Tuesday 25th June

Wow 2 rides in one week.  This could get serious.  With all the tracks still pretty mucky and 99% of the ones we enjoy closed we decided to head east to Taylor's for a tootle around the Boulder Bay Track.  I picked up The Cook and headed out, getting stuck in traffic along the Mc Cormack's Bay Rd.  Arrived at Taylor's to find Tinkerbell waiting and Phatboy arriving just behind us.  The Cook is still carrying his leg injury and Phatboy feeling unwell we set off at a slower than normal pace.  I was wrapped up warm which slows me down as I overheat.  Leaving the car park we discovered the field to the start was a large pond so water everywhere.  Onto the track and things certainly were wet.  The shape of things to come.  This was Tinkerbell's first ride on this track since its upgrade.  As we rode we discovered washouts at the steps, mud on the track and a few slips.  The slips were a mess.  If you rode them (or attempted) you ran the risk of being thrown over the bars as your wheel stuck in 6 inches of thick mud or you got off and got your feet stuck.  of course this meant that by the end of the ride you could hear that all to familiar sound of grinding as the mud and fine particles starting wearing away all the metal parts of your drive gear.  Anyhow we continued around and up to the first gun emplacement where we stopped for a photo.  The Cook stopped here as his leg was getting rather sore while the 3 of us continued on up and over, down and up until we reached Godley car park.  Stopped and oohed and aah ed as the moon came up before heading back the way we came.  We had seen no one else out and about until the return.  Went past a solo woman runner who was most unimpressed to see us.  We caught up to the Cook at the muddiest of the slips and quickly made it back to the cars to load up our muddy steads.  I managed to loose 1 glove and my bandanna between loading and home.  Not happy about that.

23rd June

finally a day that we could ride.  days of rain, parties and then days of rain and snow have prevented us from riding for a while.  For me and a few others it was the Marleys planting on the 1st.  nothing was going to stop me today.  I went outside to find it bloody cold and lots of ice around.  Wrapped up warm for the ride.  Bugs arrived and then Dozer.  We waited for others to show (I had apologies from Tinkerbell and Phatboy).  Mellonfarmer said he was on the way but it was to cold to wait so sent a text saying meet you at ferrymead.  Off we set sticking to the road to avoid feet soaking puddles around the river.  All tracks closed so tarmac was the flavour.  Got to ferrymead where mellonfarmer joined us and we headed up St Andrews Hill.  Still rugged up until just above marama cres where we all got rid of some item of clothing.  Continued up the hill at a steady pace, using all the normal roads.  Stopped for a brief regroup at the Upper Major Hornbrook before climbing the last stretch of Mt Pleasant Rd.  Rugged back up before heading down the Summit Rd to Evans (cold but lots of water flowing across the road with lotsa grit about)then on down to Sumner.  It was interesting seeing a waterfall on the bend that had all the blasting work.  We stopped at Dot Com for drinks, sitting inside for warmth before heading back towards home.  All heading in different directions shortly before or after Ferrymead bridge.  Nice to get out but gosh the tracks will be wet for a while.

Sunday 9th June

What was predicted to be a drizzly start to the day turned out to be beautiful and sunny, albeit a little nippy. Dozer, SilverFox and I (Tinkerbell) met at Dot Com for a 9am start. We took off at quite a steady pace up Richmond Hill and by the first 'rest' point we lost a layer or two as it was already getting warm. After convincing ourselves that we should keep going and not go back down for coffee and a chat, we carried on up the hill . Surprisingly the 4WD track wasn't to greasy as we were expecting the tracks to be pretty slick. Once we got to the start of Greenwood, we soon realised we were in for some mud flinging fun. The muddy track and wet rocky sections made for some interesting and cautious riding, but we all managed to stay upright and on the bikes. The usual muddy spots were the worst we'd seen for a while and we were beginning to wonder if perhaps the tracks should have been closed (which the website said they were definitely open). We made it around and down Greenwood then headed up and along the Godleyhead track. This wasn't the greatest attempt to clear the tricky spots due to muddy tires and still more wet rocky sections, but we persevered and made it to the next 'rest' point. we decided to make our away down to the single track (that brings you out half way up Taylors Mistake Road), which turned out to be as fast as normal because it wasn't as slippery or wet as we'd expected. A quick grunt up Taylors Mistake Road and down into Sumner, tires shedding all the mud collected during the ride. Stopped at Dot Com for a refreshing coffee, nibble and a rest in the sun before heading home. Good timing in the end as the weather was changing and gloomy clouds covered Chch quite quickly - into which MellonFarmer and his doggy headed later on... Until next time :o)

Saturday 1st June

Another planting day but this time up on Marleys Hill. Phatboy, Dozer, Bugs and The Cook arrived at mine. The cook had a bad knee but was determined to ride.  We headed off and started up Rapaki.  Initially Phatboy and Bugs riding up front, then Dozer and I warmed up with the cook following.  Things changed at the gate at the end of the Trees.  Phatboy and I slowly pulled away with Bugs and Dozer cruising up next.  Regrouped at the gate midway as we waited for the Cook.  Knee hurting but continuing along.  A guy whizzed past and then we decided to ride on.  Just a cruise at the start across the flat and down.  This guy was maybe 159-200m start on us but Phatboy started to chase him down.  I stayed on his tail and we caught before the gate at the top.  Good feeling really as I still felt fresh.  Regrouped and put clothes on as we waited for the Cook to arrive.  We then headed up and over Vernon in the same order.  nice blast.  The Cook did the road.  From here we blasted around the Traverse track.  A few spits of rain finding us at the halfway point.  Decided to go on to the trees at Vic to stay dry.  The track got pretty wet towards the end which surprised as it was also starting to break up.  Regrouped before going up to the road, avoiding Thompson's and its muddy sections.  We then cruised on up the road from the Kiwi to the top of Worsley for a regroup.  Talked 4 other MTB riders to join us at the planting and then cruised up to the top. The track up was covered in snow and we were riding in a puddle all the way. Chatted and got instructions before riding down to the 2nd hairpin for the planting.  The track down was plenty wet and greasy. Planted for just under 2 hours and were joined by Janine and Grace (and her friend) and also Alistair.  He had chuffed up on his big rig.  Planting over time for the riders to ride.  The track down was a mess with large tracks wet, muddy, some even worse and breaking down completely.  Should not of been open really.  At the Kiwi we decided to avoid Vic.  Phatboy and Alistair deciding to head that way though.  The rest of us went down lower Dyers track.  Started well with all the knew work on it but then deteriorated into a mud bath and river ride.  Down the road from here and home.