It was quite a few months ago, maybe even a year ago, that I last scaled the giddy heights of Bridle Path. Back then it was because Tracey was doing the 20 week challenge, and now it's me. It's a damn boring track. Long, steep and not much fun. Especially if you just head up from the gondola, ascend the 280m to Summit Road, cross over, drop down the 200m descent on the other side, then turn around and head back again.
As I said, a year ago I did this, and man it hurt for days afterwards. I hadn't done any walking for years before I took it on, and I discovered my calves big time. Today we planned to ascend to Summit Road, but then take a sidetrack along Wahareraupo Track which jutted out over Lyttelton and Governors Bay. According to my map, it didn't drop down as far as the southern side of the Bridle Path did, but had a sharp wee climb in it somewhere.
So, using the best preparation possible - a bottle of wine and chocolate cake and ice cream the night before, then a lateish night to bed - I awoke to my alarm and the sound of rain pounding on the roof. And it was dark. Summer was gone! Much procrastination and hoping for cancellation didn't pay off, and at 7:30 we were heading to the hills, and I was trying to convince myself it would all be worthwhile, I'd enjoy it more than a sleep in, it would be more satisfying than a hot coffee and a newspaper.
At the foot of the hill it was cold and windy, but drying out and the skies were clearing. There were just three of us today (and Austin) with sickness or other lame excuses keeping the others tucked up in bed, and we struck out for the top of the hill. It was nowhere near as bad as the previous time, and once on top, we headed along the Wahareraupo track, to a couple of awesome lookout points with gray, but magnificent views of the harbor and hillsides.
After taking in the views, we followed the track around the western side, then up the vertical path to the ridge of the spur we'd been tracking along. Then it was mostly downhill back to Summit Road, and down Bridle Path to the car.
On the way up I had noticed some people on the track that kicks off half way up Bridle path and heads up quite sharply to Castle Rock. I saw a different group heading up on my way down. So, I'm now trying to convince Tracey that next time we do a Bridle walk, we head up there! An even bigger challenge!!
Normalish transmissions resume next week. Last weeks sessions in the park will be replicated this week, as well as a better diet (maybe) and more km's on the bike. We're approaching the halfway point of the 20 weeks, so it might be time to step it up another gear!
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