The October trip, 15th to 20th.

Left home at 7.45am and arrived smack on time at Silverfoxes. Loaded up his gear and 2 bikes before heading around to find Te Rex all ready. Arrived at the meeting place (Cookie Time) with plenty of time to spare. Bought some goodies before Phatboy arrived with Mellonfarmer and Dozer. At 9.02 Bugs arrived with Sandals and Helmut. We hit the road for Dunedin. Stopped for a quick bite in Oamaru (where all the woman are older than 60). Finally arrived at the Leith Valley Motor Camp which was our home for the 5 nights of our trip. Worked out well with everyone making use of Phatboy and my apartment. Did some groceries and picked up some beer from Emerson's before changing into some clothes for our first ride.

As we always do, we let Mellonfarmer take the lead and show us the trails, (he is the best map reader after all). We grunted up a few steep streets behind the camp and eventually found the top of the Redwood Loops. Awesome little track that Zigs and Zags down a hill. Lots of switchbacks and loose stone but oh so enjoyable. At the bottom the track gently loops back up to the beginning. The third loop saw Phatboy sideswipe a tree, he went over the bars, garking his knee quite well. He and I headed back to camp to attend to first aid duties while the others completed another loop.

We had a good dinner and then drunk until midnight to prepare for the next day. As the evening wore on The dreaded one and his mate Mike from Canada showed up. Tinkerbell got there about 10.30 with the lone GOAT in tow. The team was assembled for the next day.

Day 2 dawned with lovely sunshine and it was warm. We would learn to hate both before the day was done. We headed up the Leith valley to the Nichol's Track. This is a beautiful track that Zigs, Zags and sidles up through some awesome native bush. It reminded me of the Koru in Wellington. The biggest hold up was the Dreaded one riding on skinny tyres that kept getting holes in. He swears never to do this again. We had a quick break at a clearing near the top. At this point the track has not been completed and we continued up a walking track. This entailed much carrying, lifting, throwing, scrambling and getting ripped at by the plant life. I arrived first followed by Sandals. I had the camera set to catch people as they arrived. A rest was had before dropping and climbing along the Swampy Summit trail. We dropped down eventually to a parking area called the Bullpen. All feeling hot by now. After not being able to decipher the maps properly or find the trail we wanted we headed down the shingle road and looped back up anther to find Snakes and Ladders. This trail looked good on film and photo. Was meant to be a nice little skills area. Reality is a different thing. some nice drops and chutes followed only to be killed by stupid ups in loose shingle. The only person who seemed to enjoy it honestly was Helmut. I heard moans from everyone else. Half the team split at the first exit and headed back towards the Bullpen while the others continued on. The sensible half slogged back up the hill in some intense sun and heat. Water was now running low. The other half then had a break as yet another puncture happened before completing the ride. The word is that there were some more enjoyable challenges in there but also lotsa shitty bits. Not worth doing or riding there was the general consensus. The first group got to the Bull pen and started straight up towards the top, stopping for a quick bite in the shade. Sandals went for a swim in the pond. We saw the rest coming so ambled onwards and upwards. Eventually stopping at the top of swampy summit ready for the downhill. All were now running out of water or out. Well actually we thought this. It turns out Te Rex had another litre left when we got back to camp. The first downhill was interesting with everyone riding what they could. No one got all the way without dabbing. The top of the Zig zags finally arrived and the group got into a riding order and we were off. Yippeee and yahoo. Swooping and switching our way down the hill. So much fun to be had. Enjoyed it immensely. The usual group out front with me leading another group. All riding sweet. Silverfox caught his bars on a tree slowing him, then at an intersection Dozer led some down a shortcut. Nearly took this route myself (both times we rode this track). Finally achieved the bottom in good condition. The Dreaded one had yet another puncture on the way down. Back to camp where i cooked. No big session tonight as everyone was tapped out. In bed by 9.

Day 3. Another sunny morning. headed out on the road for Signal Hill. Long climb up the tarmac road. Lucky we had Mr Maps cos I would of got us lost with my lack of skills. grind grind grind ever upwards. Eventually got to the monument at the top which had better view's than any of us ever imagined. Some saw more than others. You just had to be on the ball. After Mellonfarmer looked at the maps we all concurred that we knew nothing as far as where to ride. The maps were all shite. Lucky for us that a guy Brent from the Bike Otago Shop was prepared to show us down. I loved this downhill track. Tested me to my limits but I still rode 95-98% of it. I personally would of done this a few more times, but I did not want to ride all the way back up and we found no room on the shuttle. The weather started to close in so went back to camp for lunch. This was a nice wee rest while the weather was doing its thing and helped set us up for the afternoon that was to come. Eventually after listening to much bleating and having watched the film that we had of the morning we loaded bikes onto the cars and drove to the Redwoods. Lucky for us they hold so much water before dropping it on the ground. Oh and the fact that it stopped raining helped even more. A few loops of this. I raced around trying to get some hand held footage. The others stopped at the bottom and hatched a plan while I finished a loop. After some chuckling at my expense we agreed to heading to Bethunes, (This is now called Buffoons after a group of riders who could not find their way). Mellonfarmer had a map so I left mine at camp. we arrived at Forrester's sports Field. Sandals suggested driving into Buffoons but after some discussion and looking at a drawing we stayed where we were. Into the forest for a couple of downhill switchbacks before ending up at the cars again. Hmmm, not what we thought would happen. We followed the leader down into the BMX cause which was fun then some shingle track before finding a road. Hmmm which way now. Buffons was the call but where and how do we get there now. Down the road and finally found a track going up. This was the start of some serious fun. At the top we heard the call that we will stay high now for sure. But this was Buffoons. We immediately headed downhill on some sweet track which was enjoyed by all. We then headed up another walking track that led to some off road. Following this we found a nice play area that had us all attempting to ride this. Some laughter and a rest. We found some awesomely sweet downhill. fast, flowing and yet tight with little drops. So sweet. I was so pumped by endorphins I could of ridden up a hill again. And that is what happened. Up a steep grunty track that was steep and grunty all the way. Guess what now. That's right another downhill run. This was funtastic, awesome and so cool. I challenged myself by staying on the hard route before going down the Expert line. Others took the sport line. (They had a couple of signs with arrows to keep the racers on cause). I can not say enough about this run. I loved it. At the bottom there were only 5 of nine arrive. Oops. The other four took the sport line. We five took another uphill which was the track we first came down. Not bad up and we followed this, taking a left near the top before coming out on the road and rejoining the group. Down into Forrester's park before following a track around the back which led to the top of the trees we first started in. fast down and back to the cars. Buffoons completed. To me this was the best track of the weekend followed by Signal hill. Oh the laughs about Buffoons. Lucky for maps!!!!!!!

Headed home and had some food before anther night of drinking. Poor Tinks had to go home now.

Day 4. It had been decided to follow Mellonfarmers call of doing the Government track. This is part of the old packhorse track to Cromwell and the goldfields. the plan was to start at 9 and be back by 12. We started at 9.30 and back by 3ish actually. Nearing our destination and the clouds were looking grim. I made the statement that Mellonfarmer will be saying that I will be saying Oh look at the rain. I was right about his mind working like that. The closer we got the more the sun came out which was pleasing to behold. Started up the track and the 1st hundred metres did not look good. But then we got onto the main trail and it was sweet native bush riding at an easy gradient all the way. I ambled up to keep energy and also to enjoy the plant and bird life. A few sections to carry or lift the bikes over and some trees down. Nice drops off the edge to catch you if you made a mistake. Lots of slippery wet roots and rocks. One cold wind exposed paddock a third of the way and then also some fine hail about 2 thirds of the way up. At the top, beautiful sunshine and bad weather coming. Downwards we went. oh so sweet. A few slips and slides but plenty of fun coming down. Regroups regularly to make sure all was well. Te Rex testing a real bike (with real suspension). Shit hot fun. Snowed briefly on the way back but no rain. All got to the bottom safely. The drive back saw some serious shite weather. Stopped for more beer, which we did not drink that night. Out for a meal before going to bed by 10.

Day 5. Weather was meant to be shite and did not expect a ride. Weather held out so we went up the Nichol's zig zags. A brief brush with bush lawyer on the way up and another brush with a tree on the way down were my highlights. I even cut time off my previous trip down even though the track was now wet and slippery. Everyone dabbed a few times. Unfortunately this had to be proved by actual video evidence. I took the top a but slow and got faster as i went down. Bugs on my tail with the camera rolling. We loved the run. Back to camp just before the rain set in for the day. Stopped at bike Otago before 5 of us went for a tour of Emerson's with Richard Emerson himself. Great trip with some nice tastings that set the tone for the night. A real session was held for the last night. Much discussion about speed, dabbing and how not to act like a Total Cock. Never make yourself out to be better than others in a group (especially when you do not mean too). Maybe the al k hol did not help??

Day 6. Time to go home. Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Sandals and Helmut set off to do a Canterbury ride in Waimate while the others agreed the Dunedin trip was officially over and headed home. Silverfox, Te Rex and I hooked up with the Dreaded one for a half hour chat. Checked out his Specialised demo 8. What a lounge on wheels this is. Home by 3.30.


Overall the riding was great, the accommodation was great, the beer was great and I enjoyed the company of the group. Next year we celebrate 10 years of group riding. Where will it be and who will be with us.