Drove across town with O and we parked in Bowenvale. Rode back down the road and around and up Major Aitken Drive. He climbed well all the way, even being a little faster than me a few times (his gearing is taller (and his bike is getting to be too small for him!)). He had to walk up the steep top sealed section tho, and then again on some of the steeper gravel below the pylons. We ducked up onto the singletrack (and i found a new bit of that for going down hill on, that avoids the boggy section before that first (big) jump). We headed up the gravel, which he amazingly rode, and just before that top cattlestop headed across onto the fun downhill track.
He followed me in, and I jumped all the jumps. Not sure if he did all 3. Then we rolled down the landing strip and left down onto the newer section of singletrack. He followed me down all this, and the couple of techy rock bits didn't even phase him. Over the stile and down again, this time, two of these new bits have pretty steep sections, the 2nd of which is virtually vertical. I bombed down them then stopped to look back, and there he was, not even bothered, bombing down behind me. Awesome! Next section had those two tricky bits with exposure off to the left and a drop that I usually 'scoot' down. He did the same behind me. Then the last bit he bombed down all the rocky tech stuff no problem again, and then it was into the off camber corners. I imparted my wisdom around the outside-pedal-down for these and we took off.
Then, into the original Old Skool. Explained to him how it was the first ever purpose build bike track. Then bombed it. He did good, and we had a great trip down (me, not locked out this time!). Last few sections rolly roll roll, and then down the bottom and down the road back to the car. A very well spent 54 minutes with my boy.
9.56kms, and 390 m gained.
Then I was meant to join the boys for Steve's last ride (for a while) on Sunday morning, but Saturday Night got one over on me and I had to spend the day in bed... :(
Monday, July 30, 2018
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Wednesday Night Solo all over the place
Out on my own tonight and probably could have done a proper ride or even a fatty ride on the trails, but figured they were sorta off limits so just had the Troll in the car.
Parked at McCormack's Bay, usual spot, treadled around and grabbed some water and then proceeded to follow my nose... Around the edge of the park, picking up a nice wee singletrack that petered out, so found my way to the bridge and followed the track from there. Around towards town, and just past Mt Pleasant Rd headed up a steep wee 'alleyway' (aka Rangatira Tce), right onto Quarry Rd through the park and down The Brae, not realising I could have headed left on it up to St Andrews. Along the Main Rd for a minute then ducked up Te Awakura Tce, crossed St Andrews and on upwards, around and up the alleyway to Cannon Hill. Down this, fast, right at the bottom and along what's known as Ferrymead Tce, then across the bridge and into the towpath. Met a guy on a commuter cyclocross in here, our lights clashing, then had the rest of the greasy way to myself. Quite squirrelly in parts.
Across the Tunnel Rd bridge and back down the other side, super greasy and squirrelly along here, slick tires finding little purchase. I proceeded around the ex-maori village site and then stayed on tracks that followed the Ferrymead Park Drive. Took a wrong turn and found a greasy dead end, so back to the Drive and on up into Heathcote. Up through the school and out onto Bridle Path Rd, up this as far as the Gondola turn off, and then back, lots of speed, down to Morgans Valley Rd. Up this to the top, the steepness of the upper end proving a good work out on the Troll's gearing. Turned around and bombed back down and hung a right on Bridle Path Rd, down to Cannon Hill.
Up Cannon, checking out Chablis Pl, and choosing to stay on Cannon all the way, again, steepness near the top giving a damned good work out. Around the top of the Crescent and down to Freeman, then left on Major Hornbrook, right into Billy's, and right into Mt Pleasant Rd, proceeding up this til Drayton. Down here into the McCormacks Bay tracks, sidling (surprisingly some climbing) around to the main valley track and taking this down, a bit greasy, to the bridge, then around and up the zig zags to Avery Place, the steep in here getting the better of me and making me walk for a stretch.
Up Avery and left on Glenstrae, right into Daring Lane, and down the zig zags we discovered a few weeks back, onto Challenger Ln. I had a look up here at Defender Lane which supposedly has a way back up to Glenstrae, but it was a 'Private' r.o.w, so I left it to it, and turned tail and bombed high speed down Challenger - Egnot Heights, left into Taupata and then back to the car on the flat.
All over the place... 23 kms and 477 m of climbiness
Parked at McCormack's Bay, usual spot, treadled around and grabbed some water and then proceeded to follow my nose... Around the edge of the park, picking up a nice wee singletrack that petered out, so found my way to the bridge and followed the track from there. Around towards town, and just past Mt Pleasant Rd headed up a steep wee 'alleyway' (aka Rangatira Tce), right onto Quarry Rd through the park and down The Brae, not realising I could have headed left on it up to St Andrews. Along the Main Rd for a minute then ducked up Te Awakura Tce, crossed St Andrews and on upwards, around and up the alleyway to Cannon Hill. Down this, fast, right at the bottom and along what's known as Ferrymead Tce, then across the bridge and into the towpath. Met a guy on a commuter cyclocross in here, our lights clashing, then had the rest of the greasy way to myself. Quite squirrelly in parts.
Across the Tunnel Rd bridge and back down the other side, super greasy and squirrelly along here, slick tires finding little purchase. I proceeded around the ex-maori village site and then stayed on tracks that followed the Ferrymead Park Drive. Took a wrong turn and found a greasy dead end, so back to the Drive and on up into Heathcote. Up through the school and out onto Bridle Path Rd, up this as far as the Gondola turn off, and then back, lots of speed, down to Morgans Valley Rd. Up this to the top, the steepness of the upper end proving a good work out on the Troll's gearing. Turned around and bombed back down and hung a right on Bridle Path Rd, down to Cannon Hill.
Up Cannon, checking out Chablis Pl, and choosing to stay on Cannon all the way, again, steepness near the top giving a damned good work out. Around the top of the Crescent and down to Freeman, then left on Major Hornbrook, right into Billy's, and right into Mt Pleasant Rd, proceeding up this til Drayton. Down here into the McCormacks Bay tracks, sidling (surprisingly some climbing) around to the main valley track and taking this down, a bit greasy, to the bridge, then around and up the zig zags to Avery Place, the steep in here getting the better of me and making me walk for a stretch.
Up Avery and left on Glenstrae, right into Daring Lane, and down the zig zags we discovered a few weeks back, onto Challenger Ln. I had a look up here at Defender Lane which supposedly has a way back up to Glenstrae, but it was a 'Private' r.o.w, so I left it to it, and turned tail and bombed high speed down Challenger - Egnot Heights, left into Taupata and then back to the car on the flat.
All over the place... 23 kms and 477 m of climbiness
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Sunday Solo Utopian Worsley Traverse Nu &Old Skool
Post O's overnight party with 9 extra 13 or 14 year old boys, squawking away gaming. With most gone, I managed to get out for a solo spin. Feeling a bit naff cos they'd been up late, limiting my sleep, not to mention all the junky food we ate: chips, lollies, chocolate, ice-cream, pizza, and combinations of the above.
Parked on the river off the bottom end of Barrington and headed round the foot of the hills. Straight past the CAP and on up Worsley, first time in a long time. The heat and the climb and the gasping wheezing lungs resulted in a massive bleeding nose half way up the grassy steep (alongside the Farside), so stopped and dealt with this, enjoying the views and clarity of the nor'west blown landscape. Riding again, decided to torment myself again and drop into the Farside, to see how it's rolling. Quite overgrown, and looks little-used. There was a tree across it half part way down, but the rest of it rolled pretty good. There was a family right in one of the swoopy corners at the bottom, and the woman sort of panicked and ran along the track in front of me momentarily, but I was friendly and they were fine.
Back into the climb, again, slightly slower pace to a guy on the road who proceeded to overtake a couple of guys also on the road, who I caught up to and overtook once I was on the road. Continued up and up, surveying the missing houses for the first time up here since the fires. Through where we used to park all the time and on up onto the gravel. Total road... Feels like it follows a different route, but I think it actually does follow the old, at least until further up. The 'road' part finishes quite high up, but still below that top Adventure Park gate, so it's almost the old ruttsville momentarily before that gate and into the Body Bag which is just like it used to be. I made it up to the steepest bit and then had to walk about 10 m before getting back on and rolling out the top.
Clambered up to top of Nun and had a wee bite to eat - couple of young guys headed in, then another dude. I paused a bit before going in myself. Nor'wester had picked up a bit and proved a bit interesting up top on the jumps, tailwind one moment, headwind the next. Solo guys had pulled up part way down, and I was gaining on the young guys but they bailed out at the road exit half way. On down, and there were mucky wetspots and lots of rocks. Onto the road at the Kiwi, I've never seen so many cars parked here. Nuts. Across Dyers and up the road, overtaking an Enduro boi on an Evil Something.
Into top of Vic Park, and onto the Traverse. Good blast across this, stopping for some. Then, into my new favourite downhill top of Huntsbury, popping the jumps and grooving down the hill, then down the landing strip and into the second section, fun drops down to the Old Skool zig zags, taking all the new lines. Excellent descent, interesting rocks. Then off camber sections and into the Old Skool proper. Caught a woman walking some non-tech rocks near the beginning, passed her then caught her partner and passed him, over the stile and cruise-ville all the way down the rest.
Got to the bottom, onto the road, went to lock out the rear and found it was already locked out! All the way down, riding a hardtail... Hit the river, around past the library, then back to Ashgrove and car.
Biggish loop, 21.2 kms and 640 m climbed.
Parked on the river off the bottom end of Barrington and headed round the foot of the hills. Straight past the CAP and on up Worsley, first time in a long time. The heat and the climb and the gasping wheezing lungs resulted in a massive bleeding nose half way up the grassy steep (alongside the Farside), so stopped and dealt with this, enjoying the views and clarity of the nor'west blown landscape. Riding again, decided to torment myself again and drop into the Farside, to see how it's rolling. Quite overgrown, and looks little-used. There was a tree across it half part way down, but the rest of it rolled pretty good. There was a family right in one of the swoopy corners at the bottom, and the woman sort of panicked and ran along the track in front of me momentarily, but I was friendly and they were fine.
Back into the climb, again, slightly slower pace to a guy on the road who proceeded to overtake a couple of guys also on the road, who I caught up to and overtook once I was on the road. Continued up and up, surveying the missing houses for the first time up here since the fires. Through where we used to park all the time and on up onto the gravel. Total road... Feels like it follows a different route, but I think it actually does follow the old, at least until further up. The 'road' part finishes quite high up, but still below that top Adventure Park gate, so it's almost the old ruttsville momentarily before that gate and into the Body Bag which is just like it used to be. I made it up to the steepest bit and then had to walk about 10 m before getting back on and rolling out the top.
Clambered up to top of Nun and had a wee bite to eat - couple of young guys headed in, then another dude. I paused a bit before going in myself. Nor'wester had picked up a bit and proved a bit interesting up top on the jumps, tailwind one moment, headwind the next. Solo guys had pulled up part way down, and I was gaining on the young guys but they bailed out at the road exit half way. On down, and there were mucky wetspots and lots of rocks. Onto the road at the Kiwi, I've never seen so many cars parked here. Nuts. Across Dyers and up the road, overtaking an Enduro boi on an Evil Something.
Into top of Vic Park, and onto the Traverse. Good blast across this, stopping for some. Then, into my new favourite downhill top of Huntsbury, popping the jumps and grooving down the hill, then down the landing strip and into the second section, fun drops down to the Old Skool zig zags, taking all the new lines. Excellent descent, interesting rocks. Then off camber sections and into the Old Skool proper. Caught a woman walking some non-tech rocks near the beginning, passed her then caught her partner and passed him, over the stile and cruise-ville all the way down the rest.
Got to the bottom, onto the road, went to lock out the rear and found it was already locked out! All the way down, riding a hardtail... Hit the river, around past the library, then back to Ashgrove and car.
Biggish loop, 21.2 kms and 640 m climbed.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Wednesday Night Big Ken
Big one tonight. Firstly, I was home all day with the boys on school hols, so I rode to Nelson's work for 5 o'clock. Then we trafficjammed it across town and parked at the main gates of Halswell Quarry. Rode up the drive and then through to the mtnbike zone, popping down Download before climbing C2 up onto the Crocodile. I was gasping. Felt I had no energy. However, I was testing my new oval 30t chainring, and it performed admirably. It felt like I was getting more drive for each pedal stroke. This I was noticing most later once we were further up the top. So, it was a long way up. The Low Road was wet as, so we headed up onto the main track and rolled up that, Nelson riding with some XC guy while I struggled on behind. Through the gates and the long climbs began. Hard. Work. Eventually, cleaning everything, we made the top.
Hit the Summit Road around to Worsley's and up to top of Flying Nun, (debating with then ignoring the Track Closed sign - how bad could it be?). Not that bad. Into the Nun and the fun begun. Bomb bomb bomb, taking it reasonably easy in case of slick, which there wasnt much of. Bailed out at the road, and headed back up it.
Just past Worsleys turn off we headed onto the Crater Rim (/360) walkway; climbed up to the top, nice views to be had and trail in good condition. Black sheep around, only evidence being their eyes in the dark. Stopped for a snack then headed onwards and down. Fun descent, with flaxes whipping faces all the way down. Across a carpark and into a techy wee climb, rocks and a bit of steep that Nelson ploughed up and I stalled on. Walked a bit then back on for across the top and around about and down, flowy poppy down.
Then, opposite where you used to enter Kennedys, we continued along the crater-rim, a section neither of us had ever ridden before. It was steeep (but I still managed to stay on top of my new gearing), and climbed for waaay higher and further than I'd have thought was possible given the terrain I didn't realise was up there. Eventually we got to a junction. We could have turned right - down to Kennedys; or straight ahead we chose - towards the Bellbird. Excellent singletrack resulted, a few techs, but nice, rocky and through bush the odd step, a fair bit of speed. Then at a rocky saddle, we could have dropped to the road just below, but we continued up, pushing bikes over rocky bits, then a bit more riding, more rocks, more riding, a good sized surprise totara, to eventually the Bellbird carpark.
Across the road, decided to try the trail back to Kennedys from here. Down a ways and into tiiiight forest singletrack, not much room. eventually a wrong turn and we ended up at the road, so over the fence and onto this, along a bit, and "hey, there's the track" so, onto this and along, more super tight singletrack, then more open and climbing and descending to, through a gate and over the stile, top of Kennedys. Time for a bomb. Seats down, suspension opened up, and away. Super speed down, warp speed catch up. Down, down down. Insane speeds reached, lights the limit of visibility. Over the stile and climbing then into the singletrack, bit of slop but mostly okay, and down to the Crock avoiding any water on the track, down into Murphs, droppy drop into there ducking and weaving, then last climb out killing me before finally down through the Quarry Reserve and back to the car...
Quite big in the end, 22 kms and 777m climbed... (oh, plus the 4.6kms from home to Nelson's work).
Hit the Summit Road around to Worsley's and up to top of Flying Nun, (debating with then ignoring the Track Closed sign - how bad could it be?). Not that bad. Into the Nun and the fun begun. Bomb bomb bomb, taking it reasonably easy in case of slick, which there wasnt much of. Bailed out at the road, and headed back up it.
Just past Worsleys turn off we headed onto the Crater Rim (/360) walkway; climbed up to the top, nice views to be had and trail in good condition. Black sheep around, only evidence being their eyes in the dark. Stopped for a snack then headed onwards and down. Fun descent, with flaxes whipping faces all the way down. Across a carpark and into a techy wee climb, rocks and a bit of steep that Nelson ploughed up and I stalled on. Walked a bit then back on for across the top and around about and down, flowy poppy down.
Then, opposite where you used to enter Kennedys, we continued along the crater-rim, a section neither of us had ever ridden before. It was steeep (but I still managed to stay on top of my new gearing), and climbed for waaay higher and further than I'd have thought was possible given the terrain I didn't realise was up there. Eventually we got to a junction. We could have turned right - down to Kennedys; or straight ahead we chose - towards the Bellbird. Excellent singletrack resulted, a few techs, but nice, rocky and through bush the odd step, a fair bit of speed. Then at a rocky saddle, we could have dropped to the road just below, but we continued up, pushing bikes over rocky bits, then a bit more riding, more rocks, more riding, a good sized surprise totara, to eventually the Bellbird carpark.
Across the road, decided to try the trail back to Kennedys from here. Down a ways and into tiiiight forest singletrack, not much room. eventually a wrong turn and we ended up at the road, so over the fence and onto this, along a bit, and "hey, there's the track" so, onto this and along, more super tight singletrack, then more open and climbing and descending to, through a gate and over the stile, top of Kennedys. Time for a bomb. Seats down, suspension opened up, and away. Super speed down, warp speed catch up. Down, down down. Insane speeds reached, lights the limit of visibility. Over the stile and climbing then into the singletrack, bit of slop but mostly okay, and down to the Crock avoiding any water on the track, down into Murphs, droppy drop into there ducking and weaving, then last climb out killing me before finally down through the Quarry Reserve and back to the car...
Quite big in the end, 22 kms and 777m climbed... (oh, plus the 4.6kms from home to Nelson's work).
Saturday, July 14, 2018
Saturday pHat-nmer Round Two
Out for round two. Headed down the street and around thru town, getting lots of stares (freak on a fatbike!) and headed around Jacks Pass Rd and up past the camp in Chatterton Rd, up the valley to the walkway and up this for a ways (further than memory served), then hung a right on the singletrack that obviously doesn't get much use at all, climbing and sidling up to cross the 4wd track, onto the pylon access track up the steep under the pylon. Cleaned all the steep here (first time in years) then stopped for a very well earned breather at the peak point between two trees (that are much bigger than they were last time I was here (3 years ago)). After the rest, it was into the down, and a nice sidle across and then past the beehives and up to Clarence Valley Rd, and the water tank. A dad and his teenage son were just about to drop into Tank Track. They offered me the go, but I stopped for a drink and let them get ahead.
Into Tank, lovely flight down this, and about halfway down I found I'd caught up to the dad, reeled him in and he pulled up to let me past. Powered into the climb and out to the end of the track. Decided on the Yankee, so headed across to and into it, climbing in the nicely grown young pines across and back and then into the larch gully and out onto the big open area.
Photo op here (for the MMR) before hitting up the final bit of climb on singletrack and then the descent. Decent, as. Nice now, what was a pain in the ass in the past was really fun again, almost like old times (but not quite). Went on for ages, then then I was out the end. Hit up Swamp, climbing to it's top (after first telling some random couple the climb wasn't too bad) and then stopped and chatted to some guy at the top of Swoop.
Off down Swoop, chasing down a couple, getting past them both and flying down the bottom end, very splecky on one section (of melted frost). Then it was similar to yesterday, back into Timberlands, just taking my time on the climbing, to the saddle, giving some germans some directions (they were impressed with the fatty), and then up onto Jolliffe Saddle track, climbing more and cleaning the top corner again. Bit of a rest here at the top this time, and into the downwards facing dog.
Across the bridge, and into Bigfoot climb again, climb climb climb, blitzing the downhill, 2nd time in 2 days really paying off on the smoothness and flow, out the bottom, and down the road a little then straight onto Mach 1 down and climbing and descending, and repeat. Fun! Finally, onto Camp track, thinking about doing the green trail that winds it's way around on the flat in here, but taking a call from T saying she was waiting to go to the pool, so... Straight back to base I headed, via the Western Link Track, and through the parklands and up over the hill for the final blast down to the house.
Hour and a half this time, nearly twice the distance to yesterday, 19kms on the dot, and 475 m climbed.
Off down Swoop, chasing down a couple, getting past them both and flying down the bottom end, very splecky on one section (of melted frost). Then it was similar to yesterday, back into Timberlands, just taking my time on the climbing, to the saddle, giving some germans some directions (they were impressed with the fatty), and then up onto Jolliffe Saddle track, climbing more and cleaning the top corner again. Bit of a rest here at the top this time, and into the downwards facing dog.
Across the bridge, and into Bigfoot climb again, climb climb climb, blitzing the downhill, 2nd time in 2 days really paying off on the smoothness and flow, out the bottom, and down the road a little then straight onto Mach 1 down and climbing and descending, and repeat. Fun! Finally, onto Camp track, thinking about doing the green trail that winds it's way around on the flat in here, but taking a call from T saying she was waiting to go to the pool, so... Straight back to base I headed, via the Western Link Track, and through the parklands and up over the hill for the final blast down to the house.
Hour and a half this time, nearly twice the distance to yesterday, 19kms on the dot, and 475 m climbed.
Friday, July 13, 2018
Friday pHat-nmer, post soak cruise.
Hours spent at the pools, soaking the muscles into subjugation, possibly a bit silly pre ride... Got back to the house, grabbed a quick bite to eat then headed out for a quick fat spin.
Left the bach we were staying at and up the alleyway over the rise and down to the Woodland Walk Recreation Reserve and thru to Timberlands trail climb. Nasty wee granny gear bastard start that it is, gentles out towards the top before the final slog to the saddle. Then it was off up the Jolliffe Saddle track to the top, cleaning the big corner at the top quite nicely before dropping the seat and dropping into the wicked tight upper Dog Stream track down through zigs and zags and flow finishing with a couple of tight corners to the bridge. Across this and walked up the steps to the road and up to the carpark.
Into the Bigfoot climb, one point where the trees are so tight they don't fit an 820mm wide bar... Cleaned all the zigs and zags up this and then into the descent. Some patches of permafrost, and some splecky melted frosty bits, fun downhill, weaving and cruising and back and forth, then into the fir trees and back out, so much fun. Met a family at the bottom (who'd just come down the Fir Trail), rolled through and down to Detox.
Mucky climb to start with, lots of water rivulets running down the lower 4wd part of the road. Steeper 2nd half not as wet, climbing pretty good, but relieved to be onto the flatter section through to the singletrack descent. Fun flight down through the trees, feeling like a speeder-bike through the forest in Empire Strikes Back. Got to the end and hung a right onto the end of Mach 1 through to where it crosses Dog Stream whereupon I turned downstream and flew down here, bit of spleck in the forest, before hanging right and up the hill back up to the saddle I'd been through earlier.
Next it was into Red Rocks track, nice climb to a super fun descent, a couple of re-alligned corners, including a whole new section in the forest out to the right at one point, then got down to the turning and peeled right into the Eeny Meenies. Chose Eeny to the left (once up the hill) and peeled around back and forth on this, eventually making the Western Link Track and taking that back to the Market Green to head back over the wee hill back down the the bach.
Just over an hour spun, 10.7 kms with a surprisingly small 334m climbed.
Left the bach we were staying at and up the alleyway over the rise and down to the Woodland Walk Recreation Reserve and thru to Timberlands trail climb. Nasty wee granny gear bastard start that it is, gentles out towards the top before the final slog to the saddle. Then it was off up the Jolliffe Saddle track to the top, cleaning the big corner at the top quite nicely before dropping the seat and dropping into the wicked tight upper Dog Stream track down through zigs and zags and flow finishing with a couple of tight corners to the bridge. Across this and walked up the steps to the road and up to the carpark.
Into the Bigfoot climb, one point where the trees are so tight they don't fit an 820mm wide bar... Cleaned all the zigs and zags up this and then into the descent. Some patches of permafrost, and some splecky melted frosty bits, fun downhill, weaving and cruising and back and forth, then into the fir trees and back out, so much fun. Met a family at the bottom (who'd just come down the Fir Trail), rolled through and down to Detox.
Mucky climb to start with, lots of water rivulets running down the lower 4wd part of the road. Steeper 2nd half not as wet, climbing pretty good, but relieved to be onto the flatter section through to the singletrack descent. Fun flight down through the trees, feeling like a speeder-bike through the forest in Empire Strikes Back. Got to the end and hung a right onto the end of Mach 1 through to where it crosses Dog Stream whereupon I turned downstream and flew down here, bit of spleck in the forest, before hanging right and up the hill back up to the saddle I'd been through earlier.
Next it was into Red Rocks track, nice climb to a super fun descent, a couple of re-alligned corners, including a whole new section in the forest out to the right at one point, then got down to the turning and peeled right into the Eeny Meenies. Chose Eeny to the left (once up the hill) and peeled around back and forth on this, eventually making the Western Link Track and taking that back to the Market Green to head back over the wee hill back down the the bach.
Just over an hour spun, 10.7 kms with a surprisingly small 334m climbed.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Wednesday Night Ashley Trails
Parked up on Forestry Rd Barron Ave corner (after finding Barron Ave to be a 'private' road and 'tenants cars only'). Rode up Forestry, steeper than you'd think, and through the gate into Purple Heights where we entered last time. Climbed this up, longer than memory served, to Mt Grey Rd at the 2km marker, and then, just like last time headed just over and onto the open jumpy connector track. Hung a right at the end of this and went back up Mt Grey Rd for a second lap.
At the bottom we turned left (unlike last time) and were faced with a choice. Figured taking all the trails we found from left to right would be the best bet, so headed left and it took us down a really fun steep twisty descending trail. This ended at a couple of jumps and a skidder site (which I ascertained (as per my map-in-the-headedness) to be approximately somewhere we'd passed by last time we were in here, and next to Thomsons Rd. Figured, how far can it be, so we headed left up this and found out it could actuallly be quite a long way, pretty much mostly climbing up eventually to the Mt Grey Rd, this time at the 3km marker. Nice roll (but waste of altitude) down this, all the time looking for trails off to the left. One short detour to a skidder site and some beehives to see if there were any hidden trails, but no, so back onto Mt Grey to the 2km marker.
Down the jumpy, third time lucky, and left to try the other option. This time wee found an xc style descent that seemed to go for ages, eventually meeting the first descender at the first jump and the skidder site again. Decided it was probably designed to be a climber, so we climbed back up it, (took me a while, but Nelson loved it!) and then across back to Mt Grey Rd again.
Left down this and into the zone we rode with the locals last time. This time we checked out the trail that had logs all over it, finding them cleared, so bombed down it. It was fun and flowy, but then it took a turn upwards, and in no time at all got us back onto the trail we'd ridden last time. We fanged down this flowy, mostly down, but sidling slighty, trail, always on the look out for other tracks. Missed one turn off (on what I think we must have taken last time), then ended up at an intersection (of the cross-forest track we'd ridden from the jumps skidder site first time), and it was a bit mucky here, so we took a right and knew pretty quick it was probably the wrong way. Through a barrier fence, and we ended up at the top of Courtney Drive. Headed down this onto Barron (which didn't look familiar at all!) and back to the cars. Considered a 2nd lap, but it was nearly 8pm, and we were both feeling a bit hungry.
Bailed down to Rangoon for some Thai. Nom nom.
14kms on the dot, and just a smidge under 300m climbed... felt like more to me.
At the bottom we turned left (unlike last time) and were faced with a choice. Figured taking all the trails we found from left to right would be the best bet, so headed left and it took us down a really fun steep twisty descending trail. This ended at a couple of jumps and a skidder site (which I ascertained (as per my map-in-the-headedness) to be approximately somewhere we'd passed by last time we were in here, and next to Thomsons Rd. Figured, how far can it be, so we headed left up this and found out it could actuallly be quite a long way, pretty much mostly climbing up eventually to the Mt Grey Rd, this time at the 3km marker. Nice roll (but waste of altitude) down this, all the time looking for trails off to the left. One short detour to a skidder site and some beehives to see if there were any hidden trails, but no, so back onto Mt Grey to the 2km marker.
Down the jumpy, third time lucky, and left to try the other option. This time wee found an xc style descent that seemed to go for ages, eventually meeting the first descender at the first jump and the skidder site again. Decided it was probably designed to be a climber, so we climbed back up it, (took me a while, but Nelson loved it!) and then across back to Mt Grey Rd again.
Left down this and into the zone we rode with the locals last time. This time we checked out the trail that had logs all over it, finding them cleared, so bombed down it. It was fun and flowy, but then it took a turn upwards, and in no time at all got us back onto the trail we'd ridden last time. We fanged down this flowy, mostly down, but sidling slighty, trail, always on the look out for other tracks. Missed one turn off (on what I think we must have taken last time), then ended up at an intersection (of the cross-forest track we'd ridden from the jumps skidder site first time), and it was a bit mucky here, so we took a right and knew pretty quick it was probably the wrong way. Through a barrier fence, and we ended up at the top of Courtney Drive. Headed down this onto Barron (which didn't look familiar at all!) and back to the cars. Considered a 2nd lap, but it was nearly 8pm, and we were both feeling a bit hungry.
Bailed down to Rangoon for some Thai. Nom nom.
14kms on the dot, and just a smidge under 300m climbed... felt like more to me.
Sunday, July 08, 2018
Early Loner Sunday Morning with Jetty-boy
Big day ahead, with a band-practice / bookgroup party in the afternoon, so Jet and me headed out early, leaving home about 8am. Parked at the usual spot on Eastern Tce bottom of Bowenvale and headed up Major Aitken Drive, Jet pouncing along happily, or trotting at a heel on the narrower bits. Up Kenmanure onto Huntsbury and on up the steep, keeping a pretty good pace the whole way. Onto the gravel and then up onto the singletrack to the landingstrip and on up gravel to the top, Jet meeting a few other friendly dogs on the way.
Straight into the start of the Traverse and across, then I dropped straight into the cool (newish) descent track, popping the jumps nicely, even tho the wind was strong. Down the landing strip again and around into the new stuff, descending down cool steep rocky faces and across back to the gate. From here, the new lines (several of which follow the old lines) of fun, drop, pop and roll through, across, rinse and repeat. Steep rock sections and then off camber corners and I was into Bowenvale Old Skool, bombing it in the usual cruisy wafty moments of intensity moments of calm cruise, stopping to wait for Mr Jet at various hairpin corners.
Finally out the bottom and he befriended a dog called Marvel and they played and played and I chatted with his owner while they proceeded to get themselves into the fenced part of the creek up there. Luckily a locked gate opened enough to let them out, and Jet was very reluctant to stop playing, so I dragged him away on the lead. Down Bowenvale Ave he trotted along very slowly, so it took AGES to get back to the car. a 10.5 km round trip, with 420 m climbed...
Straight into the start of the Traverse and across, then I dropped straight into the cool (newish) descent track, popping the jumps nicely, even tho the wind was strong. Down the landing strip again and around into the new stuff, descending down cool steep rocky faces and across back to the gate. From here, the new lines (several of which follow the old lines) of fun, drop, pop and roll through, across, rinse and repeat. Steep rock sections and then off camber corners and I was into Bowenvale Old Skool, bombing it in the usual cruisy wafty moments of intensity moments of calm cruise, stopping to wait for Mr Jet at various hairpin corners.
Finally out the bottom and he befriended a dog called Marvel and they played and played and I chatted with his owner while they proceeded to get themselves into the fenced part of the creek up there. Luckily a locked gate opened enough to let them out, and Jet was very reluctant to stop playing, so I dragged him away on the lead. Down Bowenvale Ave he trotted along very slowly, so it took AGES to get back to the car. a 10.5 km round trip, with 420 m climbed...
Wednesday, July 04, 2018
Wednesday Night Piecing it together to avoid the Closed bits
Cool wee ride tonight.. Pretty much all tracks out east closed (Godley, Captain, Snake, Greenwood, Britten) so we headed out that way anyway, figuring we'd piece something else together...
We parked on Nayland, and headed up onto The Zig Zag, but took Aratoni Track, first turning to the right. A bit of walking, but a fair bit of riding too, eventually up some steps and out onto Clifton Tce. Up this for a bit thinking to take the Zig Zag up to Panorama, but couldn't fathom the driveway entrance so continued on up Clifton til we hit The Frog Pond track. This was greasy in spots but has some new drainage, and we managed to avoid most of them quite well, then up the ridge up to the big pines on the corner. Stopped for a snack here and saw the ISS cruising by.
Next it was across the road up onto the climbing track which we took up to the Greenwood entrance. Rolled into this and across and around, all in good nick, not mucky at all, to the 4wd track (before the ruins). Here, we hung a right and rode up to the gun emplacements on the ridge which we toodled around for a minute or 5 before heading down the ridge on the 360 / CraterRim / Mt Pleasant Bluffs / Call-it-whatever-you-wanna-call-it Track. Fast and flowy for a bit, then steep as hell and techy as shit, with a stile in there somewhere for good measure. Across the top of Chalmers, over the next stile and on down between the macrocarpas sidling across the 360 walkaway section, all above Greenwood, across behind the bluffs they're messing with for the Evans Pass Rd, and then down the stupid-fast access track down the ridge towards the works buildings, to the end of Greenwood.
Through Evans Pass and decided against Godley Track (it being closed, and remembering how many bits I walked last time due to it being wet and closed) so stuck to the road, out, til we found a wee singletrack entrance which took us above the road for a bit around towards the 4wd track entrance. Climbed over the fence before this following a natural line across to the 4wd track then up this. And across the Godley track, on up the ridge (as per last time (too)) all the way to the top. Nice views up here. Here we were on the 360 track again. Excellent descent ensued back down to Evans Pass. (oh, while we were up here, we spotted some douchebag on Greenwood - much of his descending matched ours).
At Evans again we headed into Rapanui Bush, hung a right and teched through to the Scarborough Bluffs track again (the Greenwood-douchebag seemed to follow us - but he missed our right-hander). This time was excellent too, tho a bit wetter than last. Nelson cleaned the lot, whereas I dabbed in similar places to last time. Awesome descent, this track. At the road we decided it'd be mucky below, so we hit the road down, high speed, flinging / clearing the mud from the knobs and down into the fridge of the valleybottom, then back to the cars at a cruisy pace.
An interesting 15 kms, with 570 m climbed...
We parked on Nayland, and headed up onto The Zig Zag, but took Aratoni Track, first turning to the right. A bit of walking, but a fair bit of riding too, eventually up some steps and out onto Clifton Tce. Up this for a bit thinking to take the Zig Zag up to Panorama, but couldn't fathom the driveway entrance so continued on up Clifton til we hit The Frog Pond track. This was greasy in spots but has some new drainage, and we managed to avoid most of them quite well, then up the ridge up to the big pines on the corner. Stopped for a snack here and saw the ISS cruising by.
Next it was across the road up onto the climbing track which we took up to the Greenwood entrance. Rolled into this and across and around, all in good nick, not mucky at all, to the 4wd track (before the ruins). Here, we hung a right and rode up to the gun emplacements on the ridge which we toodled around for a minute or 5 before heading down the ridge on the 360 / CraterRim / Mt Pleasant Bluffs / Call-it-whatever-you-wanna-call-it Track. Fast and flowy for a bit, then steep as hell and techy as shit, with a stile in there somewhere for good measure. Across the top of Chalmers, over the next stile and on down between the macrocarpas sidling across the 360 walkaway section, all above Greenwood, across behind the bluffs they're messing with for the Evans Pass Rd, and then down the stupid-fast access track down the ridge towards the works buildings, to the end of Greenwood.
Through Evans Pass and decided against Godley Track (it being closed, and remembering how many bits I walked last time due to it being wet and closed) so stuck to the road, out, til we found a wee singletrack entrance which took us above the road for a bit around towards the 4wd track entrance. Climbed over the fence before this following a natural line across to the 4wd track then up this. And across the Godley track, on up the ridge (as per last time (too)) all the way to the top. Nice views up here. Here we were on the 360 track again. Excellent descent ensued back down to Evans Pass. (oh, while we were up here, we spotted some douchebag on Greenwood - much of his descending matched ours).
At Evans again we headed into Rapanui Bush, hung a right and teched through to the Scarborough Bluffs track again (the Greenwood-douchebag seemed to follow us - but he missed our right-hander). This time was excellent too, tho a bit wetter than last. Nelson cleaned the lot, whereas I dabbed in similar places to last time. Awesome descent, this track. At the road we decided it'd be mucky below, so we hit the road down, high speed, flinging / clearing the mud from the knobs and down into the fridge of the valleybottom, then back to the cars at a cruisy pace.
An interesting 15 kms, with 570 m climbed...
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Wednesday Night Not as Mucky as one might expect
Fatty and Tall-y out for a spin again. Post work meet at same spot on the river bottom of Bowenvale as last time, and headed for the Major Aitken. Swapped bikes for the climb, me still much slower than Nelson, even with him belaboured with the fatty. Up Major Aitken and Kenmanure onto Huntsbury and on up to the top. 29er skinny tires, locked out forks, rolls pretty easy, so I wasn't as stuffed as I'd usually be by the top.
Swapped back to our own steeds at the top, and headed off down Vernon, fat tires a little over-aired from a brief pump-up in the morning. Manageable tho, and still plenty of grip. Across cRapaki top and into Witch Hill, where we clambered to the high point and stopped for a quick snack. Tonnes of lights on the track (and Monty's Spur) below. Turned around here and bombed back again, across the saddle and on up Vernon, climbing slow and steady for me. Eventually made the top and caught up to Nelson.
Bunch of riders assembled at Traverse, but none made the move so we I headed in. Nelson stuck to the road above cos he thought the track might be wet and mucky like last time and he didn't wanna dirty up his nice clean bike. It wasn't, so he joined me for the 2nd half, around to top of Vic. He gotten ahead of me, and we'd caught up with some other guys and one of them had a yellow jacket so I chased them down finding it wasn't Nelson. So, I was at the seesaw and holla'd up to Nelson who then joined me and off down the rabbit paddock we cruised, into the rockgarden and around through the gummies, usual fun little lefthander, and through to the skidder site.
Swapped back to our own steeds at the top, and headed off down Vernon, fat tires a little over-aired from a brief pump-up in the morning. Manageable tho, and still plenty of grip. Across cRapaki top and into Witch Hill, where we clambered to the high point and stopped for a quick snack. Tonnes of lights on the track (and Monty's Spur) below. Turned around here and bombed back again, across the saddle and on up Vernon, climbing slow and steady for me. Eventually made the top and caught up to Nelson.
Bunch of riders assembled at Traverse, but none made the move so we I headed in. Nelson stuck to the road above cos he thought the track might be wet and mucky like last time and he didn't wanna dirty up his nice clean bike. It wasn't, so he joined me for the 2nd half, around to top of Vic. He gotten ahead of me, and we'd caught up with some other guys and one of them had a yellow jacket so I chased them down finding it wasn't Nelson. So, I was at the seesaw and holla'd up to Nelson who then joined me and off down the rabbit paddock we cruised, into the rockgarden and around through the gummies, usual fun little lefthander, and through to the skidder site.
Into Spazza's, catching up to a couple of guys at the bottom, and we sidled across from the 40footer and over down the 4wd track to half way down Cool Runnings, left into here. Fun whoopdedoos and into the valley bottom (the other two guys working down from above that in behind us) and then out onto Bridges and Flow, and across Nu Bridges heading straight across towards Hospital Corner. Long time since i'd been down this section, had forgotten how fun-steep it is. My uber-grippy tires kept me in control all the way down, but Nelson's skinnywhippet-tiny-knobs couldn't hold on and he even walked a little. Final gravel road blast down was fun - it's what fatbikes do best. Then down the road back to the car and we were done by 7.15pm! Headed to Moon Under Water for a beer and a snack.
over 16 kms, and 632 m climbed... not bad for a week night.
over 16 kms, and 632 m climbed... not bad for a week night.
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Sunday Wharfdale Surprise
Got a surprise leave pass so headed out to Nelson's. Nice fine nor'west day, and we headed around to View Hill and up the road. Pete's Ford ford is all good now, raised concrete that it is, but the 2nd ford was a little marginal, but Nelson's pretty confident, so he just powered on through, no problems. Shared gate duty with a girl in a Rangey (ie, I opened them, she followed Nelson through), but luckily it was only the first and last gates (2 in between open). Gale blowing at the car park, quite cool, but still a sunny day so off we rode.
First time up here for 2 years! Nice uneventful climb in, up, down, up. On the longer downhill cruising along, trail pretty dry, a few puddles but no bother. Moved one tree that was easy. Tried to move a couple others that weren't. Met three hunter/tramper guys. Said there were 6 more trampers behind. The first of the six was rather chatty. Then proceeded to meet the rest, first a couple. Then a couple of guys. Then a woman. Spitty rain started to fall. It was looking pretty bleak further up, but on we rode. Made the saddle and the rain was slightly heavier, but we were keen to check out the Black Hill track, so rode down towards the hut to the turn off for that, thinking we might carry up it for a bit before turning back. Got there, walked up the first 20 metres of it and realised it'd be sketchy as hell. Rain was quite heavy now.
Turned back here, climbing, and the trail was ever increasingly running with water the further we progressed. Jackets soaking wet, water pouring off us. Awesome blast down from the saddle, after having cleared a log off it on the way in we had a clear run, high speed, roots-a-poppin' blast. Around the corner, down over the trenchguts, around the corner and onwards. Fantastic. Climby bits weren't too bad, and the descent to the creek that used to be quite dodgy is all nicely benched now. Same with what was once a rockface drop after that creek. More cruising climbing, wind howling in the trees around us, more and more as we progressed. Sometimes tailwind pushing along, other times blasting from the side. On the ridge where all the windthrow was from the past it was blasting through just before the descent through all the bridges. Great blast down this and then final climb, soaking wet, dripping. Passed a bunch of walkers on the final descent blasting down to the car where the wind was ripping through, freezing cold.
Worked out well tho, cos we got in between the walking group's two vehicles, and the girl from the front one opened and shut the gates for us all. Got to the ford and it had risen quite a bit. The front 4wd got through, and stopped to see if we would. Water right up over the bonnet, but made it, then the 2nd (less burly 4wd) also made it.
Good ride. Tho mucky and cold(ish). 22.5kms, 724m climbed.
First time up here for 2 years! Nice uneventful climb in, up, down, up. On the longer downhill cruising along, trail pretty dry, a few puddles but no bother. Moved one tree that was easy. Tried to move a couple others that weren't. Met three hunter/tramper guys. Said there were 6 more trampers behind. The first of the six was rather chatty. Then proceeded to meet the rest, first a couple. Then a couple of guys. Then a woman. Spitty rain started to fall. It was looking pretty bleak further up, but on we rode. Made the saddle and the rain was slightly heavier, but we were keen to check out the Black Hill track, so rode down towards the hut to the turn off for that, thinking we might carry up it for a bit before turning back. Got there, walked up the first 20 metres of it and realised it'd be sketchy as hell. Rain was quite heavy now.
Turned back here, climbing, and the trail was ever increasingly running with water the further we progressed. Jackets soaking wet, water pouring off us. Awesome blast down from the saddle, after having cleared a log off it on the way in we had a clear run, high speed, roots-a-poppin' blast. Around the corner, down over the trenchguts, around the corner and onwards. Fantastic. Climby bits weren't too bad, and the descent to the creek that used to be quite dodgy is all nicely benched now. Same with what was once a rockface drop after that creek. More cruising climbing, wind howling in the trees around us, more and more as we progressed. Sometimes tailwind pushing along, other times blasting from the side. On the ridge where all the windthrow was from the past it was blasting through just before the descent through all the bridges. Great blast down this and then final climb, soaking wet, dripping. Passed a bunch of walkers on the final descent blasting down to the car where the wind was ripping through, freezing cold.
Worked out well tho, cos we got in between the walking group's two vehicles, and the girl from the front one opened and shut the gates for us all. Got to the ford and it had risen quite a bit. The front 4wd got through, and stopped to see if we would. Water right up over the bonnet, but made it, then the 2nd (less burly 4wd) also made it.
Good ride. Tho mucky and cold(ish). 22.5kms, 724m climbed.
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Tuesday Fatty and Tally, mucky and splecky
Nelson picked me up from home (where I'd been all day with a sick O, and getting the fire installed) and we parked next to the river over off the bottom of Bowenvale Ave. Headed around to and up cRapaki, first time up here since Jan. Struggle for me on the fatty and absolute ease for Nelson on his 29er. Nice cold southerly kept the heat down once we were further up. Vernon, uneventful, other than Nelson going over his bars... - he caught the front wheel badly on a rock and over he went, very suddenly. Rest of it was fine and we got to the intersection of the road and Traverse.
Options were, Scotts Knob reserve walking track, which would have been wet as, the road, or the Traverse. Sign for the Traverse said Open, but I wasn't convinced, so I checked the website which also said Open, so, off we went round this. Pretty mucky for a start. Splecky as. But, not so bad. Fatty was good on the descents, fun in fact. Top of Vic, and we dropped into the Thompsons, then down through the macs near the end of Thomson 2, onto the H.Ell track.
Very nice cruisey blast down Mr Ell's track. Rather damp and splecky in places, but a nice cruise, and no-one else met. Across Vic Park Rd, and down a little further, til we found an upward trail which took us up towards the Ranger Station, a left on the usual transit bike track (19th to crossing of Dyers Pass Rd), down this a wee way to the corner, and up the steps to the Tawhairiki Track, boardwalk inclusive, and up this and across to the dog park.
Tech-fest down this to the top of the forest, greeaasy as in the tree lucernes before the gate, then into the forest edge trail, Barbed Wire Roots track around below the forest to the top of the houses, then down the trail below the houses, again, greeaasy as, front and back wheel skidz. All the way down, and out onto Longhurst, across onto the steppy track down (and a little up) to Holliss, for a fast mud-flinging blast down the seal before a cruise back to the car.
Options were, Scotts Knob reserve walking track, which would have been wet as, the road, or the Traverse. Sign for the Traverse said Open, but I wasn't convinced, so I checked the website which also said Open, so, off we went round this. Pretty mucky for a start. Splecky as. But, not so bad. Fatty was good on the descents, fun in fact. Top of Vic, and we dropped into the Thompsons, then down through the macs near the end of Thomson 2, onto the H.Ell track.
Very nice cruisey blast down Mr Ell's track. Rather damp and splecky in places, but a nice cruise, and no-one else met. Across Vic Park Rd, and down a little further, til we found an upward trail which took us up towards the Ranger Station, a left on the usual transit bike track (19th to crossing of Dyers Pass Rd), down this a wee way to the corner, and up the steps to the Tawhairiki Track, boardwalk inclusive, and up this and across to the dog park.
Tech-fest down this to the top of the forest, greeaasy as in the tree lucernes before the gate, then into the forest edge trail, Barbed Wire Roots track around below the forest to the top of the houses, then down the trail below the houses, again, greeaasy as, front and back wheel skidz. All the way down, and out onto Longhurst, across onto the steppy track down (and a little up) to Holliss, for a fast mud-flinging blast down the seal before a cruise back to the car.
17.3kms, 540odd m climbed
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Tuesdee Pre-Trees Meet Street Feat
Had to pick up H and drop him home, then met nightmare traffic all the way across town. Luckily Nelson had had a malingering customer and didn't get away til late either, so we both arrived at McCormack's Park carpark within a minute of each other. He had his clown-wheeler and I had the Troll and because of the wetness everywhere, we were gonna ride streets and alleyways/walkways. Also, I only had my bike mounted (non-superbright) lights.
Headed up Glenstrae, steep and hardwork on the Troll's gearing (must get a smaller front ring for this time of year). I took a few breathers at various spots, but made it to the levelling off, and we headed up and into Daring Lane where we had seen on gglmaps there were some zigzags down. Entry of rough rock steps, but then sealed and smooth back and forth down to Challenger Lane. Good bomb down this to Egnot, fast descent to Taupapa. Around Augusta onto the Main drag and around to good old Mulgans Track. I walked a lot of this, it's just too steeep to ride on the Troll. Up, up past the tanks and up past York's old place to Panorama, and into Brownlee Reserve. Found the downwards trails in here and then it was onto The Zigzag, weaving carefully down this (not seeing it at all very well), slick tires struggling in the wet leaves and dirt, but keeping it together with a restrained descent. Amazing how long it is. Reckon this'd be a good climb. Eventually onto Nayland, and then around the Main Rd back to the cars by just after 7.
Collected some Thai and made the meeting in very good time
Headed up Glenstrae, steep and hardwork on the Troll's gearing (must get a smaller front ring for this time of year). I took a few breathers at various spots, but made it to the levelling off, and we headed up and into Daring Lane where we had seen on gglmaps there were some zigzags down. Entry of rough rock steps, but then sealed and smooth back and forth down to Challenger Lane. Good bomb down this to Egnot, fast descent to Taupapa. Around Augusta onto the Main drag and around to good old Mulgans Track. I walked a lot of this, it's just too steeep to ride on the Troll. Up, up past the tanks and up past York's old place to Panorama, and into Brownlee Reserve. Found the downwards trails in here and then it was onto The Zigzag, weaving carefully down this (not seeing it at all very well), slick tires struggling in the wet leaves and dirt, but keeping it together with a restrained descent. Amazing how long it is. Reckon this'd be a good climb. Eventually onto Nayland, and then around the Main Rd back to the cars by just after 7.
Collected some Thai and made the meeting in very good time
8.3kms, and surprisingly 330 m climbed
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Sunday Mucky Fatty Jetty Slowy, lotsy off Pistey
Beautiful morning to be out early. Parked up Evans Pass and on the fat bike with Jet poached in on the (closed) Godley track. One or 2 mucky spots but the fat tires do no damage and leave little trace of having been through. And I walked on several of the mucky bits (as well as some of the techy bits) anyway. A good run down to Livingstone, only a bit splecky on the Teddington Schipt bit, with smooth fun sailing, no puddles or muck the rest of the way down. Jet struggled with the cattlestop, and a runner helped me out with the little doggy gate, and then we headed up and over to Breeze - again, no mucky bits, tho I was cautious on that last paddock ruttsville zone before the final cattlestop, not to mention the cattlestop itself.
Next, it was across to the stile and onto the Breeze Bay walking track. Jet seemed to know we were going that way and led the way to the stile, over it, and off up the track, without any direction from me. Nice to ride in this way, mostly climbing, and the gravel is starting to be grown into by the surrounding grass, so the trail is getting a better feel. Still way less tech than it used to be, ie, none now. Over the stile at the end, and I stopped to take a couple of pics.
(in the glare behind the Kaikoura Mountains were in their full glory...)
From here, treadled across to the bunker on the hill, then headed up towards the trig, zigging and zagging a couple times. Over the fence, across to the higher bunker and up to the trig where I was tempted to take more pics. View up Lyttelton Harbour and over Chch to the mountains and out to see spectacular all around. A runner grunted up here and past, stopping to take in the view but completely not engaging with me... I headed off down the fenceline for a start, then had a second thought and went back over the fence and back up the hill, then over down, where sheepshit flew off my tires and onto my face. Nice and fresh it was, all over my lips, nose and mustache, nearly in my mouth - eeewwwcchhhh.. Took a bit of wiping to make me not smell it any more. Continued down and met with our usual wee tight narrow singletrack above the road back towards Breeze Col. This was fun. And tricky. And quite slow.
Through Breeze Col and off up the road, then decided to ride a sheep trail below the road (above the Anaconda), and along this to the first corner which when I rounded, decided too many sheep to not freak them out with Jet, so climbed back up to the road. Stayed on this, around past Livingstone, up past the Para's launching spit, and around above Scarborough to the usual gate (now moved) to head back up to the Godley Track.
Climbed up and crossed over this and continued up the 'landing strip', all the way to the top, nice long climb, and joined the 360 trail up here, ready for the descent to Evans. Excellent downhill this - couple of rocky tech sections that were too much for me on the fatty, but fun bits in between and in no time I was back on the rock part of the trail, then I continued with the walking track section above the entrance, and dropped down to the final stile (dog gate for Jet) and back to the car.
Very happy dog, and me well satisfied with my micro-adventure. A 13kms round trip, climbing around 520m.
From here, treadled across to the bunker on the hill, then headed up towards the trig, zigging and zagging a couple times. Over the fence, across to the higher bunker and up to the trig where I was tempted to take more pics. View up Lyttelton Harbour and over Chch to the mountains and out to see spectacular all around. A runner grunted up here and past, stopping to take in the view but completely not engaging with me... I headed off down the fenceline for a start, then had a second thought and went back over the fence and back up the hill, then over down, where sheepshit flew off my tires and onto my face. Nice and fresh it was, all over my lips, nose and mustache, nearly in my mouth - eeewwwcchhhh.. Took a bit of wiping to make me not smell it any more. Continued down and met with our usual wee tight narrow singletrack above the road back towards Breeze Col. This was fun. And tricky. And quite slow.
Through Breeze Col and off up the road, then decided to ride a sheep trail below the road (above the Anaconda), and along this to the first corner which when I rounded, decided too many sheep to not freak them out with Jet, so climbed back up to the road. Stayed on this, around past Livingstone, up past the Para's launching spit, and around above Scarborough to the usual gate (now moved) to head back up to the Godley Track.
Climbed up and crossed over this and continued up the 'landing strip', all the way to the top, nice long climb, and joined the 360 trail up here, ready for the descent to Evans. Excellent downhill this - couple of rocky tech sections that were too much for me on the fatty, but fun bits in between and in no time I was back on the rock part of the trail, then I continued with the walking track section above the entrance, and dropped down to the final stile (dog gate for Jet) and back to the car.
Very happy dog, and me well satisfied with my micro-adventure. A 13kms round trip, climbing around 520m.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Wednesday Night Mt Relatively Pleasant (out of the wind), Greenwood and Bluffs
Bike fits good in the new car.
Left work 4.30ish and drove to park at McCormack's Bay park, watching the big clouds and sunset drift away. Nelson turned up eventually, parking, and we headed up the valley track. Not a bad start, but when it got steep I started to struggle big time, gasping and wheezing up through the switchbacks, and then losing momentum on the bridgies (which have had their stupid posts removed, thankfully). Food choices in the day, or general lack of riding fitness getting the better of me. Greasy as greasy in a few of the corners on the upper zigzags, but cleaned one of them, and didn't clean a couple of others. Nelson dabbed once, I think. Up the road, to the wee reserve steep climb then up to the bath-trough and up into Britten.
Left work 4.30ish and drove to park at McCormack's Bay park, watching the big clouds and sunset drift away. Nelson turned up eventually, parking, and we headed up the valley track. Not a bad start, but when it got steep I started to struggle big time, gasping and wheezing up through the switchbacks, and then losing momentum on the bridgies (which have had their stupid posts removed, thankfully). Food choices in the day, or general lack of riding fitness getting the better of me. Greasy as greasy in a few of the corners on the upper zigzags, but cleaned one of them, and didn't clean a couple of others. Nelson dabbed once, I think. Up the road, to the wee reserve steep climb then up to the bath-trough and up into Britten.
Good climb up Britten, trail in good knick even with the day's rain, and, for a change, round the top, then over the road and up the trail to the top of Pleasant, southerly wind blasting across this face as we climbed. Bit of a rest on the top by the trig, nice views to be had, and a bit of shelter out of the wind.
Hit the descent before we got too cold, into the down, over the stile and down, a little greasy on the Lyttelton side, but good through the tussocks. Around above the ruins and into Greenwood, which was boney as, rocks all bigger than ever, and not too slick except for puddle avoidance along the face before Gloomy. Short break after this and then rapid descending from there, me stalling in the creek crossing rocks, before the final blast down the final face. Bumpy as hell the last steep finish..
Stopped on the road and watched lights up on the top (as well as a couple riding up Captain). Then headed down to a trail we'd never ridden before, the Scarborough Bluffs track... I figured it would be dryer than the Captain, and it probably was. Has some serious exposure, good tech, fun stuff, and tight switchbacks. Down to cross the road, and a few more switchbacks with pushy bushes on the sides, down to the bottom of the Captain.
From here it was down Sumnervale and out around through Scumner and around back to the cars, completing an 18.3 km loop, and gaining 570 m total. Nice night ride.
From here it was down Sumnervale and out around through Scumner and around back to the cars, completing an 18.3 km loop, and gaining 570 m total. Nice night ride.
Monday, May 21, 2018
Sunday Trees For Charlesworth
No rides this week cos from Tuesday to Thursday was in Wellington (Tues), then Hamilton.
Trees planting at Charlesworth Reserve, so took the Troll across town. Rode, Windemere, Railtrail, Rossall, across the Park, Armagh, Colombo, Gloucester, Linwood there. Took me 31 minutes, 12.4 kms.
Got there, did the planting, lots of people, good vibe. Ate a couple sossies and off again home, this time same route back through town but the nor'west was getting up so thought I'd stay in the park and do the railtrail the whole way, but next to the golf club figured, "haven't been up Garden Rd for ages", and peeled off across towards Helmores Lane bridge, and then Holmwood, Garden up across Wairarapa, and then through to Rossall again, and home via the school and Condell.
24.7 kms all up, no Map My Ride cos it's stoopid.
Trees planting at Charlesworth Reserve, so took the Troll across town. Rode, Windemere, Railtrail, Rossall, across the Park, Armagh, Colombo, Gloucester, Linwood there. Took me 31 minutes, 12.4 kms.
Got there, did the planting, lots of people, good vibe. Ate a couple sossies and off again home, this time same route back through town but the nor'west was getting up so thought I'd stay in the park and do the railtrail the whole way, but next to the golf club figured, "haven't been up Garden Rd for ages", and peeled off across towards Helmores Lane bridge, and then Holmwood, Garden up across Wairarapa, and then through to Rossall again, and home via the school and Condell.
24.7 kms all up, no Map My Ride cos it's stoopid.
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Saturday Kennedy's Across and Down
Sunday expected to be wet so planned my ride for Saturday afternoon. Morning dawned wet, but that soon cleared, to no detriment to the trails. Drove to Monsieur deSpa's after 1 and we headed for Kennedy's, around the roadways (getting funny looks for not turning into Worsley's Rd). Cashmere Rd and then into the Quarry Park, heading up to C2. Download, and up. Good climb, though I was feeling really unfit. Gasping for air a lot, and generally feeling wrong. Put it down to lack of good sleep and nutrition. Made pace overtaking a couple of older guys, and another solo guy, and in Siberia caught up to a fellow plus-sized tire guy, and the 6 of us all headed up the steeperer Kennedy's track together, with Paul and me kinda gapping them but not. By the time we got to the really steeperer bit my cock had gone completely numb, so I had to stop to get blood back into it, so the others all caught and overtook me, with Paul leading out the top. I knuckled in behind the solo guy (behind the two older guys) and meandered on up, feeling slow when such slow people could beat me.
Onto the road and plussizedtire guy rode with us around to Worsley's, where we peeled up into the Nun. Excellent blast down this keeping good flow all the way to the bottom.
Then up the road to Vic Park, avoiding the Thomsons, spotting some gloves on the road, which Paul picked up. There was a couple at the top "these your gloves?" "nup", "alrighty". And off we went around the Traverse. Nice bomb around except for the climby bits, and then we bumped into a workmate (Jenny) halfway around. While talking to her the couple from the top turned up saying that a guy had come up asking about the gloves, so they'd chased us (above on the road, then back along the singletrack towards us) cos they'd said they'd put them somewhere for him. Here I realised it was 4 o'clock and I was supposed to be home at 4, so now I was in trouble, so off we headed. Good run the rest of the way round and then excellent descent down the ridge singletrack, nice pops on the jumps, and then out the landing strip to the new track Nelson had found on Tuesday night.
Into this and down, all the steeper bits are so nice, and cool rock features, and then after the gate it gets better, with one really steep drop (with good roll out), then around and across, avoiding all the old 4wd zigzags... NICE. Then into the recent entry to Old Skool, and with the muscle memory fresh from 4 times on Tuesday, I absolutely honked down the faster flowier bits, while cruising mellow on the slower bits...
Out the bottom and a haul across town back to Paul's, into the car, and was home by 4.45 - straight into the dough making for pizza night, not tooo much trouble to be had. (phew).
Big loop, 32 kms, with 754 m climbed.
Onto the road and plussizedtire guy rode with us around to Worsley's, where we peeled up into the Nun. Excellent blast down this keeping good flow all the way to the bottom.
Then up the road to Vic Park, avoiding the Thomsons, spotting some gloves on the road, which Paul picked up. There was a couple at the top "these your gloves?" "nup", "alrighty". And off we went around the Traverse. Nice bomb around except for the climby bits, and then we bumped into a workmate (Jenny) halfway around. While talking to her the couple from the top turned up saying that a guy had come up asking about the gloves, so they'd chased us (above on the road, then back along the singletrack towards us) cos they'd said they'd put them somewhere for him. Here I realised it was 4 o'clock and I was supposed to be home at 4, so now I was in trouble, so off we headed. Good run the rest of the way round and then excellent descent down the ridge singletrack, nice pops on the jumps, and then out the landing strip to the new track Nelson had found on Tuesday night.
Into this and down, all the steeper bits are so nice, and cool rock features, and then after the gate it gets better, with one really steep drop (with good roll out), then around and across, avoiding all the old 4wd zigzags... NICE. Then into the recent entry to Old Skool, and with the muscle memory fresh from 4 times on Tuesday, I absolutely honked down the faster flowier bits, while cruising mellow on the slower bits...
Out the bottom and a haul across town back to Paul's, into the car, and was home by 4.45 - straight into the dough making for pizza night, not tooo much trouble to be had. (phew).
Big loop, 32 kms, with 754 m climbed.
Tuesday, May 08, 2018
Tuesday Night Loopy Loops
Trees meeting tonight, so limited time. I parked up the end of Bowenvale Ave and got riding about 5.17pm. Nelson had a meeting til 6 so I started out on my own with the intention of him catching up later. Got going up the valley at a reasonable pace, no lights needed yet, and feeling the warm blasts of nor'west air, mixing with the cooler valley-flow air pockets. Up left into Hidden Valley connector trail, failing just after the creek crossing, but then cleaning all 4 of the switchbacks nicely. Under the pylon and straight into the descent, with a young guy on a Yeti, no baggage, bombing in ahead of me from above. Adjustments to suspension and onwards, sheep-shit avoidance systems all go. Taking it easy on the slower bits and getting into the groove of it on the flowy-er bits. Bombed down and straight into the climb, txting Nelson to let him know lap number 2. 20 minute lap.
Up again, this time nearly needing lights - turning them on as I got into Hidden Valley Link trail. Bollocksed the creek again, and the cleaned all the switchbacks, better climb this time. Into descent number 2, nicer flow, better groove. Bombed the last and straight back into the climb.
Txted Nelson again to say lap number 3, then a bit further up received the 'Just leaving work now' txt, it being 6pm. I txtd back saying that'd work perfectly wait for me at the bottom of Old Skool if ya get there first. I continued on up the steep and into the Hidden, again cleaning all the switchbacks and bombing, faster again, down, and really hucking the jump on the Old Skool descent part. Got to the bottom and rolled on down to the bottom, over the stile and down to find Nelson getting ready at the cars.
625 or so, we headed up valley again, this time at a faster pace (me struggling, already tired, to keep up), by-passing Hidden Valley track and continuing all the way up the valley, past the exit of Lavaflow and on up the tech. A little bit of walking and riding til eventually we were up on the sidling track back towards Bridges. Time was pushing so straight into Bridges and down Nu Bridges and bombing down, then into Hidden and climbing, this time me bollocksing both the lower switchbacks on account of tiredness. Cleaned the top two, and into the descent, me leading the way and flowing nicely through the faster bits - losing Nelson a few times, but him catching me when I's taking it easy on the flatter bits. At the bottom we said our good byes and he trundled off back up the valley while I headed to the car and off to my meeting, driving at 7.10 or so and making it just on time but with no food.
Ended up getting 16.5 kms and 646 m of altitude under my belt. Not bad for a limited spree.
Nelson went back up the valley, up K2, and up through Vic, then around the summit trail and down New Skool Old Skool, discovering new the singletrack descending trail bypassing the old crawler track zig zags.
We met at Twisted Hop after the meeting and did the 2 for 1 dinner deal again.
Up again, this time nearly needing lights - turning them on as I got into Hidden Valley Link trail. Bollocksed the creek again, and the cleaned all the switchbacks, better climb this time. Into descent number 2, nicer flow, better groove. Bombed the last and straight back into the climb.
Txted Nelson again to say lap number 3, then a bit further up received the 'Just leaving work now' txt, it being 6pm. I txtd back saying that'd work perfectly wait for me at the bottom of Old Skool if ya get there first. I continued on up the steep and into the Hidden, again cleaning all the switchbacks and bombing, faster again, down, and really hucking the jump on the Old Skool descent part. Got to the bottom and rolled on down to the bottom, over the stile and down to find Nelson getting ready at the cars.
625 or so, we headed up valley again, this time at a faster pace (me struggling, already tired, to keep up), by-passing Hidden Valley track and continuing all the way up the valley, past the exit of Lavaflow and on up the tech. A little bit of walking and riding til eventually we were up on the sidling track back towards Bridges. Time was pushing so straight into Bridges and down Nu Bridges and bombing down, then into Hidden and climbing, this time me bollocksing both the lower switchbacks on account of tiredness. Cleaned the top two, and into the descent, me leading the way and flowing nicely through the faster bits - losing Nelson a few times, but him catching me when I's taking it easy on the flatter bits. At the bottom we said our good byes and he trundled off back up the valley while I headed to the car and off to my meeting, driving at 7.10 or so and making it just on time but with no food.
Ended up getting 16.5 kms and 646 m of altitude under my belt. Not bad for a limited spree.
Nelson went back up the valley, up K2, and up through Vic, then around the summit trail and down New Skool Old Skool, discovering new the singletrack descending trail bypassing the old crawler track zig zags.
We met at Twisted Hop after the meeting and did the 2 for 1 dinner deal again.
Sunday, May 06, 2018
Sunday Styx and Stones
Boys were coming from their respective parts of town so after popping into Mitre10 I trundled back down the railtrail and met them just after they'd crossed Wairakei/Rossall St. We headed north, at a reasonable clip, stopping into Cosy Cafe for a leisurely coffee, then onwards to the planting.
Good turn out, with 1800 plants in the ground in about an hour, then sossies, and back on the trail south again. Losing Wahayno at Northcote Rd and then me at St James Park, the boys continued on and split off accordingly til all that was left was Wazza, heading home on his own.
For me, a 13 km round up and back trip. a whopping 23m of altitude gain. Not really a 'ride' as such, just 'going somewhere on my bike'.
Good turn out, with 1800 plants in the ground in about an hour, then sossies, and back on the trail south again. Losing Wahayno at Northcote Rd and then me at St James Park, the boys continued on and split off accordingly til all that was left was Wazza, heading home on his own.
For me, a 13 km round up and back trip. a whopping 23m of altitude gain. Not really a 'ride' as such, just 'going somewhere on my bike'.
Wednesday, May 02, 2018
Wednesday Night Ashley Forest Exploration
Met Nelson in Rangoon and we met the locals at 6.30, making a posse of 7 all told - mostly older guys, one on an electric. We managed (with very little wheedling) to convince them to ride in the hills - as opposed to the river tracks.
Headed north over the Ashley Bridge, then a right onto the (eastern) Loburn road along here (Carrs Rd), right into Mowatts Rd, then left onto Boundary, mostly climbing all the way. Up this to a gate we jumped onto Forestry Rd (Purple Heights?) which took us up to Mt Grey Rd at the "2km" mark. From here it was over to a cool wee section of singletrack, with a few nice whoopdedoos, finishing down on another cross road, then short ways back to Mt Grey Rd (lower down than the 2km mark), and along a little way to where singletrack-city started. Started off into a section that had trees across the trail (thinning), so turned back and dropped into a fun section that meandered for a ways, sense of direction completely blown. This section finished and we were off down into another section, with roots galore, nicely made trails all in forest. finally down this long blasty section and we were at the corner of Thomson, Barron and Laurence where a locked gate sits. Electro man was supposed to be here, so we rode back up Thomsons and met him coming down. We continued up and took a side track that had several singletrack diversions until it met the last trail we'd just come down, down this again, shorter and faster than first time round.
Now it was onto Barron, down this, crossing Forestry onto Gories, to Boundary, down to Downs (with a bike bridge across a creek) across to Marshmans, spinning like crazy down this to Ashley Township. Down High St to the river and along the river singletracks back to the main Loburn Rd bridge, and zoomed back into town. Lots of fast (me absolutely maxed out in my low top gear) spinning, spinny puffy puff puff spin spin pufffffed.
All over, 25 kms with 276m altitude, maybe 15% singletrack, and roads 45 % sealed, 40% gravel.
Headed north over the Ashley Bridge, then a right onto the (eastern) Loburn road along here (Carrs Rd), right into Mowatts Rd, then left onto Boundary, mostly climbing all the way. Up this to a gate we jumped onto Forestry Rd (Purple Heights?) which took us up to Mt Grey Rd at the "2km" mark. From here it was over to a cool wee section of singletrack, with a few nice whoopdedoos, finishing down on another cross road, then short ways back to Mt Grey Rd (lower down than the 2km mark), and along a little way to where singletrack-city started. Started off into a section that had trees across the trail (thinning), so turned back and dropped into a fun section that meandered for a ways, sense of direction completely blown. This section finished and we were off down into another section, with roots galore, nicely made trails all in forest. finally down this long blasty section and we were at the corner of Thomson, Barron and Laurence where a locked gate sits. Electro man was supposed to be here, so we rode back up Thomsons and met him coming down. We continued up and took a side track that had several singletrack diversions until it met the last trail we'd just come down, down this again, shorter and faster than first time round.
Now it was onto Barron, down this, crossing Forestry onto Gories, to Boundary, down to Downs (with a bike bridge across a creek) across to Marshmans, spinning like crazy down this to Ashley Township. Down High St to the river and along the river singletracks back to the main Loburn Rd bridge, and zoomed back into town. Lots of fast (me absolutely maxed out in my low top gear) spinning, spinny puffy puff puff spin spin pufffffed.
All over, 25 kms with 276m altitude, maybe 15% singletrack, and roads 45 % sealed, 40% gravel.
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