jeyboi wrote:I think it'll be fantastic fun as it is, and would feel bad making suggestions considering I'm not helping organise etc.

On second thought, there's still plenty of great riding available in this event, really looking forward to it!

I agree. I think Asher's put together a great proposal. I think Outlook Hill's the only sensible addition, but access is tricky. Colonial Knob and Belmont would be good options for next time if this year's course is too short. Would be nice to have all within Wellington City though...

sifter wrote:After initially mocking Simon's question (on account of illegal tracks being obviously off limits), what legal access do we have to Johnstons Hill? I'm not sure we can actually get to the trig on legal track, unless "Skyline Track" goes to the trig...

Good point - Johnson Hill is closed to bike, so I don't think there is a bike-legal track up to that trig. It would be worth checking with Wellington City Council.

iodi wrote:

sifter wrote:After initially mocking Simon's question (on account of illegal tracks being obviously off limits), what legal access do we have to Johnstons Hill? I'm not sure we can actually get to the trig on legal track, unless "Skyline Track" goes to the trig...

Good point - Johnson Hill is closed to bike, so I don't think there is a bike-legal track up to that trig. It would be worth checking with Wellington City Council.

It's fine to "come up the back side".

There's a sign near the top, which merely gives directions and has no mention of bikes at all. I know the tracks on the southern side of the hill are off limits to bikes (but great running trails), but from the Skyline track getting to the trig is sweet.

I rode my "plan B" course today, staying off the tops as much as possible to avoid the wind. This meant more climbing overall, and thus took a little longer than my "plan A" route. FWIW, I ended up just short of 3,000m climbing... YEE HA!

Nice one. Surprising its that much different as there are plenty of uppy bits on Skyline. Was that clockwise or anti?

Anti clockwise. Also included riding to/from Northland/home etc, and I took some very "direct" routes to go between some of the peaks, which involved some smaller hills.

THATS hard....earned beer credit for sure.

Flight $ and lack of vacation time will be my excuse for just skippin to the beer.

Cliff

3000m - aargh! That's gonna hurt. Reckon I'm good for 2000 at the moment - will have to bluff my way through the rest.

Have been trying to work out how to put some fun tracks into the day, without it costing too much on the time front. Will depend on the weather, but I reckon using some of Skyline is worthwhile. Maybe Jailbreak, although I've never ridden it and am a bit low on 'Trail Riding' cred (especially if I break out the aero bars). The Khandallah Bridle track is sweet (and probably just as quick as Ngaio Gorge as a descent).

Any other ideas?

Hey Asher, I'm getting down to the nitty-gritty of visualising me gliding effortlessly from one hill to the next and am wondering about the exact locations that will be the 'top' of each peak.

You mentioned that Kaukau will be the viewing platform.

Makara Peak the pole with the yellow signs?

Mt Vic the trig or the northern or southern viewing platform?

Mt Albert?

Crawford - the top of the road by the prison entrance?

Hawkins Hill - the trig opposite the dome?

Johnsons Hill - the pole at the summit (photo without bike OK?)

Wrights Hill - the trig?

Tinakori?

Simonk wrote:3000m - aargh! That's gonna hurt. Reckon I'm good for 2000 at the moment - will have to bluff my way through the rest.

Have been trying to work out how to put some fun tracks into the day, without it costing too much on the time front. Will depend on the weather, but I reckon using some of Skyline is worthwhile. Maybe Jailbreak, although I've never ridden it and am a bit low on 'Trail Riding' cred (especially if I break out the aero bars). The Khandallah Bridle track is sweet (and probably just as quick as Ngaio Gorge as a descent).

Any other ideas?

This ride has inspired me to join Vorb. First time poster, long time reader.

I'm keen for a sub-contest between mountain bikers who choose to follow the best MTB routes and stick off the roads where possible. I haven't got anything against cyclocross, I just would rather ride the trails and still be competitive with at least someone. Anyone keen to join me in a MTB class?

Riding the length of the Southern Walkway between Mt Albert and Mt Victoria would be a worthy goal. Simon's suggestions of Skyline and Jailbreak/Deliverance would add MTB glory. As would riding Ridgeline down from Makara, Salvation/Deliverance and Car Parts instead of the road. Would enforcing knobbly tyres for the MTB class make sense? It might encourage trail riding over road riding. Otherwise it'll be down to honesty and vigilante enforcement. Maybe extra points per gram of mud on face?

Bike choice: Specialised Pitch full suspension with semi slicks or the 15 year old Extreme fully rigid commuter? The trail bike would be more fun but the commuter has pink and purple metallic hubs. Or do I put the old Zaskar back together with bits from the commuter? These are the tough decisions in life...

Simonk wrote:Hey Asher, I'm getting down to the nitty-gritty of visualising me gliding effortlessly from one hill to the next and am wondering about the exact locations that will be the 'top' of each peak.

You mentioned that Kaukau will be the viewing platform.

Makara Peak the pole with the yellow signs?

Mt Vic the trig or the northern or southern viewing platform?

Mt Albert?

Crawford - the top of the road by the prison entrance?

Hawkins Hill - the trig opposite the dome?

Johnsons Hill - the pole at the summit (photo without bike OK?)

Wrights Hill - the trig?

Tinakori?

Kaukau on the viewing platform

Makara Peak by the sign post pole

Mt Vic next to the trig

Mt Albert next to the trig (Not the true summit but the south end by the transmitter)

Crawford outside the prison entrance

Hawkins next to the trig

Johnsons next to the post (bike in the shot)

Wrights next to the trig

Tinakori on the concrete platform next to the transmitter


The nor' west blow dryer has been working overtime the last few weeks to make sure the tracks are in good condition for the weekend. Skyline's looking good as are most of the other tracks around town.

I'll provide a big bottle of beer for the rider who gets the most points using the following variation:

1) peak and time points as outlined by asher
2) 1 bonus point per km of MTB track ridden
3) winner must tell a credible story of how they got so many km of MTB track ridden and still collected their peaks

Is 1 point per km reasonable? How many kms of MTB track are realistic? I guessed 30km of MTB track. I tried to make the balance of peak points and MTB track points fair. Maybe 1 point per 2km of MTB track would be better?

I'd hazard a guess that most people will be concentrating on just getting to all 9 peaks within the 6 hours, rather than faffing about with multiple bike computers and random route choices...

But good luck

I agree. I'm going to be struggling just to get 6 peaks in 6 hours so I thought I'd add a bit of fun for people who are more interested in racing on choice single track for 6 hours than bagging all 9 peaks. I don't really mind if no one else measures their km on dirt, it's just more beer for me. All in aid of my preparation for an attempt at completing the Huka Challenge within daylight hours.

There are classes?
I think you're a bit too serious about this Mr Fro.

Pretty sure no one wants to be bothered with more logistical stuff either. As my old boss Roland used to say, just get on your bike and ride!