Sunday night Back Tracking...

Sunday night ride, met at Swtchbckrs place and scavenged some very nice pasta and vege curry for sustainance and we headed off to Slumner. Decided to do something different to usual and rode the trail in reverse, meaning we started by riding to Scarborough hill and up the road to the top and then a cautious ride down to Taylors due the the damp patches on the road. Then onto the trail proper and up onto the Anaconda Tail out from Taylors. I blew one tricky rocky section that is no issue going the other way but had no trouble the rest of the way finding it pretty enjoyable. Rich cleaning the first section OK. Up the curvaceous Anaconda trail for the first time ever for me was interesting. Not as steep as I thought it would be, although there were a few grunty bermed corners but nothing to tough. Found the going pretty good and made quick time up to the road. Seemed odd to not really know where you are on the track due to going the other way, so a bit like a brand new trail. Over the road and we cruised on up the Godley Head track towards Evans Pass and got to the top of the first hill pretty fast. Then down the rocky tricky section and finding it difficult to find the best line seeing I hadn't ridden this track in reverse for years either. Bumped our way along until the track smoothed out and then flowed quickly to the saddle before beginning the grind up to the next hilltop. This section while not to steep is a fairly long grind and seemed to go for ever, but we still felt good at the top. There was a little bit of drizzle coming down by this time and the rocks were greasy although the dirt sections were still dry and very grippy, nice to have the dust damped down though. I let Rich go ahead as I was thinking I would take it easy due to the wet rocks, but we ended up going at about the same speed anyway. The rocks turned out to be not to bad but you could still feel a bit of sliding occasionally on the bigger rocks. We were flowing pretty well until I tried to take a faster line over a rock section I couldn't see over to start with, it lead to a slight drop to a flat rock that sloped quite steeply to the edge of the track. I hit the sloping rock and felt the front sliding so I had to correct it which meant I turned pretty well right off the track and ended up heading straight down the hill on a near 45 degree slope. I managed to bail off to the side about 5m down the hill and avoided getting completely out of control. I ended up pretty much on my feet and kept hold of the bike so no damage done. Bit of a climb out and off we went again. No trouble down the last rocky sections and to the top of Evans Pass. Due to the weather packing in we decided to bail down Captain Thomas instead of doing an up and back on Greenwood as planned. Down Thomas I found the first section really sweet and then took it easy in the gully due to moisture build up on the track. Had no issues on the way down and managed to ride all the rock drops although I rode the worst line down the steps on the first big one as the smoother line to the right was pretty wet looking and I didn't fancy another trip over the edge...Rich took the safe option and walked that one not fancying my juddery step line either. We both bailed on the short climb section half way along as the track has been dug in over time around the rocks making a very tight line which the rain wasn't helping either by now. Flowed sweetly from there down apart from a bush hanging over the track making for a blind entry to the littly rise after the walk track drops off the the right. I normally hop the rocks on it but only saw what was there when I hit them after brushing under this bush, luckily there was nothing on the track. Took it easy down the last section as the wood edges on the steps were greasy as. Got back to the Bongo at about 8 and dropped Rich home via Maccas for a burger and fries....

Hidden Old Skool Crouching Nun...

Finished work early at 2 and went to pick up Chris and get changed. Bit of rain about but looked OK and was pretty warm. Made our way over to the bottom of Rapaki and met up with James M on his Tomac. I hadn't been up Rapaki in months so it was a change although nothing much has changed...Found the going easy so that was good. We all cruised up chatting to the top. Was windy as at the top and the last 200m or so we were ably assisted up by said breeze. Headed on up Mt Vernon and I pulled away a little on the steep section as James tired a little due to not much riding. I took the old rough switchback route across the west face and even managed to clean the rocky corner for the second time in a row. We regrouped at the start of the Summit trail below the road and I had a OSM. I lead off across the now super groomed trail and kept up a good pace to make it fun. We quickly got over to Vic park and rolled down the narrow and smooth Thompsons trails. The bush hanging close to the edge making a very cool run through there. Filled up with water at the Kiwi where a chap came out and told us to look out for bad smells along the tracks (meaning we might investigate and follow that to the body of the missing girl up there somewhere maybe...) Up the road again and we had a look out over Worsleys and then up to the top of the Nun again. This time in the light the dust was less of a problem and I felt heaps faster as did Chris, but I was much closer to him this time. I only made 1 or 2 small errors and held pretty good speed along the way. We got to the bottom and waited a couple of minutes before James appeared and reported that he had Pogo sticked off the track and crashed, but luckily not a scratch on him. So we continued on up the summit road to Vic park and dropped into Brakefree for a few jumps before I pulled out and headed down the Rockgarden/Gums old track. I seemed to leave the others behind and they ended up taking a different track but I took the old school tracks right out to the gate to the memorial on the vic park road. Raced back to the skidder site to find the others. Then I followed Chris down Dazzas and onto Ponos I think. I got wrong lined on one of the rises and had to pull up as it was a drop onto rocks if you didn't jump it. The inside line was the chicken route and James and I took that then made our way along the rest of the way to the bottom. Chris had to take off for rehearsals so James and I continued up the Hidden Valley and onto Old Skool. By this time the sun was shining just before it set making for mint as light and it was still warm but no wind. Hoofed down the top section and ran into a guy coming up on a Santa Cruz who James knew so we had a chat for a minute. Someone else was coming so we took off a few seconds ahead of them and shot down the new section. I really enjoyed the flow of it and kept up a good pace seeing as it was my first ride on that part. We dropped out the bottom of the track and got to the gate and waited for the other rider who was about 30 seconds back by then so we did a good job of not holding them up. Headed back to the Bongo and home via shops at Eastgate. Great to ride in actual sunlight!!!!

Flight of the Bongo

Had a course to do on my day off (Tuesday 4th or so) and a few jobs to sort out then free about 4.30ish. Cruised with bike etc to the Swtchbckr residence and was met at the gate by a small chap inviting me in, although it was a little odd that we were locked out for a short while to begin with...Anyway after a bit longer Rich arrived and we had another great dinner (thanks again) although I felt a little guilty being uninvited... :)
We got ready and went to pick up Chris from the Holly temple before heading up to the meeting point above the Sign of the Kiwi. The Bongo making good time on the top section once it left the confines of the 50kmh zone...
We came across a nest of slightly inferior white vans containing no less than PFMTBC members Steve, Tony, Marie, Wayne and Warren in that order making a posse of 8 in total.

We exchanged some unnecessary pleasantries and headed up the road with a chilly cross wind. Chris and I seemed to get ahead as the others chatted in the cold air. Once we got to the top of Worsleys and the start of the Nun who flew we regrouped and some adjusted seat heights etc. This is against my religion unless it is on a day that doesn't end in y. Of we went with Chris newly decked out in his knee/shin guards in front and me next wheel in the dust. This was to be a constant problem. Rich was behind and the others spreading out to relieve the dust issue. I was feeling pretty ginger due to not having ridden for a while on that trail and knowing it had been changed/repaired recently so was a bit slow. Hit a few nice jumps and mucked up some other bits too. Got a bit disorientated part way down and took a wrong turn into a short cut and ended up in front of Chris, so tried to get down without holding him up to much and we pulled up to the car park to regroup. Up again for round 2 I decided to ride up in a silly gear (think it was 32/18 but managed that OK, so would be fine for single speeding) and we did the same thing although this time when I mucked up the same corner I stopped and let Rich go ahead as well seeing as I was riding badly still. This time we went down to the Kiwi and headed back up again.

Round 3 I think I went off in 3rd place and Rich did a good job of keeping close to the flying Chris. I was a little better but still making errors and jumped right off the track at one point just past the first 4by track crossing and had to run back up to the track. It was cool at the bottom by the Kiwi again looking back up at all the lights coming down the track from our guys and another big group coming down too. We regrouped and rode back up to the Vans where the others decamped and Rich, Chris and I did a drop down into the Governors Bay track which was super groomed and trimmed making it nice and flowing. We dropped right down to the hairpin at the bottom and turned back to grind our way up. I was in front and took it easy at first to save energy knowing how tough the switchback corners are. I stuffed up the first one along with the others and then when pretty well. I think I only missed 2 more after that. I found the climb out pretty good even though it is pretty steep. We voted on 1 more shot at the Nun so carried on up hill to the top. This time I felt in better form and managed to even make the corner I kept missing and had much better speed. Stuck much closer to the others and we all pulled out at the Van in good time feeling good to finish with a decent. Another quick decent was made in the Bongo and everyone dropped off.

Eastside gangsta bash....

Met up again at Swtchbckrs and found the long lost Englishman (Chris) there already to form a posse and everyone not to far from being ready. I got changed and we voted to go to East and hit the Sumner ghetto trails again. We parked up behind the old theatre and decided to miss Captain T track and rode back to Redcliffs to the bottom of Mulgans track. Rode and walked up this steep little track and zigzaged our way up through the houses pretty quickly. Got up to the end of the houses and jumped the fence and shot up the trail leading up to the pines on the corner of summit road where the lower rarely used entrance to Greenwood is. I managed to ride most of it but took a bad line on one tough section and got bogged so had to walk it. Rolled up to the road and heard an excited (stoned boy racer type) ask out of the dark how long it took us to get up there, both Chris and I guessed about 20mins and replied simultaneously which sounded very believable (maybe it was closer to 25 mins in reality) which seemed to leave the young chaps suitably impressed. We carried on up the road, which seemed easy from there (as opposed to doing Capt Thomas first) and rested up a minute at the start of Greenwood. Onto the trail from there I lead out and felt pretty good. We regrouped at the ruins and headed on down. I was finding the wind a little tricky and visibility at night as usual not so flash, but got down pretty well. This time I managed to get up the last little climb over the rock which has been catching everyone quite well, I braked more at the bottom and had a lower gear to climb, so I didn't bounce into a hole or off line. This approach was much smoother and faster than going in flat out. I think you need a full sus bike for that to work. I blew the start of Godley and let the others go, Chris getting a bit further and Rich made it all the way. He said that was the first time ever, but maybe for a while anyway. At least one of us made it. I had several goes but didn't get far apart from 1 go I lost balance just before the grunty rock climb to the very top and had no run in which bogged me. I gave in and carried to the corner where I made it up the next section and along the first face where most of the rocky parts are. Down the other side I was following Rich who got away a little on the horrible Teddingtoned part of the track due to my cautious riding there, and had to try and catch him in the dust which seemed worse at a greater distance. I missed where he hooked off to the currently being built section but pulled up and ran up to the new part, Chris overshot me even more and had to do the same. Enjoyed that bit even though it is still in progress, some bits pretty old school, as in just mowed lines in the grass. Got down OK and crossed the fence bridge thing, I felt good here but things went south from there on...

I pushed it quickly up the first slope and hit the rocky terrain feeling good still, went to wheely over some rocks I have ridden heaps before and must have hit the back wheel on another rock which stopped it, slamming me forward to go over the bars, I stopped that by putting my hand on the shoulder height rock beside the track and pushed back. I must have twisted to the left though as the back wheel landed off the side of the track and I shot back, with my hand off the bar still I couldn't apply the brake. It rolled a meter or so before hitting more rocks and I slipped off the back but slipped on a boulder and fell luckily onto grass. The slip though caused my shin to slide on the rough boulder surface creating a nice graze. I got the bike up and Chris notice the seat wasn't quite where I had set it (it had a 45 degree twist from my butt smashing back into to pointy bit, luckily it didn't go in anywhere!!!!) I got out the first aid gear and put a dressing on the shin graze as it would have been smeared with dust if left uncovered. From there on out to the road crossing my balance was shocking and I buggered up almost everything. Hit the Anaconda and seemed better, taking the first cattle stop jump really well, landing well down the other side, but had to brake hard to make the corner, but then felt a bit off for the rest of the jumps so didn't hit them that well. Got down OK though and we cruised the Tale out. Chris and I had a match race up out of Tayors making for a pretty tough but fast exit from there. I thought he had me near the top on the second last corner but managed to hang on and by the end was about 4 seconds ahead which was pretty close. We regrouped at the top and rolled Nicholson park down to Slumner and got to the Bongo for a ride to the Maccas Restaurant in sunny Linwood for a healthy enjoyable dinning experience.

Huntsbury Beerfest Ride...

Friday night last week I dropped round to Swtchbckrs and had a very tasty and energy giving roast chicken meal with the family. After dinner Rich and I set off in the recently re-warranted and fully operational Bongo RS rally van. We made our way over to the hills and parked on Centaurus Ave, conveniently next to a little boutique wine and beer shop. In we went and made a few selections for later, and then mounted up for the slog up the hill. We were going to do the Rapaki, but decided not to break the run of not having ridden it for god knows how long now and headed up the smoothly paved Major Aitken Drive. We did a little exploring on a little piece of single track about half way up which kind of petered out in several houses back or front yards but Rich assured me we were still on park land. A neighboring dog disagreed and set of its bark alarm which brought out its owner who told it to shut up. So I guess we were right or maybe seeing 2 guys with weird clothing and incredibly bright lights wandering around below your house would be a little off putting???? In the end we had to lug our bikes out up a pretty steep slope back to the road and continued on. We joined onto Huntsbury Ave and hit the steep section of the road. I was feeling pretty good here but decided not to push to much to save my legs for the nasty gravel at the top. Once we hit the end of the road it didn't seem to take to long to get to the top of the old airstrip although Rich had a lighting issue to fix at one stage. I didn't wait around though as the wind was cold and I could have done with another layer on, but I had forgotten to load my pack into the van when I left home so couldn't bring anything with me. The top section of gravel wasn't to bad as a slightly smoother and grippier line has been worn in by the increase in riders going down to do the new old skool track. I can remember a few years ago the original trail was almost overgrown in places and now it is a fav again...

Anyway, at the top we crossed the road and headed up onto the Mt Vernon track and headed off, me in front holding Rich up as I was not confident on the new surface they are swathing all over the place, I think it is to dangerous on any steep sections and the idea of building it up in the middle to run off the water is not suitable for these kinds of narrow trails as there is no room for error if you get off line. It works at Bottle Lake etc on a 2 foot wide trail, but not elsewhere if you ask me. I think better track design and more drainage channels are far more effective and cheaper too. We headed straight across the top of Rapaki and onto the Witch Hill track. I managed most of the climb OK but had one blunder losing balance on a straight section. Made it out feeling in good form though. On up the road to the top of Castle Rock trail. I let Rich go ahead and couldn't get my foot in the pedal for a few seconds leaving a decent gap between us and then felt off form suddenly and he was gone. I was put off by some odd sounds from the chain rattling and things felt loose. I tried to ignore it and kept going (at the bottom of trail I looked and found the front ring had dropped to granny somehow making to chain slacker than usual, hence the different sound) getting to just before the first hairpin and bounced to the left off a rock, I looked down and saw a line to the track and took that anyway, shortening the track by about 8m or so. I managed to ride the bottom section well and had a good pace on up the climb which caught me up to within a few seconds of Rich. We turned around pretty much right away and reversed the trails we had just done. I had a really great run up to Castle Rock and cleaned it all at a good pace. Flew down the road and onto Witch Hill again where I cleaned all the hard bits but had another sill dab on a fairly simple part of the decent. Came out at good pace and headed up Mt Vernon. Put some power down on the first bit of the climb knowing that you get a rest faster if you maintain a good pace to the point about 80m after the pond thing where the trail flattens off. Around the corner I took the old switch back line over the rocks which I found really fun and then got to the rocky gnarly corner which normally catches me out. I took the high line but hit a bump and lost balance to the right so tried to drop down to the low line, somehow finding the front wheel rodeoing up a 40cm or so up into the air as my weight transferred back to fast until another rock must have halted the back wheel and shot the weight forward again putting the wheel back down and allowing me to ride on without a dab for balance. A bit flukey of course, but I will take that. Came across the south face and dropped down to the road off a little rock face at the bottom. Apparently it looked pretty impressive as I heard a parked up Boy Racer across the road say "You are awesome bro!" To which I replied "Cheers ou!" and sat by the start of Summit trial to watch Rich come down. It did look pretty good seeing him come down the last bit at pace so I am going to say the 'racers' were not being sarcastic...

We decided to call it a night and headed across the first section of the Summit highway as it is now known, and turned off onto the old entrance trail to Bowenvale. Shot down the 4 by section as fast as I could manage, also knowing Rich normally drops me here so was expecting to get passed, not really seeing much with the bumps and wind affecting vision. Managed to not slow him down to much I think. Over the gate we explored a few lines down the 4 by switchies and Rich found a nice line down the second to last section with the rock drop. I took a line that lead to thick tussocks and rocks and had to stop. Got to Old Skool and had a nice run, had my first run up the new banking on one of the first tight left handers which was fun, good work to the trail pixies. Enjoyed the other new section built to avoid the water issues from last winter too, so it will be interesting to see how that goes. Got out all OK and cruised back to Swtchbckrs to sample one of the Fantas we had acquired earlier.

Post daylight savings Sumner night blat...

Met up at Swtchbckrs at about 6 after work and got changed and ready to ride. Remembered that the lights were going haywire on the Bongo, so got the torch out and a screw driver and pulled open the steering column light switch. Found a few oxidised contacts and a worn slide on the activating part of the switch. A bit of sandpaper from my cycle patch kit and and a slither of trusty insulation tape had everything fixed up in about 25 minutes. With operational lights we headed on out to Sumner city. Parked up and shot on Capt. Thomas trail. Managed to get about as far as I ever have up the first steppy steep bit. I think a slightly lower gear would help there. Blew out a few of the tough bits on the way up, mostly stuff I should ride too, but got a couple of difficult ones as well so not to unhappy about the form. Got to the top in good shape and we decided to take the road up to Greenwood. We hit the single track and I felt pretty good still so kept a decent pace on although a few gusts made balancing a little tricky. Got to the top and took it easy past the ruins due to wind and watery eyes and got rolling on down. Went through the rough rocky sections at good speed, it seems I have mastered the troubles I used to have in there, or someone has made it heaps easier??? Due to riding under lights and the wind I had the speed dialed in a little down, but was feeling bumps and rough terrain in the back and hands. Normally I am fine until I hit the bottom where the pain bites big time in the arms and sometimes feet. Went pretty well apart from getting stuck for 5 seconds or so at the tricky rise/rock near the bottom. From the bottom of Greenwood, we headed to Godley and had a go at cleaning the bottom section. Blew it first go and tried a couple more times but got stuck in the same place each time. Walked up that section and managed the rest of the climb to the top OK enjoying the technicality of the rocks on the trail. Uneventful decent into the next climb and enjoyed the rocks there too although I had a little dab at one point. Got down to the top of The Anaconda and headed in. Felt pretty good but a little sore still and the wind made for slightly lower speeds. The clay track looks a blur under lights too, so you have to trust the track and your suspension to get through OK. Had a good blast out the tail too, had a good cross up slight right before the exit cattlestop bridge thingy and had to gather that up before hitting the up ramp. Jumped further than ever so I guess it didn't scrub to much speed off. Rode slowly out of Taylors as Rich was pretty blasted and had a bit of a look about for new lines in the park down to Sumner and played on the driveway drops on Scarborough way as well. Healthy Maccas meal on the way home too.

Wharfdale River Expedition...

As has now become tradition, when you arrange to do a ride on the Wharfdale track it decides to get wet. Met Chris at home at about 8.30am after doing some maintenance on the X-Edition, ie a chain lube and stuck on a new rear disc rotor (the old one kept warping with heat). We loaded up the Bongo and cruised to Oxford via German road. Stopped for supplies and some loo paper and headed up to the Wharfdale car park. Felt natures call there so visited the lovely long drop for a spell. Luckily I had the paper as there was nothing left of the DoC supply that was there last time. Got ready went to head into the forest with a bit of light rain falling. Got 3 metres and realized I didn't have my pack on, the realized I had just locked it in the Van and it had the keys in it!! We tried Chris's keys with no luck, and then thought we might need to break a window. I found some fence wire and had a go at lifting the lock from in the door but didn't get anywhere. Then I slipped it in the door and got it down by the lock knob but couldn't get enough grip on it. With some help from Chris pulling the door and a bit of fine tuning of the wire shape much to our relief and excitement we got it open and I climbed through to get the pack out this time...

Took it easy on the way up to the saddle as I knew it is a long ride especially if you are buggered to soon. Coming down the first longish decent I heard a bit of noise from Chris but didn't think much of it. Stopped a little further along and had to wait a minute or so before he showed. I thought he must have dropped his chain or something, but he reported his front wheel had washed out on a root and shot him off into the bush!! He had some mud on his side to prove it and a bit of a knock on his hand. Luckily nothing serious though. Carried on managing to do some of the tricky bits and not others, but feeling pretty good considering the wetness and slippery roots, although that is par for the course on the Wharfdale. Chris was having a lot of trouble with wet and foggy glasses also. Most of the trail was pretty much a small river with nice deep puddles which you couldn't tell the depth of. I found the the right down the middle route was often the best as the mud seemed less even if it was deeper there. We both got caught in a few of the bigger mud bogs along the way but generally got them pretty well. I was surprised at how well I managed to ride one of the toughest sections from this side of the saddle from the first hairpin about 1.5km from the saddle, I managed a clean ride right up that through the big steppy bogs and up the next steep hairpin (although I had a little dab just at the top of the hairpin where the steep chute comes out of the corner) and I cleaned the rest to the saddle so was happy about that. We stopped there and had a feed and drink and got rained on and cold. Not the best idea considering we were about to descend for 20mins or so after that making warming up difficult. We headed down and had a good run carefully avoiding the slippery roots along the first section. Had fun riding some of the tricky bits where the slips have changed the trail but mucked a few of them up myself. Really enjoyed the decent and found ourselves at the river crossing in no time. Cruised to the hut having a bit of fun on the last little section before the hut with the big steps and roots making a nice technical bit of riding. Stopped for a little bit more food etc and checked out the river flats for a minute before heading back.

Had to climb back up the tricky steps and then managed to ride down the equally steep and tricky opposite side to the river. I stopped to take a couple of pics of Chris doing it again successfully which are above. We cruised on in quite nice weather for a bit before the rain came in again for good. Climbing was good with a couple of dabs here and there and a few clambers over washed out creek crossings. We got to the top faster than I thought we would and headed down the now very wet south side. Chris really struggling with visibility and me going OK but getting wet but the overhanging trees, rain and spray off the track. My helmet seemed to have a constant river of water running off the front of it onto my nose!! Kept up a pretty good pace and waited a few times for Chris but no major whoopsies luckily. Had a bit of a slide on the cliff edge coming down into the steep rocky hairpin down into the biggest of the creek crossings not to far from the saddle. Thankfully it was only the back wheel and it gripped again on the lower bit of track otherwise I would have needed a parachute or a strong tree to grab!!! Made out way out to the bridges and felt pretty good so I kept a good pace on going down and decided to nail the last climb holding a pretty good gear right up to the gateway followed by Chris not far behind. Had a ball (and water blasting) on the last downhill section hitting the whole thing at full noise. I had to blow the water out of my mouth on each breath as it was like riding into a hose being sprayed in your face the whole way, with crap from the trail getting in your eyes and then being washed out again luckily. Got back to the Van and cleaned/dried off and changed into dry clothes. Much better prepared than last time. Easy cruise back home from there.

It's not called Blowhard for no reason...

Having been given an early finish from work I did a few jobs and then headed out home. Got changed and cruised out to the Ashley gorge and round to the start of the Blowhard track for round 2 of Nelson v Blowhard track. I had more time this time around and the added bonus of my light so the setting sun was not going to be a problem. Got out of the van and headed up at 5.15pm. Held it in the middle chainring up the 4wd track and felt pretty good. Got to the end of that and noticed a Landcruiser parked at the mud puddle. Figured it would be some hunters so better not to my deer imitation to much. Hit the knarly trail up from there and had to slap it into granny and grovelled up as far as I could keeping traction and the front wheel on the ground, not very far... had to walk and crank hard out for some time with a few not so steep breaks in between, until I came upon 2 walkers (1 with rifle) and said gidday. One said he thought they were mad walking up there let alone biking it. Not long past them I hit the really steep stuff and wished I had brought my crampons to help get up there. Managed to haul my tired arse and bike up and carried on slowly through the bush. Eventually I made it out to the tops. Had a brief look about and went on past where I got to on the first attempt. The riding from there out was much better, with nice views and some good trail even though there is still the odd little push here and there. Got out to about as far as I could before hitting a bit of swamp and the track starting to disappear which was about 1000m altitude. I started at 300m so it was a good climb. I would guess I covered only about 6-7km to get there too. It was getting dark by this time as well so I headed back down while the natural light was still OK. The track was great going down with some nice flowing parts and some good technical parts as well. After about 10mins of enjoyable riding I met up with the hunters again and had a chat. Turned out they were from Christchurch and were planning to stay out under the stars the night, which was still very warm at that point although the wind up there seems to be a constant (hence the name Blowhard). After that I needed the light on in the bush as it was difficult to make out the track properly and the trail has a lot of loose rocks on it. I made my way down carefully to the top of the steepest section and rolled down, it is pretty loose with a mix of rocks strewn about up to about infant head size. These rocks proved very good at knocking the front wheel off line some distance making control on the steep stuff very difficult. I felt pretty much only half in control for some of it and it is a long decent with not many places to gather it up again either. Managed to get down Ok, although there were several hairy moments before I got the the 4wd track. I think if you had a 6" travel full susser this would be easy but a cross county hardtail with the seat up is not really ideal. But that challenge is half the fun. Headed out the 4wd track and made it back to the van OK. Calculated the ride time to be 2.5 hours. Above is a photo I took of the typical trail gradient and type on the first half of the ride. The steepness is a bit hard to see, but just imagine it is mostly unrideable!!!!

Worsleys powerwash.

Headed up to Worsleys on Wednesday evening (23-03-10) on my own and noticed a bit of dark cloud to the south but initially thought it was a bit of Northwest Arch kind of cloud as it was a nice balmy evening. As I got a bit further up the road I could see it was a bit nastier than that and it had a fair amount of water falling out of it. It looked like it was moving pretty slowly and was going to pass to the west of the port hills so I took a punt and carried on up. At the top of the first steep bit in the road I passed 4 guys on full sussers, said gidday and carried on ahead of them. Got to the gate at the top of the road and realised the cloud was drawing nearer and took of my sunnies as it was pretty dull by then. Took a photo and then held the gate open for the 4 other riders who were coming through by then. We all figured we had a chance to get up ahead of the rain if it was going to hit the hills anyway and carried on. I figured I had better go flat out if I was going to make it ahead of the storm and pushed on close to full speed. Got to the dip just before the track gets really rough and decided we weren't going to make it in time and decided to turn back as the wind had changed to cold southerly and was pretty strong. I told the guy who was just in front of me I was bailing and shot down, one of the other guys said he was going to do the same as he had no jacket either but was going on to tell the others in front. I got about half way down the track to the road and suddenly found I was being nailed by 10mm rounds of ice shot from a southerly slingshot and ducked into the trees. From there I watched as it fair hosed down with a mix of rain and ice, all about the same 10mm diameter, which are big enough to give a good sting. It didn't feel particularly safe however as the lightning bolts where being hurled and being in amongst tall trees in the wet on a ridge with that going on right overhead is probably not on OSH's to do list. I noticed a slight break in the hail intensity and decided to make another run for it, so took off as fast as I could on a now very wet, muddy and ice covered track. I got to the flat part before the gate and the hail and howling wind struck again giving me a good pelting about the legs and face (thank god for peaked helmets though) not to mention soaking me to the bone and dealing out a good dose of freezing bloody cold. Note to self, you need more than lycra in a frost... With nowhere to hide I carried on through the gate and down until I spotted a big flax bush at the top end of the road. I huddled behind this freezing cold for a few more minutes until it died down again and then made another break for it. Just as I was leaving the other guy who said he was bailing came down the hill and we rode down together. It turned out he had done the same as me hiding in the trees etc. The others with him were going to carry on but when we got to the bottom he meet someone in a van that was the partner of one of them who was going up to pick them up, so it seems they gave in as well. Had a very cold ride back the the flat and got changed into dry clothes before coming home. Above right is the pic I took from the gate.

Vic Park Up/Down...

Met up with Craig at the old house and cruised over to Bowenvale ave, went up old school at a nice gentle pace, both of us feeling slightly unfit. Was Craigs second ride this week, but he hadn't been on the bike for about 6 weeks before that so he will be flying in a week or 2. Felt like I was riding pretty well up the technical parts where the rocks stick out, had 1 dab somewhere but otherwise was good apart from having to stop behind a stalled Craig one time. Cruised ahead at the top section and headed down into hidden valley. This was the first time I have ridden down it since it has been reopened. Really enjoyed it and we both agreed it was like the old style unbermed trials from the early days. Was cool. Rode up again into vic park up the skidder track to the first track coming in from the left and took the low line up. Just about blew out on the first section as it was so steep. I am sure I have ridden all the way up this before but think I would struggle at the moment anyway. We decided to avoid most of the single track on the way up as there were still a few shuttlers coming down, although we still ran into a couple on the 4wd track up, one grommy dork made all sorts of noises like he was in pain at having to take the slightly bumpier line past us even though A. We had right of way as uphill traffic, and B. He was riding a DH rig with at least 8" travel that would have soaked it up with no worries anyway. Make you wonder why they were on the track anyway given the much better alternatives to get down. Also while I am having a moan, there were the usual Sunday ----wit riders still out who ignored a friendly hello on the way up too. Maybe they should stick to their roadies with that attitude. Normally I am riding to late to see any of them anyway.

Once we got to the skidder site we headed up into the gums and I almost made it up the rockgarden just at to top but lost a bit of speed as I went around Craig who had stopped. Think I would be able to ride it most times though. It will make a good future challenge for fun. We then took Thompsons 1 and 2 down to The Kiwi and refilled with water there. Cruised to road to top of Worsleys and headed straight into it. I was in front and had to wait for Craig a bit. He was having issues due to being out of energy, so we pulled out onto the road at the saddle and had a 1 square each. Craig inhaling his in about a quarter of the time it took me. Must have needed it for sure. We decided to have another loop and shot up again. This time Craig feeling much better stuck to my tail pretty well, I just slowed in a couple of places to let him get back on. Felt good both times going down myself and did a couple of the jumps much bigger than I have done before so had some confidence there, although on the first run I had to bail on the rock drop after the bridge drop as I was to far right and heading into the scrub when I landed. Did a couple of practices of it after that but found it difficult to get the line right going in due to a diagonal braking rut from people going around it. Anyway we came out at the Kiwi again and rode the bottom Thompsons but bailed on the next as I was starting to get cramp like sensations when I was standing cranking up steep stuff. Rolled down to Brakefree where I did the seesaw and a few jumps but had to stop as I was in to low a gear and couldn't get any speed going into the double further in. Went dowi into the old Gums again where Craig had a stop on the rock garden but to crashes luckily. Took the old line right out to the gateway to the war memorial and headed back to the skidder site and up to where Cool Runnings used to start. Took the wrong track and fired myself down some steep as DH track where I had both wheels sliding all over the place and no way to stop, just managed to pull up before I hit a pine tree, and then dropped down onto the 4wd track. Craig had a go to with pretty much the same result, so good nobody hit anything. Headed right to a dead end and then went back left along one of the tracks, no idea of the name though and just picked a line down to the top of Bridges, we seemed to pass another track every 2 seconds, it's like spaghetti in there now. Took the high line down bridges and dropped down onto the 4wd. Craig stopped to watch and then had a go but stopped on a couple of the bigger droppy bits on the way down. Was getting darker so missed going back of hidden and took the highway out. Did the drop track that goes past the second gate which is sweet to roll now and did the little kicker jump where Old Skool comes out too. Cruised home via the Urban single tracks and drove home for more home made Burgers from last night....Yum.

Worsley's grovel...

Rode again on my own this evening as everyone either busy or not able to make it till to late. Weather was cold so had a few layers and was fine, made for a nice temp climbing, which was about the only nice thing about it tonight. I headed over to the bottom of Worsleys spur via the usual urban single tracks, managed to startle the pants off some guy walking his muts on the last little section with the steps that comes out on Worsleys road. It is funny when they panic and think you are a manic out of control and in reality you are just cruising and absolutely under control. Anyway I hit the road climb up and felt my lack of riding recently again very quickly, not much power in the legs. The whole way up felt like I had it in the big ring, which I can assure you it wasn't (I checked several times!!!) and someone had removed the air from my tyres and replaced it with mercury. I did catch a guy on the last few hundred metres of road and held the gate for him and some walkers at the start of the 4 by track. I carried on up noticing a bit of damage to the trail from a vehicle and eventually came across the culprit not to far from the bottom of the bag. It was a pretty standard Isuzu Bighorn with mudgrip tyres bouncing up the track. They seemed to be having fun and I was surprised they made it that far. They turned round before the Bodybag, but would have made it up there no worries if they wanted. Up the bag I took it pretty easy up the first half as I wanted to ride it in the middle ring still, so needed to conserve some grunt for the top which I needed. Made it up and then headed up to the top of The Nun. Went straight into it and felt a bit unco as I hadn't ridden it for a while and I think being a bit tired made it tough to feel just right. Still had fun on all the jumps and berms and enjoyed it. Pulled up at the Kiwi and headed up the road to Vic park where I dropped in via the see-saw and did a couple of jumps on Brakefree. Headed over to Sesame Street which I hadn't ridden for a while either and was surprised at how cut up if was in a few places. Rode it really badly but did a good drop off the wall from high up but was always on the wrong line or not sure what was on the other side of several double jumps so chickened out on them. Came out on the skidder site and took Dazzas or some version of that, there are so many lines in there now, I think I might need GPS next time!!!! Took the wrong exit and headed to Pono's (I think) for the first time in about a year, had to take it easy as I had no idea what was on the track, it seemed smoother than I recalled but with a few new jumps. Made my way down to the bottom of bridges track and headed out to Bowenvale Ave with the light beginning to fade pretty early. Thought about heading up Hidden Valley but decided time was short and energy even lower.
Headed home via some more urban trails. Fish n' Chips for dinner....

First Blogged (lone) ride.....

This is great, about time I joined in the ww webby thingee and did some blogs of my own, only about my biking mind you... This entry must be read with caution as no verification of the following by can made independently as I was riding on my own, a rare occurrence but nevertheless true. Sunday 14 March, nobody keen to ride or able to make it so I figured it was about time, 14 days or so since my last ride, that I hit the hills. I decided to go up Captain Thomas and try and ride up some techie climbs, in particular one that owned me a few weeks prior resulting in a large painful bruise on my left hip. I gimped up the first climb at the at the normal place after the first steps hit the really steep piece. Tried to do it again but couldn't get going on the steep climb, so walked the rest, then cruised on. Had issues with the chain staying on the middle ring, the hit the tricky rock climb which got me last time, failed, tried about 7 times and gave up, not in a good mood due to bad riding and chain. Was close to going home, but pushed on. Rode OK to the top and decided I needed more single track climbing (or punishment) so went up Greenwood, figured not to many likely to be coming down so a good time to do this. As it was there were no people at all. I rode pretty well up here, managing all the rocky sections, only a dab or 2 on some easy sections where I lost concentration a little. This was the first time I had ridden up here in daylight, and only the second time ever and I really enjoyed it, slower but much better than the road. Got to the end and turned straight around and cruised back down, noticing a few better lines I had spotted on the way up here and there too. Had a pretty good run, no offs, no punctures and pretty good form, although this is hard to judge on your own. Back at Evans I went on up/out Godley thinking if I can get one of the first 2 tricky sections at the start I would be much happier, as it happened I cleared both first go non stop for the first time in ages, maybe ever. Normally one of them gets me every time. Although I failed at the next not so tough section due to being buggered (2 weeks off bike???). Carried on up OK from there and down the other side pretty well, enjoyed most of it apart from the section that they (trail pixies) destroyed with the Teddington by making insane off cambering everywhere (there are witnesses to a good crash of mine on this to prove how dodgy it is too). Had to push pretty hard out the last section as was getting low on daylight so had a quick bite to eat and headed out to Taylors via the Anaconda. Had a nice run in on the top section and was winding up to full noise just about to enter the Conda properly when a girl on bike appeared from nowhere (not on the track I was on at least) going at girl speed, so I pulled up and made as much brake noise and clattering as possible behind her, which worked and she pulled over to let my through. I thanked her and carried on at full steam. Was pretty good but had a few rusty issues on some of the berms and nearly shot out of the track a few times but made it safely down. Cruised out the tale and nearly collected a pixie on the track doing some rock removal. I hope they don't make it too easy. I could feel the effects of not riding enough up out of Taylors and had to grovel most of it and then rolled down the park to Slumner where the Bongo was waiting...Ate a Pizza on the way home.