- Ride the Tip Track by the end of the month;
- Ride from the top of Brooklyn Hill to the bottom (ie Carparts to Ikigai to Serendipity) by the end of the month.
-
November goals
—
-
Recent upgrades grips & pedals
—
in ReviewTwo recent upgrades that I think have made significant changes to my riding experience.
One: the grips
ODI Elite Pro v2.1 were recommended and on a whim I bought some. The promises are reduced fatigue, they really do make a difference.
Two: the pedals
DMR Vault Pedals are large, super grippy, and I think have improved my riding. The super solid feeling is amazing. The Deity’s I had been using were really good, but the Vaults give me more consistent good contact – that is less foot wriggling to get good grip.
However, I have recently been feeling quite remarkable calf fatigue, it could be related to these pedals, it could also, and far more likely, be related to my lack of riding. I will continue to monitor calf fatigue on the downhills.
-
Mākara * 2
—
The last two Sunday’s I have been up to Mākara (ashamed that I finally learned to spell it correctly). The climb has been tough, but the downhills just amazing.
The Smokin’ changes are AWESOME, it flows so well, smooth, fast and fun.
Peak Flow is feeling great, the Meta feels so different from the Roscoe, the teeth chattering jarring I used to experience when riding down does not occur on this bike, which could be a change in my technique.
My calf muscles have been killing me, I found this spot part way down to rest, although I hope I don’t have to keep doing this as lovely as the view is.
The Mākara swing bridge, with Tapuae-o-Uenuku, from Snake Charmer. -
Harry’s first trail rides
—
in RideHarry took the new-old Trek Precaliber 24 on his first two trail rides. We rode Highbury Fling, which was perfect for him.
There was a huge difference between day one and day two, he rode the trail completely the second day. Just amazing.
-
Serendipity & July
—
Only seven rides in July. It’s been two weeks since the last outing due to weather and illness.
Yesterday was a quick and somewhat difficult circuit around Ikigai.
Today Ikigai felt a lot better, so I was encouraged to try Serendipity again. It was much drier than last time, and I was able to ride more and walk less. I nearly tried the steep line next to the drop, but chickened out. If it’s dry next time I’ll see how I go.
Overall it was energizing, and I’m hoping for less rain this month.
-
Lunchtime ride improvements
—
After spending May focusing on climbing the Fenceline trail, my lunchtime ride since the end of June and into the start of July have been downhill focused.
I figured it was possible to get an Ikigai loop coming back up Transient well within an hour, and even a second lap if I took a shortcut up the vomitron that is the Karepa Killah on the way home.
Today I was able to get in the Ikigai – Serendipity – Transient loop in just over an hour. I did linger in a couple of spots, so I reckon it’s doable in 50-55 minutes.
The times on Serendipity should improve by a few minutes once I can ride the damn thing without stopping.
The Transient uphill from the bottom was apparently 28 minutes, which is not an athletes time, but I was pretty chuffed, and if I can shave a few minutes off over the next couple of months it all helps.
-
Serendipity
—
in RideI finally rode Serendipity. While it was hairy, it was no where near as tough as I was expecting, even though there are a couple of segments that I cannot even attempt at the moment.
The conditions were wet, slippery, and in places the mud was very thick. In the dry it would be considerably easier to ride.
I need to trust myself to roll a couple of the features and trust the bike to manage – which of course it will, as long as I don’t misuse the brakes.
Saturday’s ride was pretty big by my standards – two trips up and down Ikigai and Serendipity.
-
End of June update
—
June: only 5 rides as it turned out, due to holidays, very busy work days, and poor weather. But I have been riding Ikigai more frequently and very much enjoying it.
I only had one go up what I call Lower Fenceline all month, and it was tough going.
I did have a fun ride – I couldn’t figure out why the bike was so hard to control, and I even went into the bank at one point. It turned out I’d bumped the handlebars and misaligned them. Fortunately I over compensated toward the bank side rather than the cliff side of the trial.
Handle bars 
Mud. May: supposedly I rode 125km, and got in 17 rides, including 9 goes up Fenceline, but only 2 up to the summit.
Hopefully I’ll get to do more riding in July, and, if I can get up to the summit a few times I’m keen to have a crack at the Tip Track too.
-
😢
—
-
Fastest fenceline
—
I would like to complete the leg between the Fling and Sawmill in less than 7 minutes. If I can keep riding I might be able to do this within a month.
April 7, so mission accomplished!Well it’s not saying much, but a time under my goal of 7 minutes felt pretty cool for the segment between the end of Highbury Fling and Sawmill. It was really hard work though. Usually at the top of the segment I feel relatively good; an observer today they’d have seen a hunched over man breathing very loudly and in an almost laboured manner.
The second leg was also relatively quick alongside my previous efforts and under 9 minutes.
Anyhoo, it all feels like good progress given I rode this route for the first time just over a month ago. Looking back over this journal also made me realise I have only been working on the steeper ascents for a little under two months, which is further encouragement.
The first segment of the climb from Highbury Fling to Sawmill took just under 10 minutes. From Sawmill to the Turbine took roughly 15 minutes (I was so fatigued at the top I didn’t check the time). It’s just shy of 2km, so the time demonstrates how hard and slow the climb is. It honestly doesn’t feel like something I’ll get much faster at.
March 30, the first time going up Fenceline to the turbine16 rides in the last 23 days is also a number that brings me comfort, the days I have not ridden I sometimes feel guilty, but stepping back and seeing this ratio is a good feeling.
