Well January is almost gone, so here is a bit of a reflection on 2018.
I saw the Arapuke Trail network grow by about 10 kilometres, with uphill and downhill trails being built by some very good trail builders and I have seen my business supported by all you wonderful shuttlers, who prefer the adrenaline filled downhill. I met people from all walks of life, like the cool group below, a bunch of dads and their kids and I had a great time getting to know you all.
While most of you have been out and about exploring and adventuring, I have been spending my time shuttling at Arapuke Forest Park. Time well spent I say, especially as I got to enjoy the newest of the new Grade 4 trail, "Chewbacca". Aptly named by one of the Arapuke Trail committee, due to it being somewhat hairy, it's close proximity to Ewok Road and the trail builders being Empire of Dirt.
A fast flowy, technical trail that is quickly becoming a park favourite. I was starting to get into it and was ticking off the features, when unfortunately for me, Chewbacca chewed me up and deposited me, not too gracefully or comfortably onto the dirt with what I later found out to be an AC separation.
So that's me on the sidelines for a couple of months, as I rehab and get strength back into my shoulder joint. Boo hoo!! No time to dwell though, it has provided me with the opportunity to take things a lot slower and I have enjoyed some trail walking, especially through "Pupu Rahi", with its tree ferns and nikau palms.
I will be back to riding as soon as I can, but in the mean time, I will spend some time doing things I ordinarily pass over. It's likely to be quite an insightful time.