Hell Hot hamner weekend

Phatboy and I headed up to Hanmer with our Families Friday night. Had a quiet evening and a beautifully relaxed morning in the hot pools. We then headed back to the house and got ready to ride.

Abba, Mellonfarmer, Bugs and Dozer arrived first followed shortly after by Sandals and Helmut. Sorted some shite and then onto the bike we got. Headed out slowly in some really hot sun. Alistair and Nico bailed on the main ride for some fun on their own. The rest of us headed up Chattertons Rd and into some single track. The first bit was rocky with some challenges. I was pleased with what I cleaned. Loved cleaning one section and hearing Phatboy dab. (it was only cos I took his line of sight though) Stopped in some shade before heading up a little used climb. First 50m were shite but after this it was sweet. then a grunty climb towards the Pylon. MF rode this and the rest of us made attempts with varied degrees of success. Hot weather killing me. Regrouped and dropped into a really dark section of track. Wished I took the dark glasses off for this. Then up into some Beehives and From here a quick blast to the Jacks Pass Rd and the start of the Tank Track. Nice blast down here, twisty with roots but oh so fun. Regrouped in the shade again. it was something that needed to be done as the heat was unrelenting.. Up a short gravel section (which I am pleased to say I cleaned with a few others) then down a great section of Majuba and then a cruise to the bottom of Timberlands Trail. This was another grunty up hill. Rode up the Joliffes Saddle Track, a couple of us cleaning it all (gosh I sound like Mellonfarmer now!). A regroup and then a bloody awesome blast down Upper Dogstream. Narrow, rooty, rocky and twisty. Loved it all. We then crossed the stream and went onto Detox. Great blast down again taking the so called XXX route, (if this was triple XXX the chicken route must of been for wheelchairs). Did Mach1 and then climbed a short forest road and dropped into the Forest camp. From here we headed up Jollies Pass Rd for a bit before heading up the track leading to Threshold Trail. Steep bloody climb and this time I walked some just because I got so bloody hot. The trail down was a bloody amazing mix of downhill, steep steep switchbacks, little climbs and more switchbacks on narrow trails. Awesome run. Challenged myself all the way and pleased with how I went. In fact we were all pleased with how we went, as we should be. Ended the ride with a Monteiths at the pub.

That night we all had a wonderful meal, cooked by Sandals, and a few drinks, a game of pool and table tennis. Wonderful way to rehydrate. Got to bed by 1am.

Up and cleaned the house and then got on the bikes by 11. Rode up the Jacks pass Rd before heading into the Tank track, Majuba, up Timberlands and then blasted down Red Rocks which was awesome. headed back for some lunch where most of us jumped in the cars and headed home while, Abba, Helmut and Sandals headed up and did a couple of tracks including Threshold.

Great weekend. 3 observations, Santa Cruz bikes make people look good, and wide handlesbars are no good in trees!!!! Beer is no good for Rehydration but it does make you feel good.

Tuesday 16th February

What was going to be a full team slowly dwindled with Tinks at a concert, Mellonfarmer looking after kids, Phatboy out to Dinner. I was going to drive the Ute and all of a sudden it was going to be a squeeze. Abba and Bugs showed up and we drove to Silverfoxes and loaded him, then up the hill to Sandals where we squeezed everyone in. 5 of us and no word from Dozer. Off we went towards Governors Bay. About 5 minutes out the phone rung and Dozer was wondering where we were. We all met at the Jetty carpark where Sandals told us a story. We all thought it was going to be rude due to the way she started, but........ it was just about nice "Sunrises". Unloaded and rode the track around the foreshore to Allandale. Nice 3.5km cruise. Looked for the entrance into the farmpark but were not sure so rode the road to the start of Living Springs MTB track. Now the story gets good, Sandals needed to put her jacket somewhere. People said about having packs to share. Things took a turn for the worst and "she was only offered a small one and this did not fit properly, someone pointed out that they had a big one but Sandals said no, don't worry" Things got better as "he" who shall not be named at this time said "Give it here woman!". Eyes bulged around the place as this sort of talk was unheard of. In the end the jacket was carried by the Alpha Male mentioned in this story.

We now started the ride. Up the steep grunty bit that is not as bad as everyone thought the first time we rode it. I led into the Pines. This is a great uphill, steep and challenging but smooth riding. The only time I dabbed was when we had to clamber over the pine across the track. A quick regroup at the top and then we went searching for the new track. It was found but somewhat disappointing as it is not long enough. We rode it in both directions cos we could. A pit stop was held and then into the downhill. Everyone flowed this well, all doing better than others in different spots. Great techy downhill due to the narrow tracks.. We were all sure that some alterations had been done. After this we followed the track into and through the farm park so we now know where to go. Back along the foreshore and onto the jetty for the above shots. I am in the middle......well my bike and helmet are. Loaded and came home. It was a great night with some relaxing laughs and some great riding.

Sunday 14th February

The Valentines Ride.

Tinkerbell, Bugs, Dozer and the Silverfox arrived promptly at mine for a 9am departure. We waited for Mellonfarmer (late) then Phatboy(very late) who arrived by car with a flat tyre so we waited some more. Half and hour after scheduled departure we got going. Sandals was waiting at the top for us. (patiently). The ride up was quite enjoyable. We headed around Vernon towards Rapaki, I dabbed a couple of times and then after seeing Phatboy tumble I lost concentration and dabbed big time again. After this a good blast down and then over Witch Hill. I watched Dozer try and unsuccessfully move some rocks during this section. Round to castle rock which was a great blast, Tinks was going a bit slow which surprised but he sped up from here as he got into it. John Britten Reserve and then into Greenwood. Blasted through here until the Silverfox decided to go one better than Phatboy and Dozer. Difference was his was a harder hit with saw ribs to remind him to stay on the bike. Carried on blasting, loving it all the way, chasing Tinks who was chasing Phatboy who was chasing Mellonfarmer. Due to time when we got to Evans Pass we headed down Ct Thomas. I bailed on 2 sections but was amped with the ride. Coffee and a chat and then home. Even with the reduced gearing I managed a good clip across the causeway before going around the back of Ferrymead and along the rive home. All up maybe 35-40km. Bring on Hamner.

Sunday 7th February

I had been wondering whether to ride as I had a snotty nose etc. decided yes as we were expecting 3 ozzies to join us. I rode over to Silver foxes on my own as Bugs was away, Phatboy was away and Tinkerbell...well Tinkerbell was doing a Tinkerbell. Something about adjusting his bike today instead of Yesterday, so we all wondered if there was a lady from overseas blowing through town that he might of fallen for. Maybe not, maybe he was Tinkering.

Anyway in order of appearance at the end of the Silver foxes Drive..Me , Silverfox, Mellonfarmer, Te Rex and then along came Dozer. No Ozzies. Up late it seems. Silverfox had arranged a couple of Aucklanders to meet us but they were no where to be seen by 9.30 so we headed off. Closer to Worsley I start thinking, poo it is wet and I should not ride. But then I did anyway. The Aucklanders rung so Dozer and I slowly went on while the others waited. We actually made it to the end of the Tarmac before they caught up which surprised me. The Aucklanders who go by the name Mountain Vikings (Tim and Mark) were actually a couple of really nice guys. They are on a trip from top to bottom of NZ on bikes with slicks. But when they can they through knobblies on and become real cyclists like us.

We cruised on up Worsley in the fog with everyone breathing slightly harder, except for a couple of us who were breathing really hard. Regrouped a few times getting to know the Vikings. Got to the top and I must admit I walked the last bit as did Dozer and the Fox. Said Hi to a couple of machine riders and then up to the top of Marleys. MF led followed by yours truly, then Tim then others. I was loving the ride and obviously Tim was enjoying himself cos of all the hollering and whooping going on. Regrouped halfway then onto the Kiwi for a regroup. More whoops. Down old Dyers at incredibly stupid speed with shit eating grins at the end.

Sandals made contact and we decided to meet at the skidder site. Up into Vic and we snacked and chatted while we waited for her. Down Dazzas and into Brents. I love the sketchiness of this and took some new lines followed again by Tim. Round Flow, into the High lines of Bridges, down the steep ending (which has scored a new name today of Hospital Corner) then a regroup before heading up the Hidden Valley Track. A regroup at the top and then a fast blast down old Skool. A great ride had by all. We all split in differing directions. the Vikings came back to mine for coffee and some info.

Had a great chat and will follow their exploits with interest. Nice guys who did well on their cross country bikes, 100mm of travel and no experience on our tracks. made a nice change to help some out of towners discover what we have.

Catch ya Later.

Tuesday 2nd February

After a bit of mucking round on my part Silverfox and I went out to load the van and found Sandals and Abba waiting so we all squeezed in. Easy drive in light traffic out to Dot Com where we hooked up with Bugs, Tinkerbell, Mellonfarmer and Phatboy. We eased into the ride and when we hit Ct Thomas we started the grunt. The usuals took off a bit quicker than I and and a couple of others but they did quick regroups. It was a good ride with a couple messing up a few times which was unusual for them. We all got to the top in half an hour or slightly less. This was from Dot Com which is a good time. A regroup and chat and then onto the Godley Track. Messed up the usual and a bit I never mess but then it was sweet. I was feeling good and gave it a nudge. The nevegal really gripping on the loose and the rock. God I love these tyres. Blasted down to Livingstone Col then up and over to Breeze. Then took the track out to Godley with everyone enjoying the views. Mellonfarmer got the leap on us all on the track below the road as we headed back to Breeze. I pumped hard in chase never going to catch him of course but it was a hoot. Slowed at the finish to find Silverfox behind. Tinks had punctured his tyre while Phatboy punctured one of his knobblies on a excursion off the track. A couple of patches later we headed down the Snake. Cool blast, lots of air and the relaxation of a hard ride down. Cool. Regrouped and then down the tail and up the Scarborough Rd before dropping down Nichol's. Great ride, great company.