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.