Sunday, June 9 - Testament, Partridge Hills and some speed trails

[schouten]

Hey Folks,

I put together this fun ride. A little meandering into Commonwealth which eventually gets us to Durance Lake (Testament) and into the Partridge Hills. I've routed us around some of the trails in the North end of Hartland (for expedience sake) but eventually dip in through Corey Access Road for a fast rip south into Kallie's Korner and Thetis.

https://www.strava.com/routes/19432778

According to Strava Route Builder this clocks in just under 3 hrs but to compensate for tired muscles and/or mechanical problems we might want to leave a little earlier than usual. Tips, suggestions, and alternative routes welcome!

[JTyre]

That's a beaut of a route, Ron, but I'll be staring down at asphalt for 5.5 hours morrow morning.

Your way into Partridge will feature plenty of hike-a-bike; last visit Rolf was close to an orgasm, while Fozzy cursed continuously . Let me know what you think of that connection into the Centra Gas Trail.

[schouten]

Enjoy the fundon't training JT.

The centragas trail was steap but rideable last week. A nice change to help remind me that the ridge route is easier

I think I road testament last week too. It was mostly rideable but I agree it has the most chance of cycloportage connecting in to partridge (I haven't done all the trail bits yet).

Ron

[mashby]

Yay! Hike-a-bike! How early can you start Ron? 3 hours should suit, but I might pull a Baker Road bail around Thetis if time runs short... See you at Farbux

[schouten]

Most excellent mashby! Shall we meet up at 6:30? That will give us a good cushion in case of intensive hike-a-bike.

[LouiseF]

So I was kinda thinking I'd join for a portion of this (have to be home early to get back to heavy labour kitchen reno prep) but not sure about lots of hike and bike. I haven't ridden Testament so I'm keen to do it, although I remember Rolf saying that one direction was sweet, the other not so much...Rolf? Rolf? Is that right?

If I do, whereabouts would I meet you fellas? I guess if I clicked on your strava link I'd see the route in total. Will do that now. Not sure if it involves a switch bridge pass by or not.

L3

[schouten]

Hi L3! No switch bridge this time. Even better though, we could meet you near Blenkinsop and Mt Doug X Rd.

[LouiseF]

Yes, I just saw that! What time do you think you'll be there?

I think my plan will be to go up regional trail when you guys head up ross durrance. I'll take Old Payoff - Torpedo - Centerfold - back to regional trail - the new Skull and then Executive down and out back to the rail trail and head QB to Royal Oak and home. I'm not exactly sure how long that'll be but I'm thinking 2 hrs if anyone wants to join me for a shorter rip through the dump and back.

[schouten]

7:00 probably...? Once we are past the Partridge Hills leg the ride will pick up some pace. I'll be packing the R.O.L.F. 3000 which has cut down on the navigation time drain.

[mashby]

Most excellent mashby! Shall we meet up at 6:30? That will give us a good cushion in case of intensive hike-a-bike.

see you 0630 Ron
~most excellent mashby

[LouiseF]

I'll meet you guys at the end of Lochside where it meets up with Royal Oak (Lochside school) at 7. Its actually nearly a km shorter for me than the Bleinkinsop/Mt. Doug meeting spot and if you guys aren't there yet, I can just ride Lochside south until I meet you.

[schouten]

Roger that L3.

We can also adapt the ride to join you on some Hartland Trail and then tuck into Thetis. I cut that out of the route due to time constraints however. All depends on time...

[LouiseF]

That would be great!

[Rolf]

I've got a special guest and won't be riding. Apparently I'm enjoying an unplanned, fallow period of fewer bikenings these days.

Testament from Durrance to Willis feels a little more flowy than the reverse you've planned here; but frankly it gets to be a bit of a female dog both ways. Gorgeous forest though.

I've also set out at least three times intending to do almost exactly this route, Ron; but each time I've found that by the time I've done the Willis grind and the slow, grunty bits on Testament, I hit Durrance and can't be bovvered to head up, up, uphill to traverse Partridge proper. Especially when I know I've still got to go up Ross-Durrance and get through Mt. Work/Thetis. Three hours seems a bit specious to me!

Have good times, dudes.

[schouten]

Thx for the tips Rolf. It will be hard to reverse the flow of testament with this ride but we might cut out Partridge to keep the time reasonable...

[schouten]

Well Rolf, you'll be pleased to know we followed in your footsteps and aborted the plan to ride Partridge Hill in favour of Hartland! (which was a hoot). I think I'll try this ride again but cut out Testament in order to save some energy. Coming down around Hartland on Ross/Durance Rd is nice and I like the rip along Corry Access Rd. Kalie's Korner and adding some Electric Avenue/Line will provide enough of a smattering of technical terrain.