Sunday18th october day 3 of the trip

Clinical, Highbury Fling, Car Parts extension, Barking Emu, back, Car Parts, Transient, Serendipity

Today we got up early to head out.  The wind was blowing pretty hard so as we crossed town to Aro Valley we had a tail wind mainly.  A couple of gusts on the side streets certainly had us pumping hard. 

We met up with one of Mellonfarmers mates and he took us up a side street by the entrance to Pol Hill Reserve.  Nice easy climb.  Then it was into single track starting with Clinical which climbed steadily through the bush up the hill switching one way then another until it threw us out at a park.  From here we were led into Highbury Fling which was a lovely climbing track in the bush.  As we got higher the wind was sounding blustery but we were sheltered.  This track through us out near a gate and a short windy four wheel drive section.  We stopped while we were accosted by a friendly dog wanting a pat from everyone.  Onward we continued until we reached Car parts Extension.  This track once again took us through sheltered bush that protected us from the wind and the grey skies.  At one point you here the thump thump of the Wind Generator as we rode under it.  Finally into Barking Emu which was much more exposed with some big drops as we encountered the blustery weather.  A couple of very exposed bends were dealt with carefully.  Stopped for a bite before retracing our route along the top. I threw a chain and ended up right at the back.  My run round here was one of my best on the trip.  Pulled in Sandals, Then Mellonfarmers mate, then Dozer and Silverfox.  As I went to pass The Cook he put his right foot down causing him to shoulder me.  Big tree hug for me.  Regrouped at the Wind Generator.  Nothing much to see other than a slight dislocation of my little finger.  Fixed it and we all carried on down Carparts.  great fun track with one sneaky uphill that catches you by surprise.  Regrouped before dropping down the 4wd and hanging a left into transient.  An awesome run for everyone.  fast and flowing taking forever to loose altitude. Junior hugged a tree down here somewhere and also found his front brakes disappearing.  regrouped before bombing down Serendipity.  An awesome downhill section with some slightly more technical bits compared to the rest of the days riding.  From here we cruised home for showers.  Quite late in the afternoon so no more riding.  Out for dinner.