Paul Petch

First night ride at Port Hills

I’m surprised just how much night riding has become a vital part of my weekly riding since the long days of summer retreated some months ago. If works real well with 2 rides at night during the week combined with an epic on the weekend. I’ve ridden at night for many years now- but never as regular and as intense as I have since moving to Christchurch. This place is a Mountain Bikers playground!

Anyway….after a few months of regular night rides at Bottlelake and Mcleans on the single speed on trails that do not require much technical skills, I thought that it was time to try riding Port Hills. I admit- that it has taken a few months to talk myself into riding the technical trails up there…. as during the day can be intense enough! More importantly it adds a climb to the night ride during the week.

After carrying all of my riding gear in to work on the Cove I was able to head straight off after the clock hit 5pm. After meeting up at the base of the Rapaki track the group of 5 familiar faces headed upwards. With the full moon literally “beaming”above the high mountains it was a fantastic climb greeted with spectacular views of Christchurch and the surrounds. I absolutely loved it!

After heading across the Traverse track, we rode something a little different too at Vic Park – It has some new trails recently developed- and not DH specific- (but still steep). The trail consisted of fantastic root gardens – fast flowing berms- with rooty drop offs…. and all characteristically pointed downwards! I’ve got a fairly good amount of night riding under my belt- but have never ridden at night with arse over back seat over technical stuff- it was quite an experience!! We even met and chatted with trail builders at work with head lamps and spades!!!

After hitting the City, we finished up at the pub for wedges and a drink with an open log fire! How much better does it get? What a freakin awesome ride and I’m sure it will become a regular Thursday night event. I even surprised myself- it was not as difficult as I had imagined!

The image above was taken by Zane- who joined us on the ride. His fantastic collection of photographs can be viewed here.

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Related posts:

1. Night riding on Port Hills rigid…ouch!
2. Richard’s visit. Ride five. Port Hills to Taylors Mistake
3. Richard’s visit. Ride two. Port Hills
4. Sneaky mid week Port Hills ride
5. Crater Rim ride at Port Hills

This entry was posted on Friday, June 20th, 2008 at 7:26 am and is filed under Bike Rides and tagged with cove, night riding, port hills, Trails & Rides, zane. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.