Tuesday 27th July

After missing any riding for 2 weeks and being ill with Pig Flu also, I decided to do a road ride on the cruiser. Let everyone know what was happening as Mellonfarmer was gonna head up the hill so there was room for a split. About to ride home from work and found I had a rear flat on the cruiser. Threw it in the van and raced home to fix it. Not as easy as I thought cos I had to remove gear set and brake arm just to get the wheel off. Anyway I got it ready before time to meet the lads.

I went outside to find Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, Te Rex, Bugs, Silverfox, Tinkerbell and Dozer. The split was Mellonfarmer and Te Rex went up the hill and the others all came with me. I had a plan. We went over the bridge, and followed the river round Hansen Park avoiding the walkers. Followed the river all the way to Colombo then found our way to Barrington St, right into Milton then 2nd left past the mall and continued towards Brougham. Across Brougham on past the church and then to Hagley Park. Half a circuit of South Hagley and 2/3 circuit of North Hagley. Back out by Armagh then down past the museum, rowing sheds hugging the river, Down cashel, up High, past the Cathedral then down Worcester through the Tram Junction, New Regent St then Manchester and around river to Pomeroys for a beer or 3. Good ride without stops to keep the heart pumping. Mellonfarmer joined us for a couple of beers too. Smelly ride home by myself as most of the team left before PB, MF and me.

Sunday 18th July

All the tracks were closed, so a few of the boys, Meerky, and not sure who else, met at 'Jawn's and headed up Krapaki and along the slummit road to Scumner where they had coffee and returned viat the flatness that is the causeway.

meanwhile, Mellonfarmer did the Wharfdale with a couple of guys he knows (one the father of his son's best friend). he muchly enjoyed that, tho has been hungry for days since.. Apologies to all and sundry, he meant to txt suggestion to ride with him to the others, but didnt realise he hadnt til waaaay too late...

Sunday 11th July

What a frost. Coldest ride so far me thinks. After a night at Bugs' place with a midnight spa the boyz arrived. Choirboy, Mellonfarmer, Silverfox, Dozer, Phatboy and Helmut on a weird thing (29 wheel up front, rear brakes only, 3 speed carbon, no shocks). No Bugs as he was tired and needed to clean up before the wife got home and No Sandals. She was still asleep. Rugged up and cruised up Rapaki. Cold start but needed to take off the overcoats by the 1st gate. Pedal pedal pedal to the top. I woke up Sandals and suggested she hook up, but alas the warm bed got the better of the argument. We the rode around the road, As the Tuis ads go. Down Thompsons which was good for the first half, sloppy for the 2nd. Everyone feeling good, but cold. Some icy road about. Up to the top of Worsley where seats were dropped and coats put on for the downhill. Slippery and loose control down the bodybag, then sloppy hole then icy ruts. Pick a line and hope you picked right. Phatboy enjoying his Muddy Max or whatever tire. Was holding the lines better than others. Some icy spots. Helmut and I lost it on one iced rock. Got down not to bad and enjoyed it thoroughly. Down the road but avoided the steep section with a cool bypass at the side. Nice. Then through Cracroft and around the river. Coffee and home. Nice day, nice ride.

Sunday 4th July

Yippee the tracks are open. Mellonfarmer, Bugs, Dozer and the Silverfox met at mine. Bloomin cold it was and I was feeling a tad tired after a late night at the Bismark Bar with J9 and Phatboy. Cruised up Rapaki, noticed it was full of woman walkers and Runners only for some reason. Dozer feelin a bit off so gave us all an excuse to relax on the up. Headed left over Witch Hill and then back towards Rapaki. Good to get the eye into single track again. The Silverheadedfox had a slow leak so we met him on the way back. Up over Vernon with this being in good nic except for the Teddington chip being soft and sucky in a couple of spots. Cleaned all except the last rocks where I got through then dabbed. Phew how did I do that. We regrouped at the start of the Travers where we all had a blast. The Mellonfarmer did not get away from us at all in this section. I chased and closed on him and Bugs and the Fox were chasing me also. Had a regroup for the Fox to fix his flat and then around to Vic. Had a chat with some dudes and then into Thompsons. All sweet through here. A young couple hiding in the trees with their baby as we went through. I think we scared them. Then up to the Kiwi for a quick break and then around to Marleys. Icy in the shade as we climbed to the top and wet and sticky as we started down. This track should of been closed. I stacked it on the first corner. After telling everyone that it was sweet and just roll in and let go, I roll in and loose the front wheel and plant myself on the rocks. No real damage except my pinky hurts and now so does my wrist. Carried on down carefully as the track was slick then up into Vic and down the gums (where i hurt my toe) and then Dazzas. Took K2 from here. Tracks would of been wet and we were not risking it. All in all a good ride.