Illicit Stoogilicious Sundowner

Groovy ride. Rapid departure from work and home in no time to leap on the Stooge to meet T on the Summit for a Sundowner. Nice DVB Wizardry for me and a GoGo Juice for her. Watched the sun sink behind the mountains then I was racing the darkness home. Hairy times in the woods. Hairy times... Sketch a f.

Sunday Sweet Date Ride Walk

Rode with my sweet, walking. Worked surprisingly well and gave a reasonably low impact Stooge treatment for my injured knee, with good company. Finally got to show her my new locals, too.

We headed up from home, not really planning to stay together the whole time but then it just worked out that way.  Up the wheelchair track over the info-centre hill knoll (what is a bike if not a wheelchair? It's got a seat; it's got wheels!), then up over 19th the way I always go, then up the steep from skidder, Tra'y walking along with me the whole way.  Then up top of Vic and we cruised along the Traverse.  It worked pretty well, it was slow for me along here, but all the climbs were pretty even, and I'd just stop and let (very few out) riders or runners (lots of them) through and then wait for T to catch up.  I took this picture just before the Lavaflow and that's where my MMR stopped. 

Continued around, rolling downs, coasting ups, stopping, waiting, rolling together when possible.  It was really nice.  At end of Traverse we went across the road and into Scott's Knob.  I realised how much I like this trail.  It's got some interesting tech, especially when greasy.  On the second knob we stopped and checked out the rope net.  Amazing, cellular looking literal sculpture.  

At the pond we popped across the road and back around the rest of the Traverse to Vic.  Worm down to rabbit, and I showed T my usual way through the rocks, pines, gums, the steepest bits proving tricky for her, but mostly good.  Then down from gums to gate, she didn't necessarily know this route.  Then, across the road and into Heavenly, she'd never been through before and I think quite liked it.  Finally, the last section, I showed her my tree clearance, and the way to Sleepy Hollow - which she dug.  Then at the 'to H'Ell' track she peeled off, I finished off my favourite ending and we hooked up at the neighbours' driveway again.   

MMR stuffed up when I took the pic. A very similar route to this one, this one from a few weeks back just minus the bit where I rode back along the Summit Rd, so more like 11 or 12 kms, and similar 400 odd m climbed. 

Thursday Night Greenwood, Richmond Valley Newby

Good hoof with Nelsie tonight. Rode up the usual Santa Maria, Assissi, Drayton, Mt Pleasant from his, taking Madeley, Major Horny, then Long-Clear-Ridge-View to Upper and into the start of Britten when I realised I hadn't turned on my Map - 3ish kms and a couple hundy metres missed(!)... Climbed Britten, road, OG entrance to Greenwood for a bony rocky mucky descent.  They're working on it at the moment and have spraypainted yellow spots on 'offending' rocks.  To me, the yellow spots are completely offensive, drawing the eye and totally mucking up the flow.  So many of the rocks they've spotted dont need removing!  And some of the work already done is a mess, but I guess it'll bed in and wash away a bit over the next few.  Anyway, it was better once we got below the paint.  Lower half was good.  

Onto the Summit Rd for a steady climb up to the big pines.  Dropped over into Frog Pond, been a while since down here, and it's running pretty good.  It's a weird change lower down with all the trees gone.  Then Nelson had spotted a new trail the other day with Kirsty, so we headed down into the valley (as if we were heading across to Richmond Hill) and then off down this new track.  Got some flow on and then >SMACK< my pedal hit a rock, throwing me up and out of control, ragdolling my left knee into a rock and tumbling over onto the ground.  Handlebars/stem were tweaked crooked, so had to straighten them, got back on and followed Nelson down.  He'd been entirely unaware I crashed.  Rest of the way was nice, with some interesting tech, and a back and forth in the valley that's quite cool.  Tight and twisty, with one walking rock tech bit with lots of exposure.  

Out of the trees onto Richmond Hill Rd and out into Sumner for the cruise around the waterfront bike path.  Into McCormacks/Drayton, climbing (and me walking a few more spots than usual) and back to his.  Knee: Sore but not as mashed as I'd expected, thankfully.

Nelson's map with the actual distance... 19 kms, 740 climbed

Tuesday Night Jeht Hoon

Sounds like some Korean dude: Jet Hoon... Another night another ride, different bike similar trails. Nice fun, Tawhairanui, singletrack, pushed my way up Pop'n'Fresh - man it's big! There's a lot of space in there but an uphill trail would be tricky to place. I reckon there's a way but it would probably have to meander back and forth across Popnfresh, skirting into Gums a little, and the top bit would probably need to cut into the sidling entrance I usually take across from the Rocks below the pines. Could work.  Another option would be to chuck it through the fence and zig and zag up in the grasslands beyond.

Next it was up the rabbit paddock, up onto Thompsons both, both ways, down and back up, then around the jumps and back down Rabbit into rocks pines gums. Exit over Skidder, dropping down Razza's, Sneaky, up the usual down and into Uprooted for a good hard climb. Then over Skidder again into the Heavenly blast on singletrack home. 

All in all a good time. I had a lot of interactions with possums tho. Should put some effort into taking a few out... 

7.17 kms and 296 m clambered

Monday After-Dinner, Mint Stooge

Stooged about on the hill tonight. Nice wee hoon, not too high but some sweet climbs and fun descending.  

Up the walking path just above the road, over onto Tawhairanui, then back up the wheelchair track to the Info Centre, then down the back of that and up over the 19th.  At skidder I took the middle road across to the exit of Fenceline, explored down Flow-Rider but found it a tad double-black, pushed back up and hit Cool Runnings which was a bit of fun, tho not very jumpy cos I just dont know it anymore.  Out the bottom and up Uprooted, nice climb, checking out where it hits Razzas this time.  then over from Skidder and down the usual, into Heavenly Creatures for a very flowy and fun bash.  All the way down, with good speed.  Clamber, road, home.   

A smidge over 5 kms and a peaky little 188 m climbed

Sunday Stuffed Short Stooge

Nice quick planting this morning at Wilmers Rd and still feeling the effects of Gryph's 21st on Friday night.  

I hauled my aging carcass up the hill on the Stooge. Air pumping into my lungs and oxygen burning hard in the meat wrapped around my bones. Gasping, I was. Up the usuals, road, dogparkcarparkstart, climbing sleepy out up walktrack to 19th, skidder, grinder to top of Vic.  Blipped off down both Thomson's, and back up the top one, up to the carpark, then down around the jumpies, peeling into Worm and realising there was nowhere that way I actually wanted to go (couldn't be arsed going out the Traverse, or Fenceline, or Pedal...), so back around for a second go on the jump and into the rabbit paddock, down through rocks pines gums, exiting out through Skidder and over into Shazza's, all the way down through the newer bit and instead of heading into Brents or Macros hung a hard left towards Sneaky, and tight into Corporate Ladder, down this for the first time and it's not ideal.  Down into the valley and up Uprooted (nearly finished! - it's amazing), over Skidder again into the trees and stopped for a wee break where I often do just to take in the airs.  Drinking much water and a half-half-a-one-square, then the rest of the singletrack from here and into Heavenly Hollows, all the way, and stopped right near the bottom to try to work out my new exit option...  (I think I've got it). 

Stoogelicious 7.7 kms and 320 odd climbed.

Keeping our Wits About Us on View Hill in Matariki Weather.

T and me left Little Brook at 10.15ish.  She walked and I rode at her pace. Nice conversational cruise. Sunshine and rain. Cold but well dressed for the occasion. 

(Around an hour and a half in)

Steep walking or if too slippy. 2 hours we were past the gate, another 20 to the top in cloud and bitter wind. 

(at the top - bitterly cold wind driven fog)

T set off down and I had to head over to the leeward side (where we'd just been resting) finish my half-half-one-square before setting off (she ate hers as she walked). Down the ridge, into the freezing wind and cloud moisture, to find T a little lost.  Guided her over and stayed with her for a while after that, keeping close until the gate, with riding treacherously slippery and rough. Her running was almost faster. 

Below the gate I got a bit more speed on, saying my goodbye to her. Rough as guts, and slippery to boot, speed and flow was not the way of the ride, until, the odd section. Then the smoother gravel. Lots of speed here but needing to keep it toned. Carefully, carefully down the concrete channeled section, feeling almost a little out of control but then gradually releasing the gravity beast and gaining velocity up, up into a crescendo, tires on gravel, wind, everything rushing quickly toward me. My old friend rapido-speed. Rolling rapidly, so comfortably, through past the Craw (Andrew? Was that you?) on the ladder, "gudday," "gudday."

Now the next gravel, a few pedal strokes once the speed was low enough for top gear, over the rise and coasting again, lovely brakes-unneeded descent to the seal, then down around main descent. Coasting faster and faster, no pedaling no braking needed until a couple of wee checks for corners. Bliss. Such a good speed and view and comfort level of flow and road and machine and body all working perfectly together.  And a rainbow that I rode into before coming round on the bridge and lovely trees and bush either side and there was rain, all down here lit by the sun, floaty-motey droplets. Past the church and around past a woman walking entirely unaware of my approach and likely just as unaware of my departure. Speed building, shooting down past the beach, easing around the corner and, find the gear, start cranking... Final driveway, stopped and chatted with Adrian for a bit., then cranked on up the drive...

A reasonable 15.15 kms, and at least 762 m climbed (even if MMR only says it was 746...).

Nicely Decanted. Thursday's Troll, cattlestop trip-trapping.

Tra'y walking, me on Troll, up Menzies Bay Rd. Bye at the top and rolling, rolling, eyes watering, gravel-control, through the valley bottom then climbing, past the onga-onga, gently climbing, onwards and updwards, and stopping to take in the surging foam on the Decanters, then climbing, looking at the Millenium dawn walk Memorial (and time capsule (they're dreaming, "dont open until 2500," indeed!)) on up the road climbing still, past the yards, over the next cattlestop, around past the shed and shelterbelt, through the next cattlestop and only a little way further towards the first high point, turned back here, on account of Williams boy working the cattle, possibly to the road.  

Rolled back down, gaining nice speed to gravel-control-zone, to find T just arriving at the Memorial thing.  She turned back here, and I rolled briefly with her before hitting the rest of the down, gravel-grippage.  Nice bomb down here, cruise-control in action, through the bottom and climbing again, up and grinding, or sitting and trying to spin - probably in favour of the former - learning to love the grind.  Williams boy was on the road opposite as I was approaching the top.  Surprising how slow his progress was down as I made my way to his gate.  Rolling from here, gaining speed, keeping it in check (to a point).  Fun blast.  Check out the beach then home.

Overall, a ride comprised of lots of weather-matic adjustment to conditions, with sunshine and rainfall both, and cold winds and sheltered spots.  14.3 kms added up with 627.5 m ground-out of the ground.

Trolling Chorlton on the Wheelie

Buried beautiful boy Jetty-puss with a view of the property, which he always loved sniffing about and chasing sticks on, and then T and me went out for some exercise. 

I rode along on the Troll with her, through Adrian's, up Luke's Rd and up to Chorlton. Realising as we rode that I've been riding the Troll for over 14 years.  We continued up View Hill Rd a bit then decided that was enough. I let gravity take me, down across Chorlton-top and I pedalled into Long Lookout Rd to the first high point, took a pic of Raupo,

(doesn't look so bad out there, but there were showers all day)

then turned back and rolled, like a pendulm, pedalling up to Tra'y for a kiss, then turned and rolled back down to the end of the seal that way again and then back, to hit the LAk Rd down. What a roll... Blasted through past the beach and out to the wharf thinking about when I used to run Jet down here, for another pic,

(gloomy up valley)

then back up home. 

<1/2 a km shy of 10, with a metre shy of 260 m climbed

RIP the best boy. Jet

Said goodbye to the best boy today. Poor old Jettypuss, best trail dog ever, when he could... 

Buried not that far from where he was born, lived his life loved by us all.

Sunday, Necessary Short Jeht.

Should have got out earlier but didn't. T and me headed up and parted ways at the dog park carp ark. I bopped into the forest down and around onto Sleepy Hollow and climbed from there. Was really tired from yesterday's Hanmer jaunt, I guess?  Up to 19th, then through gate and took the singletrack along and up, checking out the options for the climbing route, then back across to the bottom of Sesame and onto the grunter part way up.  Up to top of Vic, taking a breather at Thomson's turn-off before heading up over down around the first jump, peeling right onto Worm.  

Got rolling across the Traverse and pulled over to let a guy coming towards me through, at the same time as letting a dude on a titanium rigid looking flash thing through who was going my way.  I said, you're going faster than me, and off he went and I proceeded to stay on his tail until the top part way up that first climb.  I didn't care, he was way younger and fitter than me, but I did feel old and fat at that point.  Continued, with nice flow, around, and had a near miss on the corner around below Sugarloaf (after the down, before the pullover sign), skidding and just avoiding a rider coming through "Sorry about that!"  At the sign I checked on T's whereabouts and then could see her way down on the Bowenvale Valley track, so figured I'd give her time to get further up and so headed along the Traverse further.  At the high point I could see she'd turned around so I rang her, we waved, the weather was coming in which was why she was turning around, so I did too and headed back.  Nice flow back around to Vic, straight into the trees, jump one and two, down to fence, down rabbit, into rocks, pines, gums down and around.  Where you dive left rather than out to Sesame near the bottom (where I'd climbed out), I stopped and cleared a bit of foliage that's been annoying me for a while now.  Cleared the sight-line.  Onwards down, into the conifers and down around, stopped here to clear some foliage too.  

Then it was time head home.  Down the singletrack, gate, over onto Heavenly for a lovely baff down, nicely nicely.  After the oaks, and on the last stretch to the H'Ell, I stopped again, this time to scope out the possible route for a new exit out higher.  I reckon I've got it.  When things dry again, I'll head in with the pruning saw.

Only 8.6 kms and 282 m climbed, but worth every penny.

Saturday Dawn Raid on Tombstone, baby

Sweet ride on the Stooge on a bunch of new-to-me trails. Tombstone is really fun and perfect for the Stooge.  Left the bach with T just before 8am, dawn - pretty much, and headed up Lucas Lane into the new to both of us trails.  Grabbed CV Express and I left her here rolling ahead faster than her fast walking speed.  I kept passing above her on all the switchbacks which was nice.  Eventually I lost sight of her and then not long further got to the top of Tank.  Good climb, will be nice once all the trees grow back up.  

Dropped into Tank, which was a hoot.  The Stooge performed really well, no sketch, no dice.  Climbed out the end and then into the Yankee Zephyr climb, which was longer than I remembered, maybe because last time I did it was 2019 and the trees have grown considerably.  At the kind of skidder site I peeled into the new (to me) Tombstone, which has a very nice climb.  Some nice native under the larches and patches and generally a good grade, never too steep, but steady.  Eventually got to the top of the climb, nice view up to Isabell, and it was time for the descent.

and what a descent...  Glorious flowy trail, just brought joy to my headstate.  It was mint.  Some of the most zen fun I've had for years.  Super fun, able to get some speed, then some nice tech sections that keep you on your toes but aren't terrible.  So much fun!  Out the end and down onto the Dog Stream trail, where I headed back into the bridge (and noticed that the old descending line to the bridge is now closed.  Headed up onto the road and up towards Big Foot.

Actually started into Big Foot but then looked at the time and thought, nah, I'll just take the Fir Trail.  Well remembered from the 12 hour event many (25?) years before, it's obviously changed a bit since then.  Nice flow down, then left for the last few corners of Big Foot.  Down from here, across Dog Stream for a waste of altitude loss down to Joliffe Rd, climbing up here who should appear but T, running!  Hi!!!  We parted ways again and I headed up to Red Rocks, all changed up here with the whole Timberlands face logged (and a new trail in there for descending).  I peeled onto Red Rocks and rode it, thinking I'd take Eeny Meeny, but found myself heading all the way out to the end.  Around onto Western Link and climb cruising around to bottom of Timberlands and into Swamp.  Long climb up here (the road would be so much shorter!) and out top over onto Flax for a start then into Lower Flow, for a flowy groove, with again, lots of good speed and zen mind state.

Nearly 16 kms and nearly 500 m up. Hanmer always feels way more climb than it ends up being. What is that?

Thursday Night Nun Victorian

Good ride with Nelson tonight. Felt like I was showing off all my new toys...

Rode out from mine, headed up the road (following a group of 4 others), peeled into the dog park carp ark and down the newish line onto Sleepy Hollow, then up and out to the walk track.  By the 19th I'd determined that Nelson hadn't hit the new one from here, so we popped off down there for a lap.  Back at 19th, through the gate, and into the singletrack climbing from here, then out to Skidder for the grind up the grunter.  A couple had been ahead, and were stopped at the water fountain chatting, we rode through and up to Thomsons, where they arrived as we were deciding where to go.  Nelson led, I followed.  He had some gear problems at the end.  Then down into #2, I led, and we flowed, and through out to the road.  Down through Kiwi and up the Summit, with the 2 from the fountain catching us up slowly, and finally pulling ahead just before Worsleys.  Didn't really talk to them much until the top of the Nun.  They dived in first.  

Nun wasn't as greasy as I was expecting, but I still trusted nothing.  Had a good blast down tho.  Then the lower reaches were closed due to the logging below.  We flowed out onto the road, then dived in the lowest from part way down where you can access it.  Good blast down here too.  Out through Kiwi again and I noticed the moon! - not the pest pic, but it was above Charteris/Diamond Harbour, just come up over the hill.

Up the road and at the top there was a group of about 6 young dudes on expensive bikes.  They were chatting so we headed off down, Nelson leading, round through and over the jumpies, then down Rabbit where I led into Rocks Pines and Gums, taking the left down steep, I'm pretty sure a new bit, and out to the corner, out over to Skidder where there was a massive group of riders, including the guy and girl from earlier, and up rolled the infamous Mel, friendly as she always is.  They were all climbing and we headed off down Dazza's.  Ages since down here and hooweee it's steeeep and rooty.  Fun!  Rolled out across the last of the nuShazza's flowing around towards Brents, and then hitting Macros down down out to Corporate Ladder ending and then into Uprooted, Nelson's first time.  Good climb.  One extra corner that wasn't there earlier, and then out the top (a little more progress?), onto the 4wd, out to Skidder and over to the singletrack we'd climbe earlier for the last blast down Heavenly Creatures and all the way home.  Nicely nicely.

Cogent 12.13 kms and a tenable 465 m vert.

No Skool like the Old Skool on a Beautiful Sunday

Took the Cotic up to dog park carp ark and dived into the bushes, under the pylon and down to Sleepy Hollow to climb up the nice paths to 19th. Up through into skidder and up the guts to top of Vic. 

Down around the jump, hard right into Worm, onto Traverse for a good hoon across here. Boffed off down Huntsbury 4Pause, avoided the bottom jump through lack of speed, left in the tussocks down the older line, then into AliExpress dropping down, weaving through the sheepshit and rocks down to Old Skool. 

Excellent flow down here, flow and groove, spiralling down to the bottom and turning straight into the uphill. All the way up the valley, past Hospital and the bottom of NuBridges, climbing the walk track, walking a few bits up the top, then right on the traversing track across to the MTB forest exit, clambering up here and into the New Climb Trail. Beautiful, but still a granny grind... And they've finished up a couple of the corners above the 4wd but no further. 

Out to skidder and over to the below-gums. Short break in here for a breather, then out. Dropped off into Heavenly Creatures for a lovely jaunt, all the way down.  Sleepy, pines, oaks, last bit, H'Ell, clamber, road and home. 

12.1 kms 524 m ground out. 

Saturday, Which Hill?

Tra'y and me headed up, her on her ebike and me on the Troll. Up Vic Park Rd, up through Skidder, and up the grunter, me pushing both our bikes for a bit.  Hit the Summit Rd and she cruised while I chuffed.  At Vernon I headed up onto the singletrack and had a nice conTrolled cruise around and down, meeting her at the gate and heading on around to the other end of Witch Hill, where we took the walk track up for a bit, locked our bikes and walked, clambered, scrambled up to the stone seat on the top. There were a couple of Furries having themselves a nice photoshoot up here.  Interesting.  

We clambered back down to the bikes and headed back around the Summit.  I took the Traverse and then lost Tra'y somewhere above.  Rode down the grunter through Skidder, out to 19th, turned back and spotted her coming down into Skidder.  Then we hooned back down home. Fun riding the Troll,  

15.5 kms rolled, and over 500 m lofted.

Wednesday Night Limnal Minimal Stooge

Quite a short one on account of needing new brake pads on the Speedbomb. 

Rode up into Vic, first, just above the road on the walking, then dived across into carpark and into the old line, dropping onto the new line (under pylon) and down around through to climb Sleepy' 'Creatures, out onto walk track and up to 19th, all the while the odd spot of rain was drifting about.  Up the grunter, slow and steady, only stopping to pick up someone's trash, then up into Brakefree zone where I stopped and checked the radar; which told me the spots of rain I was in weren't gonna be about for long.  By the time I made the top of Vic they'd pretty much stopped.  (Sugarloaf in the back there)

Plan was to drop down through gums, down into the valley to climb back up somehow to the new climb, but dropped down, jump, rabbit and into rocks, gums and flowing through here, around a corner and brakes started making awful noises, including when I wasn't applying them...  Oh well, I'll just bail home, I thought.  Stayed on down through the cedars, last bit to gate, and across into Heavenly Creatures for a lovely flow down, other than the racket the brakes were making.  A little slick on a couple of sections, but mostly good.  I saw a mouse!  Ran across the track and I got a good view of it when it froze on a branch.  Onwards down. Cleaned nicely all the way out and down - I really must cut a trail out to Vic Park Rd somehow for finishing.  By the time I got home the brakes had kinda sorted themselves.  Still replacement time tho.

Sub-limnal 5.08 kms alonged, 180.5 m upped.

Slow Quick Saturday Jeht

Back from Castle Hill to keep an eye on Dad, so grabbed the opportunity of him having a nap to get out and ride. 

Up into Vic, metric shittonnes of riders around. Grovelled up the grunter from Skidder and up top, where I could see that due to the high winds CAP was shut, no lifts today. That explained it. Well, that and the fact that it was 20-something degrees on the nearly shortest day of the year. Into Thompson and Thomson, then back up both, down around the jumps, climbed Worm, then boffed off down Upper Fenceline and the fun lines (Roam? - or is that the jumpy line?)

down thru there and into the bottom via actual Fenceline which I usually peel off to the left of.  Into the New Climbing trail which I've only recently discovered is called Uprooted, climbed, and climbed, it's a chuff at times, but still way better than straight up a skidder track.  They've gotten even further above the (Razza-bottom/40fter) 4wd they were to last week, and they're gonna skip stay low to avoid the steepest bit of the next one up to Skidder. 

Through Skidder, again, loads of people about, and headed into the cedar section below the gums taking me down to the gate, then crossed over into Heavenly Creatures for a sweet sweet ride home.

Quick and slow 6.84 kms, and 272 m climbed.

Wednesday Night Solo Poachy Wee Stooger

Sweet wee ride tonight on the Stooge. Hit up a few walkie tracks and popped a bit of bombiness. Bashed about and had a thoroughly good time. 

Up the walking track next to the road all the way to dogparkcarpark, dropped over into Tawhairanui for a nice cruise through, then stayed on walky tracks up through to 19th, hung a left, climbed up my usual way over top of it and through to skidder.  Up the gutser, and through up to Thomson's #1, flow, road, Thomson's #2, turned around and dropped back into this, climbed, into #1 again, climbed, out to top of Vic.  Turned around on the carpark and dropped back in, down around the jump, encountered a couple of guy with bikes'n'lights on their way up, breezed past them and straight round into Worm climbing up to catch them.  Onto the Traverse for a nice cruise around, pulling over several times to let trains of bikes through, the last couple still a ways off Lavaflow, so nice free ride from there, all the way to the Huntsbury end.  

Across the road and over the stile into Scott's Knob reserve, nice climb up through the conifers and fun rooty rocky descent, then into the next climb, off for a couple of steps, and climbing still, one small detour loopback, and on through, nice long flowy (due to reasonable unfamiliarity) cruise, droppy rocky rooty descent towards the end, especially in the natives.  Staying on that side of the road, up over the sidley track on Tracey's Knob to the carpark.  On road here, bombing back along the Summit, standing and cranking a lot of it, feeling good.  Last leg up to the 25kph sign above Lavaflow and dropped down to the fence, over (a group of 4 passing under me while I waited for them), and down onto the trail, and heading for home.  Cruising, climbing, cruising, seeing the group ahead and slowly winding in the tailenders past the pond, where the rest of the group was waiting (at the sign).  They offered for me to go ahead, but I said, nah, you're good, i'll give you a good gap and have a rest.  Gave them ages, and headed off again, definitely winding them in, but they were all regrouped at the entrance to the trees and I just rolled on through, up a bit and then pushing down into the jump with speed.  

Straight down through the trees, rabbit, rocks pines gums for funs, all the way down through to the gate, and dropped into Heavenly Creatures.  So much leaf and bark and stick carnage from windy couple days, and the rain has shown me where's going to be an issue come proper winter (just after you cross the access track, where the trail is kinda built up).  Great flow through, climb, into the last long leg, rolling goodness, and climbs, Sleepy Hollow, flow flow flow, oaks, last fun to finish.  Clamber, road, home.

 

Surprisingly nearly 14kms and a nice 443m climbed - further than I'd thought I'd do.

Sunday Long Haul Kennedy's and CAP home

Big ride today on the Jeht. 

Up top, took in both Thompson's #1 and #2 (father with noise cancelling headphones and baby on front totally oblivious to my presence behind him...), out onto the road and through Dyers for a nice long cruise up the Summit and around to Kennedy's.  

Rapido descent, very rough, Siberia, LowRoad, Crocodile peeling off onto Deviation and exploring out onto the new one - Redmund Spur.  It was okay.  the bermy jumps are fun, but a bit of cattle damage and lots of poos.  Not sure where next, decided on Spurious which was fun, steep little trickies, then into Upload and down through the dog park, onto the road, dropped through empty section onto Withers Cres, Spalling, Sutherlands and into Te Kuru, the big wetland park, aiming for the Westmorland Pylon.  Into Happy Home Rd, dropped down to Cashmere Stream, following this all the way to the end of navigable territory, then Holbrook Way, to steep climb to Hadleigh Lane, next steep climb up into Westmorland East Valley Reserve, pedalling up the steeps and zig in the natives below Farside, over onto Westmorland for a drop down and through into the CAP for an uplift. 

Summit Connector, finally grabbing the first OG entrance to the Nun, bombing down this, feeling pretty good still, hard push up the Summit - where the hell did all this energy come from?  Into top of Vic - usual way down, jumps, rabbit rocks pines gums, across into Heavenly Creatures, lovely flow, Sleepy Hollow, and home.

Quite large, 27.77 kms, just over 1000 m climbed (of which 600 were naturally aspirated).

Saturday Sunset Jeht Jaunt

Feeling a bit underhung so had a lazy morning and early afternoon before heading up the hill for a clean out on the Jeht.  I'd missed the working bee on the climb track this morning, but wanted to see where they'd got to, so dropped over Razza's and down through the little bit of Rad left, then Macros, the wee extirpation above Corporate Ladder, and out the bottom of Brents.  Into the new climbing trail from here, nice boardwalk, built-up corners, bridges, gradient not so bad. It's a great wee ride, and they've come so far up already, right up to the Rad wall, and the 4wd track Razza's spits you out on. I reckon one or two more sessions, and it'll be to the road Shazza, Dazza and Razza all come off - already marked out. Unknown whether they intend to take it higher, but I really hope so!  It climbs well! 

Thought I'd not really done enough to give up and go home once at Skidder, so headed up the gutser (hard!) and up to Thompson's#1, back up road and dropped into jumps, top of pines, gums, peeled out to the left to see if there is scope out towards the pylon - I reckon there could be. Back onto the usual trails, across into Heavenly Creatures (new name! (now retro-filled back through this blog)). Nice flow down this and popping up onto the road home just as the sun dropped behind the mountains - perfect.   

Only 6.59 kms, but a reasonable 268 m clamberated.

Sunday Stoogesbury Hunts Traverse

Groovy ride out today. First off, took the Big Mama off the Stooge and replaced it with my Bonty XR2 - far bigger capacity, with a new tube in it too.

Grunted up through the forest and up top of Vic, across the Traverse, Huntsbury DH, exploring the old rocky route, which was nearly impossible to follow, then the rest down the jump-strewn descent and up that alternative climb through the gums

and tagaste, pylon, tall tussocks and some ridge pushing through the sheep.  Through the bike cattle stop and kinda along the fenceline over to the old climb we used to use to get onto the singletrack.  

Up the rest of Huntsbury to the Summit. Convo with a couple of guys on eebs about the Stooge, then I let them lead off, gave them a good headstart and proceeded to chase, catch, overtake, chase and catch again... "You're pretty quick on that thing!" :: "It's tiring!!" 

I then had an excellent run the rest of the way round to top of Vic, straight in, jump, rabbit, rocks pines gums through, gate, over the road and into the the sweet tight local flow.

A flunky's 14.4 kms and 530 m ground upwards

Tour de Bridges # 2, Saturday Trolling.

Just me today, on the Troll.  We'd had the first rain for over a month so I thought I'd give the trails a rest (even tho, by all accounts, it was dry-as up there), and I'd been hankering to complete more of the Tour de Bridges coverage, to explore further up the Heathcote and take another look at the top end of the Avon.  

So, I headed down the more interesting byways of the hill (zigzag (Longhurst Reserve), Kidson, Whisby, MacMillan, Lady Polson, up the XXXVII steps to Sassaram, dropping out at the Bengal-top down the wee singletrack and steps to Shalamar driveway).  Headed through the Old Stone House, crossing bridge #1 on Holmcroft, then #2 across Cashmere Stream, momentarily, before ducking into the Cracroft woods along the river, bridge 3 crossing Cashmere Rd, left into Ferniehurst (#4 (first actual Heathcote River (number of Heathcote crossings in brackets henceforth))), and Nor'west Arc bike-route back streets through to Centenial Park, along the river, #5(2) Sparks Rd, then Pablo Pl, MacBeath, Smarlea (#6(3)) to (Glynn, Cobham) Domain Tce, left across the park here for bridge number 7(4), alleyway to Hoon Hay Rd, turned right along footpath, Coppell Pl, right on Lincoln Rd (#8(5)) , and left into Annex.  Around the side of Seager Park, following a bit of trail alongside of a drainage thing, cutting across this on double-sleeper bridge (9), left onto the motorway to cross the Heathcote briefly (10(6)), then across the road towards Carmelite, and backtracking briefly onto the biketrack back over the river (11(7)) and a left into the 360 upstream towards Nga Puna Wai.  Peeled off here towards the motorway into wetlands and eventually under the motorway underbridge (minus 1??), #12 (small drainage wetland thingy), #13 along Wigram Rd into Hayton Stream Drainage Reserve through to Lodestar Rd, leaving the Heathcote tributaries here.  Up Vickery's Rd to Hayton, over the Railway (#14), estimatedly leaving the Heathcote Catchment here.  Followed along Nga Mahi Rd until I could cut through the gym equipment carpark, crossing Blenheim Rd (thinking I might be able to cut through this block like I used to, but nope - so it was...) back along to the roundabout, right into Main South, left into Greenhurst, following Takaro (realising I could have gone through Sockburn Park (where the old pool was!), Middlepark to Yaldhurst onto Avonhead Rd. 

Along towards the 'hood I was dragged up in, crossing Ilam Stream (head of the Avon), bridge number 15, heading down Parkstone, nice leafy street down to the old Teachers College, jumping into nice bushy pathway along the Stream (rejoining the 360 again), crossing Ilam Stream on Peer St (#16), down Athol and into the Halls of Residence, left into Staff Club (haven't been there for years (after practically growing up there) - hardly changed) and crossing footbridge (#17) below the weir, along Ilam Rd to the Playcentre entrance to go follow Okeover (#s 18 and 19), following through along to cross at Eng (20, then again on Forestry Rd, 21) behind Forestry and MacMillan Brown, out to Arts Rd along carpark to head onto Clyde Rd (Ilam Stream again, #22) and down Hinau through to Riccarton Bush, staying on the south side of the river along through past Boys High into Matai St, left into Harakeke (23), right into Daresbury Lane, right on the Rail Trail  (24), left over the railway and down Matai into Hagley Park to head for home.  Crossed 25 and 26 in here, then across Moorhouse onto Grove - Church Sq - Collins, lights next to new bike bridge under construction - Simeon, riding with a guy who'd overtaken me in Hagley and chatting all the way down through to Studholme and over the footbridge (27(back onto the Heathcote, #8)) into Ernle Clarke, where I peeled right along the track, then zigzag over the river, crossing 28(9) to Ashgrove, footbridge (29(10)), footbridge (30(11)), Fairview (31(12)), footbridge (32(13)) and the first of the Heathcotes, Ferniehurst ((33(14)), whereupon, to finish myself off, I ground my way up Bengal, Delhi, Polson, Hackthorne home.

Over 30kms and 285m climbed through interesting places, 33 (wittingly) bridges in total, crossing the Heathcote 14 times and encapturing the top end of both catchments.

King's Sunday, Most of the way to Menzies

Nice cruise through a few kms and metres climbed. Meeting people along the way.

Down the drive and down the road and spotted Wayne in his driveway so stopped for a long chat.  Good catch up and then off I went up the Menzies Bay Rd.  Good climb and into the descent to Decanter, fun fast gravel, not too loose.  Next up, over the electric line by the cattlestop and through the sheep overlooking the noisy sea around and up, over the electric line at the cattlestop at the top and around past the 1999-2000 NY's Eve memorial, and up and up.  

The whole way I could see bike tracks in the gravel but couldn't tell whether it was one bike both ways, or 2 bikes, or what.  Got to the highest point and decided to head down towards Menzies, but the trucks working the road Friday had been dumping new gravel in this section and it was deep and washy.  Met a couple of ebikers on their way up and then I stopped just down from there at the quarry by the macrocarpas, turned around overlooking the bay.  Realised my rear tire was a bit low (slooow leak slightly faster now (and even faster since)) so stopped to pump and another dude on a non-ebike turned up.  He was with the other two, and the two of us rode up together, chatting away.  I have probably met him (Peter) before, but we weren't sure.  Certainly, plenty of overlap over the years, given he's been going to Possum Lodge since 1992...  Anywho, the other two were waiting for us at the gate and we chatted a bit then, 4.12pm I led off down to the memorial where I arrived exactly 4.19pm - the time the moon was supposed to be rising.  Too much cloud around.  

The guys headed down and I waited a little while longer.  Then chased.  Spotted them just hitting the climb as I was coming into Decanter-bottom and from there on up I was behind, a couple of times seeing them ahead.  Eventually I made the top and they were there.  They headed off, as did I, getting ahead and leaving them in my dust...  

A fairly commendable 18.8 kms and 740 m climbed.

Saturday, Ride Walk Ride Raupo.

Tra'y set off walking, I started riding a half hour later and I finally caught her just past Chorlton Hall. I then headed up View Hill Rd for 10 minutes or so just to get more ride, then turned and hooned down. Met her at the bottom, and we waited for the kids turned up in O's truck.

 We all walked to the beach (started MMR a little down the hill).  Nice walk down and the beach was nice and empty and very nice (other than the couple with the cat who didn't venture through the lagoon).  I waded in to the knees and it was COLD, but invigorating.  We made a 'bridge' of logs to get back over the stagnant lagoon and walked back back - the two germans powering ahead.  They all headed off and I got on the bike and started riding.

Good steady climb up the gravel and then bombed down to the bay and back up the drive.  Fast.

Friday Chasing Chorlton's Sunset

A day of 'working' from the bach (that wasn't particular successful), and the sun had left the house before 3, so figured I needed to chase it.   

Left it a little late and didn't quite catch it, as it was nearly finished with Chorlton by the time I got there. 

Nice 'set anywho, from the top.

Met a chinese guy up here, he rolled up in his rental as I did.  He was on a bit of a tiki-tour, 2 days in Akaroa, after attending the TRENZ conference.  

I got hot riding up the hill and cooled nicely coming down.  My new light mounted on the front.

Relatively laconic 6 kms and 220 metres.

Saturday Climbing Track Dig Day, Sunday Shortstuff.

Fair bit of bike related activity this weekend...  Big Bike Film Night was on Friday, usual inspirational stories and footages.  Favourite was the Tall Bikes film...  was so good.  Petor who runs Bespoked was super cool dude.  And Annie Ford was cool too.

Saturday, got there slightly late, but rode the Stooge up to find no-one around the Ranger Station, no-one at the Skidder, so made way down through the trees eventually finding people gathering at the bottom of Brents/Rad etc, to build the new Uphill track in the valley there.  A bit lost at first, I found my niche, kinda at the front, tentatively scratching the way in, absorbing the wisdom of the old-hands, learning on the job and.  We got so much done, it was amazing. Ranger came up and said, "Time gentlemen, please" and so I walked back down with my tools to the bike and it was incredible the progress that'd been made.  Rode it up and out, what bits I could at least.  BBQ at Skidder, good talking to new people, then hit the trails home the usual ways.  Ride (and grubbing) was only 5.8 kms.

Sunday, up with tired legs on the Jeht, across the summit where I ran into Pete, caught up for a bit then along walks Hubby and Dee (who's name I couldn't remember).  All the while talking I could see Tra'y on the Bowenvale Valley track walking up, following her progress until when eventually Pete and I went our separate ways I got round to the Sugarloaf sign/stop/carpark area and she was heading up the ridge, not that far from me, so "TRA'Y!" caught her attention and she came down to me.  I was feeling jaded so I headed back, but dropped down Upper Fenceline, across top of Cool Runnings, popped up into my little bridged exit of Pedalfine to see if there was scope for part of the new climbing track, pushing right up until I spotted where the big tree had fallen and the re-alignment of Pedal.  Turned back and then baulked on one of the corners...  Dropped into Razza's, then ground my way back up to skidder, and just for the punishment, climbed up from Skidder again, ugh.  Across and then detoured into top of Pines, had a wee break, then dropped in, Gums, best-fun-newby down home.  Sweet 9.4 kms, 382 m of mostly steep.

Then later Tra'y and I rode alternative byways to my folks' place, and I forgot to map it back.  oh well.

Wednesday Night Britten Pleasant

Not overly large ride tonight. Bumped into the boys too.

I had to feed and walk Golly, so Nelson drove up to Joy's and joined me on the walk.  We did the zig zag and Drayton Reserve / Ave loop.  Then both drove up to Upper Major Hornbrook where we found the Hydestor van - so we knew the boys were about.  

Cruised up Britten, I felt okay considering my messy sleep of late, and we got to the top in no time.  Around the front, rocky section past Broadleaf getting the better of Nelson (both times, last time and this) and then up to the road.  Over the fence and up the well weedeaten zig and zag.  Commenting on the insanity of some of these trail workers that've been through there.  Some sections very nicely carved, in others, all the grubbed root and turf sections have been piled along the trail.  We can see the point, but if they start to grow again, maybe not such a good idea. 

It got worse from the top of Mt Pleasant.  The tussock has been grubbed, and some fool has deliberately laden it into the track, obviously hoping it'll mulch and provide some substance to the dry dirt surface, but all it's done is hide rocks, made the trail horribly slippery, and generally destroyed the joy of riding it.  Nearly lost it multiple times on corners because of the slipperiness. Madness!

Down and around into the OG Greenwood entrance, then dropped down Sheepshit (namesake appropriate), and as we hit the second section at the pines we spotted (and heard) the boys on the road below.  Nice catch up and met Maggie, Wayne's cute trail sheepdog.  Nelson and me continued around to the ruins, grunty climbs, and back, then back up Sheepshit, onto the road and into Britten.

Night riding Britten in the dust and lack of sightlines is kinda no longer fun.  I'm second guessing myself every corner, leaning, turning, braking too late or too early.  General muppetry, and nearly losing it constantly.  Found it really hard, but the ruts didnt help, nor that I crashed last time.  

We decided against Kenton, even tho we should have done it for the altitude. 

All of 9.72 kms and 308 m escalated.  

Sunday Haulin' the Stooge's Singletrack Ass

Exquisite jaunt on the day before tomorrow. Started out with Tra'y, splitting at top of the dogs. Over 19th, up the Grunter, had my bottle today, so had a good drink at the fountain and refilled, then on up the Worm and onto the Traverse. Loving the applied power and rolling goodness. 

Over Vernon, loving the groove, railing the down.  Straight through Rapaki-top into clambery climbing Witch, hoofity-bumpsville, then across the road onto the first little piece of 360, before dropping out and heading up the road to Castle. 

Dropped in and flowed, a couple of big rim bashes across the really rocky section, that thankfully didnt result in flats, down around the zig and zag and into the climb.  Gloriously applied power through the climb, then getting tired, popping out to Bridle-top.  Started heading up the road, but then spur of the moment, surprising even myself, I turned around and headed back into the climb on the singletrack.  It was hard but I really enjoyed it.  Walked a couple of wee bits (2nd hairpin and the very last steep before final corner) but otherwise great - need to add this to my modus operandi - it's a good workout.   

Clambered up to the Tors track and dropped in, having a glorious descent of this, couple of dabs, then bombed to 360 above the road and hoo-wee it's tight; overgrown. Quite tricky not to tip over the edge every pedal stroke. Need shorter cranks and/or to rotate the EBB, or the trail needs some maint. Into the Witch for another sweet tech climb to flowy decent to Rapakitop, rolling through and heading up the road.  Then, surprising myself again, just after the cattle stop figured I'd hit the Vernon. Climby climby climb climb singletrack around and up. 

At the Traverse I had a breather and a young guy on a Velduro rolled up.  I said, "you may as well go you'll be faster." We chatted a little more then off he went, with me a few moments after.  Chasing, I mostly held onto him until the little climby bit, but then I gained on him again in the long rolling descent, and then all of a sudden, at the pond, there's Tra'y across the road, jogging along.  "TRA'Y!!"  Nice catch up.  Split, I headed on around the summit, having a lovely blast with the tail wind.  Into the trees, both jumps, then Rabbit, Rocks, Pines, Gums all the way, Newby Home.  Nice.. 

Just under 20 kms this time, with 711 m wrought.

Saturday Nun Gov Ultra Vixen

Good wee spin on the Jeht, with an uplift.  

Climbed up through Vic, over 19th, Skid, Grunt.  Realised at the water fountain I didn't have a bottle.  Bother.  Oh well, drank some and kept rolling, into Thomson's Both, Through Kiwi and up the Summit, Worsley's into Nun.  Bit of a stop a the top and 4 old buggers on eebs turned up, we chatted, then I let them go off, and gave them some time to get ahead.  I dropped in and eventually caught the tail-end Charlie.  At the corner closest to the CAP he let me past and I railed the rest of it.  Felt like I was riding pretty good.  We all set off down the next section and I was having to hold back on the same dude's tail, but I bailed at the road, crossing over to hit down the Governor's Bay trail.  Slick in places, but fun.  Down around, and into the climb, cleaning more than ever, just seemingly having the power.  Walked a tiny section to the road, crossed over, finished off the lower Nun, and popped out at the road.  A mum and kid bikers rolled up and I asked if Zero Ultra was open, "Yes.  Yes, it is."  

I dropped in a little after one of her grom kids and proceeded to stay on his tail, reel him in even.  Then peeled off into Zero for the first time down.  It was much as expected, a few pops that would be giant air if you were carrying the speed, scenic (not that I got to see much - too busy focussing), loved it when it got into the trees, fast, jumpy (not that I did), and then one by one other tracks joined in from either side then I recognised the last sections.  Down to the fountain, drink, up to the lift.

Nice chat with nice peeps on the lift, then off down, pulling over to let them haul-arse through (all practicing for the racing tomorrow), all the way down lower Nun and through the Kiwi and up the road, dropping into Thomsons the upper.  Topped out, jumpies, see-saw, Brakefr-- out to Rabbit, Rocks, Pines, Gums all the way, then into fun Newby Home track having a good session down here.  Really enjoying this trail, it's so tight.

16.3 kms travailed, with 846 m ascended, of which 400 odd were chaired. 

Sunday Ups and Ups.

Very strong southerly kicked up just before we left the house, Tra'y walking and me on the bike again.  We tootled (I struggled) up the steep behind the houses and I stayed with her until the top of the Dog Park where we parted ways.  

I trundled on up the hill, the usual over 19th, Skidder, and up the grunter.  Lovely and sheltered in the trees with the wind howling in the tops of them and roaring in all the powerlines.  Straight into the Worm and popped out of the trees and observed the conditions.  Scudding clouds thickening, a bit of really light drizzle around.  A couple of other bikers said it'd been hard work staying on the Traverse, so I decided against that and instead figured I'd stay in the lee of the hill, dropping down Upper Fenceline, around onto Rome, back and forth down this, taking a right fork part way down and deciding to walk back up to take in the left, which has a steep rollover drop to start.  Out the bottom and across to the left, then then up the steep access track through Cool Runnings, and on up.  

Popped down into Pedalfine below here, but found a tree across it (bring the saw next time), so pushed back up and headed on up through the Rad intersection to Razza's where I paused for a gasp or five.  I was just about to roll in when an ebiker came across from above and dropped in, so gave him a bit of a stretch before dropping in myself.  Ended up catching him stopped for a woman and a guy, who let us both past (briefly, the guy said, "oh, Cotic, I used to have a Soul," I replied, "I've got a broken Soul at home...").  Out the bottom, onwards down, sidling through Brentzone (Macros (after Macrocarpas, I'm assuming)), and took that new high line above the Corporate Ladder, which I turned up and climbed.  

Steep up, in under the sprawling gum tree and onto Sneaky Ridge, fun tech rocks down, blippity blop, oaks, jump onto the main trail and on down Nube-Ridges and down valley into the Hidden climb.  Up this, still contemplating where to go, finally deciding on hitting the Old Skool and facing the climb home.  Brief pause at the high point listening to the high-tension lines above, so loud, then dropped in, total tailwind blast across, revelling in the push and rush of tussocks and wind and noise from above, pylons screaming.  Back across into the wind for a bit, but enough down to keep me moving, then back around, tail wind, overtaking a couple and their dog, biff boff baff down to the next hairpin then dropping down into the final squiggles, rail rail humm, and out onto the main drag.  

Climbed back up valley, vest layer on at the seat, the up into the trees, and ugh, the grind up K2 - one breather stop, then up to Texaco, and on up, grind grind grind.  Eventually made the Skidder, and rolled over into the trees and down through the first bit, stopping at my stop (before CAP trail), to oil chain which had an annoying small squeak each rotation.  Then finished off this bit, out the gate and into the Newby for a lovely blast down and through, all the way home.

500 m steep as, over not that far 10.6 kms.

Hiker's Wool Delivery Service

Call from T. She was out walking with Layla who got a blister so I hoofed it up on the Troll. Nice HIIT climb to meet them on the road out of the Skidder site.  Delivered the goods, then I rode up to the 'CAP entrance' track, peeled off that down and popped out at the gate (where the other two were just arriving), then across the road and into the local Newby singletrack descent, for a most interesting wee hoon down through here with no dropper post.  FUN

Short but intense, 3.4 kms, with a measly 80 m climbed.

Friday Date Before Sunrise

Awake at 5, so T suggested we exercise. I was reluctant at first but then thought what else am I gonna do?  She headed out the door on foot, while I fed the dog, got my shit together and headed up on the Jeht. It was insanely warm (19 degrees - warmest place in the country!).  

Puffed up the road and then poached the Tawhairanui, nicely nicely, then stayed below the road up thru the woods to 19th, then up to the skidder where I layered off down to a merino singlet.  A green light appeared, and I'm like, wtf? then it moved, and then another light showed, up.  A dog (green) and it's master.  

Up the gruntster, where I needed a breathing break half-way, but cleaned up the rest ok.  Dropped over Thompson's #1 and back up the road to top of Vic whereupon I checked T's positioning... Ok - got ya..  Surprisingly, a few runners around.  So dropped off around the jumpies, straight around into Worm, up and out of the trees and onto the Traverse and I could see her coming up the valley. Gave her a flash or two from my first high point then rode around, and then down the walking 4wd track to her. We rode/walked together back up to the pond, over the fence, across the road, then she went up the steep and I sidled around and up the ridge and we met on top of the knoll - heretofore to be known as Tracey's Knoll.

Photos taken

and off down, techy rock to the carpark, across the road and onto the Traverse for a lights off blast around towards Vic.  Into the trees and ooh! dark!  Lights back on brights, into the jumps, one and two, then down the rabbit paddock, rocks, gums, across to drop into the new local for a lovely twisty hoon home. All before the sun actually lifted above the horizon.  Nice!

Nascently resplendent 9 kms and 322 m climbed

Wednesday Night, Extremely Pleasant Pleasantries and Mucho Muppetry

Amazing first night ride of our year, with a mild and still evening.  Perfect for being out on the hills.

We (somewhat lazily) drove up from his to Upper Major Hornbrook, parking at the bottom of John Britten.  Got riding up here, puffing and chuffing (I'm always struggling chasing him).  Stopped to check out a jump next to one of the corners, then continued on up.  Around the top-front and across the road at the cattlestop, climbing up the (recently weed-whacked) trail to the now-tidied climb to the top of Mt Pleasant.  I had to stop along here to de-layer was so damned hot (and I was puffing so much).  Way cleaned up, climbing a lot easier than not that long ago.  

Dropped off down off Mt Pleasant and the top rocks are tidied, but not for long.  Tussock overgrowth made for tricky descending; ruts were annoying too.  Made it to the bottom alive, and dropped off through the ruins and down Greenwood.  This was a blast, riding nicely for a start.  We stopped at the usual just-past-gloomy spot and both our left quads were burning.  I realised I haven't had many lonnng downhill runs for a while.    Off again and I was good for the next rocky bits, but then started to muppet my way through some of the next series of corners, nearly losing because I couldn't seem to work my dropper and steer at the same time.  Lower sections were a bit better, other than dust rarked up by Nelsie.  

Onto the road, and up the hill, holding a pretty steady pace all the way until the pines, where we hopped over the stile and I was suddenly bonking.  Blooooddd sssuuugggaaarrr craaassshhhhhh.... Stopped just up sheepshit alley and Nelson gave me some baby food.  It was goooood.  Got going again and I was slow, but made it, and then up the road and into Britten for the final descent.  Dust again being a problem, espectially through the bit near the top that Nelson had worked on last weekend.  Then I crashed - wheel rutted and down I went, luckily the tussocks and grass were soft - tweaked my right calf really hard, somehow, it cramping as I was crashing.  Got going again and Nelson was waiting waaaay down at the next hairpin.  We finished off to the car.

Mostly pretty sweet 11.5 kms, with 450 m climbed 

Saturday Morning Stooge Date

Had a ridey-walky date with T. 

Rode up the back of the houses, then on up to the upper dog park carpark with her and we went our separate ways.  She went over and I went up.  

Just round the corner from the next carpark I dropped into the woods to climb up under the trees, across at 19th, then took in all the singletrack I usually descend to this point. Had to walk a couple corners in the gums, and the rocks, but surprisingly little. Thomson's #1 down and back up then jumpy into Worm and on around the Traverse, stopping a couple of times to let riders through. 

Tracked where T was and dropped off down Huntsbury DH to find her down AliExpress... Rode back up the 4wd with her to where she turned off (into where I'd come down), and I headed up the main track to the top of Huntsbury/Vernon and grabbed the Traverse back. Caught her again above Lavaflow (a few riders riding through as we spoke) and then we went our separate ways. Chased the riders for a bit, basically catching them up, then stopped to give them some space.  Nice flow rest of the way, straight into the jumps, Rabbit, Rocks Pines Gums, all the way down. Then across into the Newby for a lovely hoon home.

Nearly 12 kms and 438 m climbed.

Monday Observed, Sunset Stooge Stretch

Painting the roof all weekend has left my body sore and twisted, so I thought a wee jaunt on the Stooge might be in order. Must say! I went further than I thought I would.  

Up the road, 19th, grunter, "is that a Jones?" - took me a sec of processing to realise the reference and that he was talking to me, "oh, ah, no. It's a Stooge." From which followed a conversation. Interesting stuff, and I recognised her, but not him... 

Up onto Thompson's both, and return on both. Very nice. Then around the jumpies and down across the rabbit paddock to the sunset seat. Chat with Doug and a There Will Be Signs, my favourite beer this year.

A glorious pause of just stretching and easing out of the day.  Suddenly realised the sun was getting pretty low, so climbed back out across the paddock and dived on into the pines'n'gums, lovely flow all the way out to the gate. 

Then it was dropping in time into the new home trail. Love it. Getting to know it now and carrying speed thru sections I previously slowed on.  And one section has received a name, a lovely handpainted sign, "Sleepy Hollow."  Sweet!  Carrying the buzz through the glorious sunset light and surprised to see it gone as I did the clamber home.

A lugubrious last one for April (?), 6.3 kms and just shy of 200 m

Sunday Stooge Illustrious

Good hoon out on the Stooge again today. Buncha water blasting to start with then T went for a walk so I followed about 40 minutes later.  

Up to dogparkcarpark, dropping in and around the first few swoopies, then off down through the firs cutting around left to the new trail.  Climbed up here, only having to walk one little steep root section and then up the dappled light paths to 19th, and straight into Skidder and up the grunter.  

Top of Vic I called T and she said she was just at top of Lavaflow, and was taking the bike track, so I rode the road to the Sugarloaf saddle carpark and dropped onto the trail here.  Met her near the top of the climb and we chatted for a bit.  Then she headed down to go down valley, and I headed on around towards Vernon.  

While T and me had been talking a rider couple rode under us, and at Lavaflow I was riding past them and the guy was, "it's R isnt it?"  I had no idea who they were, but once we got talking, I knew exactly who they were.  Last met when I was on my first Troll attempt to LA a few Christmasses back.   Jovial chat with them for a while, then I continued on to the end of Huntsbury, turned around and headed back.  Nice flow around, (they were still there, getting ready to drop into Lavaflow) so I continued on around the Traverse, keeping the flow on, and enjoying it greatly.  

Into the top of the trees, and across over the jump, down Rabbit, Rocks, Pines where I ran into Doug, then Gums and out, tucking into my Newby, flowing down the first section and then at the end of it, climbed back around and took a second go at that top end again before flowing down the rest of it, all the way out, clamber, home. 

Venerable 11 kms acrossed with 372 m upped

Saturday Stooge Brief Interlude

Short hard local again, this time on the Stooge.  

Busied the day water-blasting the roof - ugh, my neck was dying after 6 hours of it, so figured a ride would straight me back up.  

Climbed up the road, and over 19th, through skidder and rather than climb, headed straight over into Razza's - nice drop down through here, Stooge performing admirably in the tech and rooty goodness, boffed out and decided to continue down through into the Brentzone, down and across and taking in that extra wee over bit to then hit Corporate Ladder back up to top of Sneaky and then back up the 4wd trails, across at Radzone climbing to Cool Runnings start, where I met a random guy and we chatted a while.  He didnt know his way around that well, but kinda knew some trails, so rode with me up and I sent him off down Razza's to find his way to Sneaky Ridge (which he knew he liked).  I continued into Skidder, hung a left and took the cypress descent down and out to the road, and into the new Newby section, biffing and boffing down here for the fun to the very end.  Clamber and home.

Shorter and steeper than yesterday, 4.8 km and 207 m, 

Friday Rapido (heartrate)

Much needed nice little blast on the Jeht tonight, first ride of April (on account of Tasmania) this late in the month!  

Up to top of Vic, dived straight into both Thomsons - both ways, down and down (nearly running into a couple groms who were very apologetic (as was I, "dont worry bro, it's a 2 way track!"),, turning straight around on the road and climbing back up, then diving into the upper and climbing on up here up to the top.  Spin around in the carpark and straight back in, down around over the jump and then down rabbit paddock through into the rocks, Gums all the way down and out to the 19th gate. When I hit the road saw a rider heading in somewhere unexpected. Hmmm...  I followed over and she'd stopped, and it turned out to be Rachel (from Hackthorne Rd) nursing a wrist in a splint.  She'd been told about this trail and on account of the wrist let me drop in first and it's awesome.  Fun, interesting, not overly hard, but loose enough to keep you on your toes.  All the while keeping you above H.Ell.  Exit onto an access track, then just up from that exit is the rest of the "Newby" newly added to my repertoire.  Down this all the way, and home.

Short and sweet, high intensity, just over 6 km, just under 200m, 37 minutes. Tight and twisty

Sunday Trail-Clearance Stooge

Gardening and house maintenance (hot waterpanels) most of day but got up on the Stooge with the pruning saw to clear that tree. Up road, then into the dogparkcarpark entrance rolling through the overgrown pylon-meadow and finding a dead tree almost blocking the track.  So, I set to it, to bust a bit, cut a little and shove a bunch, moving it out the way - cleaned up and got rolling again.  At the fir tree section, I peeled left and headed down onto the new track to head up that.  Stopped and cut one potential handlebar-grabber branch, then continued up to the big mess.  Set to it with the pruning saw, making pretty good work of it, and getting extremely sweaty in the process.  Cut through what I needed to, one thigh-thick trunk and 3 arm-thick branches on the main tree, plus a few other broken/fallen trees all arm-thickness, pushing and pulling and shoving everything out of the way.  

Before.... 

And after....

Then I headed on up trail, riding up the nice forest gentle slope to all the way up to just below 19th, where I turned around.  Off to the left (downslope) I spotted a way down from here, which took me to the connector trail (from H'Ell to Infocentre) where I climbed back up to the trail I'd climbed.  Then moseyed down and up to the picnic table, and stopped where I'd crashed.  Here, I sawed off the tree that got me.  

Finally, down into the newby, through my clearance - in an instant, and then a nice, interesting ride down and out, through oaks and then all the way to the bottom, all with a nice bit of a flow.  Clamber to road, and home.

Nice ride, but short - 3kms, 88m climbed

Saturday Morning Studied Speedbombing

Nice we spin this morning. Nursing the concussion of last Thursday all week, finally had a good night's sleep, so I took the Speedbomb out for a test ride. Not coincidentally, T was out for a walk so I rode to meet up with her at Vernon.  Took the road up Vic, through to skidder (not diverting over 19th).  Up the guts was okay, SO much tree-trash around after the gale winds we had Thursday-Friday.  Balmy, calm day today, post tropical system coupled with nor'west warmth.  Spectacular.  

Took the Summit Rd around to top of Lavaflow, and spotted her down just below the Huntsbury, so onwards around the road, and down the gravel, full noise to meet her just below the gapjump.  Turned and rode up with her.  At Summit I hit the Vernon track for a bit and she summited the peak.  I pushed through lonnnng grass to the trail up the front and rode to meet up top.  Shared a few dates and then turned down.  I rode all the way down to the Summit trail and then left towards home.  

Climbed around Vernon to Traverse, and started caning it along here.  Caught some women with a dog about the same time an e-rider caught me, so I let him past then waited at the highpoint for them all to get further ahead.  Then I had a free-speed bomb-run down, catching up at the pond, following for a bit, passing 2 of the women, then taking a rock-tech freeline just before the 4wd bit, passing the ebiker and the last woman and dog.  At the sign, the Ebiker passed me, then I was on his tail the whole way.  Climbs he'd only go slightly faster, and descents I was having to hold back then catch him, hold back and catch him.  At the last high point I could see a couple walkers and dogs ahead, so I stopped and let them all get further along.  That way I got the free-speed bomb-blast again, down through, past the walkers on the last flat stuff, and then into the trees.  

First jumpie good, then flow through, hit Brakefree - splecky muck in between jumps, off into Pines, Gums.  Moved a few sticks and one tricky fallen tree as I descended through here, otherwise just a lot of scrap on the ground.  Down into the cypresses and through to the CAP track, and on down to gate.  Below road here, rolling nicely down around. "What are you photographing?" to guy on side of track with camera contraption, "Fungi."  "Nice!" as I turned up towards the picnic bench adjacent to the crash last week.  Here there was a steady stream of parents and children out on a big YMCA adventure.  Waited a while.  Then down again, noticing the tree that got me, and then down to the new, as yet uncoined, trail.  In I rolled, stopping a few times to kick sticks off, then then found a blockage.  Most of a big snapped off tree right across the track.  I'll take the pruning saw and hatchet up tomorrow, or later?  Negotiated my way around it through the bush and then continued my trail.  Very nice.  Tight.  Not fast.  A couple of climbs.  I enjoy it profusely, feel like it's "my" trail, even tho someone else made it.  Through the lower reaches then oaks, and last blast to the end, smooth flow.  

Popped out onto H'Ell and followed, very slowly, and at a distance, some walkers down to the high point where I clambered to road, and home.

Call it 13 kms, with 432 m climbed.  Brain, not too rattled.

    

Saturday On the Top and CAP

Pretty good ride tho I'm knackered now.  Bad night's sleep - brain still processing from the smack on Thursday.

Up from home on the Jeht and straight into heading across the Traverse towards Nelson and Kirsty who were riding up Rapaki.  I had a good run across the top here, stopping for quite a few in the right places and not budging when it was my turn.  Parked up, tired, at top of Huntsbury and sat for a bit and as they weren't appearing I headed up onto Vernon and rode across the first flatter section, parking up just above with a view to the road below.  Not long after they appeared and Nelson recognised me above and waved.  I rode back and met them.  Kirsty took the road from here and I followed Nelson around.  We had a pretty good run, not bad pace, tho stopped for a breather above that weird solar-weather-station-electric-fence-looking thing, then got moseying again down around to the top, straight into the Thomson Twins and rolled through to meet K at the Kiwi.  

Up summit road from here, I lagged along here but they were kind enough to wait up a couple times.  Up Worsleys Rd and into the Body Bag - been a while.  There was a moment half way down I thought I was gonna come a cropper, a nasty slump hole eating the rut I was running.  Managed to pop onto the grass to the side and no harm done, but that could catch the unaware easily.  Nelson was spooked by it too.  

Through the gate and steeeep climb up to the chairlift top.  Kirsty went green and we went Bako, rough and tumble down, it's pretty mumpty, and so long.  Got nice and smooth when we eventually hit Duncan's, then we headed into Loose Connections and waited at the start of Omnishambles and, not long after, Kirsty arrived.  She took SnakeObs to Active Rest, and Nelson and me dived into Omni for a start then peeled into the Down Low soon after, weaving our way down this.  Again, quite bumpty and dusty.  I like the reminiscent feeling I get down in the trees near the bottom where it's recognisably part of the old DOHC end.    

We had coffees and I had a not-very-good cookie, then we parted ways.  They rode back to their car at Rapaki and I caught the lift, Summit Connector, lower Nun, up Summit to Vic and down my usual ways.  Brain wasn't functioning properly and I had lost my flow on the way home.  I was stuffed.

Capacious 22.5kms with 560 m climbed under my own steam, lift accounting for the 960 m total

Thursday Flying Nunnery to Flying Off

Good ride on the Jeht tonight until I crashed hard, taking a bit of a knock to the head.

Nelson turned up at mine, and we headed down Amherst and around up Vic Park Rd (due to plumbing works on the driveway).  Reasonable pace but I was getting pretty huffed.  There was a group of chatting younger folk behind us, so we kept ahead and dropped them once it'd flattened out.  Up over 19th and up the grunter.  He piled on up keeping on a couple of fasties while I ground away on my not-low-enough gear.  Massive pile of bikers at the waterfountain.  We rode on by and up into Thomsons #1.  Nice roll down here, then even better in #2.  Onto the road, through the pass, and up to top of Nun, grind, grind, grind.

Dropped in, Nelsie in the lead, and we railed and biffed our way down.  Jeht was riding very nicely, it is an awesome bike.  I was staying on his tail, or catching him, lower down.  We stopped at the Park exit and then I took the lead for a bit cos he was feeling a little off, keeping good pace on.  Then, below the road, my front wheel had a PING on a rock and then under certain loads I could hear the fisssshhhh, but it stayed up for a good while, then was too low and I hauled up and we positioned ourselves at the top of Drainpipe to patch (on account of me carrying around a holed tube (d'oh!))(only had one patch too, and so had to 'borrow' one from Nelson).  Patched, being checked on by everyone riding by (including the last patrol letting us know the park was closing), and including Mel, the ubiquitous.  She stopped for a wee chat (we'd seen her riding down from the park on our way up to Nun, so she'd hauled).  

Tire fixed and we headed down the rest and through the pass and up the Summit to Vic-top.  I led down around the jumpies, down rabbit, into rocks, across gums and down through below all the way out, then below road from 19th and just after the wee up to picnic table and over, handlebar smacked a branch I thought would give (quite thin!), which didnt, and wham, down I went.  Hard.  Really smacked my head.  Picked myself up with a scrambled brain, dejavu on thoughts I thought I was thinking before the crash (or maybe they went through my head as I was crashing!??).   Pulled myself together and we got rolling again, down onto my new-find, which I led through and enjoyed through the pain in my leg and weirdly frazzled brain.  All the way through and down out to the bottom, then clamber to road, and home.    

Negligible 10 kms, and one-third of a km climbed, but light was fading.