Tuesday 26th March

I picked up The Cook and headed  out to Kennedy's Bush Car park.  Arrived early and shortly after we were joined by Sandals, Tinkerbell and Silverfox.  I was a bit tired due to the extremely late night and drinks on Monday. I led off at a toddle pace and eventually started heading up C2.  Nice gradient with just a couple of spots to remind you that it is going up.  Regrouped where it meets the crocodile and then we headed up.  Going up here spread us out a bit more.  I led with Tinkerebll being the one that followed after a while.  Rode up quite well considering and cleaned it all.  At the gnarly point near the cattle stop we met a rider coming down, this was where Tinks made his passing maneuver placing him in second.  Regrouped and then carried on up the next section.  Wind buffetting us around.  I crossed over onto the farmtrack at the halfway to avoid the steep shitty rutted bit and headed up while Tinkerbell continued on the track.  He cleaned it all.  From here a fast clip down Siberia before turning around and coming straight back up.  The single track was a bit slower than usual coming down as the sun was in your eyes and there was no way of having a good look at where you were going.  Regrouped before the crocodile.  Down we went, wind and occasional sun strike.  Good run then down the switchbacks and up the steep section on the other side.  I stopped as Tinkerbell steamed on past.  Silverfox stopped at the same point, but we then started off and cleaned the rest.  Regroup and then down finding the shortest route into C2 and up to where it joins the Crocodile.  Light fading so we headed down C2 which was fast and enjoyable while Sandals went back down the switchbacks to clean the steep hill.  We regrouped at the cattlestops then I led off up the track to the right.  Bad Boy but it was a fun way  back to the cars.  Home from there feeling comfortably numb.

Sunday 24th March

A return to the scene of my crash.  Tinkerbell and Silverfox picked me up and we drove around and up to the top of Evans Pass.  Here we were met by Sandals, Bugs, Dozer and then Nelsie and Mellonfarmer.  I rode in circles while everyone got ready then headed up the track to just above the first 2 bites.  Not warmed up so lungs and heart bursting.  Shortly there after the others followed.  I was pleased to see that they were all breathing as hard as I was.  From here the terrible twosome led off.  I gave chase holding onto them nearly followed by Bugs, Tinkerbell, etc.  An awesome run really and we regrouped at the top by the cattlestop.  Sandals came up last and led off without stopping.  We gave her some space then gave chase.  Good run down here but blinked once and lost vision briefly, Bugs had same problem with watery eyes.  Carried straight on up the otherside towards 2 cracks point, passing Sandals along the way.  At 2 cracks point some guy had gone over the handlebars.  What a coincidence.  Continued on having a good run.  From here I led off above the road taking the guys along the new sidle line.  Nelsie and Mellonfarmer were virgins so we broke them in (and they enjoyed it) and I mean virgins to the track!!.  Fast flow down to the Godley carpark then back around under the road.  Great run again.  Then it was a quick up and over and then the long climb up from here.  Toodled up here with mellonfarmer stopping to chat to a friend.  At the top we had a regroup and eventually Mellonfarmer showed up after having broken his chain.  We also chatted with a group  from Canterbury MTB club.  Then it was a fast run down to Evans Pass before the climb up Greenwood.  This went faster than I expected.  Unfortunately I can not claim to having cleaned it.  I dabbed a few times and even pushed around a few rocks but did much better than in the past.  At the top regroup I was pleasantly stuffed and bailed on going up over Mt Pleasant.  In fact everyone agreed except the terrible twosome.  They headed straight up for a there and back again ride.  We waited a bit then headed down with  Bugs leading followed by Tinkerbell, then me then Dozer, Silverfox and Sandals.  Great run down here, Tinks got a good start but from then on I either held the distance or closed up a bit.  Cleaned the rocks and down to the end.  Good ride but felt stuffed.  Do I blame the warm , airless conditions, lack of stamina from the accident or the piss from the night before.  No it was just a good honest ride with lotsa grunty ups.  back to Dot Com for coffee before heading home by 1.

Tuesday 19th March

I headed off and collected the Cook on Ensors Rd before heading up to Sandals place.  Here I met Bugs, Tinkerbell, Silverfox and Dozer.  The 7 of us were prepared to risk howling rain, big winds, huge lakes of water and getting our bikes dirty.  We of course know someone who did not.  Fortunately for us the weather was wonderful with the sun shining even if it was slightly cooler.  We headed up the Dyers Pass Road hanging a left onto Hackthorne.  Bugs and Tinkerbell setting a steady pace so I pushed to catch up.  Steady little grind with a rolling regroup at Sign of Takehe before grinding up into Vic  Park.  Bugs still sitting in the front so I rode with him pushing each other along.  Regrouped for a Pitstop before heading around and up the 4wd steep section.  Lungs burning we rode up here in good order then up to the landing site and then up through the pines to the Traverse Track.  I led off from here.  The tracks were in mint condition with half a  dozen puddles that hardly got your bike wet.  But then only Cotic's can not handle that.  Only 1 regroup as we went along,  seeing a few riders coming towards us.  Headed straight across the road and over Mt Vernon Highway hitting everything as hard as possible.  The boys and girl charging hard behind me. Flowing sweetly on the down hill run.  Sandals had stopped to put on her jacket so she arrived last at the top of Rapaki so we made her lead off on the way back.  She hated leading in case she held anyone up so she was pumping harder than normal.  Good clip up here in the end.  Sandals purposely took the hairpin so she would no longer be in the lead so I carried on.  I then ended up leading again blasting around the traverse having a slippery whoops at the rock section by lava flow.  Continued pumping, quick regroup and then onwards.  Into the pines, dark dingy and slippery in here before heading down the 4wd track.  Blasting as quick as you dare.  Fun time and then down the road to Sandals place by 7.40.  All in all a good ride.

Sunday 17th March

I woke early with a slightly fuzzy brain.  Oh thats right late night excess  with a few during and after the rugby which our Crusaders won.  I was going to do a solo trundle up St Andrews but Silverfox persuaded me to join the team while I was under the influence, so I rode around to the scout den at the bottom of Rapaki.  Here I met Silverfox, Tinkerbell, then Texas and shortly thereafter Dozer.  We agreed to head up Crapaki.  I was expecting to take our time and they all agreed.  So I rode beside Tinkerbell up to the middle flat section.  Here the conversation was how quick we came up the hill, me saying "thanks for taking it easy" then Tinks saying "I let you set the pace" and I thought feck should of ridden slower.  Anyway we slowed for Texas and then went up the last section.  Now this was much tougher on me and my energy was flagging by time we neared the top.  Lucky for me I ran into someone I knew so stopped and chatted to her while I caught my breath before joining the lads at the top.  My hand was doing ok at this stage.  I led off over Mt Vernon motorway.  yes Motorway.  Not a rock to roll over as it is all smooth.  Ok for the new riders who will ride this but it does mean we get to the good stuff at  Vic much quicker.  Regrouped at the road crossing by the Traverse track. A rider went through and I thought we should give chase.  I caught up just past the 2nd cattlestop and passed before blasting around to our usual regroup section.  She managed to be not to far behind me in the end.  She carried on while I waited for the others. My wrist was aching after a few bumps along the way.  We headed towards Vic.  As it was only 10.15 the guys were keen for more riding but I decided that my wrist had had enough so I split from the group and Texas followed me.  The other 3 headed towards Marleys (Tinks promised to give an update which is now added below) while we headed down hill.  Worked our way through the Rock garden, the Gums, Shazzas, 4wd beside Brents the down bridges, Flow etc and out.  Stuffed I was but better for the ride.  5 weeks since my last ride and that  was only about 2km before I fell off.

And Tinkerbell says, ‘After splitting up from the top of Vic Park, Dozer, SilverFox and Tinkerbell rode on…down Thompsons to the Kiwi, around and up to the top of Worsleys. SilverFox stopped to admire the view while Dozer and Tinks rode a quick loop of the Nun…which resulted in Dozer getting a flat tyre just before the end of the top half of the Nun.

Back on the road again (as Willie Nelson wisely put it) and up to meet SilverFox, before heading down the Body Bag, back up to B Line and down the old school B Line. From here was a cruise down the rest of Worsleys Hill…SilverFox headed home on a mission while Dozer and Tinks stopped for coffee’.

The End :o)

Thursday 14th March

Rubberjaws went for a test ride to see how his wrist would hold out.  I headed out the gate at 5.35 for a road ride up a hill.  headed round the river via Hansens Park then onto Ramahana Rd, left onto Aotea Tce then left onto Huntsbury Ave.  I rode this til the end of the tarmac before coming back down with an added twist and turn amongst the houses at the top.  From here it was a quick blast down the hill and back through Hansens and home.  I pushed myself hard all the way.  Wrist ached a bit especially when I stood iin the pedals.  The whole ride took only 35 minutes gate to gate so I have not lost too much speed.  Will do another road ride on Sunday up St Andrews, may even do the easy single track to the summit before coming back down.  If this works I will be ready for some loops of the Nun on Tuesday and then will head out the following Sunday to redo (reclaim) the ride that did me in.

Tuesday 12th March

Bugs picked up The Cook and headed to Halswall Quarry to meet up with the rest. Dozer arrived followed by a new guy called Tony someone. We will call him Silver fox going forward. Sliver fox had some nice shinny new forks on his yeti. Headed up though the park and into the new uphill track. Quick rest here to watch some nice scenery go past. Nice climb up to meet the Crocodile then bit of a grunt up the Crocodile. Regroup at the gate then continued up past the dry pond and all had trouble to various degrees on the steep rutted holes in the middle section. Up to the gate then down to the other gate at the pines. Chat here then returned the way we came. Dozer leading followed by Bugs, The Cook and then Silverfox. Kept this order to halfway down the Crocodile when Dozer couldn’t decide which way to go. Bugs went right and headed down the lower Crocodile. Everyone followed. Some got further than others on the climb back up from the bridge. No one making in all the way as it was very rutted. Though the pines and back out to the park. Back at the cars around 7.45pm. Any longer and we would need lights. Nice easy ride for the new guy. Hope he makes it again. 

The good knews is that Rubberjaws will be back next week.  Arms out of the cast, and he will do a couple of test rides before joining the posse.

Other good news, is MellonPharmer's broken Soul has been replaced by something a little BFe-r...

Sunday 10th March

Dozer picked Bug’s up and they headed to Dot Com and meet up with Helmut & Sandals. After a quick chat about an important missing part we headed up Richmond Hill. Steady climb up here then into the farm track. Track was very dry and firm. Dozer even found a pink monkey on the way. Chat at farm gate then up the road then over the fence and up the 4WD track to intersect Green Wood. Bugs lead off with Dozer closely behind followed by Helmut then Sandals. Good ride down here by all just passing one guy with a puncture. Down the road to Evans pass then into the rocky track to the heads. Helmut lead off clearing the steep rocky start that everyone has trouble on. Well done. From there most of us had the usual dab here and there while trying our best to clear the rocks. Before we knew it we arrived at double crack rock and stopped to say a few words. Off down we went to PMTBC rock where we all hit it with speed. Regroup before the Anaconda. Bugs lead off with Dozer giving chase and Helmut right on him. Very fast ride down here sliding round a few corners and getting a bit of air. Hit the brakes on the 2^nd last bend as the track isn’t made for speed here. Regroup then out the tail and a steady climb up the road to top of Scarborough Hill. Down the other side @ 58kmph and arriving at Dot Com at 12 for coffee.  

5 March 2013.

Bugs was keen so biked up Mt Pleasant to meet the others at Upper Hornbrook Road. Phatboy arrived on time followed by Dozer then The Cook. Quick chat then over the fence to the start of the uphill single track. Toot Toot and Sandals arrived. She joined the lads and we headed up the hill with Bugs leading followed closely by Dozer, Phatboy, Sandles and The Cook. Nice clip up here turning right on the tight hair pin just before the road. Straight into the track below the road as Bugs was already warmed up and keen to push along. Regroup at the tarsal. Watched a guy with his bike coming along the closed road under the gondolas. He was climbing over the rocks. Crazy!!! Coasted down the road then into the single track that climbs upto the highest point. Good climb up here with a regroup at the top before starting the downhill to Greenwood. Phatboy lead off with Bugs and Dozer hot on his tail. Hard to spot the track in places with the tall tussock blowing in the wind. Regroup before Greenwood. Bugs lead off with Phatboy and Dozer chasing then The Cook and Sandals. Track was in fantastic condition for a very fast run down to Evans Pass. We were all pumped at the bottom. Chatted here with a guy on a 27 ½ inch Scott bike ?????? He seemed very happy. Started the nice easy cruse up the road till Phatboy decided to stand on his peddles and left us behind. Split the group up as Bugs and Dozer decided to chase with Sandals and The Cook not far behind them. Into the single track at the top of Mt Pleasant though the paddocks and back to the cars. Great ride with plenty of hill work and just as much downhill. Bugs rode down the hill getting home just before dark. 28km ride. 

Sunday 3rd March as per sandals

9am meet for Dozer, Texas and Sandals at bottom of Rapaki, pointed up into a screaming head wind and battled uphill one bend at a time. A brief pause in the lei of the top fence, then off to clear the Mt Vernon rock section….  to find it buried under 2ft of fill, transformed into a wheelchair access footpath L   at least we’ll have an ‘all weather’ track the will never be closed in winter. Yeah right!

The traverse had new tricky spots dealing with strong cross winds trying to throw you over the edge, so the shelter of Vic Park was welcomed. The Nun was voted off as being too exposed and so we headed down the rock garden managing to loose each other and ride 3 completely different lines to meet again at the skidder site. From here we sidled around the upper 4WD track, Texas practicing his low seat, jump bike, cool teenage look in preparation for getting some Cool Running’s big air.  This is such a fun track, swooping corners and flowing steep berms, a hidden gem often forgotten and under used.  Out the bottom open section which is becoming quite dusty and rutty from overuse. A brief re-gathering then into the Hidden Track which threw obstacles in our way, else we would have all cleared the lower creek, a falling breaking tree down on use in the steepest uphill section (audio only thank goodness) and on the most difficult blind corner possible walkers in the middle of the turnaround to avoid…  Texas even had to pull out his downhill backwards pedaling technique to narrowly avoided … clearing a corner  J.   Old Skool was the perfect finish to our short but very social ride… views, sunshine, sheltered, flowing lines, downhill, even good scenery passing us on the way up…    Then there was coffee, muffins and movie reviews, ah, another great Sunday morning.