Another day, more sweet singletrack...

With Ross licking his wounds (well I wasn't gonna do it) the next day (Tursday, I think) it was back in the Ferrari and south again, making our way back for tomorrow's Karapoti Classic. I decided to go via Napier, to check out Eskdale MTB Park, on the advice of Aiden Leffman, who I'd run into in Rotorua the day previous, in the Cannondale shop (he was over here working).
As we left Taupo it was drizzling a bit, getting a little heavier as we went, but an hour later it was blue skies and warmth, another great day with no long white or grey clouds in sight. We had a coffee and snack in town, and a walk around, then got a map and ride permit from a local shop. As we arrived at the trails, the rain was starting again, and we ummed and ahhed whether or not to ride. We decided 'yes', and of course, as has been the case all trip, it was another great decision. soon we were among the pines on twisting s.t, then up a fire road climb where Ross tried to out-climb some goats. There were a lot of cows on the track too, not at all bothered by our presence. At the top we came to the DH track, and this nasty looking obstacle. Of course we rode it, over and over, until we owned it. Not really. Ross was a little leery after his efforts from the day before. But we did go around it in some style, and the following trails were some of the best yet. With not much idea where we were going (the map wasn't much help) and time getting away, we rolled back to the car, and I re-packed it while Ross rode back into town ("need some more k's, dude..."). We drove the short distance to hastings and got a budget room for the night, budget being the operative word. The single beds were a bit of a letdown after the queen sizes of the Taupo resort, and neither of us got much sleep. Now we're at Akatawera, just a few k's from the start of tomorrow's torture test (so everyone keeps telling us). Hopefull I'll be able to survive and relate some good tales in the next few days. By the way, Wellington is a damn cool city, I might even ditch Rotorua and move here....