I took the opportunity to stay mainly out of the wind today, so headed down the hill to Aro Valley, before cruising up Transient, then along the tarmac to the Wind Turbine. From there I ducked in to CPX, then down to Long Gully. The climb up the back of Wrights Hill was tough - my gear was too long and my stem too short. Nevertheless, I made it up, knees intact. I then headed down Salvation, and hit a wee lap of Koru and Lazy Fern before heading home.

It was nice to get out in the mud having not been on singletrack for a couple of months

Les Mills

was a busy day up on the port hills today..

encountered plenty of others as we went up huntsbury, along bowenvale traverse to drop down victoria park..

great fun on a beaut day.

Baboon loop. Good to be out on the bike after a break of a few months.

Yesterday went up Transient-Carparts ext-Barking Emu, then return, with Carparts added on the way down. The best conditions for a while and still managed to come off once.

Went back today and filled one big puddle with rock. Tip top.

Cpts Extn, Barking Emu, most of Redrocks, Down Waipapa and up the Radome track (ouch) then back the way I came, including Carparts. Some scenic parts down in the gulley, nice and isolated.

nostromo wrote:Baboon loop. Good to be out on the bike after a break of a few months.

Great stuff, bro. Sorry I couldn't join you.

Oli wrote:

nostromo wrote:Baboon loop. Good to be out on the bike after a break of a few months.

Great stuff, bro. Sorry I couldn't join you.

I'm sure it'll happen soon, the instigator is back on the job again.

Yesterday - various tracks at WTP

This afternoon some lower stuff at Makara Peak

Things I learnt:
* I've been too long not really trying on the hills. Now weak like an old man.
* I'm not strong enough to live with 1x10
* Light bike is fast. Didn't think mine was heavy.
* I may be thinking about a new bike. Damnit.

Yes, you need one of those, and some Enve wheels.

Up tip track and down BE etc to Aro. Fantastic morning, lots of frozen puddles and spider webs on the reasonably muddy tracks. A bit of sun strike on BE; hope the track builders fix that problem soon (/bait)

Nah, just follow you down and your giant head will block the sun (/hooked)

Pretty much my first genuine Mtb ride! Mt. Dick out from Carterton Wairarapa. Yep it's a hard ride Mt Dick. 2hr ride includes 1hr on the road out n back, about 40 minutes up, 15 minutes down and 5minutes taking pic's.
Cool frosty sunny day. One to remember!

So the good news for you Brokenkonarider is that Carparts ext defeated me. A track that gets no sun for 3 months will always be a bit muddy in winter, unless the whole thing is covered in rock- which was never going to happen. And while we may make "improvements" to Barking Emu I was told by WCC that Transient user count is 2500/month in winter. So lots more wear and tear will occur and we will always be behind. I'm sure you can skid up some corners for us as well.

Spare a thought for Makara though- Koru's count is 4500/month mid winter.

Nice pictures Manic-monkey

Makara Peak on a stunner day

First time down Ridgeline in ages

Golly it's a puckertastic wild thing at the moment

Must go back and try harder to clean it