Tuesday 26th February

Bug’s headed up Worley’s to meet others at end of Tarsal as planned. Half way up passed Tinkerbell huffing and puffing his way up. Stopped and gave him a lift from the top of the steep climb. The Cook was waiting at end of tarsal and Sandals arrived at the same time as us. After a bit of a chat and enjoying the heat from the sun the four of us headed up to the rutted 4WD track. Tinkerbell lead with Bug’s next, followed by Sandals then the Cook. All went well for most of us, huffing and puffing with us all managing to dab on the odd spot. Decided to skip the body bag and turn left to the Hidden track which is not so hidden now days. After a bit of a discussion on which root to take we decided to follow Tinkerbell and let him decide on the way. We went the old way which was great for a change. Track was dry, fast and dusty. Dropped down the new track which goes all the way down to the 4WD track down the valley. We all had a great run down here with no mishaps. At the bottom we discovered they has done some logging. 4WD track back up had about 4 inches of dust on the track which made some interesting riding. Picture attached. Back up at the top we turned left and grunted up the steep 4wd track the left down the old lower track. Seems so short. Back up 4wd track then right and down to bottom of Worsley’s to cars around 8pm. Won’t be long B4 night lights. Tinkerbell rode home with the rest of us driving

Sunday 24th Feb

Texas, Dozer and I (Tinkerbell) parked up at the bottom of Rapaki Rd.  We then headed up Crapaki at a steady clip, stopping for a breather and a chance to admire the views.  From here we headed up and over the Mt Vernon Track, the good thing was the challenging rocks.  Then onto Traverse then down Thompson then up to the top of Marleys.  We did a loop of the top half of the nun, back to the top of Worsley then down the body bag, up to the b line all the way down.  From here we headed down to mine for coffee.

Tuesday 19th Feb

Tonight was about confirming plans and numbers for the October trip.  I went outside to get in the car and head off to a meeting, stopping for a quick chat with The Cook and Bugs who were waiting for Phatboy, Nelly and Mellonfarmer to arrive.  (Actually saw the last 2 legging it spinning hard as we drove away)  They then headed out via the usual route to collect Tinkerbell and Silverfox then onto Hagley to collect Dozer before making their way to Pomeroys.  I had my meeting and walked the new boardwalk of Fitzgerald Ave arriving just before Texas who was only fractionally ahead of the rest of the group.  Sandals arrived by car after dropping Helmut (or is it now ?) off at the airport.  Brews were purchased and after waiting to see if anyone else showed we had our meeting.  Confirmed we will do Rameka and Kaiteriteri on day 1 and 2 then head to Nelson for the rest of the time.  Accommodation was discussed and agreed upon.  Everyone is to commit by the 5th of March.  More brews and then people started heading home.  Nelly kindly picked up his car and dropped me off at home.  Only 3 weeks and I can ride yahoo.

Sunday 17th Feb

After a night of celebrating the birth of Mrs Sliverfox, there was a small team of Tinkerbell, Dozer and Bugs. We left Bug’s place round 9.20am and headed around the river towards St Andrews Hill. Headed up here at a good clip, sweating out the drinks from the night before. Before we knew it we were at the fence of the single track at the top. Little rest there then up the single track to the Summit Rd. 55minutes from Bug’s place to here. Turned left and dropped down to Greenwood. Tinkerbell headed straight into the track with Bug’s close behind and Dozer bringing up the rear. Nice ride down here passing a couple of guy’s on the way. Bug’s cleared the two rocky bits at the bottom with the others clearing half of them. Over the fence onto the road at Evans pass then up to the Godley track. The usual hit n miss over the rocky sections and into the down hill. Tinkerbell leading with Bugs hot on his tail till we got held up by some slower guy’s. Got past them at the bottom and straight into the uphill. Bit of a wobble at the top of Bushes double crack as we didn’t want to do a Rubberjaws. Nice run down the other side and over the PFMTB rock before the road. Quick chat here then into the Anaconda. Fast run down here till we got held up behind a solo rider half way down. Got past him then straight into the tail. Grind up the hill out of Taylors then down into Sumner. Called in at DotCom for Coffee. Surprised to see Mrs Bugs and the family there having breakfast. Head wind across the causeway then down the single track along the river. Dozer needed a rest so let his tyre down so we could watch him repair in. Back to Bug’s around 12.30 and had completed 32km.

Tuesday 12th February

Bugs picked up The Cook and headed up to Sandles place with Dozer and Silver Fox arrived closley behind. Helmut was there so the six of us headed up the road at a nice fast clip and into Vic park. Dropped down accross the walking track then Dyers Rd and into the track below Dyers Rd. Nice climb up here with us all clearing the complete track. Quick regroup and the bottom of the Nun in time to see a rider stack it on the last cnr before the road. (Reminded me of Rubberjaws without the broken bones). Up the road to the top of the nun. Quite a few bikers around the top catching there breath. Bugs lead off with Dozer behind and the rest behind him. Sweet run by all here with no mishaps. Up the road to the top of Vic park then staight down though the trees to the start of The Traverse. Sharp left when out of the trees and followed Helmut down the old National's track. Steeps and doggie at the start. Most of us cleared the steep rockey bit with all of us walking the 2m drop half was down. Into Cool Runnings, down Brents with Dozer doing his thing and using his head to clear a tree. Tree didn't move though. Out the bottom onto the road with The Cook heading accross town to his place.SIlverfox turned off to ride the flat to his place with the rest of us riding up the road to Sandles place. Great ride about 18km, felt like 16km was uphill.

As written and proof read by Bugs

Sunday 10th February

Tinkerbell and Silverfox collected me and we drove to the top of Evans pass.  We met up with Phatboy, Texas, Bugs, Dozer and sandals.  1st ride for Silverfox since before Xmas due to injuries.  We set off up the Godly Track.  I was enjoying myself immensely feeling good on the bike.  We headed around to the top of the hill above Livingstone Col where we had a regroup before heading down.  Quite a good run with us taking the diversion to the right about half way down.  Not so good really.  We headed straight up the other side.  I was really going for it.  Near the top, (the earth moved, the rock jumped out, someone pushed me, i was attacked by a ghost) I left the track.  rolled a few times and had very sore hands/wrists.  One much worse than the other.  The others all regrouped here.  After collecting myself we headed towards Breeze Col.  1st my seat fell off and after walking a bit Tinkerbell and Sandals put it back on.  Headed down slowly trying not to fall or increase pain  but failed so ended up walking the rest.  At Breeze Col I decided to cruise the road back to the cars while the others completed track to Godly and back.  The road was fine as I could ride one handed.  The others eventually caught up and Phatboy took me to A and E.  Temperature was hot and the others decided to go for coffee.  In the end after 2 hours and some xrays I have 1 arm in a cast with fractured wrist and the other in a splint as they are sure it has fractured bones in the hand.  They may put this in a cast but hoping they say it is only sprained.  I will know in a week.

Tuesday 5th ride according to Bugs.

After a bit of a mix up wether ride was on or not, Dozer meet at Bugs place and the two of us headed towards Rapaki. Strong head wind all the way up here with a few thing's to catch your eye on the way. Got to the top without any stops and continued staight into Mt Vernon as the wind was strong n cold. Dozer cleared the rocky piece with Bugs having one dab. Stopped to check phones as messages were coming though. Richard was waiting at Taylors for us, Woops. Text mixup there. Continiued up Vernon to top Traverse. Fast ride down 4wd track jumping the cattle stop at speed as the gate was open. Down the loose gravel then left into the farm track down to Old School. Great fast ride down here with Bugs in the lead with Dozer close on his tail.Nice to see some work being done on Old School. Flew down here with no issues. Quick ride accross town to stop for a beer or two at The Brewery. Home by 9.20pm. 

3rd February

Dozer met at mine and we headed off around through Hansens Park then a few zigs and Zags around the river through Beckenham Park then around the river again, past the Service Center and then around the river all the way to Worsley Rd.  This was all done into a steady head wind which was a nice way to warm up.  We hooked up with Texas, then Sandals arrived (first ride of the year with me) and shortly thereafter Tinkerbell arrived.  We headed up Worsley Rd which I found easier than in the past.  Still made my heart pound and breathing hard.  We all made a rolling rest before continuing up at a good clip.  A regroup at the road end before a solid climb up the track.  I led off and gave myself a nudge.  Cleaned everything and enjoyed my own challenge.  We regrouped at the normal corner just before the rocky section.  Once evryone was at the regroup I decided to space it out and lead off through the rocks with a gap in between.  Luckily I did cos I immediately dabbed at the first tough rock, cleaned the  next then dabbed again.  From here I cleaned the rest.  The others had varied success but all dabbed somewhere in this section.  I decided to continue straight up the body bag while my mind was in the zone.  Got half way up the steep section then spun a wheel and stopped.  Caught my breath  then restarted which was good and cleaned the rest.  Pretty happy.  Watched  the others as they started up.  Tinkerbell cleaned it all, Dozer made it 3/4s of the way and so did  Sandals.  Good effort by everyone.  Caught our breaths here then headed up Marleys to do the Nun.  We did the nun.  Dozer led off and I stayed on his tail all the way to the Kiwi.  The tuning I did on the rear shock was working well and we flowed down here.  Great run from top to bottom.  Regrouped at The Kiwi.  Had to wait as Texas had punctured. From here I led off down the Old Dyers Track.  Some work has been done on this and the first section is loose (slowest section for me) then some hard pak has been added (got faster) then into untouched old track (let it rip style now) and so much fun.  We cruised around the forest track to the road with everyone arriving pretty much together.  Up  into Vic park where we had a rest stop in the shade by the skidder site.  Decided to do Dazza's (not shazzas).  This was great fun even if sketchy in spots.  Cleaned it all at good speed then had a regroup.  Took the track  across  the face of eastside Bush (Wazzas Thumb track).  I led then Tinkerbell got in front when I balked at one point but overall we enjoyed this in the dry.  From here we headed down and around past hospital corner.  Dusty in here and first time down this in a long while.  This is where I praise myself.  I led across the creek cleaning this ( a first for me) then I cleaned all the haipins from here aswell.  I was on top of the world as I have never done this either.  Regrouped at the top then into  old skool.  A great blast down here with Adrenalin pumping from the climbing success.  Felt good on the bike and the bike was rolling well.  Obviously tuning the shock set up helped heaps.  Even cleaned the little rutty section at the bottom.  From here we went off to the garden center for a bite to eat.  Great ride.  Sorry for all the self praise in the blog.  Just felt great on the ride.