Tuesday 28th November

After most people pulled out of the ride we decided at the last minute to change the venue. Meet Sandles at top of tarsel up Worsley. Not long after that Dozer arrived so the 3 of us headed up Worsley's trying to ride all the lines we don't normal use. We all cleared most of it except for the usual spot half way up. Turned left just before the body bag so Sandles could show us the new track she found. Sandles lead the way warning us of a couple of tricky spots along the way.Was going great till one rocky bit when Bugs went over the handle bars using his face and chest to break his full. After dusting myself off and checking the damage I only had a grazed chin, grazed right nipple and brusied left knee. Headed down in the same order enjoying the rest of the track till we crossed the old 4wd track. Hit another new track with Sandles leading the way. Heaps of steep, rooty and rocky sections with most of us clearing more than we thought we would. Finished at the lower 4wd track and headed back up to main 4wd track. Quick turn left and back up the single track to the old steep track to the left. Headed down here to the 4WD track felling a bit disappointed that it wasn't as long as the new track we had just ridden. Back up 4wd then turn right and headed down the old trails to bottom of Worsley track. There was some people making a network of tracks in the pines which should be interesting in the future. Great discovey ride in a nice small group.

Sunday 25th November

Up early and outside to hook up with Sandals and Silverfox by 8.30 (so we could give some time to track building).  We headed around the road then along the Woolston cut picking up Dozer and Bugs before riding along behind ferrymead.  We then started the climb up St Andrews hill.  Stayed as a group at a good steady pace.  One quick stop to stretch the legs then continued up.  Gotrto lower JB and ambled up here in the sun.  We actually did a sharp turn and rode the original John Brittan Track in reverse.  Now it is little used but it was fun and a bit tricky in spots.  We then chatted to a couple of riders on the road and headed down to cavendish Saddle to find the new Mt Pleasant Track.  We did this thanks to Bugs and we followed him.  Not to bad to start then a little steep pinch before easy off to a steady incline.  Good riding though the track needs a bit more biking to really make it work.  It brings you out just before the last gate to the trig station.  So the Goat working then we stopped to work at the top.  I also checked out a noise on my bike.  Freewheel problems but it lasted the ride.  We made some new lines on the hill then rode them and the new lines others were making.  All very good and will make this track so good.  We then followed some guys to the top of Greenwood.  A small regroup then I led off with Bugs on my tails.  I pushed hard all the way, sketchy in spots and then we were down.  Bugs and I were feeling good then we waited for the others to arrive.  Silverfox first with blood on his knee and a saw hand from a fall, then Dozer with a graze too form a fall then Sandals.  After debate Silverfox went down Evans and the rest of us decided to go down Captain Thomas.  Never will I do this again!!!!  It is overgrown and as you go you can see rocks hanging above you, across the track and it makes you a bit nervous.  It was good to ride the track and it just came back where all the little techy bits are.  We came down Sumnervale which was a bit of walk and then some riding.  Dot com for lunch then headed home.  A fantastic ride.

Tuesday 20th November

We did the same ride as we did a few weeks ago with a slightly bigger crew.  Silverfox, The Cook and I met up with Dozer, Texas, Bugs and Sandals at Upper major Hornbrook.  We rode up Lower JB which was in perfect condition considering the rain.  Steady run then up Broadleaf Lane where Dozer was amped and leading.  We then tried to find an alternative way of joining onto the New Mt Pleasant track by going off piste.  Did not work though.  We then did a run down here regrouping at the top of greenwood.  Bugs led off with me next then Silverfox Dozer etc.  Did not stop at all.  Flowed really nice all the way.  I again cleaned both rocks at the bottom.  Now I have a technique I wonder way I ever had problems.  We then hauled up the road turning onto the access track at the pines.  Rode up and did the top side of greenwood towards Mt Pleasant.  Great run then regrouped and did lower JB to finish.  Once again a great Tuesday pump.

Sunday 11th of November

Lest we forget that today was the day the 1st world war finished.

Tinkerbell, Texas, Dozer and Phatboy met at mine and we headed off up the Crapaki.  Very warm until the end of the flat section and from there we had a breeze.  After the first gate Phatboy took off and the rest of us followed basically.  We all passed other riders on the way up which indicates we were not the  slowest.  Yippee.  Everyone made it in under 30 minutes or 40 minutes from mine.  We then went up and over Vernon and we were amazed how many others actually took the road.  Cleaned this quite nicely before flowing around the traverse track.  Just after the half way point we bumped into Sandals and Helmut. They joined us. We then continued around regrouping at Vic then dropping down Thompsons, negotiating our way past a group of boy scouts on a hike.  At Sign of the Kiwi some stopped for a quick snack and I decided to toodle up to Marleys expecting them to easily catch me.  Sandals and Texas joined me.  Then we lost Texas so we continued.  As we climbed up Marleys acess I saw them beginning the Worsley rd.  Waited a bit then decided to continue on down and start the grind back up.  I enjoyed Marleys getting good air on all the bumps and jumps.  I was back at the top of and had put my warm top on before the others showed up.  In the end there was some chain breakage and a couple of regroups.  We then split into two groups.  Phatboy, Texas and I went one way and the others went the B-Line.  Our group took the deepest, gnarliest rut we could find and followed it down.  Good technical training and tough on the upper body.  We regrouped at the bottom all smiles and then popped into Tinks place for drinks.  Then it was separation time as we went home by differing routes.  I did discover that my tyres will need replacing before any riding is done on them

Tuesday 6th November

I would have to say that by time I got off the bike last night it would be the end of one of the most enjoyable Tuesday night rides of the year.  For me personally everything went right and I felt good.

Silverfox and I headed around, picked up The Cook and drove up the hill to Upper Major Hornbrook where  we parked.  We were met by Dozer.  Due to illness or things unknown to us, no-one else arrived.  We then set off at a steady pace up the new J Brittan Track. Nice riding if not cool in the wind.  Earflaps would of been good.  About 150m from the top.  Cook punctured.  From here we went up Broadleaf lane and then u[p the track  to the top of mt Pleasant.  Over the gates, then down to the fence, clambered through the grass and onto the track.  Flowed down here at a steady pace, hardly missing the track amongst the tussocks.  Bumped into  a group where this meets Greenwood who were riding up the way we had come down....fooolsss.  We then tackled Greenwood at pace.  I had seen a rider going onto it earlier and as we hit the track I started seeing glimpses of him.  I thought I could catch him so I chased.  I knew Silverfox and Dozer were on my tail so the chase began.  Closing the gap steadily, finally catching him at gloomy gulch.  He pulled over to let me past and I said " Thanks but we are regrouping here" and then I turnt around to talk to Silverfox and then said "Feck where are they". Waited then The Cook came and said Silverfox punctured.  We waited until we saw them then set off down the hill.  Flying high.  Nearing the double rock section I though I am gonna get this, slipped down a few gears and glided in around the bend, bleeding off some speed and cranked it as I started up the rock.  perfect idea.  Cleaned it while gaining speed then blasted the next one and down to the road.  Regrouped here.  We then spun at a steady pace up the road. I used a gear ratio I had never used and it worked perfectly for me.  We spun up and I thought Feck we are here already. At the mt Pleasant intersection we hit the NEW JB line down.  Quick flow down here and back to the vans feeling great.  The Cook rode down from here while the rest of us drove home.

I loved the ride or have I said that!!!

sunday 4th November

With the CCC website saying tracks were at  avoid we decided  a town ride was the order of the day.  Texas, Dozer, Phatboy and I set  off towards town.  Headed up towards Waltham Rd, over the Bridge then through the Poly tech.  From here we zigged and zagged around the red zone amazed at the sites and open spaces that have developed since last time..  We then headed up Worcester boulevard. along the ave and into the entrance to North Hagley.  We stuck to the left along the front of the gardens, bumping into Abba who was taking the baby for a ride.  We headed by byways around the park and then we headed over to do a circuit of South hagley.  After this we then followed the red zone down Gloucester stopping in the square before coffee at the little weird ass place on Armagh and Barbados's.  After this we went homeward.