October PFMTBC Trip

Where to begin. I know, at the end.

A great trip was had and I (soon to be BOB) was tired by time I got home. Had heaps of fun and got lotsa good riding in despite the weather God trying to spoil things for us all. Met some interesting people and saw so much of the country. Now you know how I felt about it so lets tell you the story. (edit in here from MF... my view on channel swtchbckr

Although originally we had 14 keen riders, by time we left Christchurch we were down to 9. Many reasons for not going but in the end there is always next year. Mellonfarmer and Nelsy (Bongo to some, Flip and Flop to others) headed out on Thursday to catch an extra ride at the Whites Bay Loop. I picked up Bugs and then headed off to get The Silverfox and Te Rex (he of the Superman moves). We were locked and loaded in short order and off to Woodend where we hooked up with Phatboy (also known as Scarface Claw), Tinkerbell (of course some called him Quasimodo) and Geez (who soon became Dozer and this does not mean he slept). Bugs jumped in the Holden and after testing the communication link we were off and racing. A pleasant trip was had. At Springs Junction the convoy got split when the Holden team pitted early while we went onto Reids Store. Holden racing went passed shortly after our stop and we did not notice. After coffee we waited a bit and then drove through to Murchison where we stopped and waited for about 20 minutes. Finally contacted the Holden team as they drove over the Hope Saddle. The chase was on and we finally regrouped at Tapawera where the boyz were getting some culture while visiting the local museum. Teamed up and onto Motueka for a fuel stop and a quick shop for dinner. Arrived at Marahau mid afternoon, unloaded and went riding.

The 7 of us did Mamma's Kitchen which was just a tease really, fast downhill, a couple of jumps and out. Loaded up and headed around to Kaiteriteri MTB Park where we hooked up with Flip and Flop (MF and Bongo). The tracks here are still quite new and were wet from the rain of the past couple of days. The sand used to build them stuck like cow droppings to chains and brakes. The uphill consisted of a series of switchbacks that were superb. Then a gentle up and down section which was awesome although hugely muddy. A regroup at another peak and then down, down, down. We then headed upwards but got split into 2 groups. The rear group got slightly lost and finally found the way back to the motorcade. Awesome fun but the bikes hated it. Hosed them off at the boat wash and went back to camp for food and liquid refreshments. Dinner was had and after a few more hours of laughs we headed off to the fart sacks.

Day 2 dawned wet and shitty. We were soon to find this the norm. We headed over Takaka Hill into the area known to some as Golden Bay but we know it as Golden Showers. No views of anything at the top of the hill except water and some sheep. Tinks friend Baaaabara was out there playing. We stopped for lunch at Takaka, checked out the local bikeshop and shopped for food. Arrived at the Nook Guesthouse quite early to be met by our hosts, Des and Steph. Lovely couple who got the fire going, did some washing for us and generally saw to our needs. Des is quite a character and had many stories to regale us with of his own adventures. It was too wet to ride so we headed to the Mussel Inn for lunch and some beer tasting. MMmmmmmm. After this back to the Nook for a relaxing afternoon. Kept ourselves hydrated, cooked and ate dinner and schemed for the next day.

Day 3 dawned with some cloud but looked like it was gonna fine up. We decided to head for Puponga and check out Whirareki Beach. Waited for Stormin Norman to arrive from Nelson. (The last time we rode with him was on our Nelson trip). Flip and Flop headed into town and then raced on ahead. Had a lovely drive out and parked up opposite the Pillar Point Lighthouse trail. Headed out to the Farm Park where we rode rolling green hills, sheep shit and puddles until we dropped into the beach. This was fantastic riding and the sun actually shone the whole time we were there. The beach was stunning and we all oohed and aahed before climbing back on the bikes to explore some more. Dropped into the Green Hills beach and Bongo did some dune jumping. We then rode back to the convoy for a quick 1 square meal break before riding up to the lighthouse. This was real off road. Encountered baby head sized stones to ride over and through on the way up. At the top we had some fantastic views of Farewell Spit and along the coast line. Encountered horse people also. Time to come down. Slowly until we passed the horses and then let it rip at pace. Wonderful riding, techy through the stony parts but no incidents. Great ride. We then set off for food. Stopped at the Collingwood Hotel for a lovely lunch before heading to the Aorere Gold Fields. As we unloaded the convoy, the Thunder was crashing and the rain began to fall. Tinks tested the electric fence with his bike and found the whole incident to be shocking. Headed up the road through large amounts of water before starting up a technical, rut and rock filled track. I fell off on the way up to the amusement of some. Rode then pushed, rode some more and wondered what the hell we were doing. Challenging up hill but the sights were awesome. Stopped to check out the caves and then rode some more. Followed the water race around to Druggans Dam. This also helped to clean the chains which had started to suck. It was here that we split into 2 teams. Mellonfarmer, Phatboy and Bongo headed down the track we came up. The rest of the pikers tried a new route. We called it exploring, MF called it piking. Who is to say what it was. I say it was bloody exhilarating. Single track, streams, mud and rocks all the way. Finally connected with a 4wd track which was awesome fun and challenging all the way down. Caught upto and passed some 4wd motors. kept heading down until the last Ford. Tinks cleaned it, Bugs dabbed and I, well I swam in it when I managed to fall off in it. hence the name BOB. Geez then tried to push me in again on his crossing. The best my bike sounded all afternoon was when I came out of the water. We were all pumped by this eventful trip down and we headed back to join the others at the convoy. We were wet. Back to the Nook, showered and fed ourselves. Rehydrated and did all the things we do at night.

Day 4 dawned wet again. We procrastinated about what to do, went into town and bought mementos and had lunch. Norm persuaded us to take advantage of him and shuttle up to do the Rameka. The best idea in the world it was. We parked up at the Canaan saddle and rode to the start of the Rameka. This was all new to many of us. As we started in we encountered slippery tree roots, rocks and huge sucking mud holes. Gently sloping track ever downwards within beautiful native bush. Ferns and beech trees everywhere. This was truly MTB heaven. We rode and stopped, rode and stopped. Mellonfarmer was first to have a biggish off as he flew over the handle bars and landed on a rock nearly in the first stream. Luckily no major injury and he was soon into it again. Te Rex then did a Superman, landing on his chin and somehow getting tangled underneath his bike. On we went and then Phatboy met his bush lawyer and became Scarface Claw as it ripped its way down the side of his face. A stop to stem the blood and off we went again. Still riding wet roots, rocks and mud. Awesome. The track steepened and this was when Geez tried to become a bull dozer. He took a very steep, muddy track down hill. Stormin Norm had missed the track and stopped and Geez took the opportunity to pass. What a move!! Luckily no bones broken but there is a punga laying loose in the bush. We continued ever downwards out of the bush into more open rocky conditions which I found to be funtastic. We regrouped and joined shingle road. We were still at a great height which meant lots more down. The next stop was the Rameka project which was simply stunning benched track. It first went into pine forest and then down through a gorse field. Stunning views and stunning track. Beautiful switchbacks all the way. I rode this with Silverfox and we had a ball. Back onto the shingle road for a fast and furious descent. Awesome fun. We finally got to the bottom with shit eating grins, high fives and adrenalin pumping through us. Rode back towards the Nook. Took a detour to the Grove where we admired the scenery for five before we headed home for dinner. We partied until 2am (at least a few of us did). Fantastic day it was.

Day 5 dawned and we thought it may be good until it rained. We discussed our options and headed up to Canaan Downs. Got there and it was chilly but fine. Rode the road until we got to the first uphill section. I wondered if we were on the right track as I saw no evidence of other riders. When we reached the top we were quickly on to some fun and interesting single track. Some through forest, some farm land and some through bogs. All interesting and most of it was in the rain that had started to fall. The fact that we were all tired did little to assist us in the bog. Finally we headed upwards again. Did it ever stop i wondered. Even the young guys were struggling in the conditions. Got to a high point (there was nothing higher than us) and started to come down. Te Rex showed his Superman skills as he flew but was more like a crashed plane on his landing. Lucky not to injure himself he was. Kept riding, enjoying some bits, loving other bits and just disliking the bogs. The guys who built this track are to be congratulated for the inventiveness with some of the track. Finally got back to the road and then the grind back upto the cars. Whew. Back to the Nook, showered and then rode out for dinner. Yummo seemed top be the best description on the night. We all headed off to bed by about 9-9.30. Tired little bunnies we were.

Day 6. The first really fine day we had. No rain at all. Time to pack and say farewell to Des and Steph. On the road by 9.30 for the long drive home. What can one say about the trip home, nothing. I think we all longed for the comforts that come with home!!

A trip to be remembered not only for the rain but the lack of major injury, or bike failure. A trip that will be remembered for the tracks!!!