Tuesday 24th November

A small ride at Halswell was organised. I picked up the Silverfox and arrived out there early. Abba (surprise surprise) showed up followed by Bugs. We waited a bit and as no one showed up we headed off slowly. Went up the Quarry route and then had contact from Phatboy and Mellonfarmer. They had arrived. We slowly went up the grunty bit to the top and then waited until they caught up. Puffing and wheezing they were. They know how we feel when we chase them all the time now. A quick blast down the steps until we hit the fence and then grind back up through the paddocks and into the zigzags leading out to he road. Cleaned all of this grunt which pleased me. Onto the single track above the Crocodile. Nice ride through here cleaning most of it except 2 little gnarly bits, although some made all bit 1. A blast down to the gate and back up. Some nice work been done on this track. Then the downhill run. MF had a tumble as he was passing a ploncker. No injury really but a gark and twisted bars. He, Phatboy and Abba straightened the bars while the rest of us gave chase to the ploncker. I cut in front of him as we started on the Croc. He was not happy about this and actually started to increase speed, but never caught me. Down, down, down we went and then grunty climb time. I spun once, dabbed and got started again then pushed the last 5-10m. Silverfox cleaned it and Bugs cleaned most of it. Watched the others come down and then started off again. Blasted the last section, did the humps, dropped into the swampy corner with the rock pathway and stinky climb out where we had a regroup. Due to Gurgly guts and the need for a comfortable loo I decided to head home. I dropped the Fox and abba off while the others extended their fitness.

Sunday 22nd November

Only the fittest and the fastest showed up at Dot Com today. Tinks, Bugs and me, Rubbajaws. Due to the slight humidity, which was about 98% we decided to head up Ct Thomas and left towards Godley. The ride up was pretty good. Tinks grumbling about dabbing on spots he normally doesn't, Bugs doing well considering his lack of riding and me impressed by riding a couple of bits that I never do. Then in the top stages I felt like I hit a wall which slowed me some. Onto the Godley track where we all went well for the most part. Bugs dabbed a bit on the first section but after this it was sweet. A flyer down the snake. Worth the uphill and the fear from being on the edge. Down the tail and then back up the road towards Sumner. Pleasant spin. Blasted down Nichols park and back to Dot Com for a coffee. All the wives showed up and so Tinks had to talk to Grace. Only 1.5 hours on the track and we stopped a few times. Enjoyable but short. Will look at the Crocodile for Tuesday. Also going to update the phone list soon. If you do not think you will be riding with us on a semi regular basis let me know and I will remove you from the list as it saves me time and money!! Gotta be in to enjoy.

Sunday 15th November 2009

Tinkerbell, Dozer (Geez), Silverfox and I were the only ones around so we headed off about 9.14.32. Up Huntsbury we went. Warm it was and although we did the normal, "Let's take it easy" we cracked a good pace. At the top we headed left along Mt Vernon, where Tinks went off piste to explore and I jumped in front. Flowed well down towards Rapaki never dabbing and then we headed up Witch Hill to the high point for a regroup. I dabbed a couple of times where I never dab. Teach me for being cocky! Reversed back the way we had come, grunting up Vernon and then blasting around the traverse to the top of Vic. Good run by all through here. Down Thompsons for a food stop in the shade at Sign of the Kiwi. Twas warm on the track. Headed up and and then did the top of Marleys. Bloody great fun. Rode back up for a blast down Worsleys. Not done this for a while. Different lines but dry as and fast. Lotsa fun. Hit the road where Tinks tried to knock me off then a race down towards the hairpin. Scared myself with speed so pulled back a bit. Coffee and home for a deserved rest. Looking forward to Greenwood (via Richmond Hill) and Godley this coming Sunday.

Sunday 8th November

MuthaFarmer, ScarfaceClaw (on the Giant), TinkieWinks, Weird-little and Geez-wahaynus, met at Rubberbits's (who had over-indulged his brain's enjoyment-centre the night previous, thereby ruining his rideability), and hit up Huntbury, Vernon, Witch, Castle Rock, John Britten, Greenwood and Captain Thomas. Mellonfucker bailed at Ferrymead bridge and the others continued back to Rubberschnoz's... it was a beautiful day and a very good ride, with most riding good but all feeling on- and off-form seemingly simultaneously. too bad all you's others missed it...

Tuesday 3rd Novemebr

I picked up Silverfox and headed up to the bottom of the top section of Marley's (aka Flying Nun). We met up with Geez and Bugs. The weather was great, with fantastic views of nothing. We could not even see Marley's from the bottom of the track and the wind was bloody cold. We headed around the road and got blown up the top of Worsely Rd. Fastest I ever got up here and the first time I had wind assistance as normally it is in your face. Got to the top, dropped the seat and off we went. Glasses fogged up so I pulled over and put them in my pocket, Silverfox went past then Bugs and Geez. Back on the bike where I caught the last 2 and at the next bypass I took the low corner and jumped in front. Felt like I was going well although the wind got you anytime you got some air. Back to the vehicles and noted a 20 minute loop. Back we went, up the road and at the top we caught a bunch of riders and Bugs assisted a guy who's pedal fell off, we all had a great run and noted a 15 minute loop. Getting faster on both the up and down. Everyone was feeling better. Up for another run, caught another rider. This was the best run I had, I was even out of breath at the bottom. By the clock it was a 12 minute loop including seat adjustment at the top. Cool air and feeling like I was in control. Everyone was happy but the cloud was getting thicker, the wind stronger and more moisture so we called it quits. Went to Sandals for coffee but she must of heard we were coming and went out again. That's twice. Ended up at Silverfoxes for coffee instead. Good ride all round.

Sunday 1st November

Feeling great, Canterbury won, All Blacks won and so did the Kiwis. What more could you want but a good ride. Had already heard that there were many dropping out for reasons that were so varied. Some good, some were just so dud!!

Geez arrived and started with 'Is this all" . We hopped on the bikes just as Helmut and Sandals rode into view at the corner. A quick update and off we set. Up Rapaki. It is a super highway with lots going up and lots coming down, there is hardly any room to ride. (huntsbury has got to be better than this) Grind grind stop, a chat, check the creak in the bike of Geez,. grind grind and then stop for a regroup. Helmut and Sandals did good for the wounded warriors that they are, Geez and I going strong. Chatted with some older people at the top who were on MTBs and then up and around Vernon traverse. 2 dabs by me which made me curse and swear at myself but not as much as the guy who had done a superman further round. He must of been 70 if a day. Met his mate a few pedal strokes further. Good on them. We had a regroup at the road crossing and then we were off. One of the older people had got in front but by the rock garden I had caught and passed him. He was going hard to stay in front but that was never gonna happen. (I was doing a Richard) Humped on around and then stopped for a regroup before the pines at Vic Park. Sandals decided her shoulder was not going to go much further so we departed at this point. She went down the hill from here and us 3 headed to Marley's.

Good pace up to the top, caught some bods and left Helmut to chat while Geez and I powered to the top. It was like a train station at the top. Lotsa riders and then these youngish bods on new looking downhill rigs showed up. They got a lift to the top of Worsley Road. We let them go first and then I dropped in. The best run ever down here catching all the jumps, hanging it on the corners and just humping it. I caught the downhill boyz (to men) before we got to the kiwi. Helmut hauled in next with some good comments. Feeling good as we headed to the top of Vic again.

Down Dazzas, through Brents and onto Bridges. Some downhillers taking photos of themselves just before going into the trees, slowed us and just as we opened up, deep wet rut caused a heart flutter and a high speed dab, kept it together and did not embarrass the team. We hauled down the track and then rode back up the hidden track. Going well this is. A bit grunty at points but rideable for the most part. Onto old skool and we were flowing down. Very wet in spots causing a few moments, then the 3 bike sized holes appeared but did not get us, so we kept going. Down and out over the gate for a well deserved round of mutual adoration for the days ride.

Awesome ride, and a bloody good way to start the month.