Part 1. January to July
It’s been a big start to 2017. Lots of canyoning and walking and I’ve also slowly been getting back on the bike.
Canyons included Clatterteeth, Accoustic, Twister, Rocky creek, Sheep dip, Bobs, Alcatraz, Grand Canyon, Empress, Dargan, Crikey, Arethusa, Dead tree, Great Uncle George, Yileen, Twins, Fern tree Gully, Pleasant View, Billabong, River Caves, The Dry Canyon, Tiger snake, as well as some lesser know ones.
Lots of walking on the Plateau as well as doing some of the touristy walks down the mountains.
On the mountain bike there has been the weekly races at Rydal, the 5 day Wests Cycles Classic between Newcastle and Central Coast, and this year the Easter epic took in a loop down to Deep Pass and back.
There have been a lot of highlights (It’s almost been one constant highlight) but the Crikey trip sticks out as it was one I have wanted to do for many years but had never managed to get the stars to align before.
The Wests Cycles Classic was another. It was something I signed up to a little reluctantly as I didn’t think it would be my type of riding but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Unfortunately my hard drive died and I lost a most of my footage and a lot of photos. I managed to save enough for a bit of a video and here it is
Part 2 July to December
Wow, what a massive year. I managed to fit in at least 1 micro adventure (either canyoning, MTB or bushwalk) every single weekend and once again it’s been one long highlight.
I’ve met a lot of great people this year too, having the privilege to head out with a few different canyoning and bush walking groups as well as the constant flow of new faces at the weekly CTMBC races. As well as heading out with some old mates.
Still been a little quiet on the bike. One of the standouts there was the interclub 3 hr at Clandulla. I really love those trails and despite thinking I was coming in very under done everything just clicked. I was riding strong and having a hell of a good time. Not even a busted dereaileur late in the race shook the fun. A quick jog back to the transition zone and some good old Aussie bodge work and I was back out on track laughing.
There was abit of a low with 2 good mates suffering some serious injuries a couple of weeks apart at the club races. Simple little get offs on bits of trail they had riden many times. It really shook me and messed with my head a bit. I normally love the technical riding and rely on efficiency through the tight twisty rough stuff to make up of lack of fitness but suddenly I was very weary of that and just not enjoying it.
Hooking up for a couple of rides with me old mate Della helped get my head back in the right place. He’s the guy that got me into it in the first place. Turning race mode off and just having fun riding stuff on lines that didn’t actualy exist just for the hell of it certainly put the fun back into it.
As for canyoning every single trip was awesome. Trying to pick one highlight is too hard. Nightmare was great. The Glen Davis trips were awesome. Timberchute, rewarding for other reasons. Rocky creek always makes me smile and Surefire was such an epic way to close out the year.I really should stop rambling and let the images tell the story
Cheers 2017 you were amazing and thanks to all those who were part of the adventure, whether tagging along with me or allowing me to tag along with them. You truely are an awesome bunch of folk
sleepwhenwearedead 