Training Log Archive: grilla

This started out as a bit of a shocker. Was a bit wayward to 1, but aware of that fact. Whereas on 2 I was so far off I did not see the thick forest on my left (because it was in fact on my right given the direction I must have been running). Lost a good 3 minutes there and Nat saw me running into the control from the wrong direction. (She was not even at the start when I started...). We got 3 together (badly), but she stopped at the assembly as we ran through to pick up her compass. OK to 4, slow to 5, spot on through green to 6 and then twisted my ankle. So walked most of the next leg and a bit. Nailed 7 given slow pace. Misread 8 but luckily Nat had recaught and showed me the way. We went different ways to 9 and I got a bit in front by cutting the corner through the pines. Was able to settle down after that and all pretty good from there to the finish. Fun and one day I would like to do this area well. It would have been helpful if the MTB tracks were on the map, or else all of them off. Some were, some weren't. I know a fairly recent MTB map exists so it should just be a cut and paste exercise really.

Putting out controls. Cold! but clear. Hands were getting pretty numb by the end. Walked down the last hill as did not trust hands holding control stands and trying to brake... Got it all done in plenty of time despite a slow start.

Collecting controls. Kathie Dent ran up the hill faster than I could ride. I appreciated having the bike coming back down.

Putting out controls. Annoying to arrive back home with more stands than I set out with. Slowed progress somewhat, especially on the homewards journey. Was getting a bit tricky to see with the sun low, but sensational afternoon out, especially after such a frosty and slightly foggy morning. Hoping that tomorrow is clear. And so great to not even need the car for this!

Arboretum and Zoo with Nat. Great exploring ride. I hadn't ridden a lot of this previously. Tracks in Aranda bushland were very nicely graded for us so first steep downhill was a breeze! Fun through Cork Oaks and up new zig zag trail. Fun wiggling through plantations at the top, then exploring some of the VERY new and possibly not yet open trails. Got to a dead end, then ended up going down grassy slope where I had to get off as could not coordinate how to operate the dropper post (yes I have one!) and felt like I was going to go over handlebars with very soft front suspension. Then down to the zoo trails where I again wimped out riding some of the bridges. Very peaceful in the pines down there. Finished off crossing ford - very pretty, and back along lake, Cork Oaks etc.

Longest ride for quite some time and almost proved it by nearly falling off in car park at end.