Sunday 9th November

Post election ride. No comments to be made, lets just wait and see. Fatboy, Geez, and Tinkerbell met at (mine) Rubberjaws and headed on up the hill. A wonderful ride at a good steady pace. Fatboy put on a burst before the middle gate and then waited. Tinkerbell stopped also, Rubberjaws knew Geez was still a bit behind so he carried on through as he knew that the Girls and Mellonfarmer were waiting at the top and he would look good being first up. I still rode hard cos they never did catch up. At the top we met up with Sandals, Nicole (no name yet) and Mother Ted, (still no better name that suits someone who swears and curses more than Father Ted). After some small talk we set off up Vernon Traverse, the fastest to the front. My chain popped off and all of a sudden I was at the back of the pack tsk tsk. Caught up and went passed a couple of people and then round to the start of Bowenvale Traverse. A favourite bit of track and I rode it well, pushing hard. Nicole stayed with us at the start but dropped off above the lava flow when we went through the rocks. She rides really well. We regrouped at the half way point and I was surprised by how well everyone was riding. Sandals is pushing hard and Mother Ted actually rode lotsa of the track as she gained confidence. Blasted round to the top of Vic, then past some downhill grommets and down Thompson's to the Kiwi. Fatboys bike failed him at this stage so he peeled off. Mother Ted then showed she has been a roadie by setting the pace up to the top of Marleys. Rubberjaws and Geez bringing up the rear. We then blasted down the Nun and into the new section. The new track is so sweet, jumps are easy to catch, some techy, but it all flows. Stopped halfway to make sure all were well while some rode on. Mellonfarmer rode on as he got a call and had to go home. We all regrouped at the Kiwi before going down The old Dyers Track. Tinks leading but me riding his rear wheel hard, followed by...Nicole. Good cruise from here to the uphill into Vic (Mother Ted giving some stick to us all for being slow) and then we went down Dazzas while the racers were at lunch. We then entered Brent's, everyone riding well. Sandals easing Mother Ted down some of it and just at the last tree root covered steep section at the end I showed Mother Ted how to get the weight over the back wheel. Her effort was fantastic. She got on the bike and rode it down. Excellent riding. From there we bombed along the sidle track to the K2 intersection. I rode the drop straight down the center without pooing myself. Then bombed down and out stopping for coffee at the bread shop in St Martins. Once again Mother Ted giving stick for being slow so a little bit of competiton going down here. A note to the girls. You all rode really bloody good. Great to see Sandals has got her confidence back and the skills are all there again, Nicole is a MTB natural and her name will come from this, also very easy to talk to, and Mother Ted! What can we say but well done for getting on the bike and pushing yourself. You rode really well and attempted, no you did not attempt, you actually rode stuff you would not normally ride. I hope you all come out with us more often!!