Office Workers Break Free in Wellington CBD!

One great thing about living in the city is the proximity of Mount Victoria's singletrack for the odd cheeky lunch ride. There is sometimes a good few of us, but with Angry forgetting his shoes, T-Rex forgetting his bike, and BGA licking stamps it was just Toner-Broner and I for the lunch ride today.

We did a very warm lap of the Mount Vic race course. Instead of doing two laps, we indulged our feminine sides with some post-climb gasbagging to take up the time instead. Tones was out on his singlespeed for a change and did a good job of bettering me up most climbs.

Turns out we climb our singlespeeds much like we make love. Tiger doesn't like to chat, and raises the pace to ensure he finishes first, claiming "I just can't go that slowly". Whereas I am a steady grinder. Happy to exchange a few pleasantries and more than happy when I am beaten to the summit.

The Mount Vic race course which has been designed for the National Champs at the end of February, is a real cracker. Lots of very good singletrack, including some new bits thanks to the Godfather and handy Bushies, Al and Slackboy. It has the cracking little Badminton Hall singletrack and the fabulous Ski Slope among other little trail gems. It also has a few beastly climbs, but luckily they are not that long, and its probably only me who finds them beastly, as I am 10kg more than everyone else on the team. Except Slackshanks, but he carries most of his weight in his calves and biceps, which is actually useful for trail building an destroying people round the velodrome on the first lap.

On the way back we decided to cruise along the waterfront, where we hoped not to have our progress hindered by too many skimpily clad, busty lovelies.... The plank near the rowing club looked too good to pass up. I only had my rad Top Gun grutz and T-Bronnar had to suffer the indignity of disrobing in front of the assembled bridge crowd and unshouldering his bibs, which to the non-cyclist are the very height of gay.

Tigs wowed the crowd of slightly underage girls and overweight office workers with a stunning back flip and I performed a conservative accountant's dive. I lost my Maverick grutz off one leg in the water but luckily hooked them on my toes with the other.

The water was lovely. Summer is here at last. "Nothing like Wellington on a good day". Of course it crapped out again today and I wore my down jacket to the shops.

Davo

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Return to Vegas

After the failed canyon bike jump by Stuntman Ed in the last round, it was time for Bushlove to make amends at the second round of the N-Duro summer series.

This round saw the much talked about debut of Toner Broner with his ginge Turner… sorry it’s not a ginge bike, I’m told it’s COPPER (yeah and I’m strawberry blonde!). Joining him would be Dave Mono Chops Sharpe and the Metrosexual Strawberry Blond (not Ricky, me). It was shaping up to be a good old proelite dance off.

Being a proelite racer means you must do all things proelite. This meant proelite pie eating in Levin (Tiger thought he’d shout everyone a pie, but ended up eating them all). Levin witnessed a proelite pie massacre on Friday night – and Davo wasn’t even involved! After such a proelite dinner, it was time for some proelite karaoke. I was unchallenged as I belted out Britney Spears and Rihanna as we rolled along the Desert Road. Don’t worry what you heard was not a cat being tortured, it was proelite karaoke at it’s finest.

Eventually we rolled into Rotorua, but did not arrive at our lovely accommodation (thanks Helen and Dean – many apply for the honour, but Bushlove only stays at five star accommodation like theirs) until Tiger had found a KFC. KFC was closed, so we went through the McD’s drive through where Tiger tucked into an upsized combo (but with diet Coke as he is an athlete of course). Our hosts Dean and Helen almost sent out the search party as it took us an hour from arriving in Rotorua to actually get to their house. But if Tiger wants fast food, we must obey his instructions.

Saturday was a busy day for Rotorua. The place didn’t just smell like rotten egg, Ragga Muffin was in town so it also stunk of weed. Without Reggae Ricky, we had to pass on that event and go for a mountain bike ride instead. All had a perfect day out on the trails as we sifted around.

Roll on Sunday: race day! Cabin had put up a solid course with plenty of hills in the first half and the addition of a secret little track: Doctors Orders (lots of drifty, rutty fun!).

We all got off to a good start with Mono leading the way. Towards the top of the course, I decided that I should go appliance shopping and picked up a fridge. It made for difficult riding as I rode round the course in a not-so-proelite fashion.

Tiger was racing his ginge Flux for the first time and was making a good job of it. It must have been his lucky race number 11. He was the second fastest female after getting passed by the winning women near the end. Unfortunately for Tiger, he did not take a wager on beating me - so while I got smoked, Tiger still owes me a bike clean

Meanwhile, Mono was cruising around in a leisurely fashion picking up a 7^th overall for his troubles. He also brought extra glory on Bushlove by wearing the singlet and stubbies combo onto the podium. Wannabe proelites should take note; this is the proper attire to wear on the podium.

Fastest Man was also in Vegas, but hid behind his smokescreen (Mariska) all day. No mad stunts for Mr Ed this weekend, but he will return and promises to land the first triple back flip on a mountain bike before this season is over.

The third and final N-Duro race is just around the corner. Valentines day will see Bushlove send up another team of lover boys to make out on the Rotorua single track. Stay tuned for a romantic Valentine’s Day special!

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Karapoti Loop - Akatarawas

Tiger was pushing for a Karapoti loop to get the route in his head before the big event on 6th March. Much like Tiger's johnson, the group was small but distinguished, and at 8.40am Me, Tigerbroner, Cam Wood and Lanky Tim Wilding headed off from the trail head.

The weather was actually very good. Not too clear, but warm enough, and no rain. The rain from the previous couple of says meant that all the way to McGhie's Bridge was a puddle slalom, and we figured the ruts later on would be pretty deep too. Fortunately I spurned fashion and rode with my front and rear Crud Guards ftw.

I was pretty chuffed at managing to jog with the SS all the way up Deadwood without a pause. But then was told it was Warm Up climb and Deadwood was next. Tones and Tim rode Deadwood pretty well but Cam and I struggled for traction and gears and took the leisurely hiking option.

After hammering along the rollers we stopped for a feed at the top of the Rock Garden. We stopped for a bit to check out some lines on the first rock drop. The left line was steep but straight forward and Tim and Tones took that one, but it did nearly fully compress their forks. I had no shock so figured that line would compress my arms, shortly before I compressed my mug into the rocks.


We tried the right line too which once you lined it up was pretty good, although easy to grind yourself into the mud bank, as ably demonstrate by Tigs and Cam, although sadly split seconds after these shots.



Next up was Devils Staircase. This was the only time on the loop I could keep up with Lanky and Tigs. My SS is lightish and easy to carry, and I don't mind being on my feet. I reckon how you tackle this climb has a big effect on your race time. IMHO it is worth including some hard yacker carry climbs in your training if you want a good time. Otherwise your bikey calves might shit themselves. Know how best to carry your machine too. Special mention to Tigerbroner - He aced some very hard, steep, technical sections on Devil's in the saddle, and made it look easy. Nice work.

After another feed and no small amount of jawboning, we headed along the next rollers and Big Ring Boulevard. After making waves across the river, we started plugging away up Dopers climb. The boys rode off and I proceeded to walk about 95% of the climb and had to nail a couple of gels as I became more feeble.

How I look while walking Dopers.

It was great to get into the descent back down to the valley and slalom some more puddles back to the trail head. While changing, everyone was very jealous of my new grutz. My brother Jim sent some Top Gun grutz from the UK as a Christmas pressie. I have 'Maverick" across my ample arse. Not gay at all.


I think rides with rivers and creeks are always more rewarding.

A good ride. Including generous feed and recovery stops we did it in 4.5hrs. Conditions were no worse than normal, which was a surprise. Apart from harmless puddles the track was riding great. Maybe I've just never ridden it in good conditions? I'm looking forward to heading back with some gears as I'm not able to make a dent in the Karapoti climbs on my 34:17, and am too pompous to reduce the ratio.

Chalk and cheese.... mmmm, did someone say cheese?...

We had another feed at Macca's before heading to the Bike Hutt for a nosey. Mike had a big range of machines to perve at and I fantasized about having one and not finishing my rides at the back of the bunch with sore wrists. Mike also had some interesting steeds including an oldish school Yeti DH with Shimano Airlines shifting, and one of those Belt Drive singlespeeds from Spot Brand. Czech it out next time you are passing through Upper Hutt. I also learned that there are some mentally (but clearly not physically) challenged individuals riding CX bikes at 'Poti this year. Good luck to them!

Another weekend, another cracking outing.

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Evel Ed Knievel

This weekend saw the Bushlove stunt team head up to Vegas for some skids at the first of the N-Duro Summer Series races. Angry Clive, Mono, Mr Ed and I lined up for 45km of good old fashioned skids and wheelies in the Whaka-something-or-other forest. Rotorua is not blessed with the balanced climate of Wellington, so the trails were exceptionally dry and dusty.

As the race began it became pretty obvious that you didn't want to follow someone who loved their rear brake. I unfortunately got one such character for most of the first few km's of singletrack, which made for interesting times. Is there are corner or drop coming up? Who knows, all I can see is a dust cloud. The added advantage of this loose dusty surface was the lulz to be had whenever you hit a corner, or in some cases it wasn't funny at all and you just hit the deck. Add in a bit of overgrown blackberry and arms and legs were going to get a scratching...

Blood on the Turner... it was a tough battle!

Not to be out done by silly skids and drifts in the dust, Mr Ed decided that it was time to step up the stunts and attempted the leap of death on No Brains. For those who have not ridden with Mr Ed, you should be aware of his riding style: Death or Glory!

Mr Ed attempts his jump and ends up looking like...

Lucky for Stuntman Ed, good sports Ash Hough (Ash got to witness the whole stunt) and Mono were on hand to help him out. He had a bit of a sleep just after his failed stunt, so wasn't looking to good. Luckily the latest news is that Ed is relatively undamaged and will be back on his bike in no time.

As for the Bushlove stunt men who kept their wheels on the ground:

Angry has a storming ride to win the Masters

Mono and BGA spent most of their race day helping the wounded (both bikes and riders), so didn't get the results their fine pedigree entitles them too...

In a fortnight, stunt men Evel Ed Knievel, Mono, Tiger and BGA will be back in Vegas. Ed will attempt to jump his bike through a ring of fire!

See you in Vegas for more skids and lulz!

p.s. Ed is actually quite lucky and relatively unharmed considering how big a crash he had. A big thank you to all those who sent messages of support and a big thank you to Ash Hough, Mono and the N-Duro team for doing a great job helping Ed out.

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Breaking News, Bushman down!!!

One of the Bushlove riders has had a major stack in round 1 of the NDuro Series. Suspected broken eye socket, currently in hospital.

Watch this space for updated info!

Reporter: "Eye Of The Tiger"

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Update:
15:10
Fastest Man
Latest news: Just KO'd himself and has a decent black eye and some good grazes.
Can't keep a Good Bushlover down.

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