Mountain biking on the Port Hills

A day off with great weather, and what better to do than to go mountainbiking on the Port Hills again. I set off at quarter to ten in the morning to avoid the midday sun, with the usual ride up the Rapaki track. I was pretty happy with my progress, as I passed a couple of mountainbikers on the way up (the fitness is improving). I then cycled around to the start of the Bowenvale track, and took the single track along the tops to Victoria Park. Then on the road to the start of the Kennedys Bush Track. It has been some years since I last went down Kennedys Bush Track, but it is better than ever. A good long ride down to the road. At the road I discovered a new track - the crocodile mtb track, 1.8km of single track that desends into Halswell Quarry Park. It is fantastic! All single track, lots of switchbacks, technical in places. I really had to improve my riding to get down it. By the bottom I was hanging ride over the back of my seat and starting to enjoy it. Getting the balance right is the key to riding this sort of trail. I will difinately do it again. Then a gentle ride on the road into the wind, back home. My arms and shoulders were shattered after riding all that single track. The legs are fine with the uphill.