31 December 2012 the Final post....of the year

Wellwith the ending of another year we decided on a short sharp blast as "Just one more". A small posse of Dozer, Texas, The Cook, Phatboy and I headed up Huntsbury at a steady pace.  Climbed well until the top of Old Skool.  Stopped in the shade a couple of times along the way.  Then it was a quick blast down the hill.  Some of the technical lines between the hairpins were over grown but what the heck.  Into the single track which has had some good work put in.  The only problem was I was in my normal glasses instead of my wrap arounds so watering eyes.  Down in no time and home to prepare for end of year celebrations.
Also this was a record blog year, outstanding.

Thursday 27th December

I drove around and picked up The Cook.  We headed up St Andrews Hill, Mt Pleasant and stopped at Upper Major Hornbrook where we were met by Phatboy.  He was looking tired, and I was feeling like I had eaten to much on Xmas and Boxing Days.  I was a tad excited to test out my new wheel so I led off up the hill.  Riding in a bigger gear than normal.  Only problem was my aching knee!! We plowed up here and after scoping new lines into John Brittain track we blasted through here regrouping on the road.  Felt  really good at this point.  Down to Cavindish saddle before hauling up the track.  Still steep and but only tacky after all that rain. Regrouped at the top and then up the last stretch of shingle before leading down towards Greenwood.  I have mastered the  rocky corner and starting to gain speed through the tussocks going down.  Regrouped in a cold wind before heading out towards Mt Pleasant road. The Cook reported a fall onto his back on a rock after hitting a tussock.  I then led off at a good clip cleaning the rocky  section.  Phatboy had a wee tumble but after closer inspection he had a sizeable lump on his leg.  At the road it was a quick turn around riding a reverse of the track ridden so far.   Good pace by all of us really.  Cleaned most of the sections but near the steep rocky  section I had a double knee dab after failing to clean a hairpin.  Regathered and put jackets on at the top before blasting down wards to the saddle, then up the road, into John Brittain and then down the track to the vehicles.  A great ride in great time.  Very pleased with my wheel and I noticed better momentum a few times, ability to ride in bigger gears so a long trip should be better too!!

saturday 22nd December

I got picked up by Dozer bright and early and we drove to number 5 Worsley rd.  We were met by Sandals and Helmut.  We then rode down down Hurunui St collecting Tinkerbell before heading down Opihi St then onto Cashmere Rd.  We followed this all the way to Halswell Quarry, racing some road riders along the way.  I led off up the new track beside the Crocidile.  A first time for me.  This is a great alternative coming out onto the Crocidile above the shite  switchbacks.  Continued on up with a regroup at the top.  Into the next section with one dab by each of us on the way then straight into the top section down to the gate.  We then rode up Kennedys track to the top.  Sandals and Helmut were virgins to this section.  A good steady climb, feeling good even in the top sketchy section.  We then went around and down the body bag before the team showed me the F Line.  Awesome track that I will get faster and faster on for sure.  Then down and out.  Great pre xmas ride.  Always good to do something knew and even better when you do something old well!

Tuesday 18th December

A short Xmas ride to Pomeroys.  Dozer, The Cook and Bugs showed up at mine and we headed off towards Silverfoxes place.  Met him and Tinkerbell and the park in Studholme St.  From here we headed towards Hagley which we skirted before diving through town and arriving at Poms in plenty of time.  We had apologies from Nelsie, Mellonfarmer, Wee  Fi.  Phatboy arrived with a few reasons why he got things wrong, Sandals arrived even later for a short appearance.  At closing we headed off for 1 last walk through what is left of The Hayes old house.  Lots of it is now gone.  After the regular just 1 more we rode home to our respective houses.  A good night was had by all.

Sunday 16th December

With the weather predicted to be hot we decided to get out nice and early so with that in mind Tinkerbell picked me up and we headed out to meet the others at Dot Com.  In short order Phatboy, Sandals and Dozer arrived.  The five of us set off up Richmond Hill road at a steady clip with Dozer setting the pace.  It was warm all the way and we stopped in the shade of a tree juat before the Greenwood Subdivision, (just after the last steep section).  We then trundled upwards the last section of road, over the gate and started the grind up the  farm track.  Stopped in the shade of the tree alonf the way before I set the pace up to the top of the dirt track where it becomes shingle by the shearing shed.  Ambled up along here regrouping at the shade of the pines on Summit Rd.   After dodging falling pine cones we trundled up the farm track to the intersection of greenwood track, turning right on the tail and heading back towards Mt Pleasant Rd.  Great little blast here and regrouped in the shade.  It was well warmed up by now and I was sucking in the water.  I chatted to some people and the others headed up the road, forgetting to  do John Brittan along the way.  I gave chase and upon catching we headed down to the saddle before I led off up the new Mt Pleasant track. Grunty to start but then stayed at a steady pace to  the top where we had a break.  Nice run down the other side to  the top of Greenwood where we regrouped.  Another large posse started before us so we waited until they were out of site at the corner past the ruins.  I led off with the thought of catching them all before the bottom.  Great blast all the way knowing Phatboy was on my wheel.  Chase and chasing, catching and passing.  Got held up a couple of times but ended up passing over half there group.  In the last stretch we were hauling ass but 4 of them managed to beat us down.  We then climbed up the Godley track, with Phgatboy showing up a young boy racer on his bike.  The heat was getting to mus and we had plans so we decided to blast down the Taylors Track.  Tinkerbell had a wee off on the way but no injuries.  lovely little stop at Dot com but we were all home by 12 or shortly thereafter.

tuesday 11 december

Met at Halswall Quary carpark. Dozer and Sandles were waiting when Bug's and The Cook arrived. Headed up to the new track that starts where the Crocodile track finishes. Nice ride up the new wide track that cuts into the Crocodile about half way up. Up the rest of the Crocodile with most of us clearing the rutted switch backs. Stopped at the gate for a chat before hitting the single track up to the pines. Nice ride up here with most of us running into trouble about half way up where there are some extreme ruts on the steepest climb.Down the rutty single track to the pines at the gate then about turn and back up the single track again. Sorted a ruff order with Dozer taking the lead and down we went. Nice ride down over the rutted out sections with no major issues. Hit the Corocdile with Dozer in the lead and Bug's hot on his tail. Into the new track half way down which turned out to be very fast. Found out why they put white tape on one pine tree. Finished at the valley at the bottom then decided to ride up the bottom of the Crocodile. Sandles lead the way up with Bug's, Dozer and the cook following. All but one made it up here with out the dap. Down cross the bridge then pumped up the switchbacks to the start of the new track. Another flying run down here with no major issues. Down though paddocks and back to the cars around 8pm. Nice ride on another new track.

Sunday 9th December

A truly awesome day for a ride and I was feeling on top of the world.  Dozer, Tinkerbell, Sandals and Helmut.  We headed up Gruntsbury then around the Traverse, down through Shazzas, Brents, Bridges, Flow then up the Hidden Valley Track to Ols Skool and out.  All by 10.45.  I will never ride that  fast as you get cold waiting for the others to catch up.  Hidden Valley was overgrown which made it testing.  I cleared all the hairpinns.  helmut hurt himself on a fence.  I decided not to say how good I rode or anything else.  Awesome ride overall.  Everyone did good.

Tuesday 4th December

An awesome night for riding.  collected The Cook and drove up to Upper Major Hornbrook where we waited for the others.  Phatboy, Mellonfarmer, Dozer, Bugs the Tinkerbell and Twopot.  The biggest Posse in a while.  We took off up Lower JB.  Steady pace through this awesome uphill then a sharp right onto John Britain the Main clearing little ruts and rocjs as we went.  Out onto the road for a wee regroup before dropping down the road to Cavendish Saddle for our ride up the new Mt Pleasant track.  Good grunt but as it is single track it works quite well.  Tight in spots but awesome wee climb.  Then onto the last 20 m of Broadleaf, over the fence and up to  the start of the downhill we worked on a little over a week ago.  They have changed part of the track already.  This needs to be taken at pace to make it flow but it will bed in quite nicely.  New stile over the fence then flowed down to the top of Greenwood.  We took the section out towards mt Pleasant.  Always more sketchy in this direction but fun.  Regrouped at the road and then reversed the track.  Rode in Greenwood then a most popped in to the gun emplacements before heading up to the towers atop Mt Pleasant.  Most of the track is sweet climbing, a few technical bits, (cleaned these) then at the very top a short carry.  Much better than I  thought it would be.  Over the fence then through the gate before dropping back down to Cavendish Saddle.  Sweet run down here sticking close to mellonfarmer all the way.  A few drops of rain coming in for added excitement.  From here we went back up to John Britain the swooped down Lower JB to be back at the cars by 8.15.  Awesome ride.

Sunday 2nd December

Everyone pulled out the ride so it was just Dozer & Bugs. Meet at Ruberjaws around 9.11am and headed towards Rapaiki. Hot grind up here chating and admiring a few of the many females on the hill. Headed around Mt Vernon infront of two female riders when Dozer put a show on for them and came a cropper. Only thing damaged was his pride. Headed down into the Traverse cutting straight into the track ahead of a group chatting at the start. Fast run over the Traverse clearing all the rocky bit's. Stopped at the normal spot just past the pond. Headed around the rest of the track stopping at the top of Vic Park. Commented on how hot it was getting so cruzed on though the two tracks though the trees finishing at Sign of Kiwi. Up the road to top of the body bag then straight down with a sharp right turn up into the pines. Into the track that Sandles showed us on Tuesday evening. Fast run though here with Bugs clearing the rocks that he planted his face into on Tuesday night. Joined into the old track then turned off into the new steep, rooty down hill run. Great run down here with us both clearing it all. Up 4wd track to finish at the bottom of Worsley 4wd track. Down the road though the over grown paddock to finish at the bottom of the hill. Called around at New Boys place only to find he was shopping or something. Called in for coffee at Zerros then home by 12.30. Great, Hot ride, about 35km