August 27th a Tuesday

Rushed around after work trying to get organised and discovered the battery needed charging.  Threw it on the charger and got ready.  Finally at 6.10pm it was ready  Went outside and found everyone ready.  Phatboy, Dozer, Bugs, Tinkerbell, Silverfox and I then headed around the river via Hansens Park and  started the climb up Huntsbury.  Rather tame compared to our Sunday  grunt up Richmond.  Stopped for the guys to remove jackets at the hairpin on Aotea before climbing on up the hill.  Stayed pretty close to each other all the way.  Onto the farmtrack we went, I thought we would continue but there was more clothing to be removed by some, while I just rolled slowly on.  The next gate had a bunch of runners who were going to close the gate before the others arrived but I finally talked them into keeping it open.  By the next gate we were all together again.  Nice little climb up here with a little nudge before the final gate. We regrouped and then headed  around the traverse.  Good fast pump, stopped briefly at the halfway and then continued to the top of Vic.  Headed down through the rock garden and the gums.  I was having a ball.  Best night ride for the year for me.  Everything on the ball and light just angled right.  Phatboy was having some light issues with it not being stable.  Down Shazzas and then into Brents.  This was its usual tricky self with the extra of a fallen tree near the start.  Down Bridges and Flow at a good clip.  Rolling so smoothly and in a tight bunch.  Down the bottom strecth at pace hooking the little jumps nicely.  From here the road ride home.  Everyone sounded pretty happy with the ride. Bloody great feeling to have such an awesome wee nightride.

Sunday 25th August

After spending 6 hours on the bike delivering flyer's on Satyrday I was a bit tired when I hooped on the bike Sunday morning.  Still keen for a challenge.  Silverfox and Tinkerbell arrived  and we headed around the heathcote to the towpath for a pump then onto the tarmac around McCormick's Bay.  Near the Redcliffs end we spyed Dozer and Mellonfarmer who had driven to this point.  From here we pumped around to Sumner.  Sandals had already started the climb up Richmond Hill by now.  We started our climb up the tarmac stopping at the 2nd hairpin to remove a layer then carried on up this grunt.  Finally onto some dirt and I led Mellonfarmer up via some sheep trails while the others went up the main track.  Ours was longer with 2 serious little grunts so we rejoined the others at the back of the pack.  We could see Sandals at the  start of the shingle near the shearing shed.  Climbed on up and then had a regroup by the road under the pines.  From here we climbed again up the farm track on the other side of the road.  It goes on for ages.  Mellonfarmer led off at pace followed by Tinks then the rest of us chatting away.  Halfway up I put on a burst and caught Tinks.  We regrouped before heading up the track to the Mt Pleasant summit.  Good climb really until the rocky section near the top.  Feeling slightly zapped I was off balance so I have to admit to dabbing and even pushing a couple of spots.  Regrouped and then passed a large group about to come down.  We headed off down the other side.  Good blast here at pace.  Felt wonderful and it bought a smile to us all.  The bottom still caught a few of us off guard.  Chatted with a group heading up before we  turned towards John Brittan.  Great run through here and then onto Greenwood.  Cleaned it all, and noted the work being done in spots that bog out.  Pumped around to the ruins where we had a bite.  Mellonfarmer led off down the main track.  He was flying.  I thought I had a good run but he was gone.  Enjoyed myself all the way down, slowed for a couple muddy spots then sped up.  Cleaned the bottom 2 rocks at pace then regrouped at the bottom.  We decided to head down Ct Thomas while Sandals went down the road.  The track was wet in spots but I still love it.  Rode all but 2 spots, enjoying the buzz.  Onto the tarmac where out tyres cleaned themselves all over us.  Stopped at Dot Com before heading home on the road.  Pumped steadily into the wind dropping the 2 car drivers at McCormick's Bay.  We then continued at a steady pump back the way we had traveled in the morning.  Got home feeling comfortably numb.

Tuesday 20th August

I attended a meeting and got home just before Bugs and Cookie arrived at mine.  I chatted and they decided to head off and let the others catch them as they trundled up Rapaki.  It seems this did not happen.  As they went around the roadworks by the church they met up with Phatboy, Nelly and Mellonfarmer.  The latter 2 were on street bikes and had ridden from Sandals where they had parked a vehicle.  They all headed up the track, nelly zipped off ahead of everyone on his narrow tyres then Mellonfarmer and Phatboy followed by Bugs and Cookie.  Regrouped at the top before doing Vernon and the Traverse. From here they dropped down into Vic park via the jumps area, the gums and the 4wd track.  The regrouped and rode on.  At the 19th Battilion memorial  the found Tinks who had road biked up from his place.  They all then headed down the road to Sandals for our meeting.  In the meantime I had got organised and hopped on my bike.  I went by the road, climbing as hard as I could up Dyers Pass Rd.  Tried to keep up with a couple of slower roadies.  Got to Sandals, managed to sit and open the first of my beers before the big group arrived.  Silverfox and Allistair arrived to chat about the trip.  All went well with only minor transport details to sort. About 9.30 meeting over, beer all drunk time to go.  Everyone went their own way, Tinkerbell on his bike, most others in cars.  Bugs, Cookie and I on our bikes.  Fast sprint down the hill and then a solid ride into the wind the rest of the way.  Took turns cranking the pace so conversation was nil. Got home in good time but needed a cool down period.

Saturday 17th August

Another planting day.  This time the weather was a tad damp as I set off alone heading towards Phatboys place.  A nice steady pace to warm up.  I arrived and to my surprise he was ready to go.  just the two of us though.  We headed around the river red zone on the south side of the avon.  Steady pace all the way, until just before kerres reach where the river was completely across the road.  Slowed down to make sure we did not wear it all then rode in to see if we could take the bridge across.  No bridge there any more so down and around via Wainoni Rd and then back around the river. Stopped at Burwood bridge to look at the reconstruction here and then continued on.  Just before the Brighton bridge we stopped to get some shots of the red zone.  I also discovered I had a nose bleed.  (first one in 20 years).  Got that settled then continued on along the river bank then into the pine trees at South Brighton.  Eventually we were riding into the wind along the last stretch to Southshore spit.  Not a large turnout (Tinkerbell was there having driven) but the weather was holding out with just overcast skies.  Planted furiously and had the bbq afterwards.  The skies strted to let go and a heavy drizzle started to fall.  Phatboy set the pace on the return journey.  I was feeling worse for wear with a blinding headache coming on.  At bridge st we separated with me heading down Dyers while Phatboy took the most direct route to his place.  I was wet by time I got home and pleased with the pace I set after we separated.  I must say I was unwell for the rest of the day which was a bummer.

Tuesday 13th August

Dozer turned up at Bug's place followed closely behind by The Cook and
Silverfox. We headed down around the river making our way to a new track
called Rapaki. One jacket off at the bottom and a bit of air in Dozers
tyres and up we went. Nice steady pace up to the 1st gate so The Cook
could remove some clothing as well. Nice pace up here with us all in a
tight group. The Cook dropped back on the last climb but did better than
last time. Bit cold at the saddle so up Mt Vernon with Dozer in the lead
with his 3200 lume light, followed but Bugs, The Fox and The Cook. Into
the start of the traverse then sharp turn just before the lava flow and
down Huntsbury track. Up into the paddocks at the 2nd gate and found our
way down to the tarsel. Quick run down here and then worked our way back
to Bug's place with a quick pint n pizza at the pub with Sandals and
Helmut. Home by 9.20pm

Tuesday 6th August

The Boyz arrived at mine all bright and early for a short blast up the hill.  Cookie, Tinkerbell, Dozer, Silverfox, Bugs, Phatboy and I headed around the road to Rapaki and started up the hill.  I had to stop as my chain was not shifting (oops mud).  I got that working and chased them up to the beginning of the track. A quick stop at the first gate and then it was up the hill.  I was trying to pace myself and ended up half way between two groups.  Phatboy, Bugs and Tinkerbell were pacing it out up front and the other 3 chugging away behind.  In the end I gave it a burst  and caught the front 3 before it flattens then I held back to ride with the others.  Cookie had dropped off so I waited for him and rode up the last stretch with him for company.  Quick regroup before heading over Vernon.  The others pumped on ahead and I started with Cookie then gave chase.  Caught Dozer before the hair pin at  the halfway and waited for Cookie.  Then blasted on again.  Nice pump up and across.  Once we had all gathered we reversed our way back along the track to Vernon.  I jumped in behind Phatboy and we blasted across the top.  All in close order.  The little downhill is so sweet and flows o so well.  We then headed across the road and prepared to do the farm track.  First time in years.  Fast flowing and oh so slippery, down down down.  The last bit was rutty and broken but we all survived.  From here we flicked around to casuals for a pint.  I was home by 8.30

Sunday 4th August to Orton Bradley and back

The annual jaunt to Orton Bradley was arranged and what a ride.  Dozer arrived at mine and shortly after Tinkerbell and Silverfox rode up.  We loaded the bikes and drove to Lyttleton.  Rode over the bridge and straight onto the Ferry.  Phatboy did not make it in time so he came on the next Ferry.  At Diamond Harbour we looked at the new cafe setup and then rode around to Orton Bradley.  The planting went down well.  We met up with Phatboy and even saw the Mellonfarmer.  So from here there were five riding what was a tarmac ride.  Heading out of Orton we turnt right and rode over to Teddington.  2 Short climbs to warm us up.  Phatboy setting a good pace.  Brisk.  At Teddington we turnt left and climbed up Gebbies Pass.  This was not as steep as I remembered but it was enough to cause a little separation between the team.  A short regroup here but not long as the wind was howling.  We then headed up the Summit Road.  It disappeared into the clouds but you could see it was a long climb.  Good pace set up here which eventually caused us to separate into different parties.  Phatboy noted that our arses had not had a workout like this in ages. Finally we got to the top of the climb where we waited for the others to arrive in.  All in ok condition and good spirits.  A quick bite and a chance to put jackets on.  Wind was cool and cloud was thick.  I then led off around the Summit road trying to keep the pace as high as possible,  lots of up and down sections but we eventually left the cloud behind just before Worsley Rd.  One last climb to the top where we came to a brake screeching halt to regroup.  Decided to head down the main trail, not the best decision really.  It was so cut up by 4wd oafs that it  was dab here and dab there slip here and slip there.  It really did not flow as it has done in the past.  Finally down to tarmac and flowed down here.  First Tinkerbell peeled off, then Silverfox, then Phatboy.  Dozer and I continued to pump back to my place.  Felt rather good although legs were saying enough for the day.  In total we did over 45km.  So much of it seemed to be uphill and over 30km of it was into a head wind.