Belmont MTB Group Ride

I thought it would be a good idea to organise a nice group social ride last Sunday. It didn't take much organising really. I just banged out an email to the Godfather for him to include in his weekly spam. I was expecting a dozen or so keeners for the pedal up and over Belmont Trig and round Koro Dam and back.

I got away from home just before 8am and headed up over the Cannons Creek hills and up to the Dress Circle. The Puke Ariki/Dress Circle track heading past Round Knob and over towards the Airstrip was harder work than normal, no breakfast and a couple of shandies the night before had taken the edge off me, and the track was pretty chopped up by the gangs of patrolling cows. There were some pretty organised sub-herds. I noticed they would call from one rise across to another gang on the next rise, who would turn and assemble across the track. I had to give one lot near Round Knob a severe staring at, to get a passageway between them and the fence. Nicko would have absolutely lost the plot.

I picked a nice track that sidles round from near the Airstrip, to Old Coach Rd. It was uber claggy and I had to stop a couple of times to get the clag and dung out of the bike so the wheels stood a chance. I was running late by now and decided to drop down Choppers through the forest as it was the most direct route down to the valley. Always a testing and cracking downhill that one.

I arrived at the carpark and it looked more like a race was on. There were cars everywhere and around 35 riders. We've never had so many at a social ride! Brilliant turnout!

We had plenty of peeps I had not met before and lots I knew. A good age mix too, from young guns like Jono Wood and Jonty Sanders, right up to the Godfather, still looking sharp as ever at 93yrs. Plenty of ladies were out too which was a good sign, including some girls from the MTBChicks riding group.

We headed along the stream track and up to the Trig. I was the good shepherd at the rear of the bunch and had a good time jawboning and enjoying the views across the valley. I saw a lean mean Nick_K, who had arrived fashionably late, coming strongly from behind. He was followed up by Gav and Mike, who were late, but not fashionable - no offence boys.

The bulk of the bunch had hung around at the Trig for a while and the cold winds forced them off the top before my planned group photo. Fair enough though, some of them hadn't got windtops, earmuffs or anything to keep them cosy. We headed to the summit regardless for a victory pic.

The downhill of Honeysuckle Ridge was a goodie! Greasier than my previous descents, so more challenging on the upper sections or the more novice dudes. I waited at the top with Dr Hinge and got his expert opinion on my foot injury - Thanks NoButt. Then we headed down at a good pace with mucho no traction action. I caught up with the girls in time to see Amber dusting her self off. Her brakes were pulling back almost to the bar - air in the lines. She had also only been biking for 3 months, making her the Newbie of the bunch. We carried on down to Baked Beans Bend and had just missed the bunch.

I heard an awful scream and realised one of the girls was about to take a big bite of the shit sandwich. Amber steamed into view, totally out of control looking like she was going to fly across the grass and land on the rocky trail section below the bend. Christ I hate watching stuff like that. Luckily she knocked into some bigish rocks, just as I was doing a quick mental inventory of my first aid kit, which somehow steered her back on track. She jumped over the bars and somehow bounced off the floor and finished with a 'ta-daaaaa!'. Bloody brilliant. Could have been a major drama. Well done Amber - You earned your stripes with that one!

We had a good time heading out along Koro steam and then up to Oakleigh Street. I had the pleasure of the company of Matt Clarke and Amber, who after her crash scored further bonus points by mentioning she had read some of the blog.

It was great to get onto the Stratton St descent and we swooped down the valley to find a lot of riders still there, having enjoyed a lap of Danzig, Chopper and Big Weta. Sharpie spoke in glowing terms about the descending skilzz of Jono and Jonty, which I thought was well worth mentioning in case you are reading boys ;o)

After some gasbagging, Sharpeshanks and I headed back up Danzig, heading for home via Round Knob, the way I came in. I was an embarrassment climbing Danzig. Felt like I had sand in my tires. Dave showered himself with glory by producing two mini packs of Natural Confectionery Dinosaurs (key sponsorship target - we love your Dinosaurs).

The wind, as we moved from Old Coach Road over towards Round Knob, was obscene. It had really gained some punch during the morning and was now hard to ride into at all. It did mean that we got to do some walks up the hills. Me on the SS and Dave having no granny ring, meant the steep climbs and the strong winds were the perfect excuse for a bit of walking and gobbing off about the benefits of wide handlebars and wotnot. The wind was so strong at one point that we were having trouble getting them over the gates, and if you held the bike out, it would blow out like a flag. Crazy stuff.

We parted company at Takapu Rd. Sharpie continued his haul back to Karori after a biiiig ride, and I cruised down to my place in Aotea. On the way of the hills I came across one of the earlier cow gangs. They had obviously heard I had out-stared their mates up on the tops, and wanted to prove they weren't as soft. It took a few minutes to batter their confidence with my evil eye, and they reluctantly allowed me to pass. I wished Nicko was there. He could have maybe cast a spell or at least distracted them by soiling himself.

I got home to find a yummo plate of corn and feta fritters, courtesy of my lovely wife, Amie. I had a great day out. I always feel like I've been on a holiday after a good trip into the hills. It was fantastic to have so many people come out on the ride, and I enjoyed meeting some new friends. Looking forward to next time.

Cheers

I've got some more pics I'll put on tomorrow.