Up at 6 today and out on the road by 8. Headed up Takaka Hill to the top where we met up with Stormin, Keith and a guy whose name I forget. We had to split into 2 groups. Group B consisted of Tinkerbell, Phatboy, Nelly and Mellonfarmer. They drove down to Takaka and caught the shuttle back up. They started their ride about 7kms along the Canaan Downs Rd. Meanwhile Group A (consisting of the other 12) headed up Canaan Rd to the saddle. Nice steady climb up here with a regroup at the top before blasting down the shingle rd. Finally we stopped at a sign at the start of the Canaan Loop. While Stormin, Keith, Junior and Rowdy continued on the road the rest of us headed up a steep climb to explore the track. Good test of abilities as there were a few pinches on the way up. Stopped for a photo before headed down, then up, down, up, back down where we all had to run across a dead rabbit on the track. Eventually the track led into some fast flowing beech forest. Great blast through here. Helmutt got the first puncture of the trip. The track finally spit us out at the car park at the road end. We were still ahead of Group B. Chatted with Rowdy and Junior, telling them out plan. They were going to do a small loop of the track while we decided to do the first half of the Loop. We headed up the hill climbing past the
Rameka entrance as we continued up towards Wainui Saddle. The track gets interesting as it heads up with what can be best described as riding down a river bed. Challenging but fun. I was in the lead taking lines that were not part of the main line when I dropped over the edge of a log, my front wheel embedded deeply into the mud and threw me chest first into the water running along here. Whoops shite!. Stood up and decided I was not injured other than a couple of sprains. We continued on up. We regrouped at the saddle where we waited a while before The Cook showed up, along with Keith. A broken chain had delayed them. We also heard that the B team was on its way but had also been delayed by some technical bike problems. We continued on, enjoying all the challenges as we went. Rocks, open paddocks, stands of native bush, creek crossings with steep climbs out were all part of this enjoyable track. We regrouped just before an aptly named Rock Squeeze where team B caught up. We found out that they did not do the beginning loop which was a shame as 3 of them had never ridden it before. We let them lead thinking they would get ahead and be able to do the beginning loop. Unfortunately they were not fast enough and we stayed with them for the rest of the loop. As we went through the paddock called the log ride I managed to through myself off the bike again, this time spraining my elbow. Shite twice in one day!! Continued on with a couple of river crossings before a real nice flow through beech forest to the car park for a major regroup and a bite to eat.
Time for the Rameka to begin. Up the hill we climbed again. Stopped for a quick regroup before the usuals took off ahead. The rest followed at their own pace eventually having a split of about 4 groups. The top section is more flat than down with lots of tree roots, creek crossings and little challenges. Fun fun fun still. Finally it starts to point down and this is where it got bloody funtastic. First we blasted down Dozers track and the bottom end of the Rameka. A regroup at the top of a new track called The Pack Track. This is an excellent piece of single track just built for speed and yahoos. I loved it as much as everyone else with a regroup at the bottom. We then headed into Great Expectations for a fun blast down. This has been extended so much since last time we rode it. It now leads into Two Klicks and then 1 Klick. In here The Cook slammed into a rock causing some damage to his body, shoulder and arm. he still rode on. A fast blast down the rode for a stop in Takaka for coffee, food, tea before heading to nelson. Stopped at Mapua for beer and also hooked up with Dale from Dales brewery for a bulk buy of beer. Unloaded at camp, bough a mass of pizza and watched the All Blacks kick the Wallabies arse.
Up at 6 today and out on the road by 8. Headed up Takaka Hill to the top where we met up with Stormin, Keith and a guy whose name I forget. We had to split into 2 groups. Group B consisted of Tinkerbell, Phatboy, Nelly and Mellonfarmer. They drove down to Takaka and caught the shuttle back up. They started their ride about 7kms along the Canaan Downs Rd. Meanwhile Group A (consisting of the other 12) headed up Canaan Rd to the saddle. Nice steady climb up here with a regroup at the top before blasting down the shingle rd. Finally we stopped at a sign at the start of the Canaan Loop. While Stormin, Keith, Junior and Rowdy continued on the road the rest of us headed up a steep climb to explore the track. Good test of abilities as there were a few pinches on the way up. Stopped for a photo before headed down, then up, down, up, back down where we all had to run across a dead rabbit on the track. Eventually the track led into some fast flowing beech forest. Great blast through here. Helmutt got the first puncture of the trip. The track finally spit us out at the car park at the road end. We were still ahead of Group B. Chatted with Rowdy and Junior, telling them out plan. They were going to do a small loop of the track while we decided to do the first half of the Loop. We headed up the hill climbing past the
Rameka entrance as we continued up towards Wainui Saddle. The track gets interesting as it heads up with what can be best described as riding down a river bed. Challenging but fun. I was in the lead taking lines that were not part of the main line when I dropped over the edge of a log, my front wheel embedded deeply into the mud and threw me chest first into the water running along here. Whoops shite!. Stood up and decided I was not injured other than a couple of sprains. We continued on up. We regrouped at the saddle where we waited a while before The Cook showed up, along with Keith. A broken chain had delayed them. We also heard that the B team was on its way but had also been delayed by some technical bike problems. We continued on, enjoying all the challenges as we went. Rocks, open paddocks, stands of native bush, creek crossings with steep climbs out were all part of this enjoyable track. We regrouped just before an aptly named Rock Squeeze where team B caught up. We found out that they did not do the beginning loop which was a shame as 3 of them had never ridden it before. We let them lead thinking they would get ahead and be able to do the beginning loop. Unfortunately they were not fast enough and we stayed with them for the rest of the loop. As we went through the paddock called the log ride I managed to through myself off the bike again, this time spraining my elbow. Shite twice in one day!! Continued on with a couple of river crossings before a real nice flow through beech forest to the car park for a major regroup and a bite to eat.
Time for the Rameka to begin. Up the hill we climbed again. Stopped for a quick regroup before the usuals took off ahead. The rest followed at their own pace eventually having a split of about 4 groups. The top section is more flat than down with lots of tree roots, creek crossings and little challenges. Fun fun fun still. Finally it starts to point down and this is where it got bloody funtastic. First we blasted down Dozers track and the bottom end of the Rameka. A regroup at the top of a new track called The Pack Track. This is an excellent piece of single track just built for speed and yahoos. I loved it as much as everyone else with a regroup at the bottom. We then headed into Great Expectations for a fun blast down. This has been extended so much since last time we rode it. It now leads into Two Klicks and then 1 Klick. In here The Cook slammed into a rock causing some damage to his body, shoulder and arm. he still rode on. A fast blast down the rode for a stop in Takaka for coffee, food, tea before heading to nelson. Stopped at Mapua for beer and also hooked up with Dale from Dales brewery for a bulk buy of beer. Unloaded at camp, bough a mass of pizza and watched the All Blacks kick the Wallabies arse.
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