Rain, Hail & SNOW!!

Nick K & Angry braving the Wellington Winter, yes that is snow in the background (Photo by Tiger)

Whacko "The Hardest BL Member" has left the country but despite his absence we toughed it out in the Wellington Southerly and snow today. Just a little post so you know the Bushlove Team can brave this winter cold.


Nick K, Angry & Tiger's ride:
Ride started with a heavy hail storm as we rode along the road from Karori Park to Makara carpark with fingers freezing and ice cream head aches. Headed up Lazyfern then onto Sally Alley. Took Snake Charmer to the summit stopping half way up for some pics in the snow. From the summit headed down Zacs/Varleys and into Wahine. From there did a quick lap of Wrights Hill up Salvation and down Scouts Hall. What a blast!!! Southerly blast that is. All up an hour and a half for us. Not that long but great lulz in the rain.

All tracks were in good condition thanks to some fantastic track building from the Makara Peak Supporters Club and other dedicated track lovers.


Mono's Ride:
Along the tarmac to Karori tunnel then up to the dirt. Got the hail/rain at the bottom of the rollercoaster. As I popped over the seal to head up Carparts it was snowing proper! I hadn’t ridden in snow before, so quite a novelty. Up, then along Carparts extension. Still snowing... At this point I decided I liked the snow more than I liked the hail and rain. Carried on up Hawkins Hill, with the snow getting heavier and thicker. I actually started smiling as I was climbing! HAhaha! Down to Red Rocks (Jeez the wagon wheels make short work of the rutted/rough sections) then along the beach back to Owhiro Bay. Got some nasty hail just as I got to the old quarry – that awesome sideways hail that stings like a mofo. Around the road, marvelling at the cook strait swell smashing into the sea wall, before hitting the tip track. What better way to keep warm?! I actually took it easy for a change (As easy as you can with my granny gear anyway) but still smashed the big ring for the last 600m or so. Fun times. Back down towards the fenceline, and up to Wrights hill. Steamed down Deliverance making use of the 15mm axle a couple of times with some slightly dodgy line choices....


Back past the Makara carpark to Czech out who was around and wash my bike, before heading home for a cuppa and a shower. Just over 2 hours all up, and definitely some of the coldest conditions I’ve ridden in. Loving my new thermal bib tights, and also the new waterproof shell I got. Stopped the hypothermia for sure.

oO------------Oo

Next up on the list for the BLRT is the Hawkins Hill Climb in a weeks time, where you should see a good contingent of Bushlove covering all aspects of this pretegious race. Some details below about the race.

http://www.vorb.org.nz/sport-hawkins-hill-climb-new-date-7th-june-t92661.html

Angry = Road Race
Mono = Mountain Bike (Gear'd)
Tiger = Running (Hold the laughter)
Davo = Chief Mashall


See you all there, should be loads Lulz.

BLRT

Bushlove Hard Bastards