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.