Sunday 27th November

Went outside to hook up with one of the biggest posses for a long time and that was with Tinkerbell (off kayaking with his woman) and Phatboy (head on pillow) missing. There was, Mellonfarmer, Texas, Bugs, The eveready Silverfox, Dozer, Twopot, Little Ivan, Jandals, Helmut, Sandals and me making 11. We headed around the river in a long drawn out posse, then started the climb up Gruntsbury. No big pace as we new that there would be regroup time needed. Stopped at our usual hairpin in the shade then continued on up for a regroup at the first gate on the shingle. Did not stop long before continuing up to the top. We then took off towards Rapaki on the Mt Vernon track. Nice little blast around and down to a regroup at what you would now call the skid site above Rapaki. Aptly named due to the fact 75% of us all skidded to a halt. Climbed back up the road to the top of Huntsbury and then blasted around the traverse. Regrouped at the usual, and then Helmut led off towards the dipper to show us how to do the new drop into it. Well the big gark on his shin shows us that we should not do it his way. In fact I doubt if any of us ever do it. We then blasted around to the Pines above Vic park before dropping down, via the Rock Garden to the skidder site. We then dropped into Dazzas which is now called Shazza's. Up the 4 wd drive past Helmuts little play area on Rad, grunting back to the skidder then climbing up the steep section, either by the main trail or the walk track, up up up to the Pines and the uphill track for a regroup. Then into the wind all the way back around the Traverse before dropping down to Huntsbury. Down the shingle before going off piste for a while, through the gate and then off piste again to hook up with the little track along the side. Some did some of the jumps, some did none of the jumps and then some did some more of the jumps. No-one did them all. Done the road, into Broadoaks and the Mellonfarmer said come this way. He headed off down some steep steps on foot as we all said, "Oh no a Richard track". It was one of the "Good Richard Tracks". Then down the last of the road straight to the coffee shop where the fat, unfit waitress once again showed why she will never get a tip from us unless it is "Get fit and get a factory job because you suck at this one" served us once again. Then we all departed in different directions. Only 3 of the original posse going past mine.

Tuesday 22nd Novemebr

Got home, rushed around, got ready and then headed out picking up the Cook, over to Silverfoxes and loaded him up. Now my guts started playing up. Drove to Halswell Quary where Bugs, Texas, Sandals, Jandals, Helmut, Helmuts Mate were waiting and then found that Tinerbell and Dozer were at the wrong gate. Organised a hook up then I raced home to the little room for a couple of hours. The trip sounds a bit like this, jandals had a puncture before they started then they went up the hill. Somehwere along the ride 2 more punctures occurred, some waiting for regroups, warm night, no hard out riding.They did all the normal bits, rode Siberia then back down Crocidile with some making the rock, some not, more waiting to regroup then home. Sounds like fun.

Sunday 20th November

Went outside and found Silverfox had arrived. We went across the road and adjusted his brakes while we waited. Tinkerbell and Dozer arrived and we headed off towards Sumner. We went around the river with me setting the pace. good pump around here and then over the causeway. had 2 slow roadies in my sights and kept pumping hard, passing them just before Shagged Rockpile. Arrived outside Dot Com to meet up with Phatboy and Sandals. Already hot before we started the climb. headed up Richmond hill Road. Regrouped at the lookout and then up to the farm track. Warm but good climb. All at our own pace but all pushing hard. Then around the road and into greenwood. After the you go first, I will tailend comnversation it was sorted and off we went. Good pump stopping before the ruins to let a farmer muster his sheep. From here it was a blast down. Phatboy stopped to create his own waterfall and we all regrouped not long after this. Down we went again, I got some lines completely wrong but stayed on. We then climbed back up the road to the pines. Dozer was feeling like I have for 6 months and I saw Silverfox dropping off the front so I dug it in. Nearly killed me and I still did not quite catch the Fox. Down towards Richmond Hill Rd across sheep trails then off piste we went again back to the farm track above the road. Fast run down to Dot Com for coffee. The original four hopped on the bikes and pumped back to mine. By time I got there I was pretty stuffed and the Silverfox was still going like an Everyready battery. Hot and knackered I was!!

Tuesday 15th November

The Cook arrived and we drove up to the meeting spot at Sign of the Kiwi. We were met by Bugs and Texas. No one else around so we headed up the road towards Weorlsey. half way up Sandals went past on the way down to get her helmet from home saying she would meet us for the 2nd loop. We were also surprised to find Phatboy and the middle carpark (he had not read the text properly, but it was good he made it.). He had already done 1 loop and was chomping at the bit for more. We headed up and around at a steady pace to the top of Marleys. A quick breath and then the chase was on again. Phatboy being chased by me, Bugs chased by Texas and then the Cook for only the 2nd time on this track. Good blast with lots of oohs and aahs at the bottom. Up we went for the next loop. All smiles. We came down in the same order for the next loop, excepth The Cook had to chase Sandals. i only scared myself twice this time on a couple of jumps. Up and round again. This time Phatboy jumped in the middle and I led off. Great blast at good speed. We regrouped at the middle and then headed down the bottom half to the Kiwi. Some work has been done down here. Not sure if I like it all but once again cleaned it at good speed. Weather was getting cooler by now so we all went our separate ways. Phatboy and Sandals back up to their cars. Phatboy with a guitar on his back. Thought he could carry one up the Croesus next time to serenade us all at the top.

Sunday 13th Novemebr

Bugs, Dozer, Tinkerbell (not the one in the green miniskirt that sprinkles fairey dust everywhere) and I headed around the river, through some sidestreets to Worsleys Rd where we hooked up with Sandals. The plan being to do some loops of this and B Trail. Well the track up was muddy. Dabbing was not optional and no one made it with out pushing. My tires got bigger and bigger until they looked up like having front caliper brakes. very messy it was. Push, ride, dab, slip, grunt and then ride, push dab, slip all the way to the flat below body bag. We then got sticks and scraped copius amounts of mud off, chains, gears, tires, frame. My bike was then at least half the weight it was on the way up. We then went and played on B trail. Stopping and looking at different lines on rocks etc. Huge numbers of walkers through here so no longer is it hidden. i had an off when I hit some slippery mud and after fighting for balance lost the battle. Pride was hurt but that is all. We got down and due to the time and greasiness of track headed off for coffee. Enjoyable morning.

Sunday 6th november

I walked outside to find Phatboy had arrived and then Dozer blasted down the road in his car. we mounted up and rode around the river and then onto Centauras Rd before heading up dyers and stopping at sandals. I held onto Phatboy for all of half the climb but then he headed of into the distance. We hooked up with Silverfox and sandals before climbing up to Vic Park. A decision was made to climb up Old Dyers which was a first for some and ages since for others. Phatboy burned it up and the rest of us went up at quite a steady pace. Good climb for a change. Up Summit Rd and then a blast down Marleys. Holding onto Phatboy. I thought Silverfox was on my tail and worked hard to loose him only to find it was some other dude that I burnt off. We regrouped alongside some large posse before heading back up to Worsley. Down the body bag, up into the B Line. Great blast down here by all of us, then down the road into the last off road track. Really let rip in here and then we decided that we had plenty of time so all of us (except Silverfox) zigagged and zagged our way into the new Cashel Mall. Some somber moments looking around before blasting back home. Got tooted at twice by motorists. They must of liked our arses. A really good ride. You could tell that the others were still fit from the trip and I was happy to say that I did exceptionally well for me. did not drag the chain on the ups.

Tuesday 1st november

All the boys were not riding. Resting sore bottoms. The Cook and I went out and started up Gruntsbury. We were both feeling good and I stood in the pedals moist of the way. As we rode we talked and decided to get to the top of the road then head down and look around the new Cashel Mall. Before we came down we also rode all the up streets on the hill. Felt good but some sights were pretty sad. More broken homes than I realised up there. came down then McMillan Ave, Tennyson and then Colombo St all the way to Cashel. At this point I realised I forgot to let Sandals and Helmut know what we were doing. They were up in Vic Park. It was interesting having a look around town with so much missing. Loved the new mall and think this on a larger scale would be so cool for our city.