Bike and Gear Trial Run!
13 December 2017
On Sunday Evening I took off North of Christchurch for a trial run on my bike - I've had it fully set up and configured for distance for a few weeks, but this was an opportunity to test out my camping and cooking gear - plus riding a bit of gravel to see how the thing handles!
I stopped in at my parents in Kaiapoi, noshing on some homegrown apricots (stuffed a few in my pockets for the night ahead) then headed out via Rangiora.
Stopping for a makeshift dinner at the BMX park and picnic spot by the Ashley river, I realized my first issue - my current gas burner doesn't have an ignition! Thankfully a borrowed lighter sorted that problem, so my freeze-dried coconut curry didn't go uncooked!
After dinner I headed up Carrs road, intending to camp at Grey River campsite in Ashley forest, but a closed logging road entry point meant I had to revert to plan B - the Doc camp site Wooded Gully, further inland towards Oxford. En-route I scrambled down a few fairly gnarly gravel roads, avoiding the odd truck and taking in a magnificent sunset.
It was bloody late when I finally arrived at the camp - and putting up the Intents Outdoors adventure tent proved a little tricky in the dark! Once that was sorted though my sleeping arrangements worked out well -a new Thermarest sleeping mat being particularly comfortable; wish I could've found my inflatable pillow though!
I rose just before 5am and began the 62km journey back to town - bee-lining it straight to work and arriving exactly on time! Twas a little chilly in the early morning, but the output and the USB charging function of my SineWave Beacon light did a terrific job.
So over-all a couple things to sort out before Feb 10th, but i'm feeling well prepared. My training has been going great guns (I've recently moved up to A Grade in local domestic Road Racing) and i'm well on top of my nutrition and endurance.
Roll on Feb 10th!