The weekend in Blenheim for Spring challenge training

 Hi,

So you know how I have been a bit of an idiot of late? Well, this weekend was no exception. The pattern is really quite concerning. Keep reading to find out what sort of a goose I was this weekend.

After work on Thurs I caught the Airport bus from Lambton Quay and Mike hopped on a bus going the other way and headed home.

Easy bus ride and I was very early for my 19:30 Sounds Air flight. Iona had a kerfuffle with her ushering night so she ended up being able to meet me instead of Col coming in her tea break. I am very lucky!

Back to base and chatted to Iona for a bit before bed.

Blenheim base got me a supply

Up Friday to have some brekkie and get the bikes in the ute and drive over to Nicola and Tony's place. There we swapped to Tony's ute and headed to Kenepuru Sounds way. Tony dropped us at Linkwater for us to continue by bike to their section in Kenepuru Sound.

I was on Charlotte's old bike again. Iona had been using it to commute every now and then, so I had to adjust the seat height a tad. Sorted that. Looked down at the front cog and saw it was in the smallest cog. Cool. Started riding. Felt good. Moved up and down the back gears.  Sweet.

Never gave the front cog another thought for the entire weekend. Yes, foreshadowing.

It was rolling hills through to the section. Maybe an hour and 15 mins for us to get there. There was one hill where I failed to get to the top by about 20m of so. But it was all road riding and fairly easy enough. Gorgeous views. The road was gravel from the junction that headed to Portage. But super nice.

On route to Kenepuru

Majestic sounds

At the section

Tony had already mowed the lawns and we all ate some cake and it was not long before we rode back again.

Tony collected us from a wee bay and we were soon back at Nicola and Tony's place.

And done for the day - kinda

We decided to do B-Line traps as they were on the schedule for this weekend. Close to 20 traps and not a single rat. The southerly had started by this stage - cold out there.

B-line traps

Is it Spring?

Saturday saw me stay in bed instead of the Park run. It was soooo cold. But it was a beautiful day. Col and Iona and I packed a lunch and drove up the Awatere valley. Parked at a wee car park and headed up Black Birch stream.

Saturday walk up Black Birch

Frosty start

Getting closer to the climb

So cold in the shade

Here we go!

2km across farm track to the start of the proper track. There was a DoC toilet there too. Started up the track and got to a junction after a few mins. We headed right up to the ridgeline. It is all a MTB path so it was easy to go up with the switchbacks the entire way. Such a nice walk.

Up to the ridge

Junction - we went right

Good views

Lunch at the top

Popped out to a farm and had lunch with spectacular views all over the area. Back down (that was super fast) but on the lookout for Col's sunglasses she dropped somewhere and maybe Iona's expensive prescription glasses.

We found Col's sunglasses exactly where she thought they would be - at our first water stop on the way up. 

Got to the toilet and I decided to run the last 2k back to the car. Bit slow but it felt ok. Walked up some wee hills though. And found Iona's glasses in the car. So yay!

Back for a coffee at Mitre10.

Iced latte

Watched a movie in the evening with some venison dinner that Tony gave us. Thank you Tony. Nom, nom.

We saw The Amateur - it was pretty good.

Up Sunday to ride with Iona down the Whale Trail and into the Wither Hills at the cob cottage. Up and down the Mapp track. This gravel farm track was where I felt I was lacking some gears. I said as much. Maybe even  twice.  I think I said:  I am already in my bottom gear and I am not even on the hill yet - as we approached a hill.  And another time I said:  I really need more gears.

I had to push up a few of the hills. But I got there.

Sunday training

Rogaine time

Got to Harling Park and locked the bikes up and headed off on a huge rogaine. It took us 2 hours. A lot of urban walking and then into the hills. So good. But I was so dead.

I am quite dead

Anyway, after getting about 18 of the points we got back to the bikes. And as we out our helmets on I saw Iona's bike was only in the middle front cog.  I was about to comment when I realised it was my bike I was looking at.

This is when I realised my entire weekend on the bike was using the middle cog at the front only. I did have so many more gears to use.

I am not very surprised I got up any of the hills. Hahahah.

Back down Taylor River to home. Some food and a shower and I packed up. We got Hells Pizza and then it was time to head to the airport.

What a great weekend. Wow.  So busy, so good.

Flew back with Sounds Air and got an Uber home. Mike had dinner with friends so I saw him around 10pm. I was a little sleepy. But so nice to chat to him before I fell asleep.

He was up for gym this morning and I am WFH.

Take care. Have a great week.

Love,

Angela