Sunday 28th November

Mellonfarmer, Tinks, Dozer, Weirdlittle (on a spanky new white 575) and Sandalicious met at Rubberjaw's. Rubberjaws and Phatboy biked to Ruapuna to watch heavyfooted drivers. the real riders went up Huntsbury into cloudy tops and round the traverse, down Thomsons to kiwi. all enjoying the open spaces. up the road then to the nun, with a short discussion of the Gov'nor's track, which Tinky admitted he's still never done(!), nice cruisy, waft down the nun, coasting through corners, then powering on through. all in all a good blast. Weirdlittle thought the newbike was barely different to his old Shamus but actually discovered he was going a darned sight faster. from kiwi off up to top of Vic Park, Farmer of mellons riding (as usual) over the seesaw, then all into the gummies each down different ways. quick regroup at the skidder site where MF said good- bye and blasted off down Dazza's, Brent's and Flow, Bridges, nuBridges and down and out and home across town. the rest? same, but they did Hidden Valley and lower Old Skool too... all up, gooooood.

Tuesday 23rd November

Abba arrived at mine followed by Sandals and Silverfox. Loaded the Ute and off to Cot Dom. Hooked up with Phatboy, Tinkerbell and Dozer. The plan was to ride up, down, up, around, up, down, up, down, up, down, down and that is what we did. Up over Scarborough stopping near the top to take a call from Bugs. Down into Taylor's and then climbed the tail and the Snake. Phatboy and Tinks doing impressions of Nelsie and Mellonfarmer. Rode around under the road before climbing up and then down to Breeze Col, then up and down to Livingstone Col. Everyone pushing along at a good pace. Then climbed the never ending climb before dropping to Evans pass. Excellent ride. Then down Captain Thomas we went. Good run down here, flying over some bits and slowing for others. A fun ride all completed in 1 hour 35 minutes ride time. Not bad for a bunch of old farts.

Sunday 21st november

Xmas racing at us and so much to do. Silverfox arrived at mine and we drove out to Bottlelake where we hooked up with Phatboy and Dozer. We headed out towards Waimari, along the beach and out to Spencerville for a break. Only stopped briefly for a regroup along the way. Then headed back to the cars. Phatboy led all the way, pushing hard (lucky he had a sore foot to slow him down). I briefly hit the wall on the way back but got it together in time for the last straight. In the car and home before 11.30. Then off to Sandals for a few drinks.

Tuesday 16th November

A hot day, reaching 28 degrees. Picked up Silverfox and drove up to the carpark at Marleys. Hooked up with Bugs and Texas, Sandals, Helmut and waited for Phootsaw Phatboy. Rode around and up to the top of Marleys and then came back down the single track. Passed a bunch of downhillers sitting at the top catching their breath after the climb. Eye not completely in but enjoying all the same. Regrouped at the cars then went down the other side of the road. Not sure what the track is called, but will call it Coronation Hill. Nice fast flow here with a couple of corners to watch out for. 95% of the climb out was cleaned by everyone, which is much better than last time when it was covered in grass. Up the road for another loop of Marleys. Much better this time and way faster. Silverfox following me closely in the top section and even making the same mistakes. Regrouped before the Fox and I headed home. The others hit another loop.

Sunday 14th November

Bugs and Tinkerbell met me and we headed up Gruntsbury. It was hot and humid all the way. Passed a group of oldies walking near the top and asked for a push. I actually got one. Arrived and waited for Sandals and Helmut before heading on around Vernon. Nice flow, then up over Witch Hill before starting up towards Castle Rock. A bit cooler by now due to the incoming Southerly. Castle rock came and went before meeting the Lone Wolf/Goat/Hubby at the top of Bridal Path. Cruised around into John Britten before blasting into Greenwood. Stopped for a snack at the ruins then I led off followed by Tinks. Just past first real rocky section Tinks punctured. Stopped and repaired and watched some weedy guy fall off while offering to help all of us fix Tinks puncture. We then headed down stopping half way for a regroup. I was texting when some of the others took off. Tinks, Bugs and I looked up to see Weedy guy fall off amongst rocks. Thought about helping but his runner mates went to the rescue. We continued on down, then down Ct Thomas where Tinks got another Puncture. Fixed this and then down and headed towards home. Some of us stopped for coffee at WAC. Sandals and Helmut actually bused home from here with their bikes. :) All in all a good ride.

Sunday 7th November

Due to heavy commitments a town ride was planned. I met up with Bugs, Tinkerbell and Dozer at Phatboys and the five of us headed off on a quake tour. Down Avonside Drive towards Porrit Park we headed. Amazed at the quality of the patch up that has been done. Cut through Avon park to see the damage that remains in here and then past the rowing sheds and hockey grounds. Big cracks still. Down Avonside drive to Avondale bridge before coming back the other side all the way to town. A lap around North Hagley before a trip into town for Coffee. 35kms and home by lunch. Just a wee ride.

Tuesday 2nd November

once again, copied and pasted from Mellonfarter's... only three tonight, Sandals, Bugs and MFDoom. met at Rubberjaws's and headed up Rapaki. Sandals headed towards Vic from there, while Bugs and MFer headed into the easterly, Witch Hill, up road to Castle Rock. they allowed Laurence Mote, Ventana-beltdrive-Oli, and possibly Daryl of Cactus in ahead of them, and MF did his darnedest to keep on their tails, closing the gap on the descent, then them losing him on the climb. good run. on round the top to John Britten. off piste meandering down there then down the road and into McCormacks bay for a sweeeet run down through there. then finished with a good tail wind run round the back of ferrymead Bugs peeling off and MF cruising it to Rubber's to his waiting car.