Thursady 23rd October 2008

The day after the trip! We are all home safe and for most of us sound. Only 1 injury of note and that was to Mellonfarmer. More of that later.

7 of us set off on Friday last from Cookie time. Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell, Geez with Fatman and Silverfox, Carbon Boy (Nelson) with Rubberjaws. The plan was to stop at Tekapo for a quick spin up to the Mt John observatory. The weather was great and we set off around the lake. The climb was pretty tough with a few steep sections. Some rode, some pushed the steeper sections, but we all made it to the top for a wonderful view and a cup of coffee. The downhill was bloody awesome. Steep and loose in sections with big googlies to trip you up if you did not stay focused. Fast, fast fast. We stopped just before a chain across the track. Tinkerbell running in with a flat. We left him to fix this while we went and skimmed stones in the lake. As we set off we hear the chain get hit as Tinks rides into it. No damage to him but a broken gear cable to the bike. Packed the cars and off to Wanaka.

Arrived in Wanaka, good accommodation in the Lodge at the Lakeveiw Motor camp. A room each, good showers, toilets and kitchen. Got some food and then had a few drinks. At about 11, (3 team)Hub, the Dreaded one and Dave arrived to join us. More drinks, talk and planning. The morning started with a light rain, nerves hit and then the sun came out. Rode to the Sticky Forest. I can not remember the track names but we rode a lot. Down 100m up 100m, down and up, down and up. Sounds like sex but it was shear MTB bliss. Winding through the trees, blasting round the berms, steep descents and steep climbs. Tough work but absolutely fantastic. Hub blew his calf muscle and was out for the trip.Back to camp for lunch and a wee rest. Took the track around the lake in the arvo hoping to find the cross country course. Dave broke his frame and had to head back to camp. (Luckily The Dreaded one had a spare bike.) The map was wrong so we ended climbing an illegal track, crossing open paddocks, being ignored by a local woman when we asked for assistance. We finally got back to the sticky forest for a couple of runs before heading home. Indian for dinner. Packed the cars in the morning and headed back to the Forest for more ups and downs. We met a local who guided us out on the cross country track we could not find on Saturday. Awesome track. Ended up dropping down to the lake on a loose, steep and technical track before winding up a fantastic single track to the forest again. A blast and then to the cars for the trip to Alexandra.

Booked into good accommodation at Alex, although the units were spread out. We rode into town for groceries and lunch. The worst accident of the trip happened when Mellonfarmer was leaping off the kerb and his bike went out under him. He hit the road, leaving skin, blood and quite a bit of pride on the road. Rubberjaws just missed riding over his head and bike. We checked him out but not a lot could be done. Gravel rash really but nasty. Sore shoulder aswell. A bit of mucking around and then we rode to Clyde for dinner. Fast track along the Clutha stopping for a beer in the shade along the way. Nice meal and a ride along the RailTrail to get back to camp. Next morning we met up with a free guide (surprise surprise)from the local bike shop. (Maps are not in good supply, locals do not want to share the tracks I fear). Started to ride a lovely gradual climb before pushing up a steep nasty track to get to the top. Awesome views and some nice techy singletrack for a while. The descent from the top was out of this world. Steeeeep and techy before it became bloody tricky. Some rode, some lowered themselves over the worst of it. An awesome ride and well worth the doing. Met another couple for a ride, Jimmy and his lady Michelle. Rode amazing single track, loose and steep, tricky and rocky but wonderful stuff. Could of ridden this second bit all day it was fun and flowing. Back for lunch. We ended up relaxing before heading out for Dinner. Discussed the next day.

Dave had sussed out a guide for $25 a head so Tinks, Silverfox, Geez and Rubberjaws decided to ride the singletrack of the day before again. Michelle had offered to come along and keep us from getting lost. The rest went with the guide. Met Michelle who was embarrassed to inform us that she had been blasted out for offering to show us around for nothing. The local guide/ bike shop owner blew a shit cos he thinks every one should pay to know the tracks. He also was the guide for the others. We paid $20 a head to Michelle cos she was nice but we were pissed about the whole deal. The other guys were then charged $30 a head cos the group was small. This tosser was charging $1 a minute to give us a ride. Alex locals suck, they do not seem to want to share and this guy in my opinion is a tosser. Michelle was cool and took us over the old track and up to the Mannerburn Dam and along some rolling singletrack. We got back and drove to Naseby. The others guided by the TOSSER had an awesome ride. Techy and Steep but not worth the $$$. They then came to Naseby.

Got set up in the cabins at Naseby and went riding. Dave and Hubby crook with Dave vomitting. The 3 team stayed home. We went riding and found the tree that destroyed Tinkerbells last trip to Naseby and he completed the jump. We found lots of the old trails and headed back to camp after a couple of hours. Went to dinner at the Royal Hotel and then back to camp for drinks. The next morning we packed up and then rode for a couple of hours. Did some cool tracks and finished with a blast down an awesome chute. came home.

Thats all I wrote. Coulda talked some more, cos we laughed, ate, drank and farted lots but that can be saved for looking back on.