Graeme Simpson: Handcrafting new cycling course

It's something you try to avoid in all things, especially serious stuff like driving a car or dropping down certain trails in the forest that will throw you off into the ferns in a heartbeat.

I've lost count of the number of these columns I've written over the years.

I started back in 2003, had a bit of a break at the end of 2005 and then a longer one in 2011.

It still must be over 400. Times 500 words per column. That's ... a lot of words.

I hope I haven't made too many errors in that time.

At least until last week. Whistler, one of the great mountain biking destinations (skiing, too), in the USA?! You cannot be serious?

It's probably a minor thing. However, I did do geography till the 7th form (not sure what that equates to in the current school system, but older readers will know what I mean).

And yes, these days, it is one of Canada's best attractions.

So to my Canadian friends, I have to say, sorry.

Blame it on brain fade and a deadline that was rapidly approaching. It might have also been fatigue after a big ride the day before.

There is something very special about riding a trail you helped build.

It's six years since Rick Todd started talking about a stand of Douglas Fir, between Hill and Reservoir Roads. He was trail boss of the 2006 Mountain Bike World Champs course up on Mount Ngongotaha. At the same time, he was thinking about a trail called Old Chevy.

After the Worlds and a sensible break, paperwork was filled in, scoping missions were carried out and work began on the climb in off Reservoir Rd. Old Chevy was old school, hand crafted without the intervention of diggers that were being used in other parts of the forest.

It is also a good example of how things roll in Rotorua.

A trail initiated by Rick with a little help from his friends, all experienced trail builders. Alden, Carolyn, Dale, Dave R and Tom, Dean, Mark, Rick's young son, Ben, Lance ... the list goes on.

The work went quite slowly to start with. Then, Claude Manihera, who was working on trail and general forest maintenance for Rotorua District Council, and Red McHale and the Department of Corrections work crews, got involved.

Progress was much faster. They moved a lot of dirt building entrants and exits to the stream crossings and constructed the bridges.

The last work the volunteer crew did was a longer alternative exit.

The trail is a beauty still. It is very sheltered, so cool and not dusty like so many others as this summer stretches out.

The thing I like most is that it is a good mix of sharp, steep climbs and fast, exciting downs you have to earn.

I used to be able to roll it all on my singlespeed. No more. It's just over a year since I was diagnosed with cancer.

I'm just glad to be on a bike, again.

Hello, granny gear - and walking is fine. However, apart from missing the easier line on one pinch climb, I cleared all of Chev.

Check out more on this trail (and others) at www.riderotorua.com.