Tuesday 29th June

Bugs and I started the ride to Phatboys, hooking up with Abba at the church. An uneventful trip was had and arriving there we found him, Dozer' Tinkerbell and Graeme (p's brotherinlaw). We did the around the river trip into town and then around North Hagley, crossing over into South Hagle and then another circuit of North Hagley. Ended up back at Pomeroys for a beer, a lovely Smokin Bishop. Abba, Bugs and I then rode back to our respective homes. An enjoyable if boring ride. Nothing much to comment on really but we are looking forward to dry tracks by the weekend.

Saturday 26th June

All hill tracks closed again so Silverfox and I drove around to pick up Phatboy but alas we could not prise him out of his bed. We then headed out to McLean's Island and hooked up with Bugs and Dozer. A full loop at a steady pace is all you can say really. The tracks were wet and soggy but no real puddles. Silverfox had a off when he lost the front wheel but even this was boring, no injuries or anything to look at. Finished the ride and then went home. Boring but at least we went out and got the bikes dirty.

Tuesday 22nd June

A boring ride due to track closures. In fact the most exciting thing on the ride was trialling my new lights. Brilliant in all ways. The iblaaast9 and the aftaburner. Clear and crisp. But it was not all about me. Phatboy had his new camera, Mellonfarmer could not do single track, Silverfox had low light, Bugs was happy, and Abba was no longer lonely when we found him. We shot up Huntsbury, starting in the cold and finding it warmer at the top. Found Abba between Huntsbury and Rapaki then we rode round to Mt Pleasant and then down. Home by 8, pretty dull and would of been good to have some mud flying but alas no.

Saturday 19th June

Finally the wheels got to turn. Only Dozer and Bugs went out Thursday as I was sick and others had reasons for not showing. Today we went to plant trees again. Phatboy, Dozer, Choirboy and Mellonfarmer showed up at mine for a blast. All tracks closed again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had on a large pack with extra clothing, lights and Battery as I was going out afterwards (or so I thought). Up the Rapaki with the usual leading. At the flat bit the fast 3 went up Montgomery Spur while Dozer and I plodded on. We waited for ever at the crossing of Vernon for them and when they finally arrived we all moaned that the Traverse was not open. As we rode the road we got pissed as u could see the track was dry as. At Victoria we dropped down the 4wd track to find they have put lotsa loose shit at the bottom of a fast run. Dangerous shit. Down to the planting site on a no MTB track which we rode and then across country with spades on bars to the planting. Planted lots. Even enjoyed watching Downhill plonkers push their bikes up K2 only to ride down the same stretch. Up for a BBQ and then down the tarmac and home. Good to get on the bike but gosh I want some single track.

Saturday 5th June

A time to plant more trees. This time we celebrate Arbor Day. Even better we do it beside one of the best tracks around. Silverfox and Te Rex showed up at mine and we set off up the Rapaki Highway. A bit overdressed as it was cold to start but got warmer real quick. Cruised straight to the top passing a couple of riders as we went. No stops until the top. A pee and then back on the bike up round the Vernon track. Surprisingly dry for the most part. Only 2 dabs which annoyed the hell out of me. Led off omn the Traverse track at good pace. No mud here . Blast blast and hit evrything you can style of ride. Then at Vic we dropped down Thompsons and then up to Marleys. Met Di the ranger and laughed about the weather. Normally this planting is always cold but not today. Rode to the start of the planting area catching first corner and trying to talk the others into doing it but no. Planted for the next 1.5 hours and then time to ride. Flew down the Nun, loose only once and that was just cos the track had a but of slime on the corner. Hitting all the bumps and jumps I could. The Fox hanging in behind until near the middle carpark where I got a jump as he wobbled. flew the next bit to the Kiwi. Decided to go down the old Dyers road track. This was slippery, wet and loose in spots but pushed as hard as I could. We bailed at the road and headed down the tarmac. Great ride.

Tuesday 1st of June

The first day of winter and what would you expect...a cold night. That is what it was when Sandals and Abba arrived at my place. We set off for Broadpark where we met Tinkerbell and Bugs. That was it, just the 5 of us. It felt somewhat warmer here and we hummed and hahed about whether to take the jackets. We did which was lucky. We set off along the beach and then into the first humpty bit of track, where I was still settling my vision into the night time riding thing. The next section was good and then we climbed to the shelter. As we neared the top a bit of mud was encountered but nothing compared to what we would find later. We headed towards the Bottle lake HQ on good track until we encountered the new stretch from the Landfill Rd. This was muddy, slippery and a little bit interesting. Straight into the next section we went, I was leading and thinking we were all doing well until suddenly I was no longer on the track. It was gone. Bugs took the lead and pointed out we missed a new section. It was about now we noticed the mist had turned into steady drizzle and I removed my glasses. Abba reassured us that it would be from behind shortly and not to worry. I think he writes TUI ads. He forgot to put YEAH Right after the statement. :) From here I led again with Bugs telling me another TUIS story about a new bit of track going straight ahead, after missing the turn I found out it went to the Right. Bugs was again leading. Then into the old familiar tracks to the turn off before Spencerville. We did a slow crawl through here instead of a stop and then I led into the return journey. The drizzle was heavy and into our face (nearly rain now and drenching.) Mud was flying and we no longer tried to avoid puddles. In this section I nearly had a whoops as I caught my front tyre on an edge. Sat upright and had to listen to a couple of wise cracks about the look on my face. Carried on, with our vision now impaired by the drizzle. Puddles, mud, splatter, grit and the sound of grinding coming from the bikes. Visions of our last trip to Golden Bay. Bugs passed me and led into the last section before the HQ stop. Here we met 3 riders who were about to enter the track. 2 were visions and the other was a guy who we did not talk to. The nurse was vaguely familiar to me and laughed about how we looked. After this briefest of interludes back into the muddy track, taking it with more pace and then into the homeward stretch. By this time Abbas old style brakes no longer worked which kept the pace on for him. Got back to Broadpark by 8pm and found very light drizzle. Loaded up and headed home all feeling wet but good. Nice ride and nice company at a nice pace. Hopefully see everyone for the planting ride on Saturday.