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Loads of TLC on the bike recently.

• New rear tyre. I initially thought the rear rim was dented, it turns out their was some wear on the sidewall of the tyre.
• New derailleur cable. I had been having a lot of trouble indexing the derailleur. I then noticed the casing had frayed. The old cable was really past it, and the new one is working very well. Shifting needs a slight tweak in some of the lower gears, but overall it’s working like a dream.
• New chain: In January I put a new chain on the bike when I realised how much the old one had stretched.
• New bottom bracket: I replaced the old bottom bracket – it was totally stuffed. It turned out to be quite hard to find a replacement, so using a hydraulic puller and a hydraulic press and some new bearings I intend to recondition the old one.

I am also waiting for a fork kit so I can do an upper and lower fork service, and give the dropper some TLC.

It was great to be back at Rangitahi. I intended a quick ride up the access trail and then a couple of laps of Chimney Sweep, but I missed the Summit turnoff and went on a lovely detour.

The way down was great, the scary corner at the end of Chimney Sweep totally freaked me out. It was a really successful ride and I’m keen to explore the back country trail along the Ridgeline.

Some people say you should ride without a backpack. This idea has infected me and I decided I would attempt this for my recreational rides. These are my initial thoughts.

A small Evoc under-saddle pouch has come out of retirement. It is bloody useful. I can fit all essential tools in a waterproof baggie, and a nut bar and a gel thing. However it is hard to open without taking it off the seat.

The Specialized Roll Cage bottle holder looks like it doesn’t hold bottles very well. I will test it tomorrow, but I think it will need a bungee to secure the bottle.

Granite Rockband Strap: on the bike with a plus size tube and pump. The strap is well made but the tyre feels a bit lose on the frame. It will be tested tomorrow.

I will still carry a backpack for a while, but hopefully by putting all my shite on the frame all my troubles are over.

Super ride up from the house to Spuds (aka Upper Ikigai), then Ikigai, then back up to to Ikigai again.

It was knackering. I was so buggered before the second descent I stumbled off the bike at the Transient/Highbury Fling junction.

Anyhoo, the second descent was awesome, and the ride up was a little smoother also.

All the uphill corners are now sweet.

The Spuds/Ikigai left handers are most definitely not sweet. I have SO much work to do over the summer to be able to successfully ride them.

Holy cow the Pivot Firebird is amazing. I rode it up Koru and for the first time attempted the shortcut (I will ride that next time without walking (but it is STEEP)). Then onto Snake Charmer: tough as it was either hot or you were riding into the wind – which was getting strong. While the ride up was tough, coming down was very rewarding.

On the Pivot Peak Flow was a total joy. I had never imagined the benefits of rear suspension, and I imagine that on this bike they were massively enhanced. The ride down was not the usual bone shaking ordeal, it was mostly a joy. And for the first time riding it in months it felt relatively easy.

Next onto Upper Starfish and my first grade four trail with Julian’s most excellent advice. It was scary of course, but easier than I imagined. I felt I could have ridden all of it with a bit more practice, but, I only came a cropper a couple of times and given my fitness and the time pressure to return the bike it was not too bad.

SWIGG was lovely as always and riding fast.

The bike was incredibly confidence inspiring, I did wonder how the Roscoe would feel on the next ride….

Fun ride at lunch. My first downhill in close to four months was Ikigai, and despite my reservations I loved it, it is such a great track.

Coming up was tough. Riding with someone who has not had a break was useful for me, but, damn I was slow.

Tomorrow, Friday, is most definitely a rest day after four in a row.

1. I love Clinical so much it’s stupid.
2. The big reverse S corner I was able to get around; so happy.
3. I rode and stopped twice to catch my breathe.
4. There is something magical about this trail, it was wonderful to be back on it.

So great to ride down the hill and then in the afternoon back up Aro Street to the Waimapihi.

I managed every single corner on Transient without issue: I almost couldn’t believe it, especially given my historic hiccups with a couple of those corners in the past.

It was a slow ride up and I was knackered, but great to be on bike once more.

I rode up to the Highbury Fling from Brooklyn on the road. It was harder than I expected; I was close to throwing up once I hit the trail head.

Other than that the ride was fun: I felt awkward but extremely grateful to be on the bike and feeling good.

Haven’t done that for a while, so kinda pleased. The old knees are a bit sore though, Polhill’s climb takes a toll.