Sunday 28th June 2009

Oh it was so cold when I dragged my butt out of bed, not to mention I was a wee bit seedy from the night before. Mellonfarmer and Silverfox arrived and we loaded up and headed out to Dot Com. A few messages came in with people cancelling. Some were terrible excuses, some were genuine illnesses, but the worst was to find we had been dumped in favour of other riders. Oh we were all hurt so much, we nearly threw biking away in favour of going to the home show. We arrived on time and were shortly followed by Geez and Abba. We watched The Lone Wolf ride in, but we discovered he was actually a Goat so we welcomed him with a Baa Baa here and a baa Baa there. Sandals and Helmut arrived with the Tandem. This was gonna be good. We headed up Captain Thomas only to find it was a mess in spots. Damn horses and walkers making it worse. We carefully rode the muddy sections but it made things harder with little traction. The tandem was really having problems with lotsa sideways slide. We took the walking track out to the road at the top to avoid the last section. Team tandem arrived with a badly buckled rear wheel. A bit of repair was made and we all headed up the Godley track while Team Tandem took the road for a while. Bits of the track were mush while other bits were good. I had a few dabs in sections I nearly always clean, due to no traction, tiredness and just trying to hard I think. At the top of the first incline the Tandem came up from the road. We all headed off again just a bit slower than normal, watching the slip and slop in spots. We regrouped as we waited for the Tandem. They took the road to Breeze Col while the rest of us headed up and over. The track was in better condition from here until just before the last cattle stop which was slop. Team tandem headed on down first while Mellonfarmer adjusted things on the Cotic. We gave them a good start but some of us got caught up near the bottom. The Farmer and the Goat got past them. We then did the tail where some bloke got upset by the Tandem (what a tosser). A grind up to the top of Scarborough from here and then down we raced through Nicholson Park. Team Tandem scaring themselves by running out of all brakes. Sandals saved the day by leaping off the back and dragging herself along. Go Team Tandem. A good ride with just a hint of slop. Warmer at the top than at the bottom. Coffee and home. Had to go to the Home Show as we had heard such good things about it. :)

What we did, starting Sat 20th til Tue 23rd June

On Saturday the team were booked to ride up to the Eastside Bush planting with trees for Canterbury. It dawned a little wet so the ride was off and Tinkerbell, Geez and I drove up. Slipped into the wet weather gear and walked down to the planting site. Mellonfarmer arrived with Tracy, Otis and Hugo to assist and the Sandals and Helmut. Great to see the team out there planting along side the track. Good BBQ afterwards also. I want to get us involved in some maintence work around the plants in Spring and Autumn. Tuesday the plan was to ride at Bottlelake, but as I only got cancellations other than Silverfox I decided to go to a beer tasting instead. Sorry to those who were going to ride. May I suggest that when I send a text just reply with "I am in" or 'I am out' and then I will know what the numbers are like. It turns out we would of had enough to have a good ride....but the beer tasting was good. I met Phatboy along the way to the Thirsty Weta and we got there about 6. Parked our bikes inside as we do and had a nice Captain Cooker. Mellonfarmer arrived and then Twopot even turnt up. While we were tastingSandals and Helmut popped past to say Hi. A good night was had by all. Sunday I intend to ride Godley so I hope you can all make it.

Thursday 18th May

Decided to go up and do a few loops of Marleys. I picked up Silverfox, and headed up. We waited and then Bugs arrived, Abba and then Phatboy. Tinkerbell was running late and was gonna catch the 2nd loop. We headed up the walking track (bad boys). Never been up this before, and as it was covered in snow or slush it was a bit trickier than I thought it would be. Want to try it when it is dry. Up and around then up Worsleys Rd, up the track which was snow covered and spinny with the snow twinkling nicely. At the top we decided order and then headed on down. Twitchy under the rubber but not to bad at the top. A couple of real greasy spots but no water on the track which was great. Taking things a bit easier and I hesitated on one set of rocks. Down into the lower section a lot more grease but once again we all survived it. Silverfox and Abba were taking things much easier than the rest and we saw another light gaining on them. It was Helmut. At the vehicles we found Tinkerbell and Sandals. (Sandals was not riding as she was sick) Up for another loop, some taking the track again while a few went by the road. Helmut giving those taking the road a hard time about road cycling. He then got shuttled to the top by Sandals in the 4 wd. I suppose having a bike means using a vehicle to get around instead of pedaling. :)- At the top we regrouped only to find the Lonewolf waiting for us. Another blast down the hill. This time faster for some of us as we knew the track conditions and the worst bits. I was much happier this time although I had a big whoopsie on some mud around some rocks in the bottom section. Regrouped at the vehicles again, waited for Silverfox. Silverfox, Abba, Bugs and I split at this point. They were not enjoying it all that much as we could not really bomb it all the way. Grace was real sick so I was happy just to get out and ride in the end as I nearly did not make it at all. Mellonfarmer and Nelsie rolled in just as we were loading up so they and the rest headed on for another loop or two. Sorry for riding the track, just realised it was still at avoid status.

Saturday 13th June

A wonderful night to party and did we party yes. Lotsa people, lotsa fun and I thank you all for sharing it with me. We danced into the wee small hours and I even managed to get up today. Wonderful Bday, can not wait until next year.

Saturday 6th June

Another Saturday ride. Upsets the patterns, but then we were off to plant trees at the top of Marley's. Hoping the weather held off. Sandals showed up early so we watched the mad uni guy doing his downhill bit on the DVD.Waiting for Silverfox who then advised he had punctured on the way over so we decided to meet him at the bottom of Huntsbury. Off we set and picked MotherTed up at the bottom of Rapaki Rd. She was dressed for some cold weather, while Sandals had on short shorts, Mother ted had her glove gloves and shoe gloves. We caught Silver fox and headed up Aotea Tc and were surprised when young Geez wheezed up behind us. Good effort put in to catch us. I was riding well for me as we headed up. Pleased with myself I was. As we rode we kept feeling that icy breeze slapping us and watched the clouds building. Shades of last years planting ride at the same time. As we cleared the tarmac the weather let her claws out and the wind started buffeting us about and made it clear that Sandals should of worn long longs. It was a wee tad bloody freezing and gusty. Got to the top and blasted around the traverse track. Windy days are great for allowing me to look good. All the weight holds me on the track while all the light weights got blown all over the place. I was loving it. The track was much dryer than last week. Top of Vic we shot down Thompson's and the to Sign of Kiwi. Short toilet stop for ....me!! We then rode around to Worsleys Rd and as we went up the deep throated roar of a V8 Ford hit us. Yes Phatboy had arrived with children in tow for the planting. Met Di Carter at the top, smiled and joked about the weather and headed up the track to grab a spade and get planting. Great turnout there was. At least 35 people on the day. Even Nick Singletrack was there planting. He sung his Roadie song to Motherted. It was great but no roadie would want to hear it. We put in 600 plants which was great. As the weather got cooler Sandals new the short shorts were not helping so she, Mother ted and Silverfox left. Then Phatboy and Emily. Alistair and his mate had their bikes and headed off only to return 5 minutes after Phatboy left with damaged bike. He had to coast down the hill, poor little downhiller. Planting done so Geez and I got the bikes and bombed down the track. It was funky, with me getting some air time and blasting it. Great fun. Upto top of Vic, with the wind behind us, then down Seasame St, dazzas, Brents and bridges. Geez got loose here and had to bail before going over the edge. Great landing style earned him 7 outa 10. Home for a shower which was deserved. I was wasted after all this effort though.

Tuesday 2nd June

Only 11 days to my drinks and then I am going to celebrate my b/day. Yippeee.

Anyway enough about me. Last night we had an awesome ride. We gave the hills some extra drying time and rode Bottle Lake. Silverfox and Sandals met at mine and we drove to Broad park and met up with Phatboy and MotherTed. Geez arrived last and then it was a race to see who would be ready first, him or MotherTed. Geez won with about 5 minutes to spare. It must of been the booties and the glove gloves. We cruised along the beach and then turned left onto the stinky wee track with lotsa bumps etc. Waited for all to get along this and then took off towards the hut above the dump. Saw a couple of people along the way. A regroup and chat. I was starting to feel much warmer. Down the hill we went and then cruised around to Juliet Rd and into the single track. A good blast through here with Phatboy leading. The boyz went left and the girls and I went right at one stage. I hit the sand and MotherTed took the lead. After criss crossing I got in front and led into Spencerville for our break. Phatboy led from there and I followed then Geez and the others. We blasted through a couple of sections and then I realised I could not see all the lights behind. I thought maybe we had lost Silverfox again so I pulled over. It was Sandals missing but not for long. Followed her until the next regroup. The boyz led off then Silverfox had light issues. MotherTed, Sandals and I kept going and then MotherTed started pulling away. Could not have that could we. Regrouped and found our way through to the Landfill Rd, Phatboy led at a good clip, then MotherTed, myself and the others. Pump, pump, pump. MotherTed then pulled over and I chased Phatboy. Had a moment when my rear wheel slid a long way on the timber edging but no whoopsies. Pumped all the way to the hut at the top of the hill. Then down and out. A few of the lights started to fade out by time we got back. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride, good pump by all and lotsa of movement in the pack. The track was in great condition and very little water and even less sand. Roll on warmer weather.

Saturday 30th May

It was a a chance to give some time towards track maintenance so a few of us met at mine. There was Tinkerbell, Bugs, Geez, Silverfox and Phatboy (oops that's right Phatboy slept in and forgot,:) and me. We rode up Huntsbury, taking the Tce instead of the main Road. Worked well. Considering a couple of us were working through the excess of the night before we went well. Even little old me. At the top we took the Traverse track which was open around to the top of Vic Park. It was very wet in a couple of spots which surprised me. From there we went down Thompson's to Sign of Kiwi and then up the road, onto Worsely Rd up the track where we grabbed some grubbers off the Rangers Truck. We met the work party and found out what they wanted from us. In the end we grubbed out a number of drainage channels while the others armoured some of the track below us. Put in only about 30-45 minutes work but x 5 people was good. We then had permission to test Marleys track which we took. The work everyone had done was awesome. We then rode back to the top of Vic and down the Rockgarden into the gums, which was wet and muddy in a lot of spots. Silverfox went down the road while the rest of us took Dazzas, (muddy) and then the old Nationals, onto K2 and then out. Muddy in lotsa spots along the way so taking it easy all the way. Good to be out on the track again.

Now the important notice.

Tree planting this Saturday with Trees for Canterbury. Going to start from mine at 11.30 and then ride to Marleys plant trees and then back. Be good to get a good turnout as this is about making our tracks better.