Tuesday 27th September

Buggs, Dozer, Silverfox, Tinks, Texas, The Cook, Mellonfarmer and Beckyboo rode Ferrymead singletrack, Mt Pleasant Rd, Greenwood, top of Capt Thomas, Evans Pass Rd to Sumner and back via Ferrymead singletrack. Lights were used for the lower half of Greenwood, but daylight savings had banked us up the hill and over a bit. Several of the posse were sporting new bruises by the bottom of Greenwood. All in all, i believe everybody enjoyed their rides.

Tuesday 21st September

My last ride before my trip. I was hoping for the hills but alas the tracks were at avoid so we went out to Bottle lake. I picked up the cook and met Bugs, Texas, Mellonfarmer and Phatboy who were all early by 5 minutes. We headed out the normal route towards North Beach stopping for regroups along the way, then along the beach to the new cut. carried on, me a tad slow. Not long after we had the most interesting thing happen. I was trailing along at my own pace and due to this took a cut out to meet the lads before heading into the last section to Spencer Park. The Cook was not in the group because he wondered where I was and due to this he ended up riding by himself while the rest of us split into two packs to try and find him. Wventually we made it back to the cars where he was waiting. made a boring track eventful.

Sunday 18th September

Mellonfarmer hooked up with Tinkerbell, Dozer, Silverfox and Phatboy at Rubberjaws and the five of them headed up Huntsbury. Good climb, good pace, and beautiful day. Bombed the Traverse (after Phatboy had returned to the start (not collecting 200$) to fetch his sunnies), all on good form, the Thompsons, some greasiness here, then up road to top of Worsleys. Due to short time -- down this and into the B line for much hooting and enjoyment. no major offs and everybody was peaking on their performances. at bottom of Worsley's the arm on phatboys's sunnies broke, indicating he should have lost them to start with... bombed down the road, then the sideline even faster than ever, and then round river back to rubbahjawn's and home in respective cars.

Saturday 17th Septemeber

I headed over to Tinkerbells on the bike. Head wind all the way so good pump. Around the new stop bank into Bexley Reserve where about halfway around I met up with Dozer and Tinkerbell. Rung mellonfarmer and decided to meet him at pages Rd Bridge. We continued on the stop bank, arriving just before he did. Continued down the stop bank which is like riding downhill but having to pedal. Finalling acheived the Anzac Bridge where we were hailed by Texas. Around the stop bank to basset St. We then headed down to the planting at Traverse Wetland and joined maybe 150+ people in planting 2000 plants. Then it was back to the river and stopbanked all the way to Gayhurst Rd where we then hit retreat Rd and to his temporary house for a chat. I then headed home via Stanmore while the others headed east.

Sunday 11th September

Silverfox and The Cook showed up at mine and we headed off to Dot Com to hook up with Tinkerbell, Dozer, Phatboy and Bugs. Silverfox was on his old Jamis as his Yeti is broke in the frame so now yeti riders can not joke about jamis riders. We headed up Richmond Hill road, stopping just after the 2nd hairpin to do some gear adjustment on the Cooks bike. This was his first Sunday ride with us and it was a steep grunt. We made it to the top and took the farm track up for a change. First time I have riden it when dry. Much easier than when wet. Up we went to the pines where we rode to the beginning of Greenwood and after a regroup we headed off towards the ruins. Track was in mint condition and we did it at good pace. At the ruins we regrouped and waited for the Cook. He was doing ok and had only one off leaving at bit of skin behind. First time on Greenwood for him too!! Then Phatboy led off, me next then Tinks etc. Good run through here and we regrouped after Gloomy Gulch. Managed to see the Cook step off over the handlebars. Nice recovery. Then down we charged again, fast, furious and loving it. Stopping at the double rocks to check them out for a change. Phatboy giving the Cook directions over the last rock but whoops did not quite make it. Slipped down the rocks, knee gash and a handle bar to the chest. He got back on and came on down. We the rode up the road to the pines. from here we headed down the tree rooted section and onto Clifton Tce for a look. Good run to Dot Com for coffee. Drove home by 12.45. It was here that the Cook took time to look at his chest. Damaged nipple and nipple ring. Hurts he said. Dam right it would. Great feeling of success as I felt good all afternoon.

Tuesday 6th September

Drove over and picked ip Silverfox and headed up to Sign of the Kiwi. met there by Tinkerbell, Dozer (with a flu) Texas, a subdued Helmut, Sandals and shortly there after by Phatboy, Mellonfarmer and a newbie called.....Becky Boo!! We headed up the road to the top of Vic Park. Some went up the upper thompsons where we regrouped. Sorted out a feeding order and off we went. Spread out all the way to the halfway where we stopped and oohed, aahed and chatted before the next climb up from the pond. A bit of shuffling occured around the rocks but we regrouped again by the road. Around Mt Vernon we went (Me actually gaining on some people, wow I am good as the Tui ad goes, yeah right) I and a couple of others pulled out at the top of Farm Track while the others dropped down to Rapaki. We all made our way back up to the Traverse track for a regroup. My light had given me a warning that the juice was low. Blasted around the Traverse, regroup and then onto the Top of Vic for a regroup before blasting down Thompson to Kiwi. We then rode up to Marleys at various speeds, some fast some slow and some bloody slow, ooops that was me. Then came the blast down the hill. The fast ones first follwed by the others. I dropped in behind Tinks and kept the pressure on until my light gave a warning. Then carried on, loving the down flowing, jumping and whooping. Past a stopped Mellonfarmer then carried on towards the Kiwi. Just into the last jumpy bit with a corner and all of a sudden my light became a strobe as it ran out of juice. Whoa nearly crashed but recovered and finished slowly which cramped Mellonfarmer, sorry dude. All in all a bloody good night ride. Still I need to get fit again.

Sunday 4th Septemebr

Smallish posse assembled at Sandals 10am for Fathers Day celebratory ride, being Sandels and Helmut. Waited for late comers, none showed, 1.30 loaded bikes and off to Mt Grey.
A clear still sunny fresh winters day, snowy tops, blue skies, stunning views, the 4wd road climb almost enjoyable. Near the top, but below the repeater, we left the road and clambered up right to find the ridgeline. Turning our bikes downhill and rode off-piste the poled ridgeline, fun games and challenges, back down to the Fire Lookout station. From the building we picked up the zig zag singletrack and decended down through a broom. The track was snowed and muddy, but my new tyres gripped and clung like sucky things, making it a joy and fun. The overgrown broom however was a pain, on the hands, in the face and eyes…. Further down, into the open pine forest the track sweetened up heaps with wonderful flowing sections. Unfortunately recent snow fallen trees interrupted this joy and added some clambering struggles. Good to get out however and a new track for me. A good one to do again, perhaps into the season when the track has been cleared a bit though.