Monday 27th December

Unlike some people who are trying to get their blog count up we went for a real ride today. Nice not to shake although tired after yesterdays episodes. We went for our annual trip to Bottlelake and rode out to have a beer with Phatboys Sister in Law at Spencerville. Only a small possee of Silverfox, Dozer and myself met at the HQ carpark. We headed out towards North beach where by a tree that was blown across the track we hooked up with Helmut. Carried along in the heat and wind stopping a couple of times for a rest. Deep sandpits along the beach track. Stopped to rest at the park before riding in to visit Jeannie who kindly gave us a Speights. We all discussed New Years and sadly my invite to everyone to come to Marahau was turned down. Oh well I will find a few friends up there I am sure. After chatting we jumped back on the bike, clambered over another tree and headed back. Dozer broke his chain, and crashed but after dusting off his knees not a scratch on them. rode on and got back to the cars. Did the normal wishes for the New Year before heading home. See you all next year.

Tuesday 21st December

The Xmas ride. A stinky hot and windy day for a ride but sometimes you just have to do it. We met at Phatboys who had been at Pomeroys for the afternoon and was really floating to begin with. Mellonfarmer, Me, Silverfox, Dozer, Bugs, The Lone Wolf.Goat and Tinkerbell set off towards town. Got as far as the Belgium Beer Cafe where we stopped for a couple of ales. Then back on the bikes and headed for Pomeroys where we met TwoPot, Sandals and Helmut. We stayed for another couple before heading back to Phatboys for another drink or two. Te Rex showed up just in time for the official showing and release of the PFMTBC video was launched. This was fantastic and showed ourselves off at our best. A great evening had by all.

Sunday 19th December

We gathered at mine before heading up Gruntsbury. There was Bugs, Mellonfarmer, Dozer, Tinkerbell, Helmut and me. The climb up the hill was slow and steady with the temperature great compared to Saturday. We climbed into the cloud at the pylon and out of it in the last section before the top. We then sorted out an order and then blasted along the traverse. Good run through here only stopping to let air out of mellonfarmers tyre and put air into Dozers. Good run around to Vic with a couple of us getting good air on the yump near the end. best I have ever flown on the yump. Down we started aiming for the rock garden then into Sandals new bit. On the steep corner I dabbed as I went around the tree (never looked like slamming it from my view) where Tinks thought I may slam the tree. Helmut then took us off to a new bit. Nice and steep but rideable. Rode the whole thing easily. then down another bit into lower cool runnings, Flow and New Bridges. Up Hidden as the rain started to come in. ( Not much but enough to make plastic mats sketchy) We rolled down Old skool quite well only stopping so mellonfarmer and Helmut could carry on talking (do they ever stop). The mat nearly had me but saved by the dirt at the end. Only 11am so we stopped for a coffee at the garden Centre. Home by 12ish.

Sunday 12th December

Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Tinks, Silverfox, Dozer, Buggs, Helmut, Sandals and Delboy met in Sumner. they gasped up Richmond Hill and blasted Greenwood. At Evans, Buggs and Delboy vamoosed down The Captain, where Delboy went over the bars, while the rest rambled across the tops of Godley, wending their way impellingly to Breeze Col, whereupon they sloughed off altitude as they swooped the goodness that is the Anaconda and its gratifying tail. they then escalated the heady heights of Scarborough before plunging their ways through Nicholson Park to awaiting coffees and the odd muffin at Dot Com.

Tuesday 7th December

After a no show on Sunday (Dozer rode by himself on Godley) due to some sort of Xmas bug going around we headed out to Bottle lake meeting up at Broad Park. Phatboy arrived with PBJ and PBC, Dallas, Dozer, Silverfox, myself and we welcomed Bugs home. Headed out at a steady clip, stopped to watch PBJ do a jump then carried on pumping, up to the Shelter then down to the right along the road before cutting down Juliet and joining the single track again. Pumped on thru with Phatboy cracking the whip, stopped for 2 quick regroups before sliding in to shoot the breeze at Spencerville. Cruized thru the camp before taking to the track again. I dropped back towards the tail and had to push just to keep everyone in sight. Regrouped twice with the main stop near the HQ carpark. I led off with everyone on my tail and the next stop was the shelter where we all took a couple of gasps before heading back to the vehicles. Short sharp shock that always keeps us on the ball.

Tuesday 30th November

Picked up Silverfox, and his knew machine and headed out to Halswell Quarry. Pulled up just as Phatboy drove down the hill. He had got there early and dropped Mellonfarmer, Phatboy Jr (PBJ) and Phatboy Jr cuzin (PBC) at the top of the croc and they were racing down to join us. Dozer arrived just as MF and PBC got in sayin "PBJ punctured" so we set off to meet him. Puncture fixed and we headed up the Rim Track. Good grunt up here, admiring damage to the quarry from the Earth Orgasm. Up to the top and heading down the first descent when the Fox tries to ride down on his front wheel. Gave up on this quickly though. New breaks need getting used to me thinks. Up the next grunt to the road and then up the singly track to Siberia. Lovely little blast down to the gate getting any air I could. Up the 4 wheel drive before the enjoyable run down to the top of the Crocodile. Blasted down the Croc, missing the cows just (luckily PB has shooed them off the track for me) then up the steep climb, cleaning this and a regroup at the top. Love the work done on the switchbacks all the way down, easier to rail and even the climb has been tidied. As we rode out we saw a jumps area below. caught some air on the descent. At the bottom we spilt with MF, PB, PBJ and PBC setting off to find the jumps while the other 3 of us headed home. A great evening ride.