Ian_A's blog

My riding buddy Craig and I decided to ride Narrow Neck this morning.
Having not ridden it before and after hearing a few horror stories, I was interested to see what it was like.
I had in my mind long tough climbs and fast rough downhills with awesome views. The riding didn't quite live up to what I imagined but the views made it very worthwhile.
We easily rode all the hills, with only one really tough one about 2/3 of the way back (actually Craig didn't make this one, but I managed it ok).
The concrete hill to start is a bit tough with no real warm up but offers plenty of traction.

With a really poor lead up after a back injury 3 months ago and being off the bike for most of that time I wasn't expecting much. Losing my bike 3 days before the ride with a leaking front brake lever also relegated me to the low speced hardtail that weighs in around 15kgs.

A few extra's turned up this afternoon, which was good. 5 of us set out with a nice run through the sniggle. A quick chat with the Vicar of WInmalee, then down the Grotto for some brake burning action. A nice flowy run through the swamp, then the challenge. Up Bee's Nest. Jason makes it look easy, but noone else cleared it in one hit. A quick breather at the top, on to the lookout for another breather, then an easy cruise back along S/wood ridge. Another run through the sniggle, then it was all over. Beat the storm by about 10 minutes.
Nice way to finish the week. Thanks guys.
Ian

Nice ride around Mt York area this morning. Started the day arriving pretty spot on 8:30 to find Todd sleeping in his car.
Had a quick chat, then Jim comes rolling down the hill having parked further up. We ride up the road for a bit then jump on to the track.
It was mostly fairly easy going, technical in places but still fairly flowy, until the 'shute'. Jim just powered down, Todd had a look first then did the same. I was a bit more reluctant, but the boys talked me in to it and I made it fine.