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.