It’s settled, at least in my mind it is… I’m a masochist. The reason is this… I like mountain biking, but for all of the last five years or so I have chosen to ride a hardtail cross-country bike contrary to what seems like a general trend towards squishy, comfortable, suspension bikes. Basically, every time I go trail riding around here (Hartland mostly) it’s pretty much a good old beating. I really need to get current sometime in the not-too-distant future; I could do without the beatings.
On the positive side, I did manage to get into Partridge Hills for some exploring. I’ve been in P Hills once before, but may have been close to bonking at the time so my memory of it is a bit hazy. I wasn’t feeling so peppy today either, but I was going slow enough that I was able to enjoy the new-to-me trails. I guess I’ll probably subject myself to another beating sometime soon and head back up for some more exploring. Hopefully, next time won’t involve a rather defeating, post-beating, headwind back into town, and maybe the beating won’t seem quite as bad.
GPS Data: 60.9km – 3h44m – 16.3km/h – GPS route
A 60km mountain bike ride to and from Hartland / Partridge Hills near Victoria, BC. Click on the map to see details on the Garmin website.
On the way out to Hartland on the Interurban Trail near Prospect Lake. I could drive, but I prefer to ride.
Part of the Mindbender Trail in Hartland. Doesn't look too rough here, but as already mentioned, Hartland works this cross-country rider over pretty good.
Crappy photo, but someone has built a couple nice dirt jumps in the woods in a locaiton I shall leave unnamed. Reminds me of the good old days when I might have been capable of riding such things. Ahhh, the good old days.
Sweat covered GPS device says... you're going slow and there's still some more climing to the top of Partridge Hills.
My Kona Kula hardtail has served me well over the years, but I'm thinking it's time for some squishiness (a suspension bike). This was taken in a nice little meadow near the top of the Partridge Hills area.
At the top of Partridge Hills during an overcast portion of the day. Looking to the west towards Finlayson Arm.
Another view from the top of Partridge Hills looking west'ish towards Bamberton.
Sunny skies for the ride home into a decent headwind. This was taken from the Interurban bike trail near the Red Barn Market on West Saanich Road.
Hmmm…. Squishy bikes
Nice map and photos. I was up at Partridge today for my first ride there, but I didn’t quite make it to the top of the hill. Kept going to wrong way and seeing signs warning of the edge of DND shooting range. I’ll have to try again heading the right direction!