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Battling a late night & too much pop, I was persuaded to hit the mountain & was soooo glad I did. Pushing my way up to the top, I was overtaken by a Dad & 2 x lad combo… he breezed past with of the kids on a bike trailer! Oh, not a great start to the ride but as he slowed to match my walking pace (!) we got chatting & turns out he’s a biker too (not just a casual Sunday rider) from New Zealand. He’d been a sponsored rider & had won the New Zealand championships in a certain class.

OK, so I don’t feel SO bad now! Anyway we chatted about local rides & the state of the trails we were on (to be fair, he talked & I gasped replies) & went our separate ways. Made it up to our usual haunt & had in mind to do about 4 runs or so, but whilst gearing up a guy on a downhill rig flew passed from further up the mountain with 4 other lads a minute or two later – gotta be worth a go eh!?

5 minute push & I was right at the top…I thought I’d found the top before but clearly not! Sweet Jesus it was windy up there, but exciting as what I was facing was double the run I normally do (we’ve been dropping in halfway through in effect!)

Just getting ready & a quick bite of muffin (old superstitions die hard so gave a piece to the mountain too so hopefully she’ll be nice to me) when the downhiller from earlier emerged from the top of the trail. Got chatting & started with a headshaking session at the two dog walkers who had just headed off down the trailer with their faithful companions.

Ladies, please pay attention – you are walking down a really really steep incline that has obviously been cleared by hand & is littered with lovingly crafted handbuilt jumps & berms^* and  you have just said hello to two muddy chaps astride motorbike-looking thingies (without the engines) who are waiting at the top. Oh, & there’s a sign saying “Not a footpath”. Just saying – it’s for your own safety 😀

In the spirit of karma, we decide to wait until we think they’re clear of the trail (don’t spook the dogs – they have bigger teeth than we do!) so chat some more about the trails & their recent destruction. This guy has been riding the mountain since he was a kid so has seen features get built & get destroyed as well (by idiots & the council. Note to the council – if you insist on spending money by sending men with shovels up the mountain, can you please ask them not to flatten the hard work of everyone who has built there & ask them to shovel up all the dog poo instead? Thank You)

Time passed & fat chewed, we parted company (Good to meet you Danny – catch you next time). There was not a hope in hell of keeping up so I made it down at my own pace. Oh, its sketchy in places & the mud is rubbish but it still left a grin so I had to push back up & drop in again. 7:02 to the main road in which is embarrassing, but its been while! Just the kick up the arse I need to get back in the saddle some more – I think riding to work beckons!

Back at base to be greeted with cheese butties, Soreen (other malt loaves are available) & Monster Munch…I love my missus!!!! Get the calendar out, when can I come back!?

^*banked turns that are fun fun fun & not created by nature or walking or dogs