Sunday 30th August

Oh you should of been with us, it was a great ride until the incident!! Tinkerbell, Silverfox, Geez, Phatboy and Bugs all showed up at mine and we headed off. Around Hansens and then the climb up Huntsbury. When the lads started stripping off I continued to ride on up. I was feeling good on the climb and decided not to spoil the chance to pump hard. Slowed at the point where it levels and as Phatboy and the Fox caught up started the last grunty road section, Tinks caught up and then onto the gravel to the gate. A quick regroup here and then I led off again (amazed myself, you could always say I did a Richard) and we climbed on upto the summit road. Phatboy, Tinks and The Fox led off. I gave chase and was gaining all the way until...the chain started to stick. I kept going hard as, until the regroup at the top of Vic Park. We all looked at the bike and found a bent tooth on the 2nd ring up front. Phatboy being the mechanic decided a light tap with a tapping device ( a rock) would fix it. 1 tap too many and the tooth removed itself and fixed the problem. Headed down Thompsons and onto Sign of the Kiwi. We then cruised up to the top of Marleys where I once again led off. Took the wrong line and stopped. Bugs went passed as I was coming back to the track although he did not see me. I then gave chase and rode the best lines and speed I have ever done down here. gaining all the way, hitting all the jumps and getting good air. Regrouped at the road again and then headed up and around to Kennedy's Track. Stopped here for a bite and a giggle. Then the charge was on, Phatboy led then me then Tinks and the rest. Bumpy and sketchy down the top run then it smoothed out a bit and got real quick. Fun fun fun!!!!!. A regroup then up the single track and then back down towards Crocodile. Phatboy leading at this point and then the incident happened. He had a little off but it did real damage to his hand. No longer able to push hard and he ended up riding 1 handed down the crocodile. The rest of us got down in one piece and in good time. The grind home was into the wind. Stopped at one point for Geez, Silverfox and Tinks to fix Phatboys puncture. Tinks pumping action was the best we had ever seen. He could win a competition with that. A great day by all except for the injury. I have to say that it was the best I have ridden in ages.

Tuesday 25th August

What a day and what a ride. Bugs arrived at mine and we drove over picked up Silverfox then up the hill we picked up Sandles and then headed over to Allandale Hall. Just after Governors Bay we passed Abba who had parked up at The Kiwi and ridden down. Waiting at the hall, te Rex arrived followed by Tinkerbell with Geez and The Goat in tow. Waited for Nelsy and after ringing him found out that he was coming down towards Living Springs from the Summit Rd. We got ourselves around to the carpark, unloaded and hit the track. The first bit was wet and sloppy and then it goes straight up a steep 4wd to the beginning of Pines. Some rode this, some walked this and some rode then walked this. The Pines was an awesome uphill, mixed with switchbacks and flatground with a bridge thrown in and even some mild descent. Awesome and dry. Regrouped near the top then around the next section (rhymes with orange) then down a track that joined onto Zanes. All this was good until halfway down Zanes it turnt into a slush fest. Tricky and technical. A few dabs by most the first time. Near the bottom was my favourite bit with a rock jump, some tight turns, a couple of rock bridges etc. Fun. We regrouped and after Nelsy unloaded all the lights he had been carrying we rode back up for anther loop. Just as much fun the 2nd time around, and handled the mud better. I have to get a new rear tyre, or at least one with tread!! On the way down Silverfox and Sandles lights started to go. Regrouped and while the others went on my ute load decided to head home. We gave Abba a lift upto the Kiwi and then retraced our steps dropping off people as we went. Oh and I forgot to mention I now have the new PFMTBC headwear. This will cost you $17 and stocks are limited.

Sunday 23rd August, by Sandles

Silverfox, Sandles, Mellonfarmer, The Goat, Tinkerbell, Gees, Bugs and Fatboy gathered themselves outside HeWhoWasStillSleeping's place. After a thorough discussion of the previous nights numbers and form…. some obligatory bike comparisons…. off we set. A steady pace up Rapaki, amoungst the many others out enjoying the first sunshining dry weekend in a few. Mt Vernon single track & rocks then quickly demanding our balance & refreshing skills again. Ahhh, the Traverse, always a pleasure. After regrouping at top of Vic we descend Thomsons to the Kiwi to refill drink containers, then road climb up Marleys for that stunning harbour view. A quick sort into descent order & off down the Nun we all flew, putting even bigger smiles on our faces. We kept under the road, from the Kiwi, puddle splashing our way back into mid Vic Park, regrouping at the jumps then Dazers, the dark forest, some rut dodging and Bowenvale before breaking up and headed home.

Sunday 9th August

Woke to a misty morning but dressed for a warmer morning and it did get much warmer. Silverfox showed up at mine and we threw the bikes in the Ute and headed to the meeting at Dot Com. A big team showed up including, Phatboy, Bugs, The Goat, Geez, Tinkerbell, Te Rex, Sandals and Helmut. 10 in total. We headed up Richmond Hill and as I said to the virgins on this route it is fine until the 2nd hairpin. We all grunted up here with no groans from anyone. Up the gravel road and then we took the 2nd sheep track which flows nicely along the side of the hill, crossed the fence, up a little grunt and then flowed to the lone pine. Over the stile here and then up the last bit of track to the road. Everyone was feeling good at this point. We crossed the road at this point and climbed the 4wd track to near the ruins. As I state often, start slowly and then build to a fast and furious finish. The downhill was not the finish just a bit more of a tease really. Fantastic run down here, stopping for a regroup halfway down. Sandals is much faster on her new stead and we hardly stopped before flying down the last section. We then headed up onto the Godley track which is nice and dry. Work has been done in a couple of wetter sections which is great to see. On the way down towards Livingstone Col we explored a sheep track for a change, but it was not as good as the normal track. Up and over to Breeze Col and then a blast down Anaconda. Everyone going exceptionally well. Down the tail and then up Taylor's Rd. Down through the park and onto Whitewash head Rd. 1st time I have encountered a car coming up, but no one hit it. We started at 9.30 and were all sitting back at Dot Com for coffee by 12.05. A great run by all.

Notice. Tuesday 18th there will be a meeting of PFMTBC at Pomeroys at 7.30 so we will do a town ride, a lap of North and then South Hagley before we get there. This is about the trip as we have final numbers. 11 of us will be going along!!! See you next Sunday as I am out this week.

Tuesday 4th August

I picked up Silverfox and headed up the hill to Sign of the Takehe where we hooked up with Tinkerbell, The Goat, Geez, Te Rex, Nelsy, Mellonfarmer, Abba, Helmut and Sandals. Sandals had a flash new full sussa Merida. Looked good under her and as we found out she certainly came down the hill faster. After some discussion we headed up into Vic where some split and rode up the old Dyers Track while the others rode the other track that shall not be named. Silverfox and I were on the other track way ahead of the others which we seem to of lost. At the top we saw Nelsy and Mellonfarmer pushing hard ahead of the others on Dyers Track. We slowly headed on up and were nearing the start of Marleys when they started catching up. A fast blast down the Nun was then undertaken. Missed one turn and locked up on another as we went down. Eyes watering and ankle pain stopped me at one point so the Goat and the Fox passed me. I then got going and rejoined at the bottom as we all re grouped. Discussion took place and Nelsy/ Mellonfarmer went down the track towards Governors while the rest went back for another loop. Nice ride and we then regrouped before the Nun. Waited for Sandals, Helmut and Abba. The Goat even rode back some distance searching for them, but got surprised when Nelsy and Mellonfarmer arrived and said no one was behind them. We then did another run. Supreme run I had down here, hanging on just and blasting everything. No one close behind me, saw I just pushed myself as hard as I could. Scared myself on a couple of corners and brushed the hill with my shoulder on another. Arrived at the Kiwi 4th and waited for the others to regroup. Word came in that The Fox did an endo on one point but no major damage. We then split once more with MF and Nelsy heading down Dyers Track and the rest down the Other track. Nice fast blast although nearly caught up on a tree. Down down down as quick as we could. Spots of rain coming. Got back and loaded up just as a good downpour of rain came in. Awesome nights ride.

Sunday 3rds August

Not much to report really. Bugs met me at Trees for Canterbury where we went by van to Orton Bradley Park and successfully assisted in planting 700 native plants. We had our bikes with us so we set off towards Diamond Harbour at 12.30. Cruised around there and waited 20 minutes for the ferry. Once back to Lyttleton we cruised up to Evans Pass enjoying the wonderful view. About 3/4s of the way up a guy passed us so Bugs gave chase catching him just before the top. I hung in there for a bit but ended up about 50m behind. We then came down Ct Thomas which was in good condition for a change. Bugs taking it easy as he still has a sore hand from his crash. From there it was straight home. Bumped into Phatboy, Junior Phatboy and nephew of Phatboy and friends in Sumner. Carried on home at a good clip. All in all a good trip 25+ kms with a few climbs. Better than nothing.

A little spy has seen Sandals out and about on a shiny bike, which I hear looks new. Could it be??