Thursday 25th September.

We had a meeting of PFMTBC on Tuesday to sort out the final details of the trip so other than the ride over to Fatboys no one got out. Happy Birthday to Nelson too. Fatboy had surgery and only woke up from the general anaesthetic and 4pm so he did well to survive the night. Last night, Hub, Geez, Silverfox, Tinkerbell and I, (Rubberjaws) set off from my place about 6.30. Headed around to and up the Farmtrack. Tinkerbell cleaned all the lower track while the rest of us dabbed a couple of times. Bloody hard to get restarted on the bloody ruts and steep slopes. We then cruised (or slogged) up the rest. Found it more comfortable than last week though. We then headed around the top half of Vernon and onto the traverse. Nice easy blast through here, and Geez kept up a good turn of speed, which was noted by the rest of us. (Compliments are so good, rather than negatives) We then regrouped by the landing strip. Blasted down through the gums, and the berms are coming along nicely but I missed my turn at the bottom, which meant I missed my favourite jump. Down Dazzas at which time Hub's front forks crapped out. Down into the steep pines(forget the name of this) which was fun but deceptive. need to go through here in the daylight soon. Then down and out. The ride home was hard and fast, chasing Hub down who had got a break. Bloody nice night. Sundays going to be a goodie!

Saturday 20th September

A planting day. Due to the planting at Travis Wetland no organised ride happened but I, (Rubberjaws) rode to the planting the long way. headed off down the tarmac towards Brighton picking geez up near the Aranui Pub. Left onto Ottawa Rd, onto Avonside Dr and right through Porritt Park and along the river then cut through Burwood and into Bottlelake. At HQ I spoke to the walkers and runners from Hubbards Carbon Crusade and then Geez and I headed off through the forest to North Shore exit and then road to Travis Wetland. We helped plant 1500 plants in the sun and then rode off. Down Anzac Dr and around the river track to Bridge St. Beautiful easy exercise ride. Really pumped it. We then went through the ponds around the single track over 2 electric fences and into the windsurf area. Pumped along the cycleway to Aldwins Rd, Geez heading right and me left and home. $5km in good time. Enjoyed it but give me more single track

Tuesday 16th September

The decision as to where we rode today was left to the last minute. It was decided that the Farm track was the go. Marcus, English Mark, Fatboy, Tinkerbell, Mellonfarmer, Nelson, Geez, The Silverfox and Rubberaws all set off about 6.20. We hit the Farm Track for the long grind. The first steep, rutty and bumpy bit always makes you suck it in. A few stopped, dabbed or walked but a few surprised themselves by doing it all, while the usual ones just rode through it all. A quick stop for air and then slogged on up the hill at various speeds. Some steady some faster. At the top we turned left down Mt Vernon Track, over Witch Hill and then around to Castle Rock Track. Good repairs done on this track but English punctured so we waited. Fatboy and Marcus shot back to help and on their return Marcus punctured so a further delay. At this point we went around to John Brittan reserve and cut across this down to the subdivision at the bottom. Nice even though it was a bit naughty. We then cut down the track to McCormick's Bay, an awesomely sweet track. A few split off at Linwood Ave while the rest blasted around the back track all the way home. Great sprint to finish. Nice ride Guys....

Sunday 14th September

A beautiful day dawned and we all met at Dot com. Fatboy, Tinkerbell, Geez, Helmut and Mighty Marie, English Mark, Rex, The Silverfox and Rubberjaws. (Rubberjaws was unwell) We set off up Ct Thomas. A bit of slosh but not much near the bottom. A nice cruise up before heading up onto Godley. Most of this was in Good nick but the few spots that were wet were absolutely shit. From the first Col we had to ride the road as a big track closed sign was up. We got onto the lower single track at Breeze Col and blasted around to Godley Head Car park. A small sludge pit near the beginning but sweet for the rest. Had a return blast back along here catching a few people up before Breeze Col. Didn't stop because we did not want to get stuck behind the slow ones again. Sweet run down the Anaconda. Only one wet spot but pure joy. Did the tail and up over Taylor's and back to Dot com for coffee. A delightful mornings ride. All did well and Rubberjaws was pleasantly surprised that he did not throw up.

Saturday 6th September

Again a spot of fine weather allows us to ride. The rain on Thursday and showers early on Friday was a bit nerve racking but not enough to saturate everything. Mighty Marie, Geez, Silverfox, English Mark, Fatboy, Tinkerbell and Rubberjaws all set off up the Rapaki. Chilly but with sun shining. Good stomp up hill and everyone showing improvement in fitness and pace. We regrouped at the top and rode the road around to the Traverse Track as this was open. Blasted through here with only a couple of puddles of mud and then shot down to Sign of the Kiwi via Thompsons. All of us feeling fine. Some of us better than others. We blasted the road to the top of Worsley and then up and over Marleys. What a hoot. This was avoid but it only had 3 puddles of a small size. No threat to the track. The new bit is just so awesome. The guy building it was there and we all gave him big ups for this. We then rode back up to the start of the new piece twice more to blast down again. Awesome. Cos the Vic park tracks were avoid we shot down the road, into Vic, down Hackthorne and Dyers dropping riders as we went. Quick ride home.

Sunday 31st August

What a fantastic day for a ride. Bad luck for those that could not make it. The fair Marie, Fatboy, Geez, Silverfox and a guy called Rex met up with Rubberjaws at his place and set off up the Rapaki. A great climb by all. Rubberjaws enjoying his best ride for ages. All pushed it hard. It was Maries first off road ride with us since her accident and she was doing well. We took the road around to the beginning of the travers track and blasted along here. Fatboy did a good dab and survived. The track was in good repair with only a couple of slippery patches and two ruts on corners due to the pillocks who ride it in the wet. All of us were excited by the weather and the riding. We headed down Thompsons Track and stopped at Kiwi for a p...s stop. Rode around and up Worsley and then up and over Marleys. Big ups to the guy building that new section. It is so sweeeeet. Marie then headed down to her place. We then road back up the road up Worsley Rd and down Worsley Track. This is in the worst condition I have ever seen it. The 4wd's have cut it up in the wet. It is wet and lotsa of lines have been destroyed. Lotsa dabs by everyone, even a few times of lifting the bike. Great ride by all.