Bikes
So over the past weekend Zane (the biker and brewer) was in town. After a couple of missions down south, this time he ventured north to check out the tracks round Welly and explore the craft beer bars around the capital.
Friday
Friday dawned wet. But by mid morning all trace of the rain had gone and it was starting to dry out. We piled in the wagon and headed up to Makara Peak. Straight up Koru and up to the Summit, then we decided to head down Zac’s. The grass seemed to get longer the further we got down the track so I guess it is not getting much use at the moment. We had a look at the start of T3, and it too was looking overgrown and given the grass was still wet, we decided to flag and headed down North Face.
The morning rain had done wonders for the track surface. It was nice and tacky by the time we hit it and what resulted was one of the most enjoyable runs down for some time. What had been dry and loose earlier in the month, was nice and tacky (allbeit with a few puddles). All the way down Swigg and Starfish and we decided we weren’t done so we headed back up Koru and Salley Alley for a run down Ridgeline Extension. Yet another track that I haven’t been riding much lately; I find that most times I have been to Makara recently I have been doing the new “Grand” Loop. Certainly a few changes here, and I particularly like the addition of the rock gardens. A quick blat down Magic Carpet to the Skills Area and a time check showed that we were running a bit late, so we polished off the top of Koru and headed down Swigg and Starfish for a second time before dashing into town for a beer with Yeastie Stu and another home brewer.
Saturday
All traces of the rain from the front were well and truly gone, so after a little warm up on the backyard pump track we rode from mine and up to Miramar for a couple of loops. The track was showing no ill effects from the recent rain, with only the sidle above the little rock drop having a small puddle. All the new drains were clear, which was pleasing to see, and the track was tacky and fast.
From Miramar, it was a quick spin over to Haitaitai, up the Zig Zag to the Summit of Mt Vic. Time for snack and then down the Super D track to the Bomb Hole and on to the Pirie St steps.
A quick refuel at Aro Bake and it was up Tranny to the Windmill, then following Car Parts Extension to the end of Barking Emu. Great to see there was quite a bit of traffic at the intersection of the Tip Track and Red Rocks with plenty of people out enjoying the day. Although I was a bit confused as to why so many people were going down Tip Track; surely there are more fun ways to get down the hill? We opted to turn around and head back the way we came, blatting down the Emu, Car Parts, Roller Coaster, Highbury Fling and Tranny to Aro Valley.
Beer was calling, so a Regionals Pit Stop fit the bill. After picking up some supplies we decided we weren’t quite done, so it was back up Pirie St and the City to Haitaitai Walkway, before hitting the single track again back to the field and dropping down to the Fever Hospital, a few more rooty sections and of course the g out after the skills area; then it was time to roll home to get the BBQ going.
Sunday
Bit of a slow start on Sunday, but late morning we picked up Caban and then Mike and headed for Wainui. I love the WTP tracks and it had been a few months since I had been out there. We warmed up with a run up Jungle Scout, Jungle Gym, down Snails, round to and then up Directa, then down Beeline and Beeline Extn.
Now it was time for the ride proper, so it was back up to the top and along Labyrinth to the start of Towai Traverse. TT seems to be polarising people at the moment. The narrow, rooty track seems to be one you either love or hate. This was the first time I had ridden it’s full length, and I have to say I really enjoyed the challenge. Even though my 760mm bars had a couple of encounters with stumps and trees on the side of the track (one resulting in a complete endo on a slight uphill), I found it a good challenge to try and roll through the track without having to dab here and walk there.
We rode it to the end and back, and my only real problem with it is the grading of intermediate. Sure, as a traverse, there are no real sustained steep climbs or descents, but the nature of the track warrants an advanced grading in my book. I think the dad and his young (10-12 year old) daughter who were making their way down the track would have agreed. However she still had a smile on her face, so good on her.
I found TT was an excellent warmup for 491 and Spoonhill. Once again I had one of my best rides on a given trail for some time. A couple of wee dabs, but I was cleaning sections that have caused me all sorts of drama in the past. We opted to head down Nga Tahuna and then back round Wetland for another quick blat up Directa and down Beeline and Beeline Extension.
If Zane had been up for a couple more days, there are other tracks I would have liked to take him to but I feel we packed a pretty good cross section of Welly trails into 3 days riding.
Beer
After a Friday morning post on twitter, we arranged to meet with Yeastie Stu and another home brewer Brent for a post ride beer at the Tap Haus. Zane and Brent are going to try some reverse engineering of Red Rackham, so it was an opportunity for them all to meet.
The weekend was full of good beer. There were a couple of trips to Regionals, a night out on the town with the lads and some of Zane’s champion brews for our Saturday night barbie. On Friday our pub crawl hit LBQ, the Fork and Brewer, Hashigozake and the Malthouse. Apart from Zane’s BBC, I think the two beers that I found most memorable were the 8 Wired Black Dwarf I had at F&B and the Golden Eagle Coalface Stout at Hashigo. Two seriously nice beers but they certainly pack a punch.
BBQ
Saturday night was barbie night, and the Miramar crew were joined by some Wainuiomartians at ours. Plenty of craft beer on show here as well. Zane and I started with a Yeastie Boys Red Rackham, which was a first for me and a winner in my book. I certainly hope I get to try his version before his Chch mate’s scoff the lot!
Everyone had been out riding, whether it had been family fun in wainui, Jail Brake shuttles or our own urban epic.
The pump track finally got the work out it had been craving, with young Caban showing his skills on the 20” and the benefit of the practice that can only be gained from having a similar track in his own back yard. Of course the trail builders in attendance had some suggestions, so I have an idea or two for a rework of the cross over. But that can wait for winter.
All in all a pretty epic weekend!!
