Sunday 5th October.

The morning started with Rubberjaws receiving 7 texts and a phone call to see if the ride was on or not. It was on for those hardy soles who did not mind a bit of slip and slide. A whole body workout was called for due to the damp conditions. Mellonfarmer, English, Tinkerbell, Geez, Silverfox and Rubberjaws set off up Rapaki about 8.45 in a very light shower. Not wet but borderline. The Rapaki was boggy mud in patches which was surprising. Fatboy sent a text from Cambridge just to say Hello and let us know the tracks he was riding. When we hit the top we headed over Witch Hill to get used to the slippery rock and then onto Castle Hill. technical on the rocks with the mud sticking to your tyres and causing many little gasps. We all survived and headed on. Rubberjaws and Geez went through the John Brittan Reserve while the others did the road. This was in better condition than all the others. Greenwood was next on the list and although rocky it was not as bad as expected. A few slippery spots but then we took it easy compared to what we would do in the dry. Hubby had made contact. he was on Godley track by himself. Warned us of the fun to come. At Evans we decided that the rain was not to bad and carried on up Godley. Good run until we hit the mud where track repairs had been done. Slip and slide, gasp and groan. At the col we found Hubby fixing a puncture with a smile on his face. Chatted and then chased a couple of guys on Nomads. They looked like twins, same bikes, same packs, same facial hair. MMMM... We caught then on the up as one feel off. Blasted down the greasy trail to the top of the Anaconda. Silverfox did a fantastic splat coming through the last cattle stop. Down the snake we rode. Good conditions for the most part but a few very greasy patches. Rubberjaws had an interesting moment where the track and him parted company briefly. We all survived and then headed up and over Scarborough for Coffee. The road ride home was hard and fast but some were still feeling good at the end. Nice ride in all.