tuesday 26th June written by the Bugster

We meet at the top of Dyers Rd. There was Hewie, Lewie, Doowie and Poowie. Poowie had to leave so Hewie, Lewie and Dowie headed up the road to top of Vic park. Sorted a nice order and hit the Traverse. Nice spin accross here with the lungs struggling in the cold air. Heaps groups heading the other way. Got to start of Mt Vernan and saw a single light coming from behind. Phatboy turns up and made us a group of 4 again. Up Mt Vernan track and down over the new hard packed track which is so much like McLeans island just down hill. Fast clip down to top of Rapaki track. Quick chat here then up road to Traverse. Head wind from here getting colder as we crossed the Traverse. Reqrop at top of Vic park then down the single track below the road finishing at cars. QUick dicussion about heading up to Nun for a loop but the cold was getting to some of us. Packed up and drove home. 3 Degress at the car.

Saturday 23rd June

Another planting on a Saturday meant another Saturday ride.  Sandals, Bugs, and Dozer hooked up at mine and we all set off up Gruntsbury.  God it felt like we had not ridden in ages.  Beautiful barmy day about 20 degrees.  Got to the top and headed around the traverse then down through the Rock Garden and gums before stopping at the skidder site for a bite.  Sandals got a call so she departed and the 3 lads dropped down to the planting site.   Went real quick and 70 minutes later we rode back through the planting crowd to the rangers station for food.  After this headed down Shazzas, Brents, Bridges, Flow and then out through the valley.  Good little ride  but God we need to do more.

Sunday 17th June

A very big night on Saturday and it was decided a town tour would be the go with a late start.  Tracks were all closed too!!  I went outside at 10am to find ice everywhere.  Bloody cold.  Bugs arrived and we set off at 10.15 sharp being careful in shady areas where the ice was still thick on the road. Tinkerbell past us in the van and we all met up at Phatboys along with Dozer.  The five of us set off and slowly trundled around the red Zone barrier.  Amazed at the empty sites and imaging what it was gonna look like in a couple of years.  Stopped for coffee in Cashel Mall before heading out.  I took off at Manchester and Zigged and Zagged my way home at a fast pace while the others headed home their own way.  Good to get out.

Sunday 10th June

I did not ride due to cold snotty nose and the fact I got no sleep from this.  Dozer collected Silverfox and headed out to Taylors where they hooked up with Mellonfarmer, Phatboy and Bugs.  From here they clambered up the road to the singletrack turnoff.  A little greasy grunt to the stile where they caught their respective breathes before a steep greasy climb which nobody cleaned (Well not to my knowledge) before cruising up the shingle road top the tarmac.  Instead of going up the farm track we venutred recently and turning right along the single track to Evans they turnt right and did the road to Evans.  Strange people that they are and then rode the single track back.  Greasy rocks prevented anyone cleaning it without dabbing (so I have been told), at Breeze cold they talked for a while.  From here around the single track to the end before returning and blasting down the snake and its tail.  Good ride and I wish I had of made it!!!

Tuesday 5th June

A small ride organised to Pomeroys partly due to weather and partly due to a need for a beer.  The Cook, Dozer and Tinkerbell arrived at mine and we rode to the bridge where Mellonfarmer and Phatboy hooked up.  The had ridden to extend the length of their ride.  In short order due to the ever increasing raindrops we headed by the shortest route arriving just in time for the skies to open.  Dozer and Tinks stayed for 2 beers and rode into the flood.  The rest of us stayed for "just one more" before heading to Phatboys for "Just another 1 more".  After this it was time to brave the rain properly.  It was a very wet ride home but the beers were lovely.

Saturday 2nd June

As in past years the first ride of the June period tends to coincide with a planting on Marleys Hill.  I awoke feeling slightly ill after a hard night supporting the Crusaders thrash the Highlanders.  Outside I hooked up with Silverfox and Texas.  I heard from Sandals who was running late and would meet us at Gruntsbury.  heard from Phatboy who was running even later so I said we would ride real slow and allow him to catch us up on the trail.  Rode round up met sandals and started the basic crawl up the hill.  Chatting and enjoying the day.  At the top gate just before the summit we stopped and chatted and saw in the distance a rider making his way up.  Decided it must be Phatboy by the way he rode and we were right.  We then headed around the traverse at a good kick arese pace regrouped once and continued to the top of Vic.  Down Thompsons and a quick potty stop at The Kiwi before the climb to the top of Marleys by 1pm  where we joined the planting crew.  Worked hard and by 2.30 it was over.  We came screaming down the Nun getting jumps and new lines as we rode.  from here it was upto the top of Vic, Rock garden, Gums, regroup then down Dazzas, Brents etc and out the Valley track.  Great ride for a bunch of riders like us.