Tuesday 26th January

Got home from work feeling like shite, body did not feel like riding but brain did. The people started arriving, Mellonfarmer, Sandals, Abba, Silverfox, Bugs, and Phatboy. We all set off and headed up Huntsbury. I was a little bit slower but a regroup at the 3rd hairpin and another at the top of the road kept us all together. The misty fog got us just after the last steep bit of track by the pylons. Into jackets for some of us. It was weird with low visibility all the way up. Grunted to the top, never cold. At the traverse track another group went in first then Mellonfarmer and Phatboy gave chase followed by ME and the others. I had a good run through here passing the group of 5 who were hunched up at the halfway point working on a bike. Regrouped at the Pines and then blasted down the Rockgarden and the Gums. The rockgarden caught some out.

A regroup at the skidder site while I wondered off to ensure comfort was had for the rest of the ride. I delivered a 5lb'er. Sandals peeled off to her place. Down Dazzas and into Brents. Love this track for some reason, taking new lines, then down Bridges and then the high line out. Steep but first time that I have cleaned it. Feeling good now. Up the hidden track. Dabbed 3 times but rode the whole uphill. Sucking air as it is steep but good. Then we blasted down Old skool. Loved it and was having fun chasing Phatboy, but never gaining. Silverfox peeled off at the Bottom of Bowenvale Ave, we rode the river and Phatboy peeled when we crossed, then Abba peeled leaving just Bugs, Mellonfarmer and I to complete the circuit. Awesome ride and the tracks were in excellent condition.

Sunday 24th January

I drove around to Silverfoxes and picked him up for the boring drive out to McLeans Island due to the hill tracks being closed again!!!! They were most probably ok to ride but the web said no so we stayed off. Anyway we were advised that Abba was riding out and please pick him up if we saw him. Near Sawyers Arms Rd we saw Tinks and Dozer ahead of us. As we got close to the track Tinks pulled over and picked Abba off the road. We then passed Te Rex with a couple of hundred metres to go. Parked up beside Bugs then we mucked around, and oohed and aahed about bikes. Set off along the track, Te Rex striding out, then Abba, then me pacing it for the others. Tinks did get passed but then stopped to blow air into his tyre. We carried on at a steady pace. Stopped at the bridge 8km and regrouped. Then into the new section Te Rex, Silverfox and Bugs took off. I continued to pace it for others. We nearly caught SilverFox before the bridge. He and Bugs were falling of Te Rex's pace. Stopped for a chat and a bite then back to the beginning. Me pacing myself with Silverfox, Bugs and Dozer following. The fast boyz were at the track entrance gasping for air when I went back into the track at my steady mile eating all day lasting pace. Bugs and the Fox on my tail. Others rested. Abba and then Te Rex joined the group and this is how it stayed for the next 15km loop, with no stops or speed drop. Just a steady pump. Tinks and Dozer did the 10km loop and beat us to the carpark by 1.5km.

The track is dead boring but I got air 2-4 times. It is fitness only. All in all a good pump and enjoyed it and the company. We headed home dropping boyz as I went.

I will contact Nick Singleton today regarding track closures as many of us are getting frustrated by the speed that they are getting closed. We have reports that the tracks were good to go yesterday and many plebs were on them.

Tuesday 19th January

Silverfox, Bugs and I set off from my place picking Abba up at the corner. Blasted around to Phatboys where we picked up Tinkerbell, Phatboy and surprise surprise Twopot. Headed down past Avonside Girls, over the bridge and along the river towards town. Good pace set and at Barbadoes we had one lot go one side of the river while a few of us followed the normal track. Regrouped in Vic Square. Played, drunk some water, chatted and then off we went. Did the figure 8 of North and South Hagley. Pumped the track hard all the way. Back through town and then back to Phatboys. We once again split into 2 groups on the way back.

The beer was pulled from the fridge and discussions were held on 2 upcoming events.
These are listed below. After discussions were finished we played on the Wii, drunk more beer before riding home. Lovely night to be out and about.

Number 1. We will assemble in Hamner Springs between 12 and 1 pm on Saturday 20th Feb. Do some riding and for those who wish stay the night, shoot the breeze and ride again Sunday morning. Accommodation arranged all you need is sleeping bag and money for food..

Number 2. The PFMTBC fun ride. 13th March. This is to be an inclusive ride with our partners and you can bring a friend if you have one. We will start at Robbie's on Pages Rd by the Brighton Bridge. Meet at 12 for a 1 pm departure. We will then amble in to town via tracks and very quiet streets. 3 or 4 stops along the way. This is not a pub crawl although you will be able to get drink along the way. (tea, coffee, beer or wine) Eventually we will end up at the Belgium Torrenhof. For those who wish to stay we will be booking a table for dinner. I need confirmation of numbers for the meal by 13th February. The pace of the ride will not be fast as we want everyone to enjoy our afternoon out. Let me know who is in.

The organising committee hope you can join us.

Sunday 17th January

After much consideration it was decided that we would ride even though the weather was looking dodgy. Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell and Dozer all showed up on time. Off we went, grinding up Huntsbury with the cloud gathering at the top of the hill. No real water laying on the track. Due to us being keen followers of the MTB code we avoided the singletrack due to wet weather (although tracks looked quite dry) and headed around the rode towards the Bridal Path. The cloud was actually dry. Poor visability but we had no moisture on our clothes even though the wind was cool. At Castlerock we had an inspection and decided that the track was good to ride. The rocks were a bit slippery but the track was in great condition. No puddles or sticky spots at all. Down the bridalpath we came then right onto the track towards Morgans Valley. Stayed off the no bikes track dropping down into Morgans valley itself. Around the back of ferrymead, onto the tow path and then to WAC for coffee. Nice trip in all. Enjoyed the pump.

Welcome to 2010

There has not been much happening on the riding scene for most people. I see Mellonfarmer has been out and I got a couple of rides on my holiday. The first was up the Marahau-Motueka Hill. Good gnarly road climb and then left into the Kaiteriteri forest. Down the fire road and into Big Mommas Kitchen. Down and out and the next good one was Kaiteriteri MTB trails. These are sweet in the dry and have been extended since the boyz were her in October. There is a couple of connecting tracks that will take you up for some downhill runs. I had some fun and then back to camp. A couple of road cruisers with the family also.

Wednesday I hooked up with Phatboy outside the Physios. (My hand is feeling much better). We cruised off on Grandad and the 3 speed. Stopped at the Sandrich for a beer with the Wednesday Lads, then jumped on the bikes and checked out a bar on Selwyn St for another beer. All good but we were on a mission. On the bikes and headed to the Silverfoxes for another beer with him and Di. 3 beers, a couple of puffs and 2 games of pool later we jumped on the bikes for a blast home. Headed into the easterly pushing as hard as our legs could. Lovely to be back on the bikes. Looking forward to some ride time on Sunday.

Meet at mine 9.15. Could be a longer ride just to punish us for being slack. Up Huntsbury and then point towards Godley. Weather dependant of course.

Important Notice. Silverfox is now 50. The oldest but not the slowest.