Paul Petch

Worsleys Track, Flying Nun & the Victoria Park wall ride – Christchurch

I’ve not ridden with Spencer since Easter so it was great to catchup with him today for some exploring and trail riding in the Port Hills. Meeting up at the bottom of Dyers pass we had coffee and then off to the grinding road climb to the start of the Worsleys Track. Oddly, after living here in Christchurch for nearly two years now- I can’t remember heading up the Hills this way before. With a reputation as a good climb the heavily rutted farm track did not disappoint….with a nice and steady grind that went on for an hour and peaking at the infamous “body bag” section that required some serious chest on bars and granny spinning to get up….which I loved :)

At the top Spence and I bumped into Tim and co. for some trail chat and then off we all headed to ride the Flying Nun. I’ve ridden this trail many times since its “birth” but today for the first time it felt “mature” and was bedded in really well. It has taken its time to really feel like a “permanent” trail at the Port Hills to me, but with some real character all of its own now due to heavy traffic, the weather and nature- it was dialed today. Its just a shame, like so many tracks in the Hills that it is so so short :(

Blasting down the Flying Nun was fast and furious and found us at the Sign of the Kiwi before we knew it and onwards we spun to ride some Vic Park tracks. Spence was clearly feeling it today on the climbs, and not surprising really as he rode the same trails yesterday and had quite a few glasses of wine last night too. That will teach him (well maybe not) :D Once we hit Victoria Park though and the trail pointed downwards he was gone! After not riding the trails on this side of the Hills for many months (due to focusing on distance riding rather than the quick downhill runs) I nearly came unstuck as I had forgotten to not ride a certain section at the start of our chosen track…and should have taken another line AROUND the multiple 3+ feet jumps with gaps between them filled with rocks..DOH :D Thankfully tipping straight over it the PIKES behaved remarkably well, and due to the Gravity Dropper I was able to launch my weight backwards and ride it out…well kinda bounce it out :D I was very awake at this point onwards I can tell you that much!  :/

The newly built wall ride was simply breathtaking as we came around a tight switchback  to see it before us. I’d heard about it online and from riders on the trail, but the workmanship is bloody fantastic. A big “well done” is due to the builders who obviously know what they are doing! I doubt a hurricane could budge this thing, and standing about 6 feet high with a 4+ foot drop off at its highest exit point….I opted to give it a miss today :D Tim and Co. were sitting on a convenient bench that pretty much looks at  the wall ride as I hit the section….and had nothing but encourement for me to turn around and give it a go :D So much so that they opted to do some runs to show me (thanks guys) how it can be ridden. Spence pushing backup to join us then decided to ride it too…..but did I give into peer pressure? Fuk no :D I’ll save this for another day….maybe…without an audience :D

Lots of photos and jaw dropping later we headed downward through Sesame Street Track back to City and finished as we begun with coffee. What a bloody great day to be in the Port Hills! Cheers Spence.

Pictures speak better than words- so enjoy :)

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Related posts:

1. The Flying Nun track – Port Hills
2. Sign of the Kiwi and the Flying Nun
3. Crater Rim ride at Port Hills
4. Victoria Park downhill video – Christchurch
5. Autumn. Lovely.

This entry was posted on Sunday, May 17th, 2009 at 3:09 pm and is filed under Bike Rides and tagged with cove, port hills, spencer, Trails & Rides. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.