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.