Well it wasn't today (or even yesterday) but it was pretty recent. Found myself on the Spanish Basque Coast with a day up my sleeve and the contact details for a Scotsman running a mtb guiding outfit. Doug fitted me in at short notice, gave me his own fully, and took me off on one of the most awesome day's biking I've ever had.
A real mixture of good intermediate terrain but the section that traversed several kms of coast was stunning! Had to keep the mind focussed passing the topless sunbathers tho'...
Here's a vid. Doug made:
http://www.basquemtb.com/basquemtb-moun ... ast-video/

A brilliant mid-winters day in Wellington today. Headed out to Miramar to hit up Jail Brake. Couldn't help but try the pump track for a bit of a laugh. A few runs later and we headed out to Makara and sifted up Koru, Skills area, Snake Charma, Zaks Track, North Face, JFK, Smokin', back up Snake Charma, down Leaping Lizard, South Karori Road to main car park, Monteiths Brew Bar @ Khandallah for some Doppelbock Winter Ale and hot bar chicks - Epic.

Nice. Great use of the calm Welly enjoyed today.

I got tied up doing busy stuff most of the day and ended up with only a couple of hours to squeeze in a ride at Makara Peak.

I've long known that my fav riding top helps me ride 17.4% better. http://www.floe.co.nz/prestashop/produc ... product=15

Today I tried my new 'Hey, I'm here' commuting top:


Works well. Rallied some corners smooth as.

Cheers Floe Clothing.

TheMantis wrote:A brilliant mid-winters day in Wellington today. Headed out to Miramar to hit up Jail Brake. Couldn't help but try the pump track for a bit of a laugh. A few runs later and we headed out to Makara and sifted up Koru, Skills area, Snake Charma, Zaks Track, North Face, JFK, Smokin', back up Snake Charma, down Leaping Lizard, South Karori Road to main car park, Monteiths Brew Bar @ Khandallah for some Doppelbock Winter Ale and hot bar chicks - Epic.

Nice, that looks great fun.

3 runs of boonhill and two of snail trail, my legs are pretty coozed now...

Anyone wanna ride Rata Ridge next sunday if the weather isn't pooze?

wachtourak wrote:Anyone wanna ride Rata Ridge next sunday if the weather isn't pooze?

I might, are you prepared to put up with somebody glacially slow?

I am glacially slow.

Up Transient for a spin, banged into the Dude, so we headed across Highbury Fling, up the fenceline, car parts ext, and up Barking Emu. Still amazed at what potential Barking Emu has got, amazing views as well. Back down with Carparts being a highlight. Then into town for a latte. Another great mid winter Wellington day.

WTP: Snail Trail, Wetland Loop, Beeline + extension, rinse and repeat for a couple of hours.

I saw you guys in the carpark. I was on the silver Turner.

wachtourak wrote:I saw you guys in the carpark. I was on the silver Turner.

I'm sorry you had to witness us in person. Please send your optometrist bill to : Chief of Defence Force, NZDF, Private Bag, Wellington. Plenty of money in NZDF now that the personnel right sizing process is complete.

I had a feeling our paths might have almost crossed. I'm disappointed I missed having a perve at your sexy Turner.

wachtourak wrote:Anyone wanna ride Rata Ridge next sunday if the weather isn't pooze?

Might

TheMantis wrote:I might, are you prepared to put up with somebody glacially slow?

Someone who rode a gaziilion k's and climbed higher than Everest on Saturday and went out for a decent ride on Sunday isn't going to be that glacial

thelongwalk wrote:Up Transient for a spin, banged into the Dude, so we headed across Highbury Fling, up the fenceline, car parts ext, and up Barking Emu. Still amazed at what potential Barking Emu has got, amazing views as well. Back down with Carparts being a highlight. Then into town for a latte. Another great mid winter Wellington day.

I found the Dude amazingly fast for an easy Sunday cruise!

Colin wrote:

wachtourak wrote:Anyone wanna ride Rata Ridge next sunday if the weather isn't pooze?

Might

TheMantis wrote:I might, are you prepared to put up with somebody glacially slow?

Someone who rode a gaziilion k's and climbed higher than Everest on Saturday and went out for a decent ride on Sunday isn't going to be that glacial

I hope I didn't give the impression of riding between Miramar and Makara! That makes my head hurt just thinking about it. I'm currently in desperation mode to get bike fit before going on holiday in Peru in September.

Out for a sifty around bottle lake, in surprisingly good nick all things considered, the track from home to get there not so much. Wet grass, sand, mud, and liquefaction bog makes for pretty slow going but still good dirty fun.