Tuesday 20th December

Headed off in the van to Halswell Quarry, picking up The Cook along the way, then Silverfox. Once there we hooked up with Sandals, Bugs, Tinkerbell, Dozer, Phatboy and Mellonfarmer. We headed around the track then down and across the rock bridge. Somewhere here my tyre started hissing so when we got to the top of the low rise I got out my pump, spun the wheel a few times then hopped on and rode. Gosh tubeless really does work. We headed up the first track all in a bunch, then we went around the bottom of the paddock with some still going steep as they did not realise about the alternative track which meandered up to the gate. We all cleared the zigs and zags before regrouping at the fence above Crocidile. We then headed up the single track. The steep section caught most but a few of us cleaned it all, although I did touch the foot to the ground for the breifest of moments. At the top we headed down Siberia where the actuater for my seat dropper fell off. Phatboy had some tape so we fixed that before heading back. Great run down here with Dozer causing me to get the giggles when he breaked hard in front of me. Down the Crocidile we rode, the new bypass by the shitty rock gap caught us off guard but we all enjoyed the way it helps make the track flow. Up the steep grunt we went but due to so many walking some of the tailenders did not make it. Down and out we went with a little chat at the vehicles before heading home. A cruisy ride in the end.

Sunday 18th December

With Xmas rushing towards us getting a ride in is getting harder but at 8.45am I went outside to find Tinkerbell, Sandals and Silverfox all ready to go. We headed out Down Radley and then across to the Woolston Cut. Followed this across Rutherfood St hooking up with Bugs and Texas at the footbridge. Carried on around the back of Ferrymead with the track in good condition. of course I mean dry and firm as it still has huge cracks running along side of it. At Ferrymead bridge, jackets came off and we headed around to the mt Pleasant Community hall. Mellonfarmer and Phatboy catching us just as we turnt off the main Rd. Quick chat and then we headed of around mcCormacks bay to the Track. Steady climb for parts of it with the steeper stuff catching a few out for a change. By time we got to the Zigzags you had to groups. Those that did and those that din't. I am talking the hairpins. I stuffed each and everyone up. Quick catch our breaths before heading up the road turning off towards the bottom of John britten reserve. Mellonfarmer got a puncture so to give myself a chance of arriving at the top somewhere not to far behind I led off while he, Phatboy and Tinkerbell repaired his hole. Ride, push, ride, push was how I described the climb for most of us. I was surprised to see a couple of hardcores pushing. 1 of them had five reasons which was sure out of character for "he who will not be named". At the top we headed around towards greenwood and rode the first section. Debate raged as whether we would do it all and in the end, mellonfarmer, Bugs and Sandals rode down Greenwood while the rest of us headed down the farm track towards the Pines. Over the road and down towards Clifton we went, taking the new ground Effect track down, then across to richmond Hill and down to Dot Com for coffee. The other 3 arrived and after a brief coffee we headed home at a leisurely pace. mellonfarmer and Phatboy went back along Linwood while the rest of us returned by the route we arrived. A pleasant morning ride for a bunch of tired buggers really.

Sunday 11th December

Went out and hooked up with Tinkerbell, Dozer, Little Ivan, Silverfox and Mellonfarmer. Mellonfarmer on a S/S Pugsley. Huge 4" tyres. Amazing looking beast. We headed around and up Gruntsbury. As I climbed I got a pukey feeling. It got to the point that by time we got near the top, I decided that going home was the better idea. Half the climb was better than none but I was kinda looking forward to Marleys and Hidden track runs. The rest continued on up, went right at the Traverse then up to Marleys and down. Somewhere along here Tinkerbell got a flat. The posse then headed down the Hidden trail. Mellonfarmer reports that the Pugsley went well down the hill.

Thursday 8th December

Xmas ride time. We set off from mine. There was Abba DADDA, Phatboy, Bugs, Tinkerbell, The Cook and I. Rode around to Somerfeild park picking up the Silverfox before heading to Hagley Park, just skirting the edge. We then stopped to breathe in some scented air before cruising the edge of the RED ZONE all the way to Pomeroys. We all started with an Epic Larger. Nelsie, Mellonfarmer and T showed up to join in the merriment. Played Table soccer for a while before people started drifting off home. The hardcore went back to MF and T's place for JUST 1 MORE!!!!

Sunday 4th December

Phatboy arrived with the Trees van and we loaded Silverfox and I in before the drive upto the top of Mt Pleasant Rd. We waited for 5 minutes and then little Ivan arrived. It was hot and no wind even before we started. We rode around to Greenwood and as we all entered the cattlestop my phone buzzed and my chain slipped so I slammed my knee into the bars. Got myself together and then pumped hard to try and catch the others. Stopped just before the ruins then down we went. Phatboy leading and me hard on his tail. Just a fantastic flowing run down, with me taking a couple of different lines into things. It was great. Regrouped at the halfway before the next run dowm. Took me 100m to get the rythm going but after that it was fine. Could feel the Fox on my tail this time. Phatboy slammed the first rock with his ankle before getting to the bottom. Hot it was with still no wind. Grind up the road with the sun beating down. Stopped at the pines for a breather before heading down towards Clifton. Fast fun run down here and we found the top of the ground Effect track. Headed down the Clifton track until we found the beginning of the uphill GroundEffect Track. After Phatboy did some fancy uturns we headed up. It was a great little run and not as steep as I thought it would be. Finally back at the pines we headed back up the road to the Van. Early departure as we were heading to Sandals for her birthday later. Phatboy rode home from here. Later I rode to Sandals in the heat and although took it easy up Dyers I was still wringing went. Overall a great days riding.

Saturday 3rd December

Dozer arrived at Bugs, then we picked up The cook and Sandals and headed to Craigieburn. Got there in time to meet up the sand flies and discover Sandals had a flat, Dozer helped to repair it in no time. Rode along the road in a head northwester then started the haul up the Ski field road. Couple of stops along the way to admire the view then arrived at the top carpark in no time at all. Had a quick bite to eat then up the last little hill to the start of the single track. Bugs found a snow ball and passed it to Dozer who didn't see it coming. Hit the single track with Bugs leading followed by Dozer, Sandals then The Cook. Nice flowing track from here as long as you didn't look left. 1st stop was so Bugs could show the crew where Leanne broke her arm last time he was here. Cross the 1st of many scree slopes. Some riding bit's and some taking there time enjoying the views. Stopped for a regroup on the end of the last scree so Dozer can start a land slide trying to take The Cook out. Took the right track up to Lyndon saddle. Some rode most of it, some walked most of it but all got to the top of the saddle for a group rest. Bugs headed down The Luge followed closely by Dozer, The Cook and Sandals. Fantastic run down here over tree roots, small drop offs and small gaps between the trees. The Cooks handle bar getting a little close to one tree but he managed to stay on the track. All arrived at the gravel road with smiles on there faces. Quick ride down here to a nice feed on Cracker biscuits, cheese and pickles that Sandals has prepared for us. Loaded the bikes up and headed back to town arriving home around 3.30pm.