Sunday 29th May

Rain rain go away and never come back again!! A week of rain and all tracks that I want to ride closed. Had to go to a Birthday Party with children at QE2 in the morning. Hydroslide and swimming for exercise and even my eyes got a work out. Wowwee!!!! At 1pm Silverfox and Bugs arrived so we set off for Phatboys. Around the road all the way and amazingly he was ready when we got there. From his place we went down Patton St, Retreat Rd then over the Footbridge by Avon Park. No more road for a long time. We were on cycle way all the way to Bridge St in South Brighton. They have even done some work on the track between Brighton and Bridge St. From there we tried to enter the old track round the ponds but a sign said we could not so we headed to Dyers Rd and low and behold there was a gate without a sign so we climbed it and rode around the edge of the ponds. Admired the new pumping station as we went by. At the end we clambered over the electric fence rode through the paddock and over another fence. Around the estuary to the wind surfing park then through Charlesworth Reserve to WAC for coffee and a snack. Needed it as I had had no lunch. From here we went around the edge of the river behind the industrial area, over the bridge and down towards Heathcote Valley. We swung around the Pa site, and rode the back of the river towards the Tunnel Rd, over this and off piste to Bamford St. Down here and round past the wool place and came out on King Edward Tce and then home. All in all about 31km and only about 6-8 of it on the road. Not bad for a city ride.

Sunday 23nd May

weather being as it has been hills had a big fat closed sign on them, and so Rubberjawn and Phatboy decided to watch a 3am game of rugby. Mellonfarmah'd had a bit of a late night himself, so was a bit sluggish when the phone rang at 8.30 and those two were out front of his house, still a bit merry, ready to go. route followed Linwood Ave, Linwood Drain, Hargood St to Ferry Rd, then along trails on the south side of the Heathcote all the way to the Cut, over a footbridge, northbank crossing Tunnel Rd to the southbank again, then round the tracks to Ferrymead, to the bridge, then back round behind the industria and onto Charlesworth St. Nice fresh air feeding our addled brains... rolled in to the Trees For Canterbury planting, guiding and assisting 60 odd people, including a couple of the PFMTBrs, 2000 plants, and a coupla saussies, afterwhich the cycling three cycled back up Linwood Ave, Linwood Drain, Linwood Ave home.

Tuesday 18th May

Farmer of Mellons here... i singled over to fatboy's and we drove to BroadPark carpark, meeting up with RubberJaws and Abba, then up rolled Heckles and Dozer in separate vehicles. JawsOfRubber then discovered he'd bust his bulb, so, no ride for him. the rest of us headed out. Heckles regaling us with his tales of the MoonRide 24hrs solo. crazy mothah. sounded brilliant, and hard to pace yourself to last the distance... anyway, north we rode, along the beach side trails slowly picking up the pace, then in, little bit of singletrack, nice, road, singletrack, and onwards. quite a few stops, yarns, and bits of fast blatting. all up a good wee spin. reminded me how much fun the singlespeed can be out there, and how familiar it all is, the damp cool early winter chilliness, spin spin spin.

no show from Tinks, who we speculated would have been up to his balls in cider...

Sunday 16th May

Mmmm what can one say. Wet wet wet. Thought we could ride so Phatboy, Tinks and Dozer came over and we rode to The Foxes place. Got wettter the closer we got so we all headed into town for coffee and a chat then home again by 11. Bummed no real ride. Tracks were all at avoid anyway. We turnt the pedals though.

Saturday 8th May

Due to Mothers Day being Sunday we organised a ride for today. First one had to go North, one to a wedding, one to a race, one to Sons sports, one to the Bay, then we had one helping one move and one needing to do ones things so after Bugs and I riding to Silverfoxes to meet absolutely nobody Bugs and I rode to Worsley Rd and started the uphill grunt. Just putt putted at a good pace, not to slow yet not like mellonfarmer would. He dabbed twice me 3 times but we both cleaned the steep gnarly top bit. Now we were pumped and off we went down the Nun. Nun of this track stopped us. The A line was cleaned 3 times by me and twice by him. Down we went at good speed. I was hitting all the jumps I normally do and looking for more. Bugs not loosing me nor was he gaining. Flowing it we were. Chuffed we were at the Kiwi. Back up to Vic park then sailed down the rock garden, into the Gums and down. Straight into Dazzas, raced through Brents and Bridges, Flow and hospital Corner. I took the high road and he took the low road and neither of us made it to Scotland afore ye. Then out we went as the drizzle started. Home by 11.45. Feeling real good.

Tuesday 4th May

I headed off and picked up Silverfox then Sandals and headed on up to Marleys gravel pit. Waited for the others to show. Chris (Altarboy), Mellonfarmer and Bongo (The Bongo BoyZ) arrived followed by Dozer and Bugs. We headed off up the hill pretty much together, not to fast as we wanted to make, Mellonfarmer, Altarboy and Bongo look good. I cut Dozer off as we went onto the off road hill climb. At the top, a regroup. We then headed off for my first night ride under lights. I was fourth to go and although a bit of dust it was the cold wind in my eyes that got me. Hit everything pretty well considering and arrived back at the vans in good time. A wee wait as we regrouped then up the road we went and to the drop in point. This time I started fourth and ended 5th. I mucked up the first corner and let Dozer, Bugs and Silverfox in that order get in front. (The Mellonfarmer bit) I did a great bit of riding, really hard out, caught Silverfox, passed him then cut the inside corner to pass Bugs and then hunted down Dozer and rode his rear wheel to the vans. God I am great and fast. (Sorry Mellonfarmer). Regrouped with Sandals and waited for the Bongo BoyZ....they had ridden to The Kiwi and came back up the road. Up for another loop. Same order in, mucked up the same corner but got going before anyone cuaght me. Best run yet. Everyone going better I think. Blasted past the vans and continued to the Kiwi. Seeeet. Headed straight back to meet Sandals at the vans. She and Bugs had lost their flashes on the trail. We headed off leaving the Bongo BoyZ to continue playing.

Sunday 2nd May

The day after Mellonfarmers coming of age party. Gosh did I have fun there. A hoot and the good thing was I did not have to get up early as we had a planting day planned. Bugs, Dozer and Silverfox hooked up at mine about 11.30 and we headed of to Phatboys. Me on the cruiser. Actually lucky to make it alive as Dozer was trying to cut us all off at different corners but he eventually settled. We arrived in good order grabbed the lad who rode Grand Dad and headed down Kilmore. New layout at Barbadoes making it all so much safer for riders. Into town then up Armagh to the park. Shot through here, onto Kilmarnock then right along the rail cycleway. All the way to Tuckers Rd now and first for Bugs. Nice clip. Helped plant 2000 plants then came back in reverse. Even faster I think. Silverfox peeled off at Kilmarnock. Stopped for a Pint at Pomeroys. Bugs and I headed off down Fitzgerald then Ferry before separating. The other 2 headed straight down Avonside before separating. All in all a good ride. Planted a tree for all those who did not make it.