After a two or three month hiatus, Andrew made it back onto the trail this morning.

He was supposed to be at a golf game, but it got called off last minute. And was only good news for him, since he'd only just picked up his brand new 29-er last night. He was horrified when I said he ought to call it 'Gandalf' or 'The White Wizard', since it looked like mine but bigger. So he's decided to call it 'the monster truck' because of his hugeass wheels and great roll over rocks and holes. This, too, was my first ride at BT in a long while. I was worried my injury would play up, so I kept in my granny for most of the climbs and took it pretty easy. The rain over the past few days soaked the earth and we had to contend with moving over a lot of sticky mud.

I felt incredibly alive on the trail today.

Wasn't used to the strength needed for BT so my heart pumped at lightning speed as I went up each climb. Each time I got to the top of each one, my heart and head would pound with great effort, but before I could get used to it or catch my breath, I'd hit a descent and the adreneline would kick my arse. Amazing. I miss that feeling! The air under the canopy was fresh and wonderful and I couldn't help but whooop everytime I got a 'hit'. Coupla boo boo's though - my bar ends got caught in a vine when I was negotiating a narrow turn in the singletrack segment, so I took a bit of a spill. I was thankful no one had seen me :p Also, my rear wheel caught a mudhole when we were heading to T15, but I managed to regain my balance somehow. This dude behind me faltered when he saw me slide and when I escaped unscathed, he cheered me on somewhat with a 'good save!'

All in all, it was a wicked ride. I think Wayne enjoyed himself as well, and I just wish Angie would have come and taken Orangela out for a spin! Maybe next time eh!?


shadowfax and the monster truck


it's mahooooosive!


gorgeous


raaaar!


'mother hen' becks


ming and wayne


me and team drewbecca

More pix here