J the B's blog

Man:0
Ground:1

I didn't even take a divot.

Everybody raves about the place, but you never really know just how good the riding is until you're actually pelting down the pumice, gibbering with glee. Until you've made it to the top of the mountain and sampled the best stuff, the ones that are worth chucking your bike on a plane for, even for just two days of riding.

A good friend of mine in Auckland was having his 50th birthday and sent out the invite to all and sundry. At the last minute I made a snap decision to go over and managed to talk another mate into coming as well.

You don't need a $3000 bike to have a lot of fun (or even a $300 one for that matter).

Just got back from a couple of weeks in southern Laos, and I must say one of the best days we had was when we hired a couple of old clunkers and caught a boat across the Mekong to Don Daeng island. Miles and miles of perfect sniggle. Who cares if my chain was too loose and kept falling off: I was in no hurry...

Could not believe it. "Ando" Andy, the guy who lives less than 5 minutes from the meeting point, bailing out before his dainty foot even touched his bedroom floor. Drizzling, he called it. A bit icky. And to think that some of those Sydney blokes got up at 5am for this one.

But it's early, he says. It's raining. And I've never liked that ride anyway.

Bloody cream-puff.

Turns out he wasn't the only one.

Introduced my girlfriend to the magic that is Scribblies this morning. She loved that little rolling top loop, and I couldn't get her and her orange Stumpie off it. Great morning, and we were finished just before the clouds rolled in and the world turned to drizzle.

Just got back from a business trip to Bali (yes, it was a business trip). Couldn't pass by without taking a photo of this little DJ weapon...

I roll the Spark out of the dungeon and across the frost on a run to the bakery for some cross-country shuttle supplies. It's nippy. When you do early morning rides in Blackheath you need some specialised gear: sure I look like an 80's tennis star, but the woollen head band that the girfriend knitted stops the ears from freezing solid.

When I get back with the baked goods Andy's already here (he's always early), and we load my bike and head off for Mt York.