Up bright and early with the weather looking great yet again. Today we planned to do the Coppermine. We got ready and hit the road in plenty of time with brief stops for provisions at the supermarket and a bike shop. Then it was a road ride through parts of nelson and then up the Brook. Regrouped briefly at the bottom of Codgers Track before starting the climb. We headed up in a large posse to start with getting more strung out as we went. The good thing was that most of the uphill is in native bush which gives shelter from the sun. We stopped at the 305m point for a regroup and a quick bite to eat before starting the climb to Third Hut which is 2/3rds of the way up. Bugs and I stayed at a steady pace all the way up here and were joined by Helmutt as we rode. You had the usual bunch leading the trip and a few who were at the back. All in all a good climb. After a good rest and repair break at Third Hut the climb to the top commenced. It was actually an easy climb from here with a bit of downhill slope mixed with a couple of grunts out of creek crossings. Eventually we came to the mineral belt which is much more open and exposed and the track surface much more rocky and loose shingle. We went past Windy Point, at which point I dug it in a bit more for a quick sprint to the summit of Coppermine Saddle. Very exposed point here where we all felt the cool breeze. After a while everyone was here and having a chance to rest. Nelly and Mellonfarmer took off alone and then Junior and Rowdy decided to follow. A few minutes later the rest of us had rested and decided it was time to head down. Amazing downhill run. Steep and sketchy with little rocks, lots of drops but so much time for yahoo's and fun. Loved the downhill. regrouped at a point where fire had been giving Helmutt a chance to fix a puncture, then down we went again. As we got lower the track changed back into forest track and got faster a faster. A train of riders developed which relied on Tinkerbell not falling to keep us all safe. Adrenalin pump all the way finally regrouping on a wide vehicle track after passing a couple of bunches of walkers. This led out past the Matai Dam where Phatboy punctured so we stopped for this. From here it was a fast blast down hill along a pipeline. Unfortunately when we came to the road we headed down. if we had of checked with locals we would of found more single track on the other side which is meant to be Ace. Not to worry we ended up on a track that follows the river all the way back to town. Quick blast all the way. At the end we headed to the Sprig and Fern Hardy St for a pint, a pie and chips. Headed back home where a few of the team prepared a wonderful BBQ dinner. Beers and early night followed.
Up bright and early with the weather looking great yet again. Today we planned to do the Coppermine. We got ready and hit the road in plenty of time with brief stops for provisions at the supermarket and a bike shop. Then it was a road ride through parts of nelson and then up the Brook. Regrouped briefly at the bottom of Codgers Track before starting the climb. We headed up in a large posse to start with getting more strung out as we went. The good thing was that most of the uphill is in native bush which gives shelter from the sun. We stopped at the 305m point for a regroup and a quick bite to eat before starting the climb to Third Hut which is 2/3rds of the way up. Bugs and I stayed at a steady pace all the way up here and were joined by Helmutt as we rode. You had the usual bunch leading the trip and a few who were at the back. All in all a good climb. After a good rest and repair break at Third Hut the climb to the top commenced. It was actually an easy climb from here with a bit of downhill slope mixed with a couple of grunts out of creek crossings. Eventually we came to the mineral belt which is much more open and exposed and the track surface much more rocky and loose shingle. We went past Windy Point, at which point I dug it in a bit more for a quick sprint to the summit of Coppermine Saddle. Very exposed point here where we all felt the cool breeze. After a while everyone was here and having a chance to rest. Nelly and Mellonfarmer took off alone and then Junior and Rowdy decided to follow. A few minutes later the rest of us had rested and decided it was time to head down. Amazing downhill run. Steep and sketchy with little rocks, lots of drops but so much time for yahoo's and fun. Loved the downhill. regrouped at a point where fire had been giving Helmutt a chance to fix a puncture, then down we went again. As we got lower the track changed back into forest track and got faster a faster. A train of riders developed which relied on Tinkerbell not falling to keep us all safe. Adrenalin pump all the way finally regrouping on a wide vehicle track after passing a couple of bunches of walkers. This led out past the Matai Dam where Phatboy punctured so we stopped for this. From here it was a fast blast down hill along a pipeline. Unfortunately when we came to the road we headed down. if we had of checked with locals we would of found more single track on the other side which is meant to be Ace. Not to worry we ended up on a track that follows the river all the way back to town. Quick blast all the way. At the end we headed to the Sprig and Fern Hardy St for a pint, a pie and chips. Headed back home where a few of the team prepared a wonderful BBQ dinner. Beers and early night followed.
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