On Sunday 13th October, the second installment of The Wolf Pack Mega Ride saw us head to James Estate Winery, voted one of Australia's best cellar doors in 2013, at Baerami in the Upper Hunter.
Set to a back drop of the one of the Hunters oldest wine growing regions, property manager and head wine maker, Graeme Scott has sculpted a singletrack network which wraps its self around approximately 250 acres of surrounding vineyard. We've all been chomping at the bit to get up there for a taste for a long time........ the promise of riding was attractive too.
When we arrived the firewood was chopped and stacked ready to go. Pasta and wine under the stars in preparation for the following days ride. Camping, riding and wine.....it's a combo thats hard to beat.
On the day, high winds and high temperatures didn't deter the 13 keen riders who were ready to check out some new trails. Graeme led the way through about 20 kilometers of groomed (and some less groomed) singletrack.
There were plenty of awesome moments along the ride, with some berms that were perfectly sculpted and begged for more speed. There were also plenty of interesting rock gardens that kept you on your toes the whole way and one big rock roll-down that we had to stop and session until the whole group nailed it!
Now the best part, at the end of the ride James Estate's Cellar Door is open for tasting! Graeme led us through the range (as he had all day) and showed us a more sophisticated end of ride ritual than the usual can of warm Reschs and jam doughnut combo.
Thanks to all that came and especially to Graeme for his fearless leadership, his wife Christine, Sharna and Maureen for making us feel so welcome over the course of the weekend. We can't wait to go back!
Hope to see you all on November 24th where we will get a guided tour of the hugely popular Taree tip trail network.