty grunting climb, most of which I walked. Then the cruise meander up towards the start of the Hogs Back, Nelson in the distance and disappearing straight up into the climb ahead.
I stopped and drank some of my Ovari Juice before tackling the climb, which had me off walking in no time. Combination of dehydration, heat-exhaustion and maybe a little worn out from the running is what I reckon's caused it. The pie from Sheffield probably didn't help either, not giving me any accessible carbs to work off. No power. Finally rode again after the steepest bit, and up to the corner where Nelson was waiting. From here we had the next climbs through trees and across the open lands up towards Picnic Rock where I wanted to collapse. Less than a year since I was last up here was on the fatty, with the boy. Into the descent, Nelson in the lead and me following, staying on his tail for the first downs, popping and weaving through the sketchy frostscrubbed land and into the occasional trees, but at the very first up I practically stopped, where he somehow managed to power on. Fast descents followed by slow climbs proceeded through the next sections, crossing the two river/creeks, one by bridge, the later one by ford, out of which I stumbled, walking up to find Nelson waiting. Snacked up a little more here, with the end practically in sight.
Just one more section of fans to cross then the last climb, most of which I walked, to the dead tree and ridge before our final blast down the ridge and into the forest, where warpspeed was engaged and our highest speeds overall were found. Blasting down through the forest, passing a walking woman, and finally reaching the end, for a cruise down across the flats and back to my car, Funk Estate Sophisticuffs awaiting. I struggled to enjoy the beer, as I was so utterly spent.
Biiig ride. Nearly 30 kms, and over 1000m climbed. No wonder I's so knackered.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
