Sunday 27th September

Another ride but with all the summit tracks and good downhills closed it was a road ride. It gave the 2 with injuries a chance to get out and test themselves and they did well as you will read. Geez, Tinkerbell, Bugs and Phatboy (good to see him on the bike again) arrived. Mellonfarmer was not riding (he had flu symptoms although I accused him of being Piss crook). We headed round to Hackthorne by reversing our normal homeward ride, out past St Martins, then Beckenham library. We picked up Silverfox and said farewell to Di whom we bumped into. Rung Sandals and arranged to meet her at the Takehe. Up Hackthorne we went at a steady clip, and then hooked up with Sandals. Her shoulder is slowly improving. We decided to go up the road and I let Phatboy set the pace. Stayed on his back wheel although I wanted to go past. He pushed hard cos all he could here was me breathing down his neck. We soon burnt off the others and arrived at the Kiwi ahead. Then Tinkerbell, Sandals and Silverfox followed by Bugs and Geez. Bugs has been fighting off his flu. We then headed up and around the summit road. I took the lead and then put on some pace and gave myself a good burn. Let the others catch up and then we flew down towards the top of Rapaki with the boys trying to use my slipstream to get past. Bugger that. A riding stop while we waited for the tailenders to catch up. Up to castle Rock and then another blast to the top of Bridal Path. While waiting for everyone I gave some tosser a hard time for riding the closed tracks. Up and around to the high point and then we were off and racing. Me leading all the way down to the top of Evans. From here it was a blast as we all took turns getting past each other but my weight won in the end. Fast blast and worth the whoops of joy at the bottom. Stopped for coffee and then the haul home. I led and then when we hit the causeway and just stomped into top gear and flew. Got to the other side and here was Bugs slip streaming me. Big grins. A steady ride home. Please with where I am and also the others are all heading in the right direction.

Tuesday 22nd September

Only Mellonfarmer and Geez showed up at mine for the ride. Don't know why all the others bailed other than the 2 with injuries of course. Weather was looking dodgy but we were keen. The rule was not to ride in the rain. We headed up Huntsbury Spur doing quite well. Looking at the Dark Rain Clouds moving in just on our right. We were sure these were gonna miss. Geez adjusted his brake at the top of Aotea and then up to the top of the houses. The weather was starting to look dodgier in the direction we were heading. I was worried about this but Mellonfarmer was always optimistic. We decided to head to the pylons and make a call. Grunted up to this point and then Mellonfarmer goes, we could drop down old skool. Brilliant as it was blowing hard and the clouds were rolling in. Got to the top and headed down. Mellonfarmer went well while we took it slightly easier. As we headed down the spots of rain got closer together but Geez and I were going faster by then. Some bloody big holes down low along the track edge. Maneaters if you hit them. Rode through St Martins home getting there as the rain became a tad heavier. Nothing much and only an hours ride, but then we rode!!!

Sunday 20th September

finally I get back out on the bike. It has been too damn long and the guys seem to have enjoy poking fun at me about it. But now the revenge of someone finally writing a decent blog.

Anyhow Silverfox and Helmut arrived at mine for the long ride out to Scumner into the wind. Not a bad effort around the river but then The Fox started to drop off over the causeway. We found that mellonfarmer needed a lift over to the redcliffs side cos he was not up to riding maybe. :). Nah not really Tracey was just being nice me thinks. Hooked up with Tinkerbell and geez outside Dot Com and then slogged it up Richmond Hill Rd and then into the shingle of the sub division. Not a bad effort by those young bucks as they managed to just stay ahead of me. Then onto the sheep trail around the farm and over the fence , up and up over another fence or 2 and then there we were at the top. Cool breeze blowing as we rode the short stretch to the start of Greenwood. Sorted we were so straight into it. The guys stopped for a bite and a change of clothes so I carried on down. Nice run, flowed it well and noticed a few repairs on the track. Stopped to check out where the others were and saw MF coming so I carried on down. Got to the road and MF was not far behind followed by Helmut etc. MF had a wee tweek of his rear cluster and straight into Godley. Nobody cleaned the first section but Helmut and MF sure gave it all they had twice. Carried on around and we all seemed to flow quite nicely and then the charge down the Snake. Got good air and gave it all I had. Alas the air started to escape my tire so a quick blow and I was going again. From Taylor's a nice leisurely pace over Scarborough and down Whitewash and back to Dot Com for coffee. Tire was going down again. darn thing. J9 and Grace shared a hot choc with us and then back for the ride home. Tire deflated by Shag rock so got a lift with the girls.

All in all a good day. Trip is coming up quickly. Looking forward to it.

Toosday nite, 15th Septembra

Once again, laziness directs you to the blog de la farmer of mellons... love those juicy mellons, mmmmmm goooood...

in short. nelsie, mellonfarmer, helmut, tinks, bugs, and weird-little rode over the quarry, up the croc to the top gate, back down where tinks, bugs and weirdlittle split leaving t'other three to do it all again.

t'has been commented on that RubberJaws is great at organising rides and not riding them... tis a shame, a crying shame. we hope he organises a good one on Sunday that he may or may not join us on..., Mt Herbert anyone? Blowhard???

Sunday, 13th Septembre

for full details, see Mellonfarmers blog of the ride... unless Helmut wants to enlighten us with another amazing spiel a la last week's?

in short: wrecks, the geez, and the muthaflipper met at weird-little's place, rode up worsleys met Helmut on way up, over marleys twice, Geez stopped at kiwi, the rest then round traverse where Helmut went down lavaflow and other three down Old Skool.

chur.

Sunday 6th of September

Fathers Day so not everyone rode. The following story was written by Helmut. So enjoy and digest as you will. I hear there is no embellishments although Sandals did not ride.

As it turned it may or may not have been another beautiful morning there in Bagdad. We couldn't have cared less as it was defiantly a beautiful day in Sumner. The unusual crew assembled at Dot Com for the pre race briefing. Present and accounted for were - The Goat, Tinkerbell, Bugs, Abba, Sandels, Helmut, and Mother Ted. The timing transponders were handed out and attached as per instructions, numbers pasted on and interestingly for the first time we got bar codes to stick on in case of emergency. Apparently in the case of a bad crash they can scan the bar code at any supermarket or garage and this will bring up your medical records and your mothers phone number. (handy that).

After some discussion as to the best starting procedure we all took off after the goat who had already started. A slow amble through to the lower slopes of the captain, where it was decided it was best to stop for some serious tree pushing action. Having tired of the trees we headed up the hill to witness a most surprising event. Tinkerbell led the way and to the amazement of all - just as he came to a halt very close to the rubber mats - rather than getting off and pushing as was expected - he simply bounced the bike 90deg and began to work his was sideways hopping up the hill cleaning it to the top of the steep section and then riding off further up the track. Later he stated he had seen it done on a DVD and thought it was worth a try. All were most impressed and no one else could match the feat.

Onwards up the Captain with all riding well. Re group at the top then headed out the tracks towards the snake. Nothing of interest to report on the ride out, other than a near over the bars event for the goat. Not really out of the ordinary. Next it was a good old fashioned hammering down the snake. No mucking around and not much braking either.

Big grins all round at the bottom. The plan called for an ascent of the boulder bay track - however there were many walkers. A quick discussion resulted in the decision to put some big ugly fella in front to liaise with the walkes and try to placate them. However Helmut went up front instead. A stunning day with large cliffs and good clean habits'.

Being the polite bunch we are, we kept to the cliff side as we were passing walkers and joggers. We were all glad that there were no large objections to our presence as one gentle push would have resulted in a long drop for us. A long slow excruciating, bum numbing, jaw dropping, spirit breaking, gut wrenching, shattering, sole destroying, emancipating climb up to Godley followed. This was punctuated only by beer and women.

Once up the top again, a pit stop was required by all and we found the Godley

Head and made good use of it. Next a drop below the road and heading back to the top of the snake. It was a fast flowing ride along this section with all managing to bunny hop the undercut holes, which have grown large enough to swallow a Tardis - sideways. Even pushing into the gale force north west gusts some of which were measured at over 140km most still managed top chain ring.

Further re-group and discussion as to the merits of heading back the way we had come. However once it was pointed out that it was such a nice day - a second loop of boulder bay was thought best by all concerned. The second loop went considerably faster than the first time around as all were warmed up by this time. Once we got back to the top of the snake it was the best part of 11am and we really needed to start heading back.

Off along the top tracks again towards the captain. At the high point there was a re-group and from there sandals led off followed by mother ted. Next thing we know the goat exclaimed "I'm coming up the rear" and hooks in behind those 2. This would lead to his undoing as they were not mucking around. The goat did his best to hang on in behind but in the end he splattered himself - all over a rock. He ended up with fluid dripping from his knee and elbow - muttering something about blowback.

Onwards down to the top of the captain for a little re-group before the mad rush down. The call of the caffeine was strong with them - by now. Great ride down by all with no incidents and many smiles. Upon being asked all said they by far preferred going down and all agreed to try to go down at least as often as they go up.

Back to Dot Com which was full and so all retired to the Mudfish to await the official results and placing for the day. Unfortunately there was a fault with the timing equipment and also a protest from the French. Apparently the swimsuits were giving an unfair advantage on some sections. Quick discussion resulted in results reading - stuff the French, Rugby was the winner on the day.

Tuesday 1st September

The first day of spring 2009. It was wonderful with just a touch of wind. The ride, oh the ride was what I wanted. But first an update about Sundays incident. Phatboy has not broken his hand or wrist and after xrays and a couple of Dr's he is recovering well and hopefully riding in a week.

Now back to the first of spring. Silverfox and I pulled into the carpark at Bottlelake to find, Nelsy, Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell, Bugs, Geez, Te Rex, Abba, The Goat and an Argentinian (and no I can not remember his name really). After a bit of mucking around, toilet stop and loading of The new Lights into the van we set off. Took the new track to the right. Tree roots and stumps everywhere but the pace was on. Chasing the quicker riders but the bunch did not separate much. Had a regroup at the hut on the hill and took my sleeves off my jacket with some help from a friend. We then blasted out towards the beach. Had some separation when Nelsy and MellonFarmer stopped to play together in the dark by a jump, but regrouped at the end of the access road by the pine plantation. (Opposite end of the beach really) Silverfox rides in with no light as he did not charge the battery on his new light. After some discussion, I rode the beach track with him (just cos my light is really bright) while the rest of the bodies rode single track. I pushed hard and we regrouped near the Spencer Park turnoff. After a chat we were off again. The fox and I rode a little single track and then onto the forestry roads. Pushing hard all the way to keep in front of the pack. You could see the lights blazing in the forest which just screamed to me, Pump harder get there first! We did it. We loaded the bikes in the van and were waiting for the others when Bugs came in with a fading light (he was on his old light ) after cutting onto the roads. The others arrived back and after a quick count I realised the group had grown. Chris had been pulled into the group somewhere along the way. A great ride and a good pump. Miss all those who did not make it.