I had a few great rides in Sydney while I was there for XSmas, and put faces (and tracks) to names and reputations ;-P. What is the record number of list rides within 2 days? Does my 3 come anywhere close?

After a farcical 13 hour train ride from Melbourne on the Tuesday, I made it to the Wednesday afternoon Woodford to Glenbrook blast with Jjjim and his friend Ben(?), Tim (the loonie), Kenneth (the axe murderer) and Rich B (the dreadlocked). Met up with Rob (the beer man) not far into it and convinced him that it is better to ride down than up.

Quite a good ride, but I was a little disappointed after all the raps it was getting on the list late last year. Don't know what I expected, but I was obviously being unreasonable. I'd do it again any time, and would probably enjoy it more for what it is. The single track was nice, especially the second bit (Little Moab) and the stairs Rob showed us down to the causeway.

Kenneth and I made it for the double, getting back to Loftus for the Southern Stealth Night Ride, along with Johnjohn and Gumby on his stealthy new black Intense.

I had no idea where we were, but apparently we did the Dropoff Track and the Walls. A fun technical singletrack cruise by twilight, kept short because Kenneth was crook and buggered, and he and Gumby lacked illumination.

I didn't want to be the only one to attempt riding the walls, so we all walked it. Rather messy after the insane amounts of rain it had seen in the preceeding months.

After the obligitary Xmess eve shopping spree, I made it to Waterfall station in time to catch Dr Chris, Jason and Mitch's sandstone munching extravaganza afternoon on the Uloola Falls Track.

I just have to say, that track is awesome. So much singletrack, so many short technical obstacles. I'm still picking scabs now, my monster bruise is fading and I have finally stopped limping (about 2 weeks later), but, hey, it was an absolute dream of a track. I think I took 3 OTBs and 2 SPuD-assisted stacks. It was the last OTB that did the damage, somehow corking my right shin muscle. Very difficult trying to ride when you can't lift your toes or really articulate your ankle at all. I just walked all of the descent into Audley, and had a very slow climb up Lady C's and the road out to Waterfall.

Absolutely the best ride of the trip (injuries aside). Lads, I salute you :-)

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