Day 8 to Pemberton

Had a good night at Round Tuit caravan Park in Northcliff then packed and ready to roll early am. I think that everyone is looking forward to the rest day tomorrow and keen to get today over with. But the Sun was shining for a change and it looked like good tracks. Looked like DEC had been through a matter of hours before and cleared some of the trees for us. Some cool single track and I could'nt hold back and wait for the others as i dug deep to see how it was. Only stopping every half hour or so to make sure the others were still coming. See video links.

The last climb up to the gloucester tree is a killer. 1.5 km of switchbacks to climb around 200metres in soft dirt. Greg showed us how to completely destroy an xt rear derailer and bracket hanger when your chain drops off on a climb. Winding around some of the biggest trees in the forrest. I think i'll be back to do this section again but in the other direction pemberton to northcliff. 42 km. Funny it seemed like all the best sections were uphill but looking at the profie at the end of the day it doesnt show it this way. Worth doing anyhow. Down to the cafe and coffee and food while we waited for the others to get up that hill to the gloucester tree, they came by just as we finished so we travelled to the accomodation with them to sign off for a rest day. A few beers and then my wife arrived for the rest day only to tell me the hotel we are staying at is at the top of the hill . My legs did not enjoy that ride.

We met with the locals at 4pm to celebrate the opening of the track with and then went off to the pemby pub for a meal and some refreshments. An early night for me to catch up on some blogging, my wife,and much needed sleep.