Did I mention I hate hills?

Yes. Hills. My nemesis. Damn I really do hate them.

So, when  Logan said "hey, lets go up Rapaki Track" I was desperate to find an excuse, but sadly, none was good enough to stop the mad bugger wanting to give it a go. And being that he is a mad bugger, we (he) decided we should head to Rapaki Track from his place, in the saddle. OK, it's flat and mostly non-road (yay for rail track and Hagley Park) but still a 14km ride to the foot of the hill.

So, ride there we did. It ticked by swiftly, as flat easy rides often do, and before I could convince him I was lost and we should head home now, we were at Rapaki Road and heading up the hill. The first bit is road, and actually not bad. I could ride up and down this several times without issue. Once we hit the first gate tho, the track changes from tar seal to rocks and muck and uneven terrain and is a lot harder as you have to concentrate on steering as well and peddling.

We slipped past the bottom gate and up the pine tree lined track intro to the first real gate. And to show how long how long it's been since I was last there, the gate now has a cattle stop and little ramp setup so no more gate jumping.

We got to the other side, lost jackets and headed further uphill. 15km on the clock, and a hill in front of me. I sucked. I hate hills. I hate them even more when I know how far up they go. So, we had a couple of pauses on the way, and made it (eventually) to the top of the first bit of the hill, where the second gate is (which now also has a cattle stop ramp!) and I decided I could not bear to do the rest. I convinced Logan  it was better to turn back now rather than push my arse up the next hill. He agreed (yay!) and we swung about and descended again. 

OK, as a small consolation, the bike computer said our max speed was 151kph, so not all bad news.  :)

We rambled back home and discussed the best way to make hills better. He suggested a training routine, or maybe skipping, or running, or anything really. My suggestion of donuts and custard squares and vodka-hydration-packs were not well received. Bugger. Hills it is then. 

Damn I hate hills.

On the Road Again..

Well, we're finally back on the bike again!

having had plenty of discussions about getting back on the bike and starting training for the Rainbow Rage -even going so far as to agree on a couple of days each week that we would keep clear for a ride, both Chris's and my timetables kept tossing spanners into the works!

But, finally, on a cool Wednesday evening we arranged to go and spin the legs a bit; heading out toward Bottlelake to see if we could get a little dirty as an added bonus!

So, into the headwind we treddled...chatting about the upcoming overhall of the bike(more news to follow)...and soon it was time to focus on staying upright as we headed into Pegasus.

The track was all but dry -only a few little puddles, so we quickly navigated the leg through to Spencer Park...no real challenge, not one life threatening moment and only two deep sand bars to negotiate.

Rolling into the park we take a gentle left and head into the single track -time for some bump and grind(no not sex!)

The single track provides Chris much more work ...particularly because he hasn't yet taken his sunnies off..meaning that in the more shaded area under the trees he is almost as blind as me!!

Some running repairs(*@#^$ rear gearing!) and we're back into it...Chris is now far better at judging his cornering and I now get brushed by the vegetation on the insides of corners as we whip through the narrow spaces of the single track...what a blast!

Quickly...to quickly we are out on the entry road and after a brief stop we decide to head back into the bottom end of Pegasus -heading toward North Beach to add some k's to our ride..

This part of the track is far from challenging -even on a tandem, and we are rolling along at a reasonable pace again chatting about the new gearing, brakes, wheels and such that are being ordered for us...and without any hassle we are onto the road and heading homeward with a nice little tailwind for company!

it is at this point that I realise after rocking around on the dirt, getting up close and personal with trees and mud I have no desire to spend long periods of time listening to the dull whistle of bike tyres on the road!