My time was a couple of minutes slower today as my bag was loaded up with a couple of purchases, a tent and a sleeping mat. It was tough going in places, but what I found interesting was that I did not feel the pack on me at all, despite the extra weight. When I got home I lifted the bag and realised how comparatively weighty it was. It felt like a good test though.

It was great to be back, I was surprised to see it had been a month since I’d been there.

My intention was to go to the top, but I arrived much later than I had planned. The carpark was pretty full, but in the way up I encountered no one. I did a loop of Magic Carpet which I found fairly dull this time, although it took me over 9 minutes versus the usual 6 minutes.

I went down Lazy Fern, which was nice enough, although having not ridden downhill much for a few weeks my legs were feeling it.

I came back up, and in the way to Big Tom’s Wheelie, I stopped to check the map. I figured I’d ridden far enough that I should have just gone to the top. I am intending to get there earlier next time to allow time to get to the top.

I went down SWIGG and it was great, I realised how much I’d learnt since my last attempt. Last time it was thrilling, but I was barely in control, and I was forced to stop many times. This time, I stopped only once, and while I was slow, I felt far more in control.

…on the way up that is. I encountered a guy riding DOWN the uphill only part – muppet. I did struggle a bit today, but it was still all good to be out there. Every single left hand switchback (is an uphill tight turn even called a switchback?) caused me to stop – it was a terrible regression.

Riding from Polhill to home was pretty freaky as the wind was gusting something chronic.

However, the ride down in the morning was fun – but the wind alone took me from the mid 50s to the mid 30s in a matter of maybe 5 to 10 seconds, really nuts!

We are in the mega windy time of the year, and it is noticeable the impact it has. Overall a nice enough ride up, I am getting better at the rough stuff.

I rode back up Polhill again, nice ride. Getting into it a bit more, although still massively struggling with my nemesis corner.

I didn’t get to ride this weekend, but I did try out the Ground Effect Tardis that I got off Trade Me last week. The bike should fit and be safe enough for the flight south.

I had a total mission getting the damn thing back together, and the travel on the brakes has very weirdly increased. Many lessons learned, and I’ll try it again before the trip.

The ride down today was fine, pretty light given daylight savings started on Sunday.

For the ride home I repeated Friday’s trip up Aro Street and up Transient. Strava failed in some way and didn’t record the ride, but I’m confident it was the fastest yet.

The weather on the way home was a little rough, the wind was getting up and the rain at times was pretty dense. Overall it was a good mission, I got beaten by the two corners that always get me, but beyond that it was pretty smooth riding.

Lovely ride down the hill, apart from the stiff northerly we tend to get at this time of year that slowed me from 50km/hr to about 30km/hr.

The ride up was amazing as I went up the Transient trail. It was tough of course, but brilliant training that was so good to be able to include in the daily commute.

Fantastic ride, especially compared to yesterday. The big takeaway – rest before you run out of steam. I made sure to rest frequently, so about 3 times on the way up the first track, then once before setting off for the final couple of kms to the top. The ride up Transient was still tough, and I stopped a number of times on the steep stuff, but using the rest areas on the way up made the ride much more enjoyable.

I also managed to get over the rocky steep bit that totally befuddled me the last two attempts, stoked! I wonder if I will be able to do it again next time.

I also was really careful on the Windmill trail to pace myself, and made it to the top without needing to stop, although I had a number of stops caused by steepness and loss of control.

But a great ride overall, and I was really pleased with my progress today.

I only had time and went for a ride up Transient from Aro Valley. It felt much, much harder than last week. I had to take a number of stops along the way to catch my breath and let the nausea pass.

Overall I dealt better with what I’d describe as the harder parts of the track – the wee pinch climbs and so on. The biggest issue is fitness, I am really struggling to keep my concentration on the trickier bits as I’m so stuffed.

I may attempt to ride it again this afternoon if the opportunity arises – I feel it’s a great training ride for me and I really want to be able to get to the top without 1) being forced to stop by the terrain; and 2) stopping because I’m knackered.

I take heart from the lessons I’ve already learned about perseverance and that things do get easier with practice.

There was one big upside, which were my new Ground Effect Underdog padded shorts. They were super comfy, I didn’t notice I was wearing them, and my butt was in no discomfort. Usually after a ride like that I would feel something – but not this time.

Uneventful but very enjoyable commute down and up the hill. The time up was pretty good and felt reasonably good too.