Sunday 20th February

I set off from mine on my lonesome with music in my ears. Headed around the river, down the track behind Ferrymead with wind in my face. At the bridge it was time to hit the tarmac. Onto the causeway stiff easterly in my face and I decided to chase down a guy about 100m in front. Managed to catch him just before the end and as the guys who were riding drove past on their way to Cot Dom. Finally got there just as Te Rex drove in. The posse of Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Tinkerbell, Dozer and Texas were all waiting to go. We set off up the Ct Thomas. Steady climb with Te Rex, Mellonfarmer and Phatboy charging, Tinks in between the the sensible 3 following at the tail. Climbed well getting most except when he who will be named blew a couple of techy buts to slow down the events. We made the top in not bad time. Then it was time to ride up Greenwood. This was the first time in a while for most of us and had never been done by a few. It was quite a nice climb. Stopped in Gloomy Gulch before climbing to the top for a bite. It was then time to come on down. Mellonfarmer, Phatboy, Tinkerbell, me followed by the others. Charging hard, keeping on the tail of the guy in front before Phatboy punctured. Stopped to fix this then rode onto where the others waited. Continued charging. I was feeling great and stayed on Tinks tail all the way. On down ct Thomas failing the 2 usual rocks. Tinks stopped and I charged past him slowly gaining on the front 2. Only caught them at the end due to the amount of people on the track. Into Cot Dom for coffee. I found out that Dozer had an off on the way down and dented his bike. Phatboy left and we were Joined by Bugs and his lovely wife Mrs Bugs. I then jumped on my bike and literally flew back with the wind in my back. Good ride.

Tuesday 15th February

I picked up Silverfox and headed over to the main car park at Halswell Quarry. Hooked up with Dozer, Helmut, Sandals, Tinkerbell, Phatboy, Junior, Mellonfarmer and Cuz. Also appearing out of no-where was Abba. We headed along the track avoiding dogs and people and then instead of heading up the valley track Mellonfarmer said lets head up this way. Short sharp shock that it was. Fun and challenging really but I got to the top as did everyone except The Cuz who had an attack of asthma. Must be caused by the cancer sticks he smokes. Up the little steep Zigzag and onto the road. At the top of the Crocodile it was straight down. Good run down here by everyone (I even cleared the little rock shoot that gets me every time) until we found Junior dusting himself off from an oopsy. No problems really and we all continued down. At the bridge we regrouped and then climbed back up the crocodile. Some did their sprint thing. I cruised up with Dozer and The Fox. Enjoyed the slog and cleaned it nicely. We then climbed the next bit and on up to Siberia and down to the gate. Abba did his usual and disappeared by himself, taking the short way home to his love and a meal. That's right he rode up Kennedy's rather than riding with us. The rest of us headed down, down down avoiding Betsy the Cow then down the Croc and up the other side before getting back to the cars. Junior was there riding his bike backwards for fun. I discovered my leg was bleeding for some reason. pulled a large splinter out of it this morning! not bad for 1.5 hours of mid week riding.

Sunday 13th February

The posse of Bugs, Dozer and Tinkerbell arrived at mine and we headed over to meet up with the rest at Silverfoxes. Arrived and shortly after we were met by Phatboy. No Fox as he was sick and No Mellonfarmer. He had a hard night and was more than likely Piss crook although we have no physical proof other than a text saying he got home at 4am. We then headed around to Worsley where we hooked up with Sandals and Helmut. Grunted up the track beside the road (well all bit one) with Dozer looking as if he had a steroid breakfast until he gasped and stopped. Up the road we toddled and then onto the off road climb. Tough as usual but oh so enjoyable. At our normal corner for a rest, Helmut took the steep line (impressive) and while we got our breath a guy I know caught up. (Marty a web designer). We all rode on from here. Cleaned the next section for a change and got up to the bottom of the bag. Once again Helmut impressed with some incredible lines up from the main track. Up the body bag where Dozer and I failed due to our minds telling us to stop. Marty went straight back down. Up to the top of Marleys where I went straight in and Phatboy gave chase. he closed a bit on the top half but not on the bottom. I got all the jumps this time, loving it and just kept going all the way to the Kiwi where we regrouped. Dozer had a slight body dab on one corner but no damage. Up to the top of Vic we rode chatting with Nick Singletrack at the top. Into the run down we went some going down Sesame while I and others went down through the gums. Great run to the skidder site. Then down Dazzas (Helmut went his way) and we then took the track to the left. (do not know its name but we rarely do it) It has been tidied somewhat and is quite cool. Later may do some of the little jumps but this time took the B routes. At the bottom jumps we regrouped. Mmmm thought the others were taking a bit long then Dozer showed up saying Bugs had come off. Thumb was bent out of shape. Bugs arrived saying it was not bad and he would ride down and no do not get an ambulance. We all rode out together skipping hidden valley as we were with Bugs. On the tarmac we let him ride home alone while we stopped for coffee. Final report is after waiting for ages at the hospital he Dislocated his thumb...but thats not all. He broke it and has now proudly got his first cast. 3-4 weeks it will be on but he hopes to ride before it comes off. We will see.

Tuesday 8th February

Wayne, Dallas meet at Warren's then rode ova to Rapaki where Marie was waiting in the shade. Headed up Rapaki till Dallas decided to chat up some girl for 10 minutes at the end of the tarsel. Wayne & Warren powered up from gate to the top gate clearing everything in a tad over the 11min 33 sec record. Dallas and Marie were not far behind. Road up Mt Vernon track with some of us clearing most and some not. Hit the Traverse with the other 50 odd riders. Meet some guys who had decided to stop on the rocks at the top of the Lava flow to admire the view which slowed us all down. Clean run the rest of the way to Vic park. Down the Rock garden to the car park. Down though the trees from here showing Dallas a more challenging way. Up hidden valley with us all clearing the creek and most of the climb. Nice run down from here with everyone grouped together. Good hot ride and home by 9pm

Written by Bugs

Sunday 7th February

Dozer came over and we headed off towards Sandals. Hot is the only way to describe it. Bloody hot and getting hotter. We crawled up Dyers to her house sweating profusely. We arrived and Te Rex was already there looking fresh as a daisy. Mellonfarmer arrived on his totally rigid single speed advising that Phatboy was not far behind. He has to go so much faster on the single speed cos it does not work if he goes slow. The six of us then headed off up towards Vic park in different clusters stopping for a group break at the skidder site. Well needed as it was boiling by now. We all did the short bit of single track on the way in. The steep climb was not looking good. Mellonfarmer was never going to do it on his rig and the rest of us decided to ride until we got really hot then push. That is exactly what we all did except Te Rex. He rode all the way then rode back down and did it again. Sicko!!!! We all got back on the bikes before the very top though and rode to the water stop by the big gum above the jumps area. Then up into the pines. Mellonfarmer and I took the knew uphill track which was sweet. Regrouped and then into the single track towards Rapaki. Went well through here although the big gully is different in reverse. Into Mt Vernon where I felt really good. Cleaned the lot. On my way down passed Mellonfarmer with the first flat that changed his name for the day and Phatboy who was helping. Regrouped at the top of Rapaki where the single track club was handing out drinks. Phew it was needed as it was hot and windy now. Waited for the others and then Mellonflat fixed another puncture then again and again. We had not even moved. Phatboy dropped down Rapaki as he needed to be home and Sandals and I decided to cruise around to Castle Rock. Cleaned Witch Hill better than ever before. Feeling good then we carried on around to castle. Te Rex and Dozer came up shortly after and then Mellonflat with a borrowed tube. Into the track we went. Just after the 2nd hairpin Mellonflat stopped to answer the phone and I carried on feeling good, loving the ride. Regrouped at the top of Bridal path and Sandals came in saying....Mellonflat has another loss of air pressure. He carried his bike in and we sat and watched him fix it again. Time to ride and as we were leaving we all heard the sound of air escaping from his tyre. He walked down Bridal Path while the last 4 carried on around to John Britain. Windy hot and now I was out of water. We headed down through the reserve. Easy run making fun out of the bumps and rocks as we went. Then down into McCormick's track. Nice fun ride down here even clearing the gnarly 2 hairpins in the middle. Stopped for cold drinks at WAC ( will never go there again) before riding home in the extreme heat. At least the wind at the top kept us a bit cooler but down on the flat it was rough. Even my seat felt hot to sit on after the stop. Maybe we should do flat rides around shady parks when it is going to be hot!!!! Still enjoyed the ride immensely.

Tuesday 1st February

Sandals, Abba, Silverfox and I loaded up into the van and then went and picked up Bugs before driving out to Dot Com. We met Tinkerbell and Phatboy there before riding up Ct Thomas. Phatboy had dropped PB Jr and Couzin off at the top of Greenwood so they were down and on the way out to Godley before we really got started. Climbed on up having a pretty good run even though Tinkerbell had an off and Phatboy looked like he was trying to catch the Young ones. Up around Godley head with attempts made at old nemesis and great runs down to the top of Livingstone where Silverfox fixed a puncture. Up and over to Breeze where we met the 2 Young Ones. Abba, Sandals and I got some sort of Hayfever and coughed and coughed. I ended up upchucking cos of it and headed down the Snake. I had a good run. Abba had gone down before us all and I met him at the beginning of the Tail. We both decided to carry on through to Taylors. Watched the others come down and challenged Jnr to do another jump. I was still sick and went to the bogs where I upchucked again from coughing. Others went on up the road and Tinkerbell waited for me before slowing grinding to the top. Nice ride down through Thompsons before loading up and heading home.