Fantastic write up, did an awesome job capturing the mind blowing scale of the riding there! Having participated in a very rainy Stone King Rally this past June I can confirm that it was a big (and very wet) adventure. Surviving blind racing down huge descents in the mud and slick conditions was cause for nightly spritz celebration.
Going in I thought the climbs and big days in the saddle would be the toughest challenge but really the relentlessly wet conditions while tent camping for a week were the hardest part to navigate. Stepping into soaking wet riding shoes 6 days in a row and keeping bike/body in a good state (I brought one pair of Rapha lightweight pants, ha) wasn't always easy but made for an unforgettable experience. Seeing all the riders and staff come together during the week to make the best of the conditions was a big takeaway.
Your article reminded me that I need to fly back to experience this part of the world again to see all the mountains that were shrouded in clouds and delve deeper into the astounding trails in the southern alps. Plus, ciabatta and espresso is hard to beat. My gear notes for next time: much higher riser bars for the steep trails, coil shock for traction, two pairs of riding shoes to try and dry one out every other day.
Dec. 30, 2024, 9:28 a.m. - Falltricky
Fantastic write up, did an awesome job capturing the mind blowing scale of the riding there! Having participated in a very rainy Stone King Rally this past June I can confirm that it was a big (and very wet) adventure. Surviving blind racing down huge descents in the mud and slick conditions was cause for nightly spritz celebration. Going in I thought the climbs and big days in the saddle would be the toughest challenge but really the relentlessly wet conditions while tent camping for a week were the hardest part to navigate. Stepping into soaking wet riding shoes 6 days in a row and keeping bike/body in a good state (I brought one pair of Rapha lightweight pants, ha) wasn't always easy but made for an unforgettable experience. Seeing all the riders and staff come together during the week to make the best of the conditions was a big takeaway. Your article reminded me that I need to fly back to experience this part of the world again to see all the mountains that were shrouded in clouds and delve deeper into the astounding trails in the southern alps. Plus, ciabatta and espresso is hard to beat. My gear notes for next time: much higher riser bars for the steep trails, coil shock for traction, two pairs of riding shoes to try and dry one out every other day.