Saturday 11th May

A return to Craigieburn after 5 weeks of anticipation.  Phatboy and I headed up in the Ford while Bugs loaded Dozer and Silverfox up into Steel and Tube.  At Sheffield, Nelsie, Mellonfarmer and his mate called Tom joined the convoy.  A quick reshuffle at Castlehill before unloading at the Broken River car park.  Then it was into Sidle 73 for a steady beat across to the Craigieburn access road.  A few ice patches and even some frozen snow in 1 spot.  From here a steady climb up to the skifield.  The usuals out front and Bugs doing a steady pace with his trip backpack loaded up as a test for next week.  I turned around at the bridge to check on Silverfox and rode the last stretch with him for company.  We hit snow before the last hairpin and this got a bit deeper as we climbed to the start of the edge.
  Only riders to go through here for sure.  The first scree slope was covered but as we descended it got better.  An awesome run down here stopping as Tom repaired a puncture on a scree slope.
 Finally climbed up onto Lyndon saddle for a wee break and some food.  The Luge was a fun blast down with the roots and track wetter than the last visit.  Surprised at how much grip I did have though.  Regrouped and then climbed up to the Drac Track.  Fast and furious once again passing Mellonfarmer (punctured), Nelsie and Tom (waiting for the repair to happen.  At the bottom I immediately led off as the fast 3 could chase us down quickly, (or so we thought).  Grunted the climb the across Drac Flat we discovered a sign of things to come.  The ground had been frozen but as it thawed we found mud giving us no traction.  Slipped our way through here then gave it a grunt up the new track to the top, passing the pink girls and stopping for a rest.  The fast 3 caught us at this point.  We then headed down the missing link.  Great blast down here, across the creek and then grunted up the climb on the other side.  I cleaned this which is better than last trip.  Up the Hogsback we went.  Most stopping along the way either due to cramping, tiredness or as in my case, no traction.  The track was getting slippery.  Anther big regroup before starting the last real climb.  This was insane.  Slippery mud, wheels spinning, no traction and on top of this the mud was sticking to everything it touched.  A regroup at Picnic Rock before starting the downhill.  This was still very muddy but faster than I thought it would be.  You became more confident with traction as the mud was flicking off.  You felt it across your back and in your face.  Some gravel sections helped.  Climbed to the fallen tree getting faster then blasted down to Castle Hill.  Not as fast as last trip as traction was not the same, open sections were muddy but still so much fun.  A real mountain bike adventure in the mountains.  Got back to the cars and changed before heading back to Sheffield and the pie shop.  Home form here for a deserved rest.  I felt bloody good, paced myself better on the original climb so had plenty of energy.  Bring on dry weather.

Scree slope photo shoot

Phatboys rock

Rubberjaws

Dozer

Silverfox

Speaks for itself

Rest time after a grunt, Mellonfarmer and Silverfox

A real seat for Rubberjaws

Nice view

Nelsie resting

Muddy on the bikes

Bugs looking pleased with himself

Tuesday 7th May

For me it was my first ride under lights for the year.  It was also a ride where most tracks were closed but then I had a back up plan.  Silverfox arrived at my place and we headed around to pick up the Cook.  We then drove out through Sumner and over the hill to Taylors.  We met Phatboy, Dozer and Bugs.  Bugs had his sleeping bag and rack on as a test for his trip to the Heaphy.  Phatboy weighed my bike in at 31.3lbs compared to  my weigh in weight of 30.8lbs.  Lets call it 31lbs.  Bugs was weighed in including sleeping bag and lights at just on 38lbs.  Anyway from here we had decided to ride the Boulder Bay track as it is a hard pack surface.  Thought it would be a smallish ride to the top car park and back but a few things have changed....quite a bit.  Started like normal but then just as you pass the Anaconda where it joins the tail you now have a steepish climb before you drop down some hairpins to the original line.  Nice warm up.  From here it follows a line very much like the old days but a lot smoother.  In places you can see the old track covered by rocks.  The steps are now 100% ride able.  As we neared Boulder Bay things started to change.  No gates, no fences and as we started the old grunty climb it got better still.  The climb is still steep but the hairpin has been stretched out making it easier, then halfway up the climb the track hung a hairpin left.  This is still uphill but it goes out to one of the gun emplacements we visited only once.  We stopped at this and gazed at the stars before continuing to follow the trail.  It kept climbing until we were nearly at the main gun battery.  Big barb wire fence with signs saying "don't try and gain access..Danger" .  This is where the cliff is cracked and wanting to  fall off. It was a kick arse fence.  We followed this past the gun battery, the track was heading towards the  top car park...or so we thought.  It then drops down again to the another old army building then up some steps before climbing to the old Barracks building (i think it was the barracks).  We continued to climb (following a possum) all the way to the car park at the top.  Stopped for 5 minutes here.  We were all impressed by  the good workout we all had on the climbs to this point.  Much more fun and exercise than we had bargained for.  We then reversed the direction and headed back.  Still a few climbs but a lot more downhill, some steps and fun on the way back.  We decided that when tracks are closed this is the place to come.  It has everything you want for a ride in these circumstances.  A track we can not damage, hill climbs, downhills and some distance.  No tarmac is a bonus.

Sunday 5th may

First planting day of the year for Trees for Canterbury and it dawned warm and sunny.  Bugs and Tinkerbell arrived at mine nice and early. I jumped on the cruiser and we set off towards Phatboys place along the byways of the neighbourhood.  Arrived there to find Dozer and himn all ready to go.  headed down Kilmore, peterborough and into hagley Park passing a multitude of Runners.  Onto Kilmarnock St before turning right down the railway track cycleway.  Blasted at a fast pace all the way to Tuckers Rd and then out to Srtyx Mill with plenty of time left.  We ambled through the reserve finding our way to the planting site.  We stopped and helped about 45 others plant 1500 plants then we rode home in the reverse direction.  Phatboy decided to set an extremely vigourous pace which was tough considering the head wind.  Total ride time was only 1.5 hours but it was a good pace.

Saturdau 4th may

Got knew forks on my bike last Tuesday and have not been able to ride due to the weather.  Bugs has been in training and flicked a message asking if I wanted to have a ride with him to test them out...so I did.  I rode around and met him at the footbridge on Heathcote Cut at the end of his street.  From here we headed around the river and crossed onto the broken track along the Heathcote by the tunnel roundabout.  I decided to try and get some air at the first little hump but had gear problems instead.  Stopped to find half a tree stuck in my rear derailleur so did some pruning.  Fixed so off we went.  On the single track the bike certainly felt lighter up front (it is by 900gms) and I was enjoying myself.  At Ferrymead Bridge bugs stopped and removed jacket and arm warmers before the uphill.  We rode at a good steady pace up St Andrews Hill then onto major Hornbrook through the little shortcuts and on up to the track off Upper major Hornbrook.  I felt surprisingly chipper at this point while the Speights of the night before was telling on Bugs. Grunted up the single track feeling good, then around to the start of Greenwood.  I was expecting a few puddles and lots of greasy slipperiness but it was in good condition.  The tyres were self cleaning and no real issues as far as grip.  A little chat before I started heading down.  My mind constantly trying to work out how my forks were handling instead of just focusing on the ride so I was a bit slower than normal.  Eventually started to focus and got faster.  At the bottom we clambered over the fence behind four old guys and then headed around and straight into Godley.  A couple of dabs on the first climb but felt quick.  In the end I had time to flick the bike over and tweak the rebound setting at the first cattle stop waiting for Bugs.  Theres been a bit of new chip laid in spots which makes for fast riding plus my folks now felt bloody great.  Those 2 clicks of rebound was what was needed.  Fantastic run down here feeling good then straight into next climb past the Double Crack Rock with no problems, down over PFMTBC Rock (the downhill has once again had some work on it so all the potholes have gone) and a regroup at the top of the Anaconda Trail.  Blasted into the snake, working the bike and myself hard with Bugs close behind, riding the berms quite high.  Bugs got a nice mud trail down his front in one berm but no falls.  The new switchbacks at the bottom just spoil the line so much and slow you down.  Saw some knew work being done to onside but it looks wrong also.  Down the tail we went then up over the Taylor's/Scarborough Rd.  Good steady climb before a flying downhill then along the esplanade and stopped at Dot Com.  A steady clip back along the road via a scenic McCormick's Bay Rd, then single track behind Ferrymead to the roundabout where we parted ways.  I got home pumped and pleased the forks worked so well.  Bring on Craigieburn!!

Sunday 28th April

Tinkerbell and Silverfox picked me up and we drove out to Dot Com where we met Dozer.  We trundled up Richmond hill Rd and off onto the dirt.  I led us up via a sheep trail which was easier in spots than the main trail but steeper in others.  Continued up with a brief regroup below the shearing shed then up to the road.  We rode around the summit to the start of greenwood and headed in.  I had a great run through here and after stopping briefly at the ruins we headed down.  All of us going pretty good, regrouped at half way point then carried on.  Great run all told.  Then up Godley track and down the cut off run due to time constraints.  great wee blast and a solid pump over Scarborough for coffee and food.

Wednesday 24th April

Well its been a whole 1.5 weeks without a ride.  First a trust meeting then rain, more rain and a little bit more rain to keep us off the tracks, then I was unable to ride Tuesday.  Not even sure if anyone rode on Tuesday actually.  So, this morning I awoke, had breakfast and decided to go for a wee blast. Started by heading up Crapaki (started the climb up Rapaki Rd at 10.03am) and pushed myself steadily up the hill.  Lots of very old people running/jogging/stumbling down the hill.  Nearly called an ambulance for some of them!  I was at the top looking out over Lyttleton by 10.30 sharp.  Quite pleased.  I took a minute to stretch and then headed up over Mt Vernon Track.  Still smells at the start where the fire was.  Good pump and then hit the Traverse Track.  The most amazing thing was that the track was in great condition with only 3 puddles and no greasy spots.  No other riders out there at all.  Into Vic then down Shazzas before taking K2 down the hill for a change.  Top was greasy and a bit rutted while the bottom was just slick.  Down into the valley having to carry my bike over a few rocks to get past the digger doing some track work.  The guys working warned me to watch out for a loader coming up the track but i caught this on the way down but could not get past and the driver did not see me.  Slowed me down somewhat.  I still managed to be out and at the end of Bowenvale Ave by 11am.  Not a bad blast.  Gave a pump on the road section home before jumping on the cruiser and doing a couple of clicks with my girls.

Sunday 14th April

Phatboy arrived at my place at 6am, we then watched rugby, had breakfast and headed outside to hook up with Texas, Tinkerbell and Silverfox.  We headed by the normal route via the cut and the track behind ferrymead buildings to Ferrymead bridge.  A quick stop to loose jackets etc before joining Nelsie, Mellonfarmer and Dozer at the beginning of St Andrews hill.  A good steady climb up here with 1 quick regroup at the big hedge before continuing on up to Upper Major Hornbrook. for a wee regroup at the start of the singletrack.  Weather was awesome for riding.  From here we climbed steadily (Phatboy following me up, giving himself an honest work out) to the corner of old John Brittan.  Mellonfarmer and Nelsie in their haste overshot.  I made the hairpin and tried to coach the others around it.  Plunged on around the track to the road then down to the saddle before climbing up and over the new Mt Pleasant track.  This time the usuals were in the lead and Phatboy led me up the hill.  Great climb with a peestop at the top.  Then it was down the otherside to Greenwood.  I love the top section, just twisty and rocky spots with the tussocks obscuring just enough to keep you excited.  Into Greenwood for real.  Fast paced action, but for some reason I was a bit skittering through the rocks for a change.  Regrouped half way down when Nelsie decided to fill up his empty rear tyre.  Fast paced blast down from here then up Godley.  Really pleased with myself, cleaned 85% of the first rock section and 100% of the rest.  Stopped at the first cattlestop then down the farm track, across the road and onto the singletrack from here.  Cleaned all the sections where the hairpins used to give issues.  Up over Scarborough and down to Dot Com for drinks and food.  Then homeward we headed spotting Sandals and Helmut out for a Sunday Stroll on town bikes.  Excellant sprint over the causeway then a break up as people headed in different directions.  The last of us returned via our usual access way.  Great to have Phatboy back on the bike.