Sunday 1st February 2009

A warm overcast day with a little humidity greeted me upon my wakening. Better than the beating sun. Wrist was still a tad sore but I needed a ride. Tinkerbell, Abba and Te Rex arrived promptly and off we went. A relaxed grind up the hill. Wrist sore especially over the bumpy bits of Rapaki. Rode one handed when I could. Nice chat all the way up passing a couple of other riders until we saw this older running go over in a rut. Stopped to check him out. He was shaky and grazed and he walked the rest of the way down. We met Sandals and Helmut (for the rest of the day we will call him Mark of the helmut as he wore one on the downhills.) Up and over Witch Hill quite nicely, Abba and I slowly pedaled to top of Castle Rock and then the others caught us at the top. Blasted down here surprisingly well and regrouped for the grind to John Britten. Another blast and straight into Greenwood. Stopped at ruins for a regroup and a position shuffle. I decided to go near the back but that did not last long as we hunted down Te Rex and cut a corner or two to pass. Blasted all the way. Wrist aching but holding together. Nice flow into the last section and then stop and over the fence. Everyone riding sweetly. Now the sun comes out, Abba lets on he is out of water and the call goes out to drop down Ct Thomas. We decided to play and try and get everyone down and confidant over some of the lumpy bits, checking new lines and options. Mark of the Helmut had a nice line over the first up and over, I watched Tinks do the steppy one and followed him. This was after watching some guy cartwheel over the handlebars and nearly role down the hill. He was up and off with his mates quite quick. Flowed on down but baulked at last gnarly rocks but Tinks took the line he was shown. We flowed on and Te Rex followed me down Mother Teds rock, (without the Irish language being used) and on we went. Over the little kicker with Abba getting this, down the steps and after nearly running over a runner down to the bottom. Stopped for coffee and then cruised home taking the track around the estuary at Ferrymead and all the way to Radley street. Excellent ride, felt good. Wrist is bloody sore so have bitten the bullet and bought a brace. Still going to be able to ride Chooseday.

mean while, Nelsy and Swtchbckr did this...